'tis the season for Boxing Day sales and ridiculous electronics purchases. I had a look at the assorted flyers and found two 1080p TV’s that will be the same price:
Candidate #2:LG 42" with 120hz and 40,000 contrast ratio. Smaller screen but I had a look at the 47" version of this at the store and my goodness the picture is shiny. Very nice.
So what will give the better viewing experience- sweet specs or size? I will be watching blu rays and HD tv mostly, at about 9 feet from the TV. I’m worried that the 42" will not be big enough to really notice the perkier picture quality.
I cannot speak to the size relative to viewing distance as I haven’t had the opportunity to try different sizes out.
As for 120hz, I must have spent an hour and a half looking at the 120hz vs 60hz televisions at CC much to the dismay of the salesmen (but I did buy that day, 42" LG 1080 60hz 42LG50), and wow is the 120hz like crystal. Like Shamwow! But something about the “smoothness” of the video was lacking with 120hz (obviously), and the videos on display seemed camcorderish, even though they were profesionally made movies. I like HD, and I like a clear picture, but 120hz makes it too clear IMO. Before anyone labels me as deficient in recognizing the difference, as I said, the 120hz is absolutly crystal clear on all the models on display. It feels like you can jump into the television and interact.
Of course, others tastes may be different in this regard, and you would have to weigh the cost benefit of going to 120hz. If I was hardcore gaming, I would spring for the 120hz without question, but not for movies (but that’s just me).
ETA: If you’re basing it on flyers, definately take the time to view those models on display if you can in person.
I’ve heard that shiny shiny 120hz thing called the ‘soap opera effect’. So how do you like the one you got? I think it’s the mate of the 47" I’m looking at. Nice picture? Do you watch HD on it (tv, bluray?)
I saw the 120hz at the store today (the 47in version)- lordy. Pretty. I’m going to go to another store to look at the 60hz 47in and see if there’s a solid difference.
I’ve heard contrast ratios don’t mean much of anything comparing brand to brand since there is no set standard for measuring it.
They may mean something when comparing two models of the same brand though.
Never heard of that effect before, so I looked it up. I guess I was seeing something that was odd about 120hz pictures.
Post #9 there gave a little insight into why that is. Apparently, it could be more the fault of something called “motion enhancement”, then 120hz itself that gives that SOE.
That thread was helpful too, kinda related.
I really like the television. I picked it up after getting myself a 32" 720p 60hz 32LG50 model. It was a gift for my parents and they really like it too. The only noticeable thing on both these models is a little brightness in each corner when the screen is black, but goes away when a picture is on the screen. From researching, most LCD’s will have this issue in dark rooms, but is negligible. Had Comcast hook up the HD-DVR for the 42" yesterday, and things really did come to life on the HD channels, they looked great. Even standard definition dvd’s look awesome (no blu-ray yet). The Xbox 360 looks awesome for games like Call of Duty, and the brilliant colors of Geometry Wars and Powerup Forever are simply something to drool at on both these sets. So far, it’s only been component hookup, I want to try HDMI connections. I’ve read that HDMI isn’t necessarily superior to component (opinion based, but HDMI is digital), but I still want to try it. If it’s anything like going from VGA to DVI, I assume HDMI will improve these sets even further in their quality.
I saw a nice difference between HDMI and component cables on my 1080i with the upconverter DVD player- worth a $25 HDMI cable (not the $100+ ones the store flogs). If the DVR takes HDMI, give that a spin too. Find a store that will accept a return if you don’t think the difference is all that. For HD tv, it may not be a huge diff if the HD signals are 720 or 1080i. My cable dudes allege a 1080i signal, it really looks like upconverted DVD def (which is barrel loads better than standard def tv).
So I went up (Uphill! In a mini blizzard!) to have a look at the 60hz model-asked the dude if he could hook up a bluray player (all the floor models were hooked up to composite cables-grrr). Too busy, he said. Grrrrr.No sale for you! So I think I’m going to go size over quality. I know me and I’ll be whining in a year that I want a bigger screen. Or probably, I’ll get whatever isn’t sold out.