Thursday, October 13, 2005
Member since:
October 2005
October 2005
Hey all,
This is slightly off-topic (as I'm looking primarily at tubes), but I'm working on putting an HDTV in at the center o' my HT system at home. Having researched a good deal on plasma and LCD, I eventually settled (for the moment, anyhow) on a tube, primarily due to all I've read about its image quality (black levels, contrast ratios, etc.) when compared to the majority of flat-panels. I'd likely be putting any TV I get on a stand rather than wall-mounting, so as far as I'm concerned, there's no real aesthetic reason to go flat.
Anyhow, at the moment I'm looking primarily at two sets: the Sony KD-34XBR960, and the Samsung TX-R3079WH (their slimfit model). Between Consumer Reports, CNet, and a few other postings I've seen, the Sony seems unbelievable... The Samsung seems to have a lot of geometry issues, although one of my coworkers recently picked one up and, seeing no real geometry issues, as well as some cosmetic differences between his model and what's generally described in postings, he believes that Samsung has revised their design to address the issue.
Anyhow, I'm wondering if anybody on these boards has had personal experience with either of these sets, or has any particular tips as I inch towards a purchase. Let me know! Also, feel free to berate me if you feel I'm misguided on the flat-panel issue as well. :p
This is slightly off-topic (as I'm looking primarily at tubes), but I'm working on putting an HDTV in at the center o' my HT system at home. Having researched a good deal on plasma and LCD, I eventually settled (for the moment, anyhow) on a tube, primarily due to all I've read about its image quality (black levels, contrast ratios, etc.) when compared to the majority of flat-panels. I'd likely be putting any TV I get on a stand rather than wall-mounting, so as far as I'm concerned, there's no real aesthetic reason to go flat.
Anyhow, at the moment I'm looking primarily at two sets: the Sony KD-34XBR960, and the Samsung TX-R3079WH (their slimfit model). Between Consumer Reports, CNet, and a few other postings I've seen, the Sony seems unbelievable... The Samsung seems to have a lot of geometry issues, although one of my coworkers recently picked one up and, seeing no real geometry issues, as well as some cosmetic differences between his model and what's generally described in postings, he believes that Samsung has revised their design to address the issue.
Anyhow, I'm wondering if anybody on these boards has had personal experience with either of these sets, or has any particular tips as I inch towards a purchase. Let me know! Also, feel free to berate me if you feel I'm misguided on the flat-panel issue as well. :p
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Member since:
March 2002
March 2002
I agree with John that HDTV tubes are still the best in picture quality. However, tubes are limited in size because they (almost) begin to weigh a ton after a certain screen size has been reached. Their size and weight also make them prone to damage when being moved, regardless of how many people you have carrying a tube TV.
When I bought an HDTV, I weighed all the factors and decided that it's time for us to leave tubes in the 20th Century. (y)
When I bought an HDTV, I weighed all the factors and decided that it's time for us to leave tubes in the 20th Century. (y)
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Member since:
March 2002
March 2002
I have no doubt that DLP is fabulous, Scotster, but what we're talking about here is high-definition, not standard broadcast television. It may simply be one of those Apple vs. PC or Betamax vs. VHS or Porsche vs. Ferrari or one loudspeaker over another arguments here. Even when looking at the same things, different people will prefer different qualities in them over another. There is no definitive right or wrong here, only personal preference, even in matters that would seem so purely objective.
Here's an example. When I visited Skywalker Ranch last week, the Lucas staff had set up a home theater demonstration of "Revenge of the Sith," using state-of-the-art equipment (a large, flat-screen TV using the latest technology). When I came home and watched the movie on my Sony HD tube set (XBR400), I thought the image looked better, sharper, and richer than it did on Lucas's mega-buck system. The picture at Skywalker looked slightly washed out to me and slightly soft as well. In part, it may have been a minor problem with the black levels, at which tubes still excel.
John
Here's an example. When I visited Skywalker Ranch last week, the Lucas staff had set up a home theater demonstration of "Revenge of the Sith," using state-of-the-art equipment (a large, flat-screen TV using the latest technology). When I came home and watched the movie on my Sony HD tube set (XBR400), I thought the image looked better, sharper, and richer than it did on Lucas's mega-buck system. The picture at Skywalker looked slightly washed out to me and slightly soft as well. In part, it may have been a minor problem with the black levels, at which tubes still excel.
John
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Member since:
August 2005
August 2005
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Member since:
August 2005
August 2005
John,
Don't agree with your point on CRT's being better than DLP's, well one specific one.... mine lol.
As i have said, and no doubt you have read somewhere, we don't have HDTV in the uk yet and the only way to see it is to get one of those computers that you hook up to the tv and can buy things to watch on it. In Comet where i bought my TV they were doing a demonstration of all the HDTV's in the store using these devices. I went in initially to buy the 42" Sony Rear Projection LCD tv. I read all the adverts about it and it so happened that comet were doing a special on the tv so i went with my GF. I was totally gutted when i saw the picture quality, even at 10-15 feet the picture wasn't that good. I had a look around the store and as usual every sales person in the place was at me to buy something. One of the guys started showing me the HDTV's. They were around 32" and the picture was absolutely astounding. I was thinking of signing on the dotted line when the guy accidentally hit the button that went onto a normal tv station. The picture deteriorated and he explained about how it was a HDTV and the possibilities with it. While i was getting all the "patter" my gf came back and said she seen a cracker. We went over and it was the one i ended up buying. The picture was great for the size of the tv etc but the big thing was when i saw something thru HDTV. It almost blew me away. I went up close, i'm talking a foot away from the screen, the clarity was perfect and the brightness was amazing. That was my first sample of DLP. I didnt buy the tv there and then i went home and found out what it was first. After an introduction into DLP and the colourwheel i went back and got it. In every review i read the picture got 10 out of 10 but the sound only got 6. Surround sound speakers sorted that though.
Anyway my point is that size for size the DLP picture on HDTV was way better than the CRT one, btw the tv was a toshiba if that makes any difference.
They don't make my tv anymore (Sagem Axium 50-inch 16:9 DLP flatscreen TV) but the new model is meant to be good too.....Sagem Axium HD-D45
Its actually cheaper too, about £500 gbp less
Scotster =oP
Don't agree with your point on CRT's being better than DLP's, well one specific one.... mine lol.
As i have said, and no doubt you have read somewhere, we don't have HDTV in the uk yet and the only way to see it is to get one of those computers that you hook up to the tv and can buy things to watch on it. In Comet where i bought my TV they were doing a demonstration of all the HDTV's in the store using these devices. I went in initially to buy the 42" Sony Rear Projection LCD tv. I read all the adverts about it and it so happened that comet were doing a special on the tv so i went with my GF. I was totally gutted when i saw the picture quality, even at 10-15 feet the picture wasn't that good. I had a look around the store and as usual every sales person in the place was at me to buy something. One of the guys started showing me the HDTV's. They were around 32" and the picture was absolutely astounding. I was thinking of signing on the dotted line when the guy accidentally hit the button that went onto a normal tv station. The picture deteriorated and he explained about how it was a HDTV and the possibilities with it. While i was getting all the "patter" my gf came back and said she seen a cracker. We went over and it was the one i ended up buying. The picture was great for the size of the tv etc but the big thing was when i saw something thru HDTV. It almost blew me away. I went up close, i'm talking a foot away from the screen, the clarity was perfect and the brightness was amazing. That was my first sample of DLP. I didnt buy the tv there and then i went home and found out what it was first. After an introduction into DLP and the colourwheel i went back and got it. In every review i read the picture got 10 out of 10 but the sound only got 6. Surround sound speakers sorted that though.
Anyway my point is that size for size the DLP picture on HDTV was way better than the CRT one, btw the tv was a toshiba if that makes any difference.
They don't make my tv anymore (Sagem Axium 50-inch 16:9 DLP flatscreen TV) but the new model is meant to be good too.....Sagem Axium HD-D45
Its actually cheaper too, about £500 gbp less
Scotster =oP
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Member since:
October 2005
October 2005
Thanks! This is all very helpful, and a lot of it points to the direction I've been leaning... I think the main reason I'm looking tube, apart from cost efficiency and picture quality, etc., is that I'm looking at apartment-dwelling over the next several years, and don't anticipate being in a space that would easily accommodate the larger DLPs or plasmas, in terms of viewing distance as much as anything else. And while any moving from place to place seems guaranteed to develp into an extreme workout with a tube set, to me the picture difference between this and, say, a 32-incher LCD, is worth the bother. That said, the Sony is looking mighty fine to me -- I hadn't seen that it was 1080p capable, which definitely makes a difference!
Anyhow, thanks a ton for the thoughts so far. Barring any revelations on the Samsung, it's looking Sony-ish to me.
Anyhow, thanks a ton for the thoughts so far. Barring any revelations on the Samsung, it's looking Sony-ish to me.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Member since:
March 2002
March 2002
According to all the tests I've read and according to my own eyesight, tubes (the oldest of the techologies) still provide the cleanest, sharpest picture available in standard or high definition. However, as you found out, the limitations of tubes are size and weight. The widest made are relatively small and they weigh a ton. If those limitations don't bother you, the 34" Sony you're looking at is the best there is. (And it will provide a true 1080p picture, which many, if not most, plasmas and LCDs won't.)
Incidentally, your viewing distance should be a major criterion. The closer you are to the screen, the more definition you need. The newer technologies (plasma, LCD, DLP, etc.) look great at a fair distance with their enormous-sized screens, but the closer you get to them, the softer and glassier the picture appears.
John
Incidentally, your viewing distance should be a major criterion. The closer you are to the screen, the more definition you need. The newer technologies (plasma, LCD, DLP, etc.) look great at a fair distance with their enormous-sized screens, but the closer you get to them, the softer and glassier the picture appears.
John
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Member since:
August 2005
August 2005
Scrap both and buy a DLP. By FAR the best quality i have ever seen on any TV, when relating to HDTV anyway.
If you really can't be swayed and want to go for the tube i recommend sony. I've had 3 sony's in my lifetime varying in size. All 3 are still going strong and the picture quality, even though it wasn't HDTV, has always been better than anything else. Do they still do trinatron?
Scotster =oP
If you really can't be swayed and want to go for the tube i recommend sony. I've had 3 sony's in my lifetime varying in size. All 3 are still going strong and the picture quality, even though it wasn't HDTV, has always been better than anything else. Do they still do trinatron?
Scotster =oP
Friday, October 14, 2005
Member since:
August 2005
August 2005
Sorry my post must have been confusing. I WAS comparing HDTV on the tube to on the DLP. In the store all the TV's that are HDTV compatible are playing HD thru a computer of some sort so i was able to compare the picture. I agree about the "black" issues with every other type of TV but if you consider that the TV i got is 50 inch and the Tube i seen was 32" the difference in picture quality was only down to the sheer size of the DLP. If the DLP was 32" i reckon the picutre in all aspects (other than blackness) would be better. The richness of colour and brightness is out of this world. The picture looked 3d for some reason too. Was watching F1 racing and it looked as if you were the driver.
Just need to see the new technology for myself when it takes off over here.
Scotster =oP
Just need to see the new technology for myself when it takes off over here.
Scotster =oP
Monday, May 22, 2006
Member since:
March 2002
March 2002
In terms of total pixels presented on screen:
720 x 1280 = 921,600 pixels
1080 x 1920 = 2,073,600 pixels.
In other words, at a resolution of 1080, there is the potential for over twice as many total pixels on the screen compared to 720. Processing the pixels in progression scan helps to close the gap in picture quality, but nothing beats total pixels.
John
720 x 1280 = 921,600 pixels
1080 x 1920 = 2,073,600 pixels.
In other words, at a resolution of 1080, there is the potential for over twice as many total pixels on the screen compared to 720. Processing the pixels in progression scan helps to close the gap in picture quality, but nothing beats total pixels.
John
