We are purchasing a LCD in the 46"-50" range very soon (hint, hint!) and are concerned about our usual viewing patterns with DirecTV. We have not and won't upgrade to HD with this provider. I do get adequate coverage HD OTA and am happy with it. What about the viewing we do with standard definition? I read ugly things about poor picture quality, etc which I've not experienced with my 5 y.o. rear projection 1080i set which is run through an upconverter to virtual 1080i. Is there a chipset/brand that is better at rendering SD on a big screen 1080P set. . I am partial to S. Korean poroducts (LG, Samsung). Should I give up the Blu-ray experience and go 720p. I hate to lock myself out of the higher definition when (and if) it becoomes readily available. So far 1080p is not in DirecTV's future. Their present equipment won't handle this format. Will a DVD/VCR writer upconverter to 1080p give an adequate experience on a 1080P set? Whos bright idea was 1380x768 anyway?
Doc
SDTV on an HD Flat panel?
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akirby
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The bad rap on DirecTVs SD quality was mostly due to first generation HD receivers. When I upgraded from a Samsung TS-165 HD receiver to a HR20-700 HD PVR the SD picture quality improved a LOT. I'm upconverting everything to 1080i on a 55" Mits RP CRT.
I think you're making a mistake not upgrading to HD, especially with a new set. There are now tons of great HD programming available on non-broadcast stations. If you're a long time subscriber you can probably get upgraded for free. And even the remaining SD channels should look better upconverted by the receiver/DVR. Other than that you'd probably need an external video processor and those aren't cheap.
The 720 vs. 1080 issue really depends on viewing distance. If you're more than 8-9 ft away then you may not miss much with a 720p set but that's a subjective thing. Best thing to do is go view both a 720 and 1080 in the same screen size at your normal viewing distance. Personally I'd recommend 1080p if budget isn't a big issue.
The odd scan rates are due to the way LCDs are manufactured.
I think you're making a mistake not upgrading to HD, especially with a new set. There are now tons of great HD programming available on non-broadcast stations. If you're a long time subscriber you can probably get upgraded for free. And even the remaining SD channels should look better upconverted by the receiver/DVR. Other than that you'd probably need an external video processor and those aren't cheap.
The 720 vs. 1080 issue really depends on viewing distance. If you're more than 8-9 ft away then you may not miss much with a 720p set but that's a subjective thing. Best thing to do is go view both a 720 and 1080 in the same screen size at your normal viewing distance. Personally I'd recommend 1080p if budget isn't a big issue.
The odd scan rates are due to the way LCDs are manufactured.
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eliwhitney
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ONLY SD ....
Hi riferg1 -
A "second" to akirby's vote --- stay with what you've found to be enough & do NOT buy anything until
you DO find it acceptable to pay for the latest 5 LNB 'dish' antenna / companion mandatory HD Receiver!
And, except for that (1) 'upstart' company still trying to provide 1080p broadcasts, there no 'danger' of ever experiencing it except on HD Movies on an very proficient 1080p Player or PS3 !! Simply too costly to pay for that required bandwidth.
The very latest satellite launched lately { covered here } will provide more local channels in HD & as he said, the HD programs only available via those .. 75-85 .. and counting -- above O.T.A. -- DO provide outstanding content compared to only our 4-5- major networks + PBS !
The difference in the monthly charges will NOT be a deal-breaker!
Unless you do buy a top-of-the-line version 50" plasma or 52" LCD, the SD stands a better than even probability of being very unsatisfactory!
eli
A "second" to akirby's vote --- stay with what you've found to be enough & do NOT buy anything until
you DO find it acceptable to pay for the latest 5 LNB 'dish' antenna / companion mandatory HD Receiver!
And, except for that (1) 'upstart' company still trying to provide 1080p broadcasts, there no 'danger' of ever experiencing it except on HD Movies on an very proficient 1080p Player or PS3 !! Simply too costly to pay for that required bandwidth.
The very latest satellite launched lately { covered here } will provide more local channels in HD & as he said, the HD programs only available via those .. 75-85 .. and counting -- above O.T.A. -- DO provide outstanding content compared to only our 4-5- major networks + PBS !
The difference in the monthly charges will NOT be a deal-breaker!
Unless you do buy a top-of-the-line version 50" plasma or 52" LCD, the SD stands a better than even probability of being very unsatisfactory!
eli
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Larry Kenney
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Re: SDTV on an HD Flat panel?
I cannot understand why people spend a large amount of money on a large, beautiful HDTV and then don't spend a few extra bucks to get HD programming. I've seen this mentioned over and over again. It just doesn't make sense. After spending thousands on the TV is a few dollars a month for HD service going to break the bank? I don't think so.rlferg1 wrote:We have not and won't upgrade to HD with this provider. I do get adequate coverage HD OTA and am happy with it.
Doc
I highly recommend to anyone buying a new HDTV to upgrade your programming service to HD, whether it's DirecTV, Dish Network, Comcast or some other cable company. There are dozens of HD channels available to you that you can't get OTA, and the difference between SD and HD is so extreme you surely will not regret the upgrade.
Larry
SF
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Richard
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The answer to your question Larry is that many HDTVs were purchased to replace an older one that could not be repaired. Even when given a choice they opted for the HD version of TV for future protection. I see this all the time out in the field. The same process is occurring all over again due to the flat panel love affair of getting rid of the old fashioned big heavy box, even if there is 5-10 years of use left.
Another reason to not upgrade is to avoid change...
As for the cost of upgrading that is definitely a your mileage will vary option.
Satellite is probably the most difficult because that means new everything for SD viewers, typically coming out of their pockets, along with the slight potential that one of the satellites is blocked.
Cable can also be difficult if you want more than the local channels. If on basic you have to up the ante all the way to the digital tier.
What doesn't make sense to me and I see often are those on cable already receiving full digital services but still use the original SD box they always have. If this is you call your cable company now and request an HDTV box instead in which case you are looking at only $5-10 more bucks and a box not very different from what you already have in many cases and THAT makes sense!
Another reason to not upgrade is to avoid change...
As for the cost of upgrading that is definitely a your mileage will vary option.
Satellite is probably the most difficult because that means new everything for SD viewers, typically coming out of their pockets, along with the slight potential that one of the satellites is blocked.
Cable can also be difficult if you want more than the local channels. If on basic you have to up the ante all the way to the digital tier.
What doesn't make sense to me and I see often are those on cable already receiving full digital services but still use the original SD box they always have. If this is you call your cable company now and request an HDTV box instead in which case you are looking at only $5-10 more bucks and a box not very different from what you already have in many cases and THAT makes sense!