The "Ask Any Question about HDTV or Audio" Thread

is 1366*768 on an lcd with 1200:1 contrast ratio any good? 23 inch by the way. i saw one on an ad in the paper which is goin for 400 bucks. and thats in the price range im lookin for. also it says hd ready lcd...is that different from those that just say hd lcd? and is 1366*768 720p resolution? thanx in adavance

kamuix

[QUOTE="Varese_basic"]My remote has speaker delay time buttons: center, rear, plus +, minus -, and reset. I guess with the reset should experiment but I don't know what I'm supposed to listen for. Is there an analogy?Impossibilium

i have a question:

im looking for a new HDTV, that my PS3 will look good on. so i found this one: Samsung LN-S2738D.

on this site http://dpreview-cnet.com.com/Samsung_LN_S2738D_LCD_TV_27/4014-6482_9-32062500.html it says that it can do 1080p, but its only a 27" screen... it also says that the tv res. is 1366 x 768, which is not 1080p.

i want the best picture i can get on a 27" screen. i read that 1080p is only for 50+" tv's, so thats not what i should be looking for on a 27" screen, right?

simple question: do the Samsung LN-S2738D display the best picture any 27" can do? if not, which one does?

edit: more info on the tv here: http://samsung.com/Products/TV/LCDTV/LNS2738DXXAA.asp

baiums_inferno

thanks for the answers, both of you.

the samsung tv i was talking about, is going for 750$.

i found some Westinghouse LCDs with 1080p 37", but too expencive. so im forgetting all about 1080p, as the max size i want is 30", and its too expencive.

about the 1080i solution, im going to play fast paced games, like dmc4, racing games. so i dont want 1080i.

so, i cant get 1080p, 'cus its too big and expencive. and i dont want 1080i either, as its not good for fast paced games. so, im going for 720p.

i was looking for a bigger tv, as you said galvatron. so i found this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824234002R
its a 32" Westinghouse (LTV-32W1(LCD)), just about as big as i want it. its 720p, which is what im now looking for, fast response time and only 722$. only thing im now worried about is the contrast ratio.

the new 32" has a contrast ratio of 1000:1, whereas the 27" has 3000:1.

i've seen the 27" in a store, playing an x360 game, and i've never seen a better picture on any tv (and i've seen alot).

so heres my dilemma: i can either buy a big 32" tv with a fair picture quality, or i can buy a smaller 27" tv, with outstanding picture quality. for almost the same price. baiums_inferno

now i can finally stop worrying about tv's

now i can finally stop worrying about tv's

eeh ok...

anyway, new question. right now i live in the US, im an exchange student from denmark, in europe. im moving back to denmark when the school year ends.

so, my question(s) is: can i use an american PS3 in europe, can i use it on an american ntsc tv (the samsung) in europe, can i use the ntsc samsung as a normal tv in europe (just for watching danish tv channels), and can i connect the ntsc samsung to a european pc as a monitor?

the "power wire" isnt the problem, i already have the stuff that converts the electricity from american to european. so no power issues. my problem is the ntsc/pal system, which i dont know too much about.

im only gonna use my PS3 for games, so the region lock doesnt matter.

the samsung does not include a PAL tuner. but you're saying that its possible to buy one, so i can watch danish tv if i spend some extra money, right?

and do you know if i can use the screen as monitor for my european pc?

Hey guys, I have a Xbox 360 and I need some help deciding wich HDTV I should buy.

Could you check this website and see if this TV is good for gaming?  http://www.amazon.co.uk/LG-37LP1R-widescreen-HDTV-Ready/dp/B000A42DJC

Hey guys, I have a Xbox 360 and I need some help deciding wich HDTV I should buy.

Could you check this website and see if this TV is good for gaming?  http://www.amazon.co.uk/LG-37LP1R-widescreen-HDTV-Ready/dp/B000A42DJC

Griefah

its a 37" too, but with a contrast ratio of 1000:1, instead of 1200:1 as the one you found has.

[QUOTE="Griefah"]

Hey guys, I have a Xbox 360 and I need some help deciding wich HDTV I should buy.

Could you check this website and see if this TV is good for gaming?  http://www.amazon.co.uk/LG-37LP1R-widescreen-HDTV-Ready/dp/B000A42DJC

baiums_inferno

its a 37" too, but with a contrast ratio of 1000:1, instead of 1200:1 as the one you found has.

I'm not sure how much it costs in US dollars but the store I found is selling it for a very good price. I don't think I can afford 1080p right now, 780p is all I'll need anyway. Maybe in like 5 years I might consider it. Also, what cables should I get for my xbox 360 if I buy the TV in the link I posted?

Thanks for the help.

the samsung does not include a PAL tuner. but you're saying that its possible to buy one, so i can watch danish tv if i spend some extra money, right?

Hello, folks [bows deeply], this thread is dedicated to answering questions anyone feels like posting about HDTV, which TVs are good, cables, audio, etc., etc.  So don't be shy, post a question and I'll try my best to answer it.  I'll start with a few observations (most of these are IMOs, some are facts):

-expensive A/V cables, (Monster, Acoustic Research, et. al.) are the snake oil of the 21st century (if you don't believe me, look at the founder of Monster Cables's mansion, if that doesn't show that their products are overpriced and overrated, nothing will)

-not only has HD DVD won the first round vs. Blu-Ray, it won it in a landslide

-1080p is very, very overrated and is used as more of a marketing tool than an actual screen resolution

-don't make the mistake many others make, if you buy a decent display, dont't sell the audio side short, pair it with a phenomenal digital audio system

-for your own sakes, please don't buy Bose, if you have that much money to spend on audio, there are comparably priced, better-performing alternatives

So, again, post any questions, you'll get some semi-worthwhile answers.
GalvatronType_R

If you're going to be biased,whats the point of this thread?

We all know there is hardly any difference between Blu-ray and HD-DVD(only real difference is Blu-ray disc capacity which happens to be bigger),so if you feel some hatred towards Ps3's 1080p capabilities compared to Xbox 360's fake 1080p capabilities,I suggest you head on over to System Wars.

eeh ok...

anyway, new question. right now i live in the US, im an exchange student from denmark, in europe. im moving back to denmark when the school year ends.

so, my question(s) is: can i use an american PS3 in europe, can i use it on an american ntsc tv (the samsung) in europe, can i use the ntsc samsung as a normal tv in europe (just for watching danish tv channels), and can i connect the ntsc samsung to a european pc as a monitor?

the "power wire" isnt the problem, i already have the stuff that converts the electricity from american to european. so no power issues. my problem is the ntsc/pal system, which i dont know too much about.

baiums_inferno

[QUOTE="GalvatronType_R"]Hello, folks [bows deeply], this thread is dedicated to answering questions anyone feels like posting about HDTV, which TVs are good, cables, audio, etc., etc. So don't be shy, post a question and I'll try my best to answer it. I'll start with a few observations (most of these are IMOs, some are facts):

-expensive A/V cables, (Monster, Acoustic Research, et. al.) are the snake oil of the 21st century (if you don't believe me, look at the founder of Monster Cables's mansion, if that doesn't show that their products are overpriced and overrated, nothing will)

-not only has HD DVD won the first round vs. Blu-Ray, it won it in a landslide

-1080p is very, very overrated and is used as more of a marketing tool than an actual screen resolution

-don't make the mistake many others make, if you buy a decent display, dont't sell the audio side short, pair it with a phenomenal digital audio system

-for your own sakes, please don't buy Bose, if you have that much money to spend on audio, there are comparably priced, better-performing alternatives

So, again, post any questions, you'll get some semi-worthwhile answers.
Dualshockin

If you're going to be biased,whats the point of this thread?

We all know there is hardly any difference between Blu-ray and HD-DVD(only real difference is Blu-ray disc capacity which happens to be bigger),so if you feel some hatred towards Ps3's 1080p capabilities compared to Xbox 360's fake 1080p capabilities,I suggest you head on over to System Wars.

[QUOTE="Dualshockin"]

[QUOTE="GalvatronType_R"]Hello, folks [bows deeply], this thread is dedicated to answering questions anyone feels like posting about HDTV, which TVs are good, cables, audio, etc., etc. So don't be shy, post a question and I'll try my best to answer it. I'll start with a few observations (most of these are IMOs, some are facts):

-expensive A/V cables, (Monster, Acoustic Research, et. al.) are the snake oil of the 21st century (if you don't believe me, look at the founder of Monster Cables's mansion, if that doesn't show that their products are overpriced and overrated, nothing will)

-not only has HD DVD won the first round vs. Blu-Ray, it won it in a landslide

-1080p is very, very overrated and is used as more of a marketing tool than an actual screen resolution

-don't make the mistake many others make, if you buy a decent display, dont't sell the audio side short, pair it with a phenomenal digital audio system

-for your own sakes, please don't buy Bose, if you have that much money to spend on audio, there are comparably priced, better-performing alternatives

So, again, post any questions, you'll get some semi-worthwhile answers.
GalvatronType_R

If you're going to be biased,whats the point of this thread?

We all know there is hardly any difference between Blu-ray and HD-DVD(only real difference is Blu-ray disc capacity which happens to be bigger),so if you feel some hatred towards Ps3's 1080p capabilities compared to Xbox 360's fake 1080p capabilities,I suggest you head on over to System Wars.

Why is everybody trying so hard to declare a winner now? The "war" has just barely begun. There aren't very many players on the market yet, and nobody cares besides the early adopters. Give it some time...

They all come to the same conclusion that HD DVDs look better than comparable BDs. This is not an Sony vs. Microsoft issue (HD DVD is pushed by Toshiba, BTW).

They all come to the same conclusion that HD DVDs look better than comparable BDs. This is not an Sony vs. Microsoft issue (HD DVD is pushed by Toshiba, BTW).Kodai_kun

Seems you haven't been keeping up. The reviews of the latest batch of BR discs have been nothing but stellar. Kingdom of Heaven, Black Hawk Down, MI:3(which looks "identical" to the HD-DVD version, despite being MPEG-2). Not to mention the fact that Warner is using the exact same encode on all their titles for both formats now.

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10073954&catid=23243#

or

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10075863&catid=23243

or

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10073636&catid=23243#

or

 http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10077964&catid=23244

Keep in mind all these prices are listed in canadian. I will probably be getting either ps3 or xbox 360(not sure yet) and i would like to know which one of these would be best,thanks in advance.

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10073954&catid=23243#

or

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10075863&catid=23243

or

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10073636&catid=23243#

or

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10077964&catid=23244

Keep in mind all these prices are listed in canadian. I will probably be getting either ps3 or xbox 360(not sure yet) and i would like to know which one of these would be best,thanks in advance.

KingSanoM

thanks again Galvatron

But you really threw a monkey wrench in when you stated that you're considering a 37" Toshiba for the same price as the others. I'll tell you want I tell everyone else, no matter what distance you'll be sitting from the TV, GET THE BIGGEST TV THAT YOU CAN AFFORD. Especially if like you said, you anticipate sitting farther away down the road, a bigger TV for a few more bucks makes sense.GalvatronType_R

you suggested getting the biggest tv that i can afford...so maybe you can explain and suggest something for me

i asked for suggestions for an lcd flat panel hdtv, and we came to the choice of the toshiba 37" over the 32" samsung/sharp/sony models because it was bigger...

lcd flat panel hdtvs cost more in general than an lcd projection hdtv...so given that i can find a 42" projection lcd tv for the same price as the 37" flat panel tv, would you recommend the projection tv?

this was the model i was looking at:

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0770HDS0010079167&catid=

http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/servlet/ProductDetailDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&productId=1003130

what are the advantages/disadvantages of an lcd and a projection tv?  i will be using this mostly for videogames, then split in half between hd-dvd watching and watching hd programs on digital cable...

thanks...i'm very interested to read your response...

thanks again Galvatron

[QUOTE="GalvatronType_R"]But you really threw a monkey wrench in when you stated that you're considering a 37" Toshiba for the same price as the others. I'll tell you want I tell everyone else, no matter what distance you'll be sitting from the TV, GET THE BIGGEST TV THAT YOU CAN AFFORD. Especially if like you said, you anticipate sitting farther away down the road, a bigger TV for a few more bucks makes sense.Prodigy_basic

you suggested getting the biggest tv that i can afford...so maybe you can explain and suggest something for me

i asked for suggestions for an lcd flat panel hdtv, and we came to the choice of the toshiba 37" over the 32" samsung/sharp/sony models because it was bigger...

lcd flat panel hdtvs cost more in general than an lcd projection hdtv...so given that i can find a 42" projection lcd tv for the same price as the 37" flat panel tv, would you recommend the projection tv?

this was the model i was looking at:

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0770HDS0010079167&catid=

http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/servlet/ProductDetailDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&productId=1003130

what are the advantages/disadvantages of an lcd and a projection tv? i will be using this mostly for videogames, then split in half between hd-dvd watching and watching hd programs on digital cable...

thanks...i'm very interested to read your response...

If I buy a 1080p tv and run a 720p game on it will it look ugly
stretched across the pixels or will it scale and look sharp? The reason
I ask is that if I play 720p games on my LCD Computer monitor with its
1680x1050 native resolution, the picture is nowhere near as sharp as
games running in the monitor's native resolution, due to there being a
lesser number of total pixels "stretched" across the monitors pixels.
Would I be better off buying a native 720p tv if I want that crispness?
Or does the scaling on tv's take care of that kind of thing? One thing I forgot to mention is that I am looking at DLP sets. Do these even have these same issues like LCD's do? Thanks for
any responses.
NinjaFoot

thanks Galvatron

I'm not a big fan of LCD projection TVs for a number of reasons.  Besides black levels, another LCD picture quality problem is what's called the screen door effect.  LCD pixels are arranged in a grid like pattern and because of the interpixel spacing between them, looking at some LCD's picture is like looking through a screen door.  In my experience, LCD projection TVs have a bigger problem with the screen door effect than flat panel LCDs/

Also, unlike flat panel LCD, LCD projection TVs have a light bulb cartridge that will eventually need to be replaced (usually around 3k hours).  It is user replaceable but it may run between $200 all the way up to $500.

So yes, while I recommend that you go as big as you can afford to on a TV, if you go rear projection, I'd recommend you go with DLP or LCOS.
GalvatronType_R

i've been reading threads at avsforum.com for the past few weeks, and i came across this:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=558125&page=1&pp=30&highlight=DLP+lag

it's an article on hdtvs and videogame lag

"So just how bad is the lag?

Although there is no real way to measure, and the numbers vary based on the hdtv, the average hdtv seems to lag roughly 6 frames, or 1/10 of a second when processing 480i material.  DLP hdtvs seem to be a bit worse, some people claiming lag up to 15 frames, or 1/4 of a second."

"As a rule of thumb, you should stay away from DLP sets if you plan on playing a lot of timing-sensitive video games."

the guy seems like he knows what he's talking about too, which is why i'm wary of any and all DLP tvs at the moment...although not every DLP tv is the same, it seems like a general assumption that DLP lags more than LCD...

thanks Galvatron

[QUOTE="GalvatronType_R"]I'm not a big fan of LCD projection TVs for a number of reasons. Besides black levels, another LCD picture quality problem is what's called the screen door effect. LCD pixels are arranged in a grid like pattern and because of the interpixel spacing between them, looking at some LCD's picture is like looking through a screen door. In my experience, LCD projection TVs have a bigger problem with the screen door effect than flat panel LCDs/

Also, unlike flat panel LCD, LCD projection TVs have a light bulb cartridge that will eventually need to be replaced (usually around 3k hours). It is user replaceable but it may run between $200 all the way up to $500.

So yes, while I recommend that you go as big as you can afford to on a TV, if you go rear projection, I'd recommend you go with DLP or LCOS.
Prodigy_basic

i've been reading threads at avsforum.com for the past few weeks, and i came across this:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=558125&page=1&pp=30&highlight=DLP+lag

it's an article on hdtvs and videogame lag

"So just how bad is the lag?

Although there is no real way to measure, and the numbers vary based on the hdtv, the average hdtv seems to lag roughly 6 frames, or 1/10 of a second when processing 480i material. DLP hdtvs seem to be a bit worse, some people claiming lag up to 15 frames, or 1/4 of a second."

"As a rule of thumb, you should stay away from DLP sets if you plan on playing a lot of timing-sensitive video games."

the guy seems like he knows what he's talking about too, which is why i'm wary of any and all DLP tvs at the moment...although not every DLP tv is the same, it seems like a general assumption that DLP lags more than LCD...

sure thing Galvatron...i didn't mean to challenge your point or anything like that....thanks for the response

i have a final question before i get my hdtv...it's about the native resolution and it's impact on watching sd and hd programming (on tv and on dvd/hddvd)

basically, if i saw two tvs, one with a 1366x768p native resolution and one with a 1280x720 resolution, with everything else being identical, can you explain which one will look better when watching standard-def and high-def programming?  will both have an identical picture quality in SD?  and if i set both tvs to watch an hddvd at 720p, will both look identical as well, or will the 1366x768p tv look sharper?  what if i set both tvs to 1080i and tried to watch an hddvd movie?

basically, what advantages does a tv with 1366x768 have over a tv with 1280x720?

and do my questions above apply to videogames on my 360 as well?

thanks!

im thinking about getting these speakers for my 360

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1068238&Tab=0&NoMapp=0

are they any good?and whats the differance between using an optical cable instead of the component cables for sound on my 360?

sure thing Galvatron...i didn't mean to challenge your point or anything like that....thanks for the response

i have a final question before i get my hdtv...it's about the native resolution and it's impact on watching sd and hd programming (on tv and on dvd/hddvd)

basically, if i saw two tvs, one with a 1366x768p native resolution and one with a 1280x720 resolution, with everything else being identical, can you explain which one will look better when watching standard-def and high-def programming? will both have an identical picture quality in SD? and if i set both tvs to watch an hddvd at 720p, will both look identical as well, or will the 1366x768p tv look sharper? what if i set both tvs to 1080i and tried to watch an hddvd movie?

basically, what advantages does a tv with 1366x768 have over a tv with 1280x720?

and do my questions above apply to videogames on my 360 as well?

thanks!

Prodigy_basic

im thinking about getting these speakers for my 360

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1068238&Tab=0&NoMapp=0

are they any good?and whats the differance between using an optical cable instead of the component cables for sound on my 360?

racer360

[QUOTE="racer360"]

im thinking about getting these speakers for my 360

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1068238&Tab=0&NoMapp=0

are they any good?and whats the differance between using an optical cable instead of the component cables for sound on my 360?

GalvatronType_R

great thread.i was wondering if you could help me out. i am buying this lcd tv.http://www.unbeatable.co.uk/p_repr/Toshiba-32WLT68-32-in-HDTV-Ready-LCD-Television-Reviews/37143317.html

1.do you think it is a good purchase?

2.could you give me a link or something to show mewhich cable i nedd to use it as a pc monitor.

3.it says there is no dedicated audio for pc.what will i have to do for audio?

hope you can help.will be appreciated

cheers buddy...

great thread.i was wondering if you could help me out. i am buying this lcd tv.http://www.unbeatable.co.uk/p_repr/Toshiba-32WLT68-32-in-HDTV-Ready-LCD-Television-Reviews/37143317.html

1.do you think it is a good purchase?

2.could you give me a link or something to show mewhich cable i nedd to use it as a pc monitor.

3.it says there is no dedicated audio for pc.what will i have to do for audio?

hope you can help.will be appreciated

cheers buddy...

keano3333