Need some advice on HDTV choice

Alright, so I'm looking for a HDTV...my needs are basically that it is 52'', 1080p, ~$1500, works well with a PS3 (or whatever gaminig system - so no "ghosting" or anything like that), and looks great when playing movies. I mean I suppose that's stuff everyone wants from their TV right? :D Anyways I've been looking at a Samsung LN52B550 and am just wondering if that is a good option. I'm still somewhat in the dark about certain specs on it. For example the response time is 6ms, on a PC monitor you look for 2-3ms for gaming, but is 6 fine on a TV as big as 52''? I mean the reviews on Amazon sound great, but I was just looking for some more insight...if anyone here has any other suggestions I'm open to them! Thanks for any help!

Alright, so I'm looking for a HDTV...my needs are basically that it is 52'', 1080p, ~$1500, works well with a PS3 (or whatever gaminig system - so no "ghosting" or anything like that), and looks great when playing movies. I mean I suppose that's stuff everyone wants from their TV right? :D Anyways I've been looking at a Samsung LN52B550 and am just wondering if that is a good option. I'm still somewhat in the dark about certain specs on it. For example the response time is 6ms, on a PC monitor you look for 2-3ms for gaming, but is 6 fine on a TV as big as 52''? I mean the reviews on Amazon sound great, but I was just looking for some more insight...if anyone here has any other suggestions I'm open to them! Thanks for any help!

powerwolff

Samsung generally has great products, and 6ms response time is fine, should be a great set for gaming and movies.

Does the fact that it only has a 60hz refresh rate and not 120hz really make a difference?

How can u see if a TV is good, w/o actually looking at the picture quality?

Specs dont mean anything to me, a TV could have great specs, and another could have bad specs, but if the TV looks great (picture/sound), I wouldn't care, I would still buy the inferior TV (specs).

Does the fact that it only has a 60hz refresh rate and not 120hz really make a difference?

powerwolff

Well thanks for all the advice. I'm gonna head over to the local Best Buy today and compare a whole bunch of HDTVs and then make a selection, since that seems like an important thing to do before just ordering one online and hoping that I like the picture :P

If you are sitting further than 6-7 feet from teh TV, take a look at the 720p plasma's. Panasonic or Samsung. You will save some money and get better image quality.rastan

[QUOTE="rastan"]If you are sitting further than 6-7 feet from teh TV, take a look at the 720p plasma's. Panasonic or Samsung. You will save some money and get better image quality.powerwolff

How is any other room in the house bad for a Plasma?

How is any other room in the house bad for a Plasma?

Amith12

[QUOTE="Amith12"]

How is any other room in the house bad for a Plasma?

powerwolff

Well if thats the case, I should really move my plasma to the bathroom. My lounge doesn't let in much light anyway, and it has curtains, y did they invent them, to let in less light, lol.

Does the fact that it only has a 60hz refresh rate and not 120hz really make a difference?

powerwolff

AFAIK, 120hz can scale down to 24hz which helps if you're watching a movie.

Alright, so I'm looking for a HDTV...my needs are basically that it is 52'', 1080p, ~$1500, works well with a PS3 (or whatever gaminig system - so no "ghosting" or anything like that), and looks great when playing movies. I mean I suppose that's stuff everyone wants from their TV right? :D Anyways I've been looking at a Samsung LN52B550 and am just wondering if that is a good option. I'm still somewhat in the dark about certain specs on it. For example the response time is 6ms, on a PC monitor you look for 2-3ms for gaming, but is 6 fine on a TV as big as 52''? I mean the reviews on Amazon sound great, but I was just looking for some more insight...if anyone here has any other suggestions I'm open to them! Thanks for any help!

powerwolff

Plasma's don't have "refresh rates." Refresh rate are something linked solely to LCD technology and is responsible for the "blur" associated with LCD TV's with fast moving objects. 120/240Hz was implemented to counteract this LCD blur. A side effect though is that it can make film look more like "soap operas." The 600 Hz spec now being touted by plasma TV's is a direct marketing ploy to counteract the fact that people think they need 120/240 Hz TV's. When it comes to plasma, that spec doesn't exist so Panasonic came up with the 600 Hz spec that actually has nothing to do with refresh rate rather it deals with how plasmas produce color.

There's an excellent article out there by Popular Science at http://www.popsci.com/entertainment-amp-gaming/article/2009-01/it-hertz-so-good

Plasma's don't have "refresh rates." Refresh rate are something linked solely to LCD technology and is responsible for the "blur" associated with LCD TV's with fast moving objects. 120/240Hz was implemented to counteract this LCD blur. A side effect though is that it can make film look more like "soap operas." The 600 Hz spec now being touted by plasma TV's is a direct marketing ploy to counteract the fact that people think they need 120/240 Hz TV's. When it comes to plasma, that spec doesn't exist so Panasonic came up with the 600 Hz spec that actually has nothing to do with refresh rate rather it deals with how plasmas produce color.

There's an excellent article out there by Popular Science at http://www.popsci.com/entertainment-amp-gaming/article/2009-01/it-hertz-so-good

rastan

Well just thought I'd let you guys know what we ended up with. It's a Samsung 46'' LCD @ 1080p 120hz...it's amazing, such an improvement over our old Sony 28'' box. Playing Killzone 2 is freaking amazing and I'm not noticing any sort of ghosting or anything just using the "gamer mode".

I went with the Sony Bravia 46" W4000 because I found it on sale. Only 60hz, with 24Hz technology for Bluray. Looked excellent for picture quality. Also of note, many people recommend calibrating your new HDTV by a professional.

Bought a 360 not too long ago and now wish I could return the TV. Considering it's 1080p, the game picture is great, but text is hard to read in some games. Fallout3 I can't even see what I'm selecting in the pipboy menu. If I get up closer it's no problem. Maybe it's the TV, or I might need to get my eyesight tested.

Does the fact that it only has a 60hz refresh rate and not 120hz really make a difference?

powerwolff

I went with the Sony Bravia 46" W4000 because I found it on sale. Only 60hz, with 24Hz technology for Bluray. Looked excellent for picture quality. Also of note, many people recommend calibrating your new HDTV by a professional.

Bought a 360 not too long ago and now wish I could return the TV. Considering it's 1080p, the game picture is great, but text is hard to read in some games. Fallout3 I can't even see what I'm selecting in the pipboy menu. If I get up closer it's no problem. Maybe it's the TV, or I might need to get my eyesight tested.