Plasma TVs
 

We were thinking of clubbing together and getting my younger son a plasma TV for Christmas. However, my older son said that the newest technology is 1080p (no idea what p stands for) as opposed to 720. However, he does have an LG plasma, 720p, which they bought several years ago and to me, it has a really nice picture. Anyway, we can buy the identical LG 42" plasma for $760. However, if you want to go up to a 1080p - the price goes up by about $500 and we wouldn't be able to afford that much.

I am not in favour of giving cash or a gift certificate - its not like a real gift. My granddaughter says he watches football and fighting and he is not into technology like my older son who always has to have the latest version of everything.

At the present my younger son has a Sony 35" CRT tv which has a perfectly good picture - but the TV is huge and I know he would like a new one. He doesn't want an LCD.

I did find this on the Internet, which suggests the 1080 is not worth the extra money. However, there are probably other sites - there always are - that say the opposite.

http://www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com/3-plasmahdtv.html

I am wondering what you think - if you want to watch sports on TV and are not into technology, would you rather have a 720p plasma TV or not get a TV as all?

Re: Plasma TVs
 

In your circumstance I would go for a 720p for a bedroom and keep the 1080p for family room. The p stands for progressive which means all 1080 or 720 lines are shown at the same time instead of i = interlaced where every other line is shown followed by the alternative lines. Progressive are supposed to give better picture but both cable and sat providers only transmit in interlaced (1080i ) format as p takes up so much bandwidth broadcasting it.

Anyway for a bedroom 720p should be fine - save your money Purley.

Re: Plasma TVs
 

If your younger son does not want an LCD TV he may not want a plasma either.

If he is not into watching High Definition television then purchasing either is a waste of time and money. The picture for regular TV does not look as good on either a plasma or and LCD set as it would on a regular CRT.

Regular channels look slightly fuzzy on LCD and plasma sets, some stations worse than others.

We have a perfectly good 13 year old Sony XBR 28" CRT that has an amazing picture on regular TV and we don't see any advantage to going to an HD capable set until either the current TV dies or local television stations start broadcasting in HD, whichever comes first.

Re: Plasma TVs
 

Standard Definition TV often looks poor on any large screen, it's not a function of it being an LCD or Plasma. It's the 'large screen' bit which is the key issue. I have a 51" CRT RP TV in the basement and SD TV, particularly the analogue channels on cable looks better on the 28" CRT upstairs.

Re: Plasma TVs
 

I have to admit that I would've agreed with Steve until very recently. We've been viewing a Sony 28" CRT for many years. I had noticed that the picture quality was not particularly good any more (as you know I've been out of the country for several months, so when I got back I noticed what I probably wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't been away... I think you'll know what I mean).

Long story short, last weekend I bought a Samsung 42" plasma (720p) for ~$800 from Sears, and the quality is much better than the Sony. We're happy. Now if only there was something worth watching...

Re: Plasma TVs
 

Point taken but my point about LCD or plasma is still valid.

Doesn't the fact that the regular analogue channels are only broadcast at 480p and you're trying to show it on a 720p or higher resolution LCD or plasma monitor only make the problem worse?

Re: Plasma TVs
 

I do agree with whoever it was talked about the CRT TVs. His Sony 35" has a really good picture. Maybe we will just give him money and he can spend it on groceries if he wants to!!!

Re: Plasma TVs
 

As I said, that's not been my experience. But also as said the CRT may have deteriorated over the years. Viewing the 42" 16:9 screen in 4:3 mode gives a 35" CRT equivalent. Our viewing distance is about 14' (dbd33 would love this thread), so maybe it's just the larger image which is helping.

Re: Plasma TVs
 

It all depends on the upscaling engine in the TV. Some do it better than others.

As for the OP, if your son wants to play a PS3 or watch blueray then you might as well get a 1080p capable set. If he doesn't then don't bother.

Re: Plasma TVs
 

You experience is interesting as it is not mine.

Both my sons have new HD TV's, one a 42" Sharp Aquos 1080p the other a 40" Samsung plasma 720p

Both look great when watching DVD's, HD television and especially Blue Ray movies however I find that trying to watch local channels like the news and such very disappointing and still consider my 13 year old XBR a better set for that.

I will admit the Samsung is slightly better than the Sharp but I still prefer our CRT.

Re: Plasma TVs
 

Ah well. It's all very subjective. As I said, we're happy.

Re: Plasma TVs
 

And that is the most important thing. :)

Edit: Did you go with a HD cable box?

Re: Plasma TVs
 

No. But I might buy the <ahem> OH a blueray DVD player for Christmas.

Re: Plasma TVs
 

Some helpful information (I hope) for you.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=93974

Don't bother with the Denon or Marantz just a tad over priced I think.;):eek::eek:

Re: Plasma TVs
 

Thanks Steve. No need for a high end unit methinks. The Samsung I bought is only 720p after all.

Re: Plasma TVs
 

I would go with a reasonable mid range BD Live enabled machine. They are only going to get cheaper.

Re: Plasma TVs
 

I'd like one of these wide screen TV's but I can't even think about how appalled I'd be finding all of the slobber marks and sticky finger prints all over the screen contributed by our four year old and two year old. We'll be sticking with old technology for a while yet I think.

Re: Plasma TVs
 

Exactly (on both accounts).

Even for the PS3, most of the big name games are still just 720p. Very few current games use 1080p and those that do tend to be the simpler (downloadable games) that are not graphically intensive, so can afford the processor power for the higher resolution.

Blu-ray on 1080p can be breathtaking, depending on the actual movie format used (just because it's blu-ray, unfortunately doesn't mean the movie is high definition- check the small print to make sure it's not SD or 720p!)

All that said, if the TV is 1080p and the signal is 720p (and the upscaling engine is doing its job), the TV should be pushing out more colours and pixels than the original image has.

Re: Plasma TVs
 

Paul, be nice and save me a google. BD live enabled?

Re: Plasma TVs
 

BD Live enabled is another name for Profile 2.0 apparently. ;)

Read all about it here: http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-9808376-1.html

Re: Plasma TVs
 

It's the latest addition where either wireless or ethernet connection is enabled from the player and additional web based content can be accessed right from within the movie I believe ( additional web page info, games, content etc ).

Haven't got a blue ray myself, apart from the PS3, but will be looking at a stand alone player next year maybe for family room on main level, leaving PS3 in the basement family room.

You will see BD Live against certain models.

Re: Plasma TVs
 

"Doesn't the fact that the regular analogue channels are only broadcast at 480p and you're trying to show it on a 720p or higher resolution LCD or plasma monitor only make the problem worse?"

All this technical stuff!! I don't know what you are talking about -- can someone please explain in layman's terms? Are you saying that if the programming that the cable company is sending out is lower resolution or something than your TV can play, that getting a higher resolution TV won't do you any good?

I have a cable box that is capable of playing HD programs, so does my son, but neither of us have HD channels. I had some once when they were free, but they were not channels that I watch so when it came to the time where you had to pay for them, I just got rid.

Re: Plasma TVs
 

OK. laymans terms.

- You will want a thin TV for a bedroom ? If yes, then a LCD would be fine
- Most LCDs are HD capable increasing in quality as the number goes up ( HD starts at 720 resolution I think as a minimum )
- If you want HD capable, head for one of these
- If not go for an SD 480 LCD TV.

Can't put it simpler than that P.

Re: Plasma TVs
 

Paul. I'm not at all sure if anyone has ever marketed this type of TV in Canada.

I've never heard of one, that does not mean it hasn't been done though.;)

Re: Plasma TVs
 

True I haven't seen them, but I was trying to make the point that if HD is not wanted, or you aren't going to pay for the channels which are shown in HD of interest - then don't go overboard on the TV specs.

Re: Plasma TVs
 

I'm sure that's very helpful. But I don't think I understand a word.

Why on earth would someone want to access web based content when watching a movie?

Re: Plasma TVs
 

I read all that Steve, thanks. Still wondering what it means though.

BTW, completely off topic, do you check on Monday night or Tuesday morning?

Re: Plasma TVs
 

No idea, but that's what it's for. You asked, I told - I didn't design or come up with the idea.

Re: Plasma TVs
 

I'm like you I don't understand why I would want to access the web while watching a movie. :confused:

I have to phone the hospital after 2:00 tomorrow afternoon and they'll tell me when I have to report on Tuesday.

Re: Plasma TVs
 

:rofl: I'll probably not bother with that then.

Re: Plasma TVs
 

OK. As I said elsewhere, good luck, I'll be thinking of you.

Re: Plasma TVs
 

Bought a 1080 50" plasma a couple of months ago - brilliant clarity with the Blu-Ray, but unless it's hooked up to an HD cable box, programs can be a bit fuzzy due to the bigger screen. I love it, esp taking into consideration that since I moved to Canada I've had a cheapy 17" CRT with green blob in the corner of the screen (after the house was zapped by lightning, lol!) and for most of this year I haven't had any TV at all!!!

Re: Plasma TVs
 

Just purchased a 32" LG LCD HDTV and the picture quality with normal Rogers is very average, worse than on a good CRT. We are collecting our HD box tomorrow, so hopefully this will improve things substantially. I even took the original Samsung we purchased back to the shop, such was the lack of clarity and 'ghosting' on the picture. I am not techy enough to make many distinctions between specs, so I am looking forward to HD.

Re: Plasma TVs
 

It will help - the standard cable quality here is shocking, miles worse than freeview back in the UK. The HD is better, though they could do with a touch less compression on the picture!

I got a Samsung LCD for the bedroom and can't say I was overly impressed with the quality either... The Panasonic plasma I got for the lounge however is superb.

Re: Plasma TVs
 

From what the guy from the cable company told me when he was here the other day, if the shows are broadcast in 480 or 720 - and he says no shows are broadcast (at least in Regina and probably elsewhere) in 1080 at the moment, the only way you would get the benefit of a 1080 TV is by using a blu-ray player. So I guess you buy the 1080 for the future -- if you decide its worth it to you.