Wow! All tv's suck!

sbpolk · December 2007

SolidSqual wrote: »

Check out the new Samsungs w/ the 120Hz refresh rate and proprietary 3d Filters. These LCDs are the best pictures on the market. All of the negatives you mentioned in your first post are non-existent with these TVs. I promise.

I looked at one of these the other day, a 120hz set with the "something motion engine." It was shocking, really. It looked like you were looking through a window and watching the action. Live Free or Die Hard was playing on that set and two others, and I thought I was looking at a behind the scenes documentary on that set!

That being said, I HATED it! It was definately attention grabbing, I stared at the set for probably 10 minutes, but it just looked so WRONG to me, the "film" effect was gone, and it looked like the whole movie had been shot with an HD Handicam.

Definately not mu cup of tea. I would hate to see that be the wave of the future.

Music Joe · December 2007

Yeah we're in a holding pattern too, waiting to see more LED backlit and 'full 120hz' refresh rate units. See how they stack up.

obieone · December 2007

I don't know where the 'forget about sports on lcd' review came from? I've had a Westinghouse 32" lcd for 2 years, and I've got great picture watching the Patriots?!

Serendipity · December 2007

Zero wrote: »

Otherwise, you're gunna get some of the best blacks/whites out on the market, especially with the last Sony XBR sets. They will look pretty good with regular cable, GREAT with DVD's and absolutely stellar with HD broadcasts. A lot of people that try to 'upgrade' the latest gen CRT for an LCD end up returning their LCD - which just can't compete with a good CRT set.

+1

The last Sony XBR sets look good with everything from VHS tape to regular cable and wonderful with HD broadcasts. IMO a LCD set just can't compete with a CRT set, especially models such as the KD-34XBR960 and XBR910.

VR3 · December 2007

I personally like my Plasma TV

It has about a 5 minute max retention --

Like menus, bars, etc

But once things get going on the screen, they go away...

That was my concern with the Zune dock -- but I play a slideshow while music plays to keep it from being the same thing for to long...

Serendipity · December 2007

Vr3MxStyler2k3 wrote: »

I personally like my Plasma TV

It has about a 5 minute max retention --

Like menus, bars, etc

But once things get going on the screen, they go away...

That was my concern with the Zune dock -- but I play a slideshow while music plays to keep it from being the same thing for to long...

If you keep the brightness and contrast controls set to 50% or less, then you should be fine.

GSRBOB · December 2007

I definately agree with sbpolk.

I was at circuit checkin out the new 52inch XBR4 LCD and i think it was Fantastic Four playin or somethin, so real it looked fake.

I wouldnt want the handicam effect either.

cfrizz · December 2007

Jesse, for once you and I partially agree on this. Tubes DO rule for video!

I am in no hurry to get rid of my 32" XRB Sony crt. When it dies yearssssss from now I will get whatever is the latest & greatest then.

madmax · December 2007

F1nut wrote: »

Tubes rule video as well as audio.

Get with the times old man.

madmax

Lsi9 · December 2007

I agree TVs do suck, I have an SXRd, its not perfect but it sure does beat the others IMO...Next gen technology will bring us closer to monitor acceptibility...LASER TV & Oled are suppposed be nice

Monster Jam · December 2007

My CRT HDTV has a great picture after its callibrated with the right convergence. Unfortunately it takes up the space of a VW and the callibration has to be done seemingly monthly.

phipiper10 · December 2007

Coming on 3yrs w/ Samsung 42" DLP no visits and the same bulb. Neighbor has the same. He's over 3yrs with the same bulb.

When I sit on my couch and watch a move....the angle is perfect!

shack · December 2007

I bought my oldest daughter a 32" widescreen Olevia LCD TV for Christmas. We've only had it hooked up for a couple of days but so far it has a fantastic PQ with regular DVD over component and sports via regular cable. No noticable artifacts or blurring at all. Olevia is a fairly new company owned by the same parent co. for Vivitar. Great deal on it for $450 at CC.

vlam · December 2007

While I agree that tube TV is better than the newer technologies (LCD,RPTV,Projector,Plasma,etc..) but each has it's purpose. This isn't a one size fit all! After all, you do see the different choices when you wall into a store and you shouldn't blindly walk up to a sales person and let them sell you whatever they are trying to push.

People tend to forget that a TV purchase is a pretty big one (afterall, you hope to get at least 10 years out of it). One need to evaluate their needs and choose that technology that is best fit. If you are going to continue to watch those old VHS/Beta than there is really no need to get an HDTV. The source of those video was not meant for the HDTV so you are just wasting your money.

If you are into sports or movies and HD is the majority of your viewing, I am sorry but no tube TV will do it for me. Why? well, for one they ARE NOT BIG ENOUGH! Try watching a 36" tube once you watched 50"+ in HDTV. Yes, the tube TV may look better when you are sitting 2 feet in front of it compared to the newer TV but you are not sitting 2 feet in front of these giant screen (I hope not).

So all TV doesn't sucks, you just have to make sure you pick the right one for your needs.

Polkitup2 · December 2007

I concur with Macleod that all new TVs suck. I have yet to find a single set that can beat my 36" flat screen HD Toshiba CRT in picture quality. The Pioneer Kuro is the best I've seen with the new 120 Mhz Samsung LCD coming in second, but the colors on the Samsung just aren't right.

tommyboy · December 2007

okiepolkie wrote: »

At least get the 34" XBR CRT

Where?

A friend of mine is moving into a new place and needs a new tv to fit his room. He wants to stay with CRTs since he watches a lot of movies and knows CRT is the best choice. He and I tried to find the 34" XBR (even used) and couldn't find them anywhere. Now he is forced to buy a plasma and knows he has to pay more money for a tv he won't be satisfied with.

Why Sony did you stop with the tube xbr line!?!:mad:

rskarvan · December 2007

"Beware however; not all plasmas are created equal. Samsungs are good screens, but to get that 3d like image/bright dynamic colors - they have to burn the hell out of those phosphors. Their reliability/durability is not going to be anywhere near the Pioneer or Panasonic."

Ok... now I'm a little worried. But, too late now. Time will tell.
I don't operate my Samsung Plasma on TORCH mode. So, hopefully, it's longevity will be "long enough". Even if its half-life is only 10 or 20 years, that is more than adequate.

CAvolleyballguy · December 2007

I had to chime in. I bought a 40 in samsung lcd about 4 years ago. The image for this lcd kills everything else.. I pretty much only watch HD channels and dvds. I highly recommend samsung if you are going to go LCD.

Marcinko7 · December 2007

Panny 700 or 750 Plasma 1080P

Early B. · December 2007

vlam wrote: »

If you are into sports or movies and HD is the majority of your viewing, I am sorry but no tube TV will do it for me. Why? well, for one they ARE NOT BIG ENOUGH! Try watching a 36" tube once you watched 50"+ in HDTV.

This is an important point. IMO, picture quality is not the most important aspect for buying a TV -- size is. Most people aren't videophiles and aren't concerned about the picture quality. To me, all big screens look basically the same, regardless of LCD, DLP, or whatever. What I look for is size and price, then features and aesthetics.

I bought my Sony 50" LCD TV 1.5 years ago to replace a 36" Sony Trinitron CRT TV. Yeah, sure, the CRT had a great picture, but the larger screen of the LCD offered a lot more detail. Moreover, the wider screen offered a theater-type experience when watching movies. So comparing CRTs with any type of big screen should take into consideration other factors than picture quality.

polktiger · December 2007

I recently bought an Aquos 46", and for the most part I like it; however, the main gripe I have is constantly having to play with the "view mode" to have the image with the screen. Even DVDs are annoying. Why don't they just make a TV that has the aspect ratio of a movie and be done with it? When will they start airing regular TV material in something other than a 4:3 format? With all the "strech" and "zoom" features is seems to be a matter of which distortion is the least annoying (distorted proportions of cut-off images)

Serendipity · December 2007

vlam wrote: »

If you are into sports or movies and HD is the majority of your viewing, I am sorry but no tube TV will do it for me. Why? well, for one they ARE NOT BIG ENOUGH! Try watching a 36" tube once you watched 50"+ in HDTV. Yes, the tube TV may look better when you are sitting 2 feet in front of it compared to the newer TV but you are not sitting 2 feet in front of these giant screen (I hope not).

There are also CRT RPTV's and CRT Projectors. There are quite a few people using these sets at www.curtpalme.com (no affiliation) on the forum over there. It's basically tube technology on a big screen.

icehouse1 · January 2008

I love my Sony 42 inch Grand Wega.

McLoki · January 2008

My 50" Hitachi LCD rear-projection just died on me.

I did purchase an extended warrantee for it though and the place I purchased it from gave me a 40" sony LCD to use while mine is being repaired. (very nice of them I thought)

I am not sure what 40" LCD it is, (it has a 1080p sticker on the front - it is NOT the one with the glass surround) but so far I am not that impressed. The image from upconverted DVD is very good (but a little on the small side compared to what we had), but the image from standard cable is really bad. (much worse than the image from our hitachi and since the Hitachi is bigger, you would think it would be worse)

Anyway - there are some pretty cool technologies coming in TV's and I really hope I do not have to make a choice soon. So far, I have not seen anything that works for our typical watching as well as the Hitachi we have. (We watch alot of SD cable and the hitachi has a great picture for that. We make use of the TV guide feature all the time and none of the new sets other than samsung have multiple cable inputs. (one for cable and one for over the air HD)

Basically - what we have is good enough for now (provided it gets fixed), and I really do not want to go through all the research Mac is right now.

It does seem like you end up buying a TV based on the weaknesses of other TV's rather than the strenghs of the TV you end up purchasing. Basically you purchase based on what you don't want rather than what you do. Seems like a crap way to purchase something to me.

Michael

Serendipity · January 2008

McLoki wrote: »

My 50" Hitachi LCD rear-projection just died on me. I did purchase an extended warrantee for it though and the place I purchased it from gave me a 40" sony LCD to use while mine is being repaired. (very nice of them I thought)

I am not sure what 40" LCD it is, (it has a 1080p sticker on the front - it is NOT the one with the glass surround) but so far I am not that impressed. The image from upconverted DVD is very good (but a little on the small side compared to what we had), but the image from standard cable is really bad. (much worse than the image from our hitachi and since the Hitachi is bigger, you would think it would be worse)

Anyway - there are some pretty cool technologies coming in TV's and I really hope I do not have to make a choice soon. So far, I have not seen anything that works for our typical watching as well as the Hitachi we have. (We watch alot of SD cable and the hitachi has a great picture for that. We make use of the TV guide feature all the time and none of the new sets other than samsung have multiple cable inputs. (one for cable and one for over the air HD)

Basically - what we have is good enough for now (provided it gets fixed), and I really do not want to go through all the research Mac is right now.

It does seem like you end up buying a TV based on the weaknesses of other TV's rather than the strenghs of the TV you end up purchasing. Basically you purchase based on what you don't want rather than what you do. Seems like a crap way to purchase something to me.

Michael

Let's hope they fix it the first time...I've heard too many stories of projection sets not getting fixed right after the first try

AndyGwis · January 2008

I have 2 LCD TVs, 1 Plasma, and I just helped hook up a DLP for my brother. I can't see how anyone could possibly dog on newer tv technology for the old stuff. So big, so light, and while not 100% perfect, they are all excellent with proper setup and programming.

Honestly, I removed a 34" CRT from his apartment that probably weighed about 160lbs. In contrast, the 52" DLP weighs about 50lbs, and I was easily able to move it around at will to mess with the connections and such. And, for just a few hundred bucks, any of the newer style TVs make your apartment / room / or house look modern and cool. CRTs and big **** projection TVs make a room look small, cluttered, and old.

MGPK · January 2008

Jay Leno, as part of his opening monologue once said "flat panel televisions are so popular because we are watching so much TV that we need a thinner television to compensate for our obesity." If you don't like the new display technologies, read a friggin book (J/K), check out SED. It stands for Surface Conduction Electron Emitter Display. The technology was jointly developed by Canon and Toshiba. Basically, it melds tube technology with the thinness of a flat panel and their contrast ratios are up to 500000:1.

tommyboy · January 2008

AndyGwis wrote: »

I have 2 LCD TVs, 1 Plasma, and I just helped hook up a DLP for my brother. I can't see how anyone could possibly dog on newer tv technology for the old stuff. So big, so light, and while not 100% perfect, they are all excellent with proper setup and programming.

Honestly, I removed a 34" CRT from his apartment that probably weighed about 160lbs. In contrast, the 52" DLP weighs about 50lbs, and I was easily able to move it around at will to mess with the connections and such. And, for just a few hundred bucks, any of the newer style TVs make your apartment / room / or house look modern and cool. CRTs and big **** projection TVs make a room look small, cluttered, and old.

I still do not understand why people make such a huge deal about how heavy the tv is. Yes, its a **** to move but how many times do you move the tv to really make this an issue when purchasing a television?

And about that last statement about CRTs looking old, please tell me why you don't get rid of your whole audio set up and get satelite speakers? they are modern looking and take up much less space space.

Gaara · January 2008

Last I checked SED was dead, Toshiba dropped out due to the huge lawsuits and Canon found it was to pricey to continue with the constantly dropping prices of flat panels.

tommyboy wrote: »

Why Sony did you stop with the tube xbr line!?!:mad:

The true 34in XBRs died at the end of 05 with the relase of the XBR970. The XBR960 was the last to utilize the superfine pitch tube, and IMO the XBR960N is the best TV sony has ever produced. Even the 970 was cut short near the beginning of 06.

vlam wrote: »

If you are into sports or movies and HD is the majority of your viewing, I am sorry but no tube TV will do it for me. Why? well, for one they ARE NOT BIG ENOUGH! Try watching a 36" tube once you watched 50"+ in HDTV.

I will never understand these comments. TV size is directly correlated to the distance you sit. If you sit 10ft away maybe a 36in won't do it for you, but to say a 36in is to small is just ridiculous. We own a 50in SXRD and a 34in XBR CRT and both perform well in their environments.

Personally if I was looking to get a new set the only one that I would get is the Pioneer Elite KURO. I still don't like any of the new rear projection techs. I just can't get past the unnatural light output and screen door effect (oily look on DLPs, especially with wobulating chips).

F1nut · January 2008

tommyboy wrote: »

I still do not understand why people make such a huge deal about how heavy the tv is. Yes, its a **** to move but how many times do you move the tv to really make this an issue when purchasing a television?

And about that last statement about CRTs looking old, please tell me why you don't get rid of your whole audio set up and get satelite speakers? they are modern looking and take up much less space space.

Tommyboy hits one outta the park!

Wow! All tv's suck!

Comments