Help me pick a plasma tv

hotsand5 · 07-07-2006, 12:13 AM

Thanks for all the information, as all of this new technology starts to get complicated. I have viewed the 1080p Sony SXRD, while playing a Blue Ray DVD at the tweeter center, and yes it is amazing! They also have DLP sets in 1080p, and pioneer is comming w/ a plasma in 1080p (but will be about $10,000). The only reason that I am not looking for a DLP, sxrd, etc. is I want to save on space, and feel that plasma flat screens are better than LCD flats. Unfortunatley, they only come in 720i/1080i, not P. The only thing that really sucks is that I ill spend close to 3k and in another couple years, that tv will look like crap compared to the new technology that they have out. The next "in" thing will be LED (light emitting diode) tv's which should be here by the next year for about $10-12,000 for a 42".

Squawks · 07-07-2006, 12:28 AM

There is no such thing as 720i. It does not exist. However, with that said, it really is 720p for a flatscreen TV and 720P is still a good native resolution.

hotsand5 · 07-07-2006, 12:33 AM

Squawks, would I be able to notice a big difference between 720p and 1080p, while just watching normal HD programming? What about when watching on an upconvert HD dvd player? Or is this only a big difference when watching w/ a blue ray dvd player?

Sedan_Clan · 07-07-2006, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotsand5

Squawks, would I be able to notice a big difference between 720p and 1080p, while just watching normal HD programming? What about when watching on an upconvert HD dvd player? Or is this only a big difference when watching w/ a blue ray dvd player?

With regards to viewing DVD's.......Yes! Before I purchased an upconverting DVD player (...my unit is a Sony), I was highly disappointed in the DVD playback of movies. The difference that an upconverting unit along with the accompanying cabling (..I'm using Acoustic Research HDMI cables, Optical Cables, etc.) provided is immense.

Squawks · 07-07-2006, 12:46 AM

hotsand, you will not notice much of a difference between 720p and 1080p with today's typical SD, HD, and DVD (480p) media. Today's broadcast HD only exist in 720p or 1080i, both of which look good on both 720p and 1080i sets and may look a little better on 1080p sets - not because these sets are 1080p native resolution but they usually feature better technology such as better brightness, contrast ratios, black levels, smaller pixel gaps, and more accurate color ratings.

You will notice an astronomical difference when watching Blu-Ray movies at home and the funny thing is that I use my HDTV for 75% movies rented from BlockBuster. With the advent of Blu-Ray already on its way (along with Blu-Ray players such as the PS3) and the availability of Blu-Ray movies, it's already something you can enjoy at home. Even HD-DVD is becoming available as well.

Note that 720P native resolution gives roughly a resolution of 921,600 pixels at 16:9.

With 1080P native resolution, you have a whopping 2,073,600 pixels displayed.

So don't let the numbers fool you - going from 720p to 1080p more than doubles what you see on your TV.

Like you said already, it would suck to get a set and not be able to take full advantage of Blu-Ray or HD-DVD movies (you still can enjoy them wonderfully at 720p or 1080i, nevertheless).

Newer TV sets also have firewire ports and PC connections - in fact, I have my HDTV running my desktop and people are always amazed when they see me surfing the 'net on my 55" screen at home.

txusa03 · 07-07-2006, 11:01 AM

wow, i learned so much from this thread...blu-ray and sony sxrd.

Sedan_Clan · 07-07-2006, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txusa03

wow, i learned so much from this thread...blu-ray and sony sxrd.

Blu-Ray isn't widespread yet. I'd wait for the technology to develop and drop in price. It's quite expensive at the moment.

Squawks · 07-07-2006, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Blu-Ray isn't widespread yet. I'd wait for the technology to develop and drop in price. It's quite expensive at the moment.

There is a handful of Blu-Ray movies on Best Buy and they're averaging $25/movie with 19.95 as the low and 29.95 as the high. Not much of a selection but it's growing - probably priming for the release of a consumer-affordable Blu-Ray player (e.g. the release of the PS3). That's not much of a premium over our typical DVD costs. The players may be expensive, of course - but you gotta pay to play. I look at a player as just a set of cheap rims - they're both equally priced...

On top of that - who buys DVDs? Most people rent.

Sedan_Clan · 07-07-2006, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squawks

There is a handful of Blu-Ray movies on Best Buy and they're averaging $25/movie with 19.95 as the low and 29.95 as the high. Not much of a selection but it's growing - probably priming for the release of a consumer-affordable Blu-Ray player (e.g. the release of the PS3). That's not much of a premium over our typical DVD costs. The players may be expensive, of course - but you gotta pay to play. I look at a player as just a set of cheap rims - they're both equally priced...

On top of that - who buys DVDs? Most people rent.

I buy DVD's.

I only buy those that have an infinite level of replayability to me (..i.e..Bad Boys 1 & 2, The Matrix Trilogy, Wedding Crashers, etc.). My collection is currently 160+ strong, and I've watched all of them plenty of times. Then again, I'm a major movie buff!

Squawks · 07-07-2006, 12:27 PM

Heheh, I'm a major movie buff too! But, I rarely buy, though - perhaps only 2 a year and only those that I *really* would like to keep and one day show my own kids when they grow up. Infinite level of replayability?!?

I feel kind of stupid though because now my collection is worthless with Blu-Ray and HD-DVD coming out. Sort of how I felt stupid with my older DVD collection that doesn't have full Dolby Digital 5.1 support. With my new theater system I even feel ashamed with having "obsolete" DVDs without DD EX support!

Sedan_Clan · 07-07-2006, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squawks

I feel kind of stupid though because now my collection is worthless with Blu-Ray and HD-DVD coming out. Sort of how I felt stupid with my older DVD collection that doesn't have full Dolby Digital 5.1 support. With my new theater system I even feel ashamed with having "obsolete" DVDs without DD EX support!

You know what they say about trying to keep up with technology.........or the Jones'.

07-07-2006, 12:13 AM	#45
hotsand5 hotsand5 50 Rep 806 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330i 6spd Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: chicago iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Thanks for all the information, as all of this new technology starts to get complicated. I have viewed the 1080p Sony SXRD, while playing a Blue Ray DVD at the tweeter center, and yes it is amazing! They also have DLP sets in 1080p, and pioneer is comming w/ a plasma in 1080p (but will be about $10,000). The only reason that I am not looking for a DLP, sxrd, etc. is I want to save on space, and feel that plasma flat screens are better than LCD flats. Unfortunatley, they only come in 720i/1080i, not P. The only thing that really sucks is that I ill spend close to 3k and in another couple years, that tv will look like crap compared to the new technology that they have out. The next "in" thing will be LED (light emitting diode) tv's which should be here by the next year for about $10-12,000 for a 42". __________________ -2006 BMW 330i-Sapphire Black- Tera Leather-Aluminum trim- 6spd manual- Sport- Premium- Cold- Navigation- Euro. delivery -2005 Yamaha Warrior 1700 102cu"
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-07-2006, 12:28 AM	#46
Squawks One of my two dachshunds: 56 Rep 663 Posts Drives: B6 A4 3.0 Quattro Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ithaca, NY iTrader: (0)	There is no such thing as 720i. It does not exist. However, with that said, it really is 720p for a flatscreen TV and 720P is still a good native resolution. __________________ I'm sorry about my outlandish behavior - there's too much blood in my alcohol system.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-07-2006, 12:33 AM	#47
hotsand5 hotsand5 50 Rep 806 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330i 6spd Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: chicago iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Squawks, would I be able to notice a big difference between 720p and 1080p, while just watching normal HD programming? What about when watching on an upconvert HD dvd player? Or is this only a big difference when watching w/ a blue ray dvd player? __________________ -2006 BMW 330i-Sapphire Black- Tera Leather-Aluminum trim- 6spd manual- Sport- Premium- Cold- Navigation- Euro. delivery -2005 Yamaha Warrior 1700 102cu"
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-07-2006, 12:46 AM	#49
Squawks One of my two dachshunds: 56 Rep 663 Posts Drives: B6 A4 3.0 Quattro Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ithaca, NY iTrader: (0)	hotsand, you will not notice much of a difference between 720p and 1080p with today's typical SD, HD, and DVD (480p) media. Today's broadcast HD only exist in 720p or 1080i, both of which look good on both 720p and 1080i sets and may look a little better on 1080p sets - not because these sets are 1080p native resolution but they usually feature better technology such as better brightness, contrast ratios, black levels, smaller pixel gaps, and more accurate color ratings. You will notice an astronomical difference when watching Blu-Ray movies at home and the funny thing is that I use my HDTV for 75% movies rented from BlockBuster. With the advent of Blu-Ray already on its way (along with Blu-Ray players such as the PS3) and the availability of Blu-Ray movies, it's already something you can enjoy at home. Even HD-DVD is becoming available as well. Note that 720P native resolution gives roughly a resolution of 921,600 pixels at 16:9. With 1080P native resolution, you have a whopping 2,073,600 pixels displayed. So don't let the numbers fool you - going from 720p to 1080p more than doubles what you see on your TV. Like you said already, it would suck to get a set and not be able to take full advantage of Blu-Ray or HD-DVD movies (you still can enjoy them wonderfully at 720p or 1080i, nevertheless). Newer TV sets also have firewire ports and PC connections - in fact, I have my HDTV running my desktop and people are always amazed when they see me surfing the 'net on my 55" screen at home. __________________ I'm sorry about my outlandish behavior - there's too much blood in my alcohol system.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-07-2006, 11:01 AM	#50
txusa03 Major General 587 Rep 6,563 Posts Drives: TS330iPPSP6MT Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Planet Earth iTrader: (3)	wow, i learned so much from this thread...blu-ray and sony sxrd.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-07-2006, 12:27 PM	#54
Squawks One of my two dachshunds: 56 Rep 663 Posts Drives: B6 A4 3.0 Quattro Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ithaca, NY iTrader: (0)	Heheh, I'm a major movie buff too! But, I rarely buy, though - perhaps only 2 a year and only those that I really would like to keep and one day show my own kids when they grow up. Infinite level of replayability?!? I feel kind of stupid though because now my collection is worthless with Blu-Ray and HD-DVD coming out. Sort of how I felt stupid with my older DVD collection that doesn't have full Dolby Digital 5.1 support. With my new theater system I even feel ashamed with having "obsolete" DVDs without DD EX support! __________________ I'm sorry about my outlandish behavior - there's too much blood in my alcohol system.
	Appreciate 0 Quote