HDTV: DLP, LCD FAQS ( Upgrading your television )

Chicago Tribune ^ | Oct. 16, 2006 | ERIC GWINN

[george76]

There are many reasons to buy an HDTV now.

1) Your team could be good this year.

2) There’s more stuff on high-definition TV than ever.

3) Prices are dropping.

If you’re looking, here are some things you should know:

DLP

•Millions of tiny mirrors reflect light to produce a picture. You can recognize DLP (digital light processing) sets in the store: They’re the big, boxy televisions.

LCD

•Electrically charged liquid crystals untwist just enough to let the correct shade of light pass through.

PLASMA

•Bits of gas are ignited to produce light.

FAQs

Which is better, LCD or plasma?

•Get to the store while it’s still baseball season, because a baseball game is a perfect test for a television. When the ball is moving, it should look like a solid object, not a blur...

Plasmas die quicker and have burn-in, right?

True, the phosphors in a plasma TV glow less brightly over time. Manufacturers say about 60,000 hours...

Plasmas do suffer burn-in...

After picture quality, what’s the most important feature on an HDTV?

A lot of connections. At least two HDMI inputs are good. HDMI stands for high-definition multimedia interface. And at least two component inputs. You’ll want to connect a DVD player, maybe a VCR, a cable box, perhaps two video game systems. Get a TV with lots of inputs. In order of video quality, the best inputs are HDMI, component, S-Video and composite.

What’s HD-DVD? What’s Blu-ray?

These are high-definition DVD formats battling for consumers’ hearts the way VHS and Betamax did in the early days of VCRs...

Instead, go with a DVD upconverter.

You’ll get great results watching your current DVDs on a $149 OPPO DV-970HD (or the even-better, $199 DV-971HD) and your HDTV.

[george76]

The lighting is much brighter in a showroom than in your home, and bright lighting favors LCDs.

To truly compare, shop in a store with a darkened room full of TVs.

[Kaylee Frye]

I love my DLP! :)

[Gay State Conservative]

My Sony XBR CRT gives the best PQ you'll see in a TV.About the only drawback is that they weigh about a half ton.

[george76]

How does the picture compare to a flat screen ?

[TC Rider]

Plasma! Still the best.

If I ran mine 24/7, in 6 or 7 years I'll replace it for around $500.

[Global2010]

Since the old thread we were on last week I am still leaning towards the 65in Magnovox LPD even though our area Charter cable does not have HDTV.

It has it in the workings. I could go temp dish for the 65in and switch back to cable when it come out with HDTV.

BTW we watch in tv in a dark room since I tend to fall asleep and other still watch and so I did just that was to go to a dark showroom and look at tv from all angles and distances.

[mowowie]

just bought the Sony CRT myself last week, What an awesome picture! Thing is frigging HEAVY though!! over 200 pounds i think.

[aft_lizard]

I rather enjoy my two LCD's I got on clearance (both for less 1000 combined), took forever to tune the pictures in good but hey they still look ten times better than SDTV.

[TheBigB]

I've been looking at a 46" LCD. Maybe I'll reconsider the plasma.

Being a greedy capitalist pig does have its advantages. ;-)

[TommyDale]

The latest breakthrough is the Laser DLP, which offers better resolution at half the price of plasma.

[george76]

I have been following the Laser DLP...

it seems to be an interesting choice.

[TommyDale]

I understand it will be in full production, to be deliverable to homes in 2007. It seems worth waiting for, and the other technologies seem to be scrambling to get sales now, before the new technology hits the market.

[george76]

It seems to make some logic to wait.

I may replace an older small bedroom tv with an lcd flat screen with HDTV to practice.

Then get a bigger one for the den in 2007.

[Gay State Conservative]

How does the picture compare to a flat screen ?

Better...by far.The model I have has the "superfine" picture tube which is,in its HD incarnation,is the finest picture tube ever made.Some of the shows on Discovery HD give a picture which is truly beyond words.

Problem is,Sony isn't making them anymore.

[JustDoItAlways]

My new Panasonic plasma shows burn-in on hockey games (only shows up on the very white ice of HDTV, not noticeable otherwise.)

The burn-in lasts about 24 hours and then goes away so I am not completely flipping out. But I am careful now not to leave it on one channel for more than an hour if it has one of those dumb lower corner channel signatures.

But sports in HDTV (on the plasma) just blows your mind. Movies and Discovery and PBS documentaries are also amazing.

But I'd buy a Sony LCD next time.

[TommyDale]

I've been holding out on my old rear projection 61". Still a good picture, great sound system, wood cabinet. I hope they come out with something other than the cold grey plastic models like the recent ones. I would expect Mitsubishi to have a good quality set.

[GreenAccord]

Here's an interesting article on the next emerging television technology here.

You didn't think television technology stopped at the plasma, did you? It's called SED TV and it's essentially a bunch of miniature CRT's bundled side by side together.

The article does a good job of pointing out the strengths and weaknesses of the plasmas and LCD's so it's informative in that regard. (Like how black is still somewhat gray on a plasma since the plasma cell that is trying to be black is still on, emitting light to reduce latency). Cost? Comparable to plasma.

I still have my 10+ year old 35" Mitsubishi tube and if SED plays out, I will have skipped the LCD and plasma generations for this.

[george76]

Thanks.

The LCD Sony looks good.

[george76]

I need something that will work above 6000 feet.

apparently plasma is a problem

[Gay State Conservative]

I need something that will work above 6000 feet. apparently plasma is a problem

Is the performance of TV's affected by altitude? I didn't know that!

[george76]

Thanks for the link.

The article was good. I learned several new things.

[american colleen]

oh no! I've had my panasonic plasma since last Feb. and it has no burn in at all. have you turned down the settings or do you still have it on vivid? I will say that for the first couple of weeks I was like a nazi with the kids - did not let them leave the tv on a station with an 'insignia' for more than a 1/2 hour or so.

[george76]

Apparently the plasma gases do not do well at 5000 feet and even worse as the altitiude goes up.

I am not an expert, just what I have read and have been told.

This may have changed recently with new inventions ?

my old tv's and my flat lcd computer monitor are doing fine. I like the flat monitor so well, that I am interested in a flat HDTV, too.

[ncdrumr]

We have a 60" Sony DLP and absolutely love it. No burn in, it's relatively light in weight, has a clear, crisp picture, and no blurring.

[george76]

Thank you.

[Las Vegas Dave]

Thanks for the ping.

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Lasvegasdave

[Fire_on_High]

Err...no. I've got an LCD monitor on one of my puters, and while it's gorgeous under ANY conditions, it shows to its best effect when the room is dark. Of course, it's also tweaked to hell and back, both on the monitor and on the machine, but hands down it's the best monitor I've ever used...and I used to hate LCDs until I got this as a gift.

As remarkable as this sounds, LCD doesn't always equal washed out crap. I lowered brightness and gamma slightly, raised contrast a little, and it has a fine rich black where it should.

[battlegearboat]

I'm mulling over the idea of buying a color TV.

The old Philco's picture is starting to shrink and it's getting harder to see and hear the Lawrence Welk Show. Moving the rabbit ears does no good and the channel knob broke years ago. Mother and I rarely find the need to change the channel. When we do change the channel, we find a pair of vice grips do the job.

My questions are: Is it true that aluminium foil can improve reception? Our local hardware store no longer has a tube tester machine. Where can Mother go to buy replacement tubes? Should we invest in a rooftop antenna?

Also, while I'm on the online, we are thinking of buying a push button phone. The rotary dial is hard on our fingers. What is a good push button phone to buy from the phone company?

[Brett66]

I'd suggest an aquarium, TV's just a passing fad.

[avg_freeper]

"I'd suggest an aquarium, TV's just a passing fad."

Sock puppet shows are the future.

[weegee]

But I am careful now not to leave it on one channel for more than an hour if it has one of those dumb lower corner channel signatures.

Write the execs and sponsors a letter telling them that it is harmful to your expensive television set to watch their channel for long periods of time.

Squeaky wheel gets the grease.

[weegee]

Well, you CAN watch puppet shows even when you are sitting in a cave.

[weegee]

Buy? The phone company can rent you a phone and include it on your monthly bill.

[battlegearboat]

Thank you. You're very kind.

[Global2010]

I am definetly going to buy a new big screen for Christmas. I have up to 3 grand to spend. I plan on financing at 0% and paying the tv in total at the end of the 0%. Better to leave cash in my savings. OK this is our needs. The main user is a quad and on his rest and rejuvenate days to get back up and out he typically has his tv on 15hrs a day

Favors 1 or 2 channels, not a surfer We were told a LPD would burn out too many lamps with that much use. Still don't get why LCD was not a suggested choice other that warbler issues or was that on the LPD? Plasma is the choice the salesman was pushing and advice for no burn out was to adjust certain color levels. I am sooo confused. But the big issue is having the tv on around the clock on our home bound days. Also we plan to add speakers/reciever behind us on the wall (his bed sits up against that wall) for sound because of the high level of noise in our living area due to medical equipment running non stop. We already know we want 65 inch or a just a tad smaller and yes we have the room. We want extended warrenty, in home service and a replacement set if ours needs to go to the shop. Our area is really rural so our to choices are Radio Shack or Sears. They both carry Magnovox or Sony. PLease HELP!

[Global2010]

How long do you leave it on?

I was told 24/7 will lead to yearly lamp burn outs costing hundereds of dollars.

Lamp life 6,ooo hrs so I am told.

[Global2010]

Can buy a phone for $19 bucks and that is for a hand set.

They last for around 5 yrs.

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

My personal soap box is that anything you buy will not only be good, it will be very good. It will far surpass anything you have now, and you'll love it. As far as quibbling between competing technologies I think that it sort of goes like this

Plasma - If money is no object and/or you want to hang on wall like a picture.
DLP - For screen sizes >= 50 inches.
LCD - For screen sizes < 50 inches.

But like I said, it's all good. Don't fall victim to analysis paralysis. I've had a DLP for 2 years and love it.

[Texas_shutterbug]

Well, not to continue the iMac discussion, but hi def looks awfully nice on my iMac. :)

[Texas_shutterbug]

Well, not to continue the iMac discussion, but hi def looks awfully nice on my iMac. :)

[ncdrumr]

Yeah, that's what we were told, too. We only watch TV maybe a couple hours a day during the week, if that. We got it mostly for weekend movies and sports games. But we figured replacing the bulb is better than the permanent burn in with other technologies, and we think the picture is the best of them all for the size we have.

[george76]

Thanks.

Your point is good.

[Incorrigible]

Global2010,

Given your scenario, have you considered using a projector instead?

The screen can be as big as an entire wall. You'll want to paint that wall white of course. If you don't want to use a wall, there are some large, fold away screens you can use.

The projectors today are very bright and small. Some are noisier than others but that may not be an issue given the ambient noise in the room.

The projector can be mounted to the ceiling on the other end of the room or it can be placed on a table. You can even put it off to the side or corner and make some adjustments to the projector so the image is projected correctly.

The nice thing about this setup is that unless the screen and projector are permanently mounted, you can take it all with you very easily should you want to use it elsewhere.

[Global2010]

We purchaced a 61" Sony
Outdated will have buy a new Lamp @ $140 every yrs but it i whay he wanted and what we had in cash plus the 4 yr warrenty in home service 4 $179

[Global2010]

Misspells.......We got a big ass tv and are willing to live with the short comings.

Sports R now back in OUR Life!

[RandallFlagg]

I remember digital projectors running about five grand seven years ago.
The thing that turns me away from them these days is the short lamp life, and price of the lamps.
I'd love to play my videogames on a giant screen.