HDTV hardware questions

Factual Questions
1

Hi all,

I am considering buying a new HDTV, but have a few questions.

It seems like there is a lot of technology out there now, each with its own pros and cons. Can anyone point me to a resource that well spell these out for me, or otherwise provide some insight to the below?

My basic requirements are that the TV is widescreen and support DVI input, although I would also prefer a 720p native resolution.

Given that, I’ve narrowed my selection down to:

One of the Samsung 43" DLPs (although I hear that RCA’s forthcoming DLPs may be better, so I may wait)

Sony’s new LCD rear-projection: 42" Grand WEGA™ LCD Rear Projection TV KF-42WE610

Toshiba’s forthcoming 34" Cinema Series CRT: Model# 34HDX83

Sony’s 34" wide-screen CRT (KV-34HS510) (the newer KV-34XBR910 is too expensive for a tube, IMHO)
From what I understand, the tube-based TVs may offer the best overall picture quality (HD and standard NTSC), but are extremely heavy, can burn in with still images or non-strecthed 4:3 material, and are limited in size (I would prefer bigger than 34"). They don’t display 720p natively, but upconvert it to 1080i.

The DLPs and rear-projection LCD are much lighter, offer great HD content but poorer standard content, and my suffer from stuck pixels over the long-run (also, they need their lamps replaced occasionally). Both, from what I understand, will do 720p natively.

Any other upcoming technologies that might make for a good overall TV? I hear Philips has some nice Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCOS) displays, but I know nothing about them and have not seen one in real life.

I’m basically looking for suggestions as to how to get the most bang for my buck, and any information related to the limitations of the tehnologies behind current HDTVs.

Thanks,
Joe

2

You seem to know more about this than I do, but all I can say is that I purchased an LCD TV for just regular cable TV (HDTV isn’t offered yet in my area) and the picture quality is great and the set is incredibly light.

The CRT HDTVs are incredibly heavy.

3

I’ve got a 55" Widescreen rear-projection HDTV, and I hear Mitsubishi has a 75" out now. Not sure if that’s “limited in size” or not. :wink:

As for image burn on rear-projection TVs, that can be alleviated just by turning down the brightness and contrast. Most HDTVs come from the factory with the brightness and contrast cranked up, to enhance the picture in the showroom, but it burns the tube out much faster. A properly-adjusted tube should last a decade or more.

And the only danger I hear of burn-in for non-stretched 4:3 material is the risk of burning from the “window boxes” on either side of the non-stretched image. I don’t think there’s a problem if the boxes are black, though.

4

Based on what I have seen, the Samsung DLP TV is the best picture out there. Because of the technology, dropped pixels are a non-issue. I really want the 50" one, but because the RCA ones are coming, I’m waiting to see if there is a price drop, but so far the prices I’ve seen on the RCA DLPs are in the same ball park.

Why are you favouring the 720p format? The one question that I have had, that I can’t seem to get a straight answer on is, 'what do I give up (real or potential) by getting 720p VS. 1080i?

5

Those Samsung EDTVs I saw all have ‘blooming’. Matter of fact, the circuit city store I went to had a whopping 5 open box ones. EDTV is like HDTV but cheaper.

6

The Samsung DLP monitors are not likely to produce visual artifacts unless the screen itself is physically damaged. And EDTV is nothing like HDTV, except for the widescreen format. EDTV is still in the current 420p format, and IIRC it doesn’t allow for the DVI input.

7

If you’re looking for DVI, make sure it has HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection); most newer sets do. Toshiba has an LCOS set with native 1080p (yes, progressive) resolution, model 57HLX82. Price is a bit dear at $9000 MSRP.

Really, though, this question would be better asked on a forum dedicated to home theater: AVS Forum. In fact, I daresay it’s been answered there lots of times already, and a search would give you all the information you need.

8

Carbon nanotubes. It depends on how long you want to wait, but Samsung is planning on producing a small display later this year. Expect a 1 year wait before larger versions show up, but when they do prices will drop dramatically.

9

From what I understand, its really a matter of opinion. ABC and ESPN HD transmit in 720p, as they believe that its a more ideal format than 1080i. Other carriers apparently feel otherwise.

I believe it was mentioned in avsforum (Running With Scissors, I have read a lot there, just trying to confirm it… most of the people there are very much AV “purists”, and I wanted more practical advice in terms that I can understand :slight_smile: that the progressive scan format may be better for fast-moving content, such as sports and video games, of which I enjoy watching and playing a lot.

Honestly, I find it hard to discern when looking at store models, but I can never be sure if they have everything hooked up properly.

Pilot141, that is very interesting regarding the nano-tubes. I heard Sony has a new technology on the horizon, too, but I can’t remember what it is called.