Plasma TV Question

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Leisher
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Post by Leisher »

An appliance store here has a 42" Plasma made by "Famous Maker" on sale for $842 this weekend.

The only details I have are 4000:1 contrast and 16 million color display.

Based on that...good buy?

What resolutions should I be lookig for? What other details do I need?

I'm thinking of heading over and getting one.

I called and the lady told me it's 720i and doesn't have the HD tuner installed.

Still a good buy?




Edited By Leisher on 1170453869
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Post by Cakedaddy »

I've never shopped for plasma, so don't know for sure, but it sure doesn't seem like much TV for the money to me. It might be cheap, but it's stripped of features. So, hard to say. Uless you plan to watch DVDs only on it, I'd skip it.
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Post by GORDON »

720i is, like, low-mid quality HD, I believe. Mine, which you've seen, is 1080p.
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Post by Cakedaddy »

You'll see no difference between the two if the content isn't broadcast in the higher res though. . . Older DVD players played in 720i, newer, progressive scan players do 720p. You'd need a new up converting player to see 1080i. You'd need a new blueray/HD player for 1080p. Local TV is broacast between 720i and 1080i (at least that's what ours are up here). So an old DVD/player will look the same on both TVs. Local stations will be what they are broadcast in.

So, even though yours is 1080p. . . you haven't seen 1080p yet. :-)
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Post by GORDON »

You shut up.
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Post by TheCatt »

Cakedaddy wrote:You'll see no difference between the two if the content isn't broadcast in the higher res though. . . Older DVD players played in 720i, newer, progressive scan players do 720p. You'd need a new up converting player to see 1080i. You'd need a new blueray/HD player for 1080p. Local TV is broacast between 720i and 1080i (at least that's what ours are up here). So an old DVD/player will look the same on both TVs. Local stations will be what they are broadcast in.

So, even though yours is 1080p. . . you haven't seen 1080p yet. :-)

Actually, DVD's are 480p. (Some players can upconvert to 720p/1080i/etc)

I've never heard of 720i, maybe she meant 720p?

At least it's HD, but I'm in the Gordon-boat. 1080p or bust.




Edited By TheCatt on 1170472711
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Cakedaddy
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Post by Cakedaddy »

480, 720, whatever it takes.
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Post by WSGrundy »

720i and no HD tuner installed seems a bit weak from what I know about TVs. I guess if you are going to get HD from your cable provider it isn't a big deal to not have the tuner but only going up to 720i seems a bit weak.
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Post by TheCatt »

So anyone here own a non-DLP HDTV? The wife wants to upgrade, and I'm thinking it might be the time to do it. I love the DLPs like Gordon owns, but a primary reason of doing it would be to reclaim the floor space used by the current tube TV.

I've been looking the Aquos, and the new one with 120Hz and 4ms response looks nice (42 or 46" most likely), but pricey.
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Post by Leisher »

I did not go with the one I listed above.

I went with a 42" LG Plasma. It's very nice. Got it for a steal too.




Edited By Leisher on 1176756735
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Post by DoctorChaos »

Leisher wrote:I did not go with the one I listed above.

I went with a 42" LG Plasma. It's very nice. Got it for a steal too.
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Post by TheCatt »

Gordo, we're thinking of selling our pool table and putting all the entertainment stuff up in the bonus room, so we may go DLP after all.

Which one do you have again?
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Post by GORDON »

Ummm.

Samsung 61" something something. 1080P.
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Post by TheCatt »

How do you like it? They've just released (or are releasing) a LED version of the Samsung 61" that is only 14" deep.
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Post by GORDON »

It's perfect with everything, except sometimes plain analog TV can be a little pixelated.

HD content looks great, A+. Plain DVD is almost as good, A. Analog stuff.... C+.
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Post by GORDON »

I hooked up a PC to my television for the first time a couple nights ago. No need to burn downloaded TV shows to a DVD any more in order to watch them in the living room. ;-)

A+ for having a monitor port and a PC-audio-input built in. There was no special configuration required. I've cranked the monitor resolution to... 1280 by 1000something, and it looks perfect. I might try it as high as 1600x1200 when I load Star Wars Episode 1: Pod Racer for some 61"-screen racing goodness in the living room.

WHo needs an X-Box, again?
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