Looking for the best BIG television

[Cobster]

Frank the TV I suggest to Miss Cupids will do you fine as well.
Unless you want something to hang, then you're leaning towards LCD or Plasma.
IMHO if you HAVE to have a wall hanging one.
2 ways to go, depends on where you're watching it.

If it's in low-light conditions, dark room, basement or mainly at night.
Plasma

Daytime viewing, lots of ambient light.
LCD.

I'd go for the Hitachi LCD projection, for the price range and what you're needs are.

 

[monkeychan]

standard coaxial cable = 480i interlaced
1080p means, Hitachi's TV will take interlaced signals at 1080i...and process (up convert) them as if they were 1080p looking.
1080p isn't available anywhere, not even in Hollywood (filming).
1080i would equate to a high def box from Rogers or Hell (bell). Some signals are also true 720p.

True that during filming (using digital camera) the max resolution is only 1080i, however films (filmed using 35mm or 70mm) are being transferred to both Bluray and HD DVD in 1080p.

Second, what's the point of taking 1080i, convert it to 1080p when the display itself is only natively 720p. Not that 720p is not breathtaking. I just find the Hitachi approach confusing.

PS: I contacted Hitachi Canada and they confirmed it that all their LCD RPTV are 720p natively

Mr. Monkeychan, the Hitachi has a 3 panel setup as well, for red/green/blue, they call it the "HD LCD 3 Panel Light Engine".

So it's the same, Sony is quite expensive (not saying they suck, but it is overly priced IMHO. For what you're getting that's VERY comparable.
Sony, you're getting 50", silver borders for $4499, suggested retail price.
Hitachi (projection innovators), half the price, black border and still a great product.

I'd still go with Hitachi and get a nice killer surround sound system.

Thank you for the info on the Hitachi's 3-panel LCD. But still they are natively 720p. I can't find the whitepaper on the site so I contacted Hitachi service manager directly. The 3-panel is not on the V series but on the VF and VG series only (the TV you linked was a V series, which is a single-panel LCD). I know the Sony Wega LCD RPTV that 3-LCD are also using 720p native resolution (only the SXRD uses 1080p native resolution). And yes, Sony have the tendency of being crazy expensive.

IF you're buying 720p LCD RPTV, there is no point in buying Sony at all. However, if you want to buy a TV that's "in-tune" with today's emerging format (1080i and 1080p), for the time being there is no choice than to buy Sony SXRD series.

 

[monkeychan]

oh, last but not least, once you've bought the TV, get it calibrated by an ISF-trained technician. The image quality will be night and day (compared to the non-calibrated one).

 

[Cobster]

True that during filming (using digital camera) the max resolution is only 1080i, however films (filmed using 35mm or 70mm) are being transferred to both Bluray and HD DVD in 1080p.

True, but you REALLY pay in price for something that's not quite mainstream yet.
Sort of like VCRs back in the 80's.
I remember when they first came out (i was still an ankle biter back then), but my father told me he paid something like $500+ for a vcr with a remote that was attached by a cable.
Same with Bluray and HD-DVDs, not quite the mainstream and IMHO, not worth investing in any hardware, that won't quite be in the mainstream for 3-5 years.
By then, sure why not, however you won't need a new TV (althought 3-5 years is the standard in the market, when people buy new ones).
Just need a new DVD player with the HDMI outputs that'll be standard and a helluva lot cheaper than they are now.

Second, what's the point of taking 1080i, convert it to 1080p when the display itself is only natively 720p. Not that 720p is not breathtaking. I just find the Hitachi approach confusing.

Again, it's in the price, Hitachi's way of seeing it, I suspect is, there's no need for it at the moment, as the market isn't quite all there yet.

PS: I contacted Hitachi Canada and they confirmed it that all their LCD RPTV are 720p natively

Yep, they are.

Thank you for the info on the Hitachi's 3-panel LCD. But still they are natively 720p. I can't find the whitepaper on the site so I contacted Hitachi service manager directly. The 3-panel is not on the V series but on the VF and VG series only (the TV you linked was a V series, which is a single-panel LCD). I know the Sony Wega LCD RPTV that 3-LCD are also using 720p native resolution (only the SXRD uses 1080p native resolution). And yes, Sony have the tendency of being crazy expensive.

Gonna have to verify this.
Just to make sure

IF you're buying 720p LCD RPTV, there is no point in buying Sony at all. However, if you want to buy a TV that's "in-tune" with today's emerging format (1080i and 1080p), for the time being there is no choice than to buy Sony SXRD series.

Right and pay for it in price, and you got all the bragging rights of the hottest, newest TV, however, you won't be using it as much as you'd like.
As not everything is up to par yet in the market with the new future standard.
Sony, rides on its name. Like I said, nice stuff, but a hefty price tag, all for the name.

I try to steer clear of Sony products as they like to be sole proprietors of it all.

ie - Beta (was better than VHS), but it bit Sony in the ass.
Their new Camcorder, HD3 (forgot the specific model number), can only accept a Sony mic into the mic-jack.
Mini-discs a few years ago, Sony wouldn't allow anyone else to have or use that technology.
Out comes Apple with a flash based gadget you might have heard of, iPod.
Sony gets bit in the ass again.
Apple dominates the market with the cool new music player.
Sony's rootkit spyware on their CD's, huge news, again, Sony trying to keep a grip on everything with their name on it.
Sony, is looking to make playstation games work only one on system at a time. Making rentals a thing of the past.

I just don't like the company much anymore.

Like I said, they make nice stuff, but for the price, it's not worth it.

 

[monkeychan]

very true re: Sony. I hate them with all my might. Everything is proprietary. I'm tired with all their BS. Unfortunately, owning both HD DVD and BD Player (what can I say, I'm a nut and never watch TV programs; I currently own about 1,500 original DVD titles and about 300 LD titles), to get the most out of them I will need the SXRD, I'm thinking next month or so.

For Hitachi list (3-panel and 1-panel versions), I found it on Hitachi website:

http://www.hitachi.ca/Apps/hitachic...e/ultravision/index.html&path=jsp/hcl/hcl/en/

Cheers!

 

[frankcastle]

Thanks for all the info guys!

Cobster I'll have to go to a showroom and take a look at the

Hitachi 60V525 ULTRAVISION® LCD Projection TV.

 

[Cobster]

very true re: Sony. I hate them with all my might. Everything is proprietary. I'm tired with all their BS. Unfortunately, owning both HD DVD and BD Player (what can I say, I'm a nut and never watch TV programs; I currently own about 1,500 original DVD titles and about 300 LD titles), to get the most out of them I will need the SXRD, I'm thinking next month or so.

For Hitachi list (3-panel and 1-panel versions), I found it on Hitachi website:

http://www.hitachi.ca/Apps/hitachic...e/ultravision/index.html&path=jsp/hcl/hcl/en/

Cheers!

This is the site I was going by, all seem to claim 3 panel (LCD's) "light engine" (light engine being a fancy term for 3 lcd panels being lit up by light). lol

As for Sony, meh, I'm done with them.
ALTHOUGH their new camcorder is quite tempting, but I'll hold off on it for now. Need more $.
Gonna call Hitachi tomorrow and verify all these panels.

How's your shooting going btw monkey...

 

[Cobster]

Thanks for all the info guys!

Cobster I'll have to go to a showroom and take a look at the

Hitachi 60V525 ULTRAVISION® LCD Projection TV.

Leave your wallet in the car, once you see it, you'll wanna charge it.

 

[monkeychan]

Cobster,

how much approx is the 50VF820? I'm just contemplating whether I should downgrade from my 1080i CRT RPTV to 720p LCD RPTV. I'm kinda tired having to reconverge my RPTV every couple of months.

 

[Cobster]

My guess-timate would be around $2500-$3000 (taxes sold seperately).
Technically, it'll be a down-grade yes. But visually, I REALLY doubt you'll notice the difference. Unless you're a real hardcore videofile (which, now that I think about it, you MIGHT notice a minute difference).
For the price tho', you really can't go wrong.
With Sony, you'd be spending $1000 MINIMUM more.
Is that minute difference worth $1000?
To me, it wouldn't be. I can think of a lot I could do with $1000+. =)

 

[Berlin]

sony is not my fav brand, but jeez... LOL ... you really hate sony don't you ?

 

[Cobster]

Yep, you read the above reasons why right? =)
I know companies are competitive and should be.
But Sony goes beyond that and really wants it all to themselves, and somehow wants to screw the customer, while taking their money at the same time.
Shit, they sound like SPs

 

[monkeychan]

My guess-timate would be around $2500-$3000 (taxes sold seperately).
Technically, it'll be a down-grade yes. But visually, I REALLY doubt you'll notice the difference. Unless you're a real hardcore videofile (which, now that I think about it, you MIGHT notice a minute difference).
For the price tho', you really can't go wrong.
With Sony, you'd be spending $1000 MINIMUM more.
Is that minute difference worth $1000?
To me, it wouldn't be. I can think of a lot I could do with $1000+. =)

So far I've been only looking at Sony 50" 3-panel LCD RPTV and the best price I can get for it is $2400 delivered (taxes in, from Canadian authorized Sony dealer), so apparently it's no different that of Hitachi. I'll have a look at Hitachi and see the price difference and PQ difference (theoretically there should be none considering both are using 720p engine with 3-panel LCD).

The only positive thing about the Sony version is that they don't have the speakers on the left and right side of the TV so I can fit it in my room (right now I'm using 46" without those speaker-ears and I only have about 2" extra space on either side)

 

[Cobster]

Take that quote to $hit Buy or Future Shit.
See if they'll try to match it (you obviously know, not to buy any extra crap from them - ie cables, warranty). See if they do match it.
If not, get it from the Sony store.
Speakers are always the issue (built into the unit).
Some don't want them on the bottom, some need them.
How much width do you have to give?

 

[monkeychan]

the maximum width I can have is 47" and not a milimetre more. I personally don't need speakers (why bother, TV speakers are crap anyway).

And yes, I wouldn't touch BB/FS extended warranty with a 10 ft pole

Talking about BB/FS, I created certain manufacturers merchandisers (not Sony) for BB/FS displays (taking the necessary product and lifestyle pics and design). Working to get BB/FS approval is like pulling teeth of an angry lion.

 

[Cobster]

Yep, apparently their higher ups (BBs/FS's office morons) think they know how things run and are on very big power trips.

 

[Cobster]

Thank you for the info on the Hitachi's 3-panel LCD. But still they are natively 720p. I can't find the whitepaper on the site so I contacted Hitachi service manager directly. The 3-panel is not on the V series but on the VF and VG series only (the TV you linked was a V series, which is a single-panel LCD). I know the Sony Wega LCD RPTV that 3-LCD are also using 720p native resolution (only the SXRD uses 1080p native resolution). And yes, Sony have the tendency of being crazy expensive.

Called Hitachi to make sure it wasn't a 1 panel LCD. The V-series is 3 panel (as it clearly states on their site, for all their models).
So better call back whoever you talked to and teach them.

As for the 1080p, again, talked to someone today who's very well informed and said, 1080p is VERY minimal in the market. No point in putting something into a unit, and charging people for it, when it's availability for viewing is extremely limited.

 

[monkeychan]

Thanks. I called them up again (I don't know the name whom I talked to yesterday) and asked the same question... this time another guy said the exact same thing as the other guy yesterday. So regardless, the CSR have the tendency to just blab whatever they feel like spewing.

As far as 1080, I brought to Audio Video 2001, played Van Helsing HD DVD on their SXRD 50" 1080-native display vs hitachi's 50" 720-native display. The difference at 1.6x screen-width viewing distance is quite apparent. So I'm going to save up until I can get a 1080 native LCD display (currently both my projectors at home is 1080i native.

You are correct, however, unless you have an HD DVD or Bluray Disc (and/or watching it further away than 4x screen-width distance, which most people do), there is no point in going 1080 for the time being. At that distance I had to really concentrate to know the difference between the two.

 

[Cobster]

$1000 apparent?

 

[monkeychan]

To me it's worth the $1000+ difference. At the viewing distance I'm watching my TV, even without A/B comparison I can tell which TV is 720 and 1080. Even when using the SXRD and the salesperson switch back and forthe between 720 and 1080 I can always tell the difference.

However, as mentioned, if watching it further away than 4x screen-width distance, which most people do, it's not worth even a $500 difference.

note: the sequences I watched that made 720 vs 1080 REALLY apparent is Masquerade scene (chapter 20) from Phantom of the Opera, the opening scene of Swordfish and the opening scene of Tomb Raider (all on HD DVD).

another note, my life is basically surrounded with audio and visual (mostly visual), so even the slightest difference is noticable. (I work mostly in the field of visual such as videography, photography, image reproduction and restoration, video calibration and a little bit in audio recording and restoration). So what's worth $1,000 to me may not worth a dime for other people. Not because I'm better, just because I'm accustomed to see the slightest difference.

Honestly, how many crazy people out there whose every TV in the house, every PC monitor (and laptop monitor) are professionally calibrated to 6500K once every a couple of months?