LCD and non HD TV

Willow
Willow Posts: 11,071
edited August 2007 in Electronics
A family friend is moving into a retirement home this weekend. Her current 14" tv is pure crap the colors are gone on it. Her new place is not very big so we are thinking of an LCD as it must stay under 32". Has anyone ever tried non HD cable with LCD and how is the pic?. There is no room for a tube and this lady is 92 so surfing a HD box is not an option. Is it really bad? Does anyone recommend a size for someone who is 92 and still has good eyesight? who will be 12ft away from the TV ?

Thanks
Post edited by Willow on
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Comments

  • WilliamM2
    WilliamM2 Posts: 4,782
    edited August 2007
    I sit about 14' away from my 42" LCD. Seems about right to me, but I don't like really large screens. I bought a Toshiba 42HL67, for $1080, based mostly on SD pic quality. It is only 720p, but to my eyes, the 720p sets looked better than 1080p on SD.
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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,071
    edited August 2007
    I know PQ is not a huge deal for her, but you are saying SD on an LCD will be "watchable" ?
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  • duksbak
    duksbak Posts: 134
    edited August 2007
    SD on an HD LCD is very watchable on a 32". Made sure the LCD has NTSC/ATSC tuner so she can watch HD on local if she wants...

    I watch SD TV on my HDTV and its acceptable.
    Television: Mitsubishi WD-57732
    Front R/L: Polkaudio RTiA7
    Center: Polkaudio CSiA4
    Rear R/L: Polkaudio FXiA4
    Subwoofer: Polkaudio DSW600
    A/V Reciever: Denon 2808
    DVD/SACD: Sony Playstation 3
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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,071
    edited August 2007
    sounds good thanks for the info

    Now this is straight cable from the wall to your tv no Dig box ?
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  • WilliamM2
    WilliamM2 Posts: 4,782
    edited August 2007
    Now this is straight cable from the wall to your tv no Dig box ?

    That is the way mine is set-up, until I sign up for HD from the cable company.

    SD on an LCD is very watchable, depending on the scaler in the TV. From my research before buying Toshiba, JVC, and Olevia seem to do very well. There is no JVC dealer around here, I didn't want to go with Olevia (horrible support), so I chose Toshiba.
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  • jvarnadoe
    jvarnadoe Posts: 52
    edited August 2007
    It depends on how good the TV is at processing SD and what your view of "watchable" is. I have 2 Panasonic plasmas TH50PX60U and TH42PX60U and both are "watchable" on SD, although my 42" seems to handle SD much better than my 50". My neighbor purchased a Vizio 32" LCD and I think the picture quality in SD on that set is pretty bad. They are satisfied though, so "watchable" is a very subjective thing.
    Polk collection:
    SDA SRS 2.3 w/RDO-194's
    SDA 2 w/Vampire BPHEX
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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,071
    edited August 2007
    As mentioned it's for a 92 yr old who is accustomed to a 14" with bleeding colors. For your typical Judge judy and animal shows along with Wheel of Fortune......type shows.
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  • jvarnadoe
    jvarnadoe Posts: 52
    edited August 2007
    The picture quality for her should be fine. She'll probably lay a big smacker on you just because she won't have to strain her eyes watching a 14" set anymore.
    Polk collection:
    SDA SRS 2.3 w/RDO-194's
    SDA 2 w/Vampire BPHEX
    M5jr+
    CS245i
    RT15i
    RT25i
    RT35i
    LC65i x2
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  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited August 2007
    I have both a 32" and 19" Westinghouse LCD. The SD is pretty much all I watch on those as my apartment complex doesn't offer a HD package. I do get OTA HD on my plasma.

    Anyway, the Westies provide adequate picture quality for SD TV. I really enjoy mine, and they are cheap as hell. With reward zone points and a 10% off coupon, I think I got the 32" from BB for just over $500 out the door. The 19" was picked up in like new condition off local CL for $160.
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
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