Best quality SD conversion - plasma/LCD/RP?

[fjcastro]

I can't seem to get a straight answer to this question: Which type of TV has the best standard definition performance? I subscribe to DirecTV and have a HD DVR. My 4 year old Toshiba 42 inch rear projection, HD TV just bit the dust and now I am in the market for a new big screen TV. The HD on the Toshiba was excellent in my opinion, but it really sucked when I tried to watch non-HD TV. (I got a better quality picture on my little 13 inch in the kitchen!).

I am seriously considering the Sony KDLV 40V2500 (LCD) and the Sony KDS-50A2000 (rear projection). I know I will get a nice HD picture on either one, but which one would give me a better non-HD picture? (Since most of what is broadcast now is broadcast in non-HD)

I would appreciate any advice or links to further information.

Cheers!

Frank

[jadirtguy]

I have the same question as Frank. I presently have DirectV 's HR10-250 HD-DVR, and I'm still using a 4:3 Sony Wega 36' flat screen CRT for my monitor. I get an excelent picture on SD, and a good, but small, 1080i HD image with "bars" top and bottom. I've spent the last several weeks looking at 16:9 flat screens of all types and sizes, and have yet to find anything that produces as good a SD picture as I'm used to with my 4:3 tube using DirectV.

I know that in 2009, when analog dies, everything will look great in the 16:9 format. But...what do I do in the meantime?

Thanks, JA

[Richard]

Well guys, it has nothing to do with the display technology and everything to do with scaling.

Scaler
viewtopic.php?t=3789

SD - Standard Definition on your HDTV
viewtopic.php?t=4451

Overall scaling has improved within the display and also from our sources. That said I see more errors with display scalers than source scalers. Getting 480P to the display at minimum helps alot. There is the rare bird that performs well with less than 480P such as...

Review Toshiba DLP RPTV 44NHM84
viewtopic.php?t=5218

For the most part these days it is recommended you set your source so it outputs SD content at an HD scan rate so the source does the scaling. The only issue with that concept is depending on the product you lose the ability to format. Those that will format HD scan rates will require using the internal scaler which is likely to introduce artifacts again.

So, in the end, nothing has changed... If SD performance is your concern then you should include an external scaler in your budget with many hovering at $1000-1500 and used ones running even less. If you are not satisified then you are prepared for a solution.