Questions for those who know HDTV

steamthief · #1 07-23-2008, 07:18 PM

The old cathode-ray JVC is about to give up the ghost, so it's getting near for me to step up to a new HDTV. This much I know; it's gotta be 1080, and it's gotta be 37" to fit in the armoire.

Here's what I'm not so sure about. How many HDMI jacks are needed? Is it worth it to pay a few extra hundred to get a newer set with 120hz refresh rate? What brands to consider, and what to avoid?

If there's something important I haven't mentioned, feel free to tell me. Thanks in advance for your replies, TB!

**BluesyCat** · #2 07-23-2008, 07:50 PM

Samsung, Sony, Sharp are the top LCD's right now. It is definitely worth waiting to get a 120 hz refresh rate - you will notice the difference in sports, action stuff. Not sure how many HDMI's YOU will need...ask your cable co.

Don't get plasma. Get LCD.

Chunk-O-Funk · #3 07-23-2008, 09:10 PM

How many HDMI inputs will be up to you and how many components you will be plugging into your TV, assuming you don't have a surround sound system with HDMI switching/up-conversion.

If you will be getting a HD package from your cable/sat. company, there's one input. DVD? Gaming system? Computer? You could use as many as three or even four. It just depends on how many thing you will be hooking up to the TV.

Even if your current DVD player that has component connections think of the future. More than likely you will get a new DVD player before you buy another TV and wish you had the extra HDMI input.

As far as plasma vs. LCD. It's still a hot topic, but I wouldn't say don't go plasma. Things like contrast and color depth are still better on plasma, plus they're all 120hz. The also don't have the burn-in issues the early models had. LCD's also have some advantages over plasma. They seem to do better in rooms with a lot of ambient light too. More than likely you will find more options from brand to brand with a LCD as well.

If you really want to get into it or just want to check out a great forum for choosing a new TV check out AVS.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/

SelenaBassGirl · #4 07-23-2008, 10:25 PM

my mom has a plasma tv and it gets mighty warm to me!

IanStephenson · #5 07-24-2008, 01:00 AM

you need 1080P - not just 1080i. Also check for true 24fps support - they can show movies at the right speed without munging frames around.

I've got 3HDMI on mine - two are used, and the third is already earmarked for several things! DVD player + AppleTV are connected so far. An a PS3 and cable at some point in the future, and I'm out of sockets. You can get cheap switch boxes though, so there is a way round this.

I had a plasma - it died. I bought and LCD this time. They're different, but not much to choose in quality (plasma seem to be less reliable, and obviously the new LCD is better than the old plasma) - if one was really better then the other would be discontinued.
Ian

mwm70 · #6 07-24-2008, 05:40 AM

+1 for:http://www.avsforum.com/
Good resource with lots of knowledgeable people. I have a 42" Panasonic Plasma that I use for everything including an XBox 360. It is 1080p and has an antiglare coating which eliminates all the reflection in the room I have it in.

BetterBottomEnd · #7 07-24-2008, 06:22 AM

Whatever you buy get it from Sam's Club you can return it at any time for any reason.

moomoocajoo · #8 07-24-2008, 06:36 AM

In the TV world there is only two brands IMO. Panasonic and Sony.

I think 1080p is the way to go IIRC too.

pedroims · #9 07-24-2008, 07:36 AM

Sharp aquos is great , I only use one HDMI input on my tv, DVD and PS3 runs via HDMI to my receiver then one HDMI to my TV, agree on getting 1080P.

BlacksHole · #10 07-24-2008, 07:49 AM

I also have a Sharp Aquos and it is a good set. Part of the reason I chose LCD over Plasma is electricity use - it is higher for plasma (or at least it was - things change quickly). You definitely want at least 2 HDMI inputs, but more is good too. Also, try to buy your HDMI cables on-line, most stores have jacked up the price of the cables considerably. Keep in mind that neither LCD nor Plasma sets are really designed to last as long as the old CRT sets and repairing them can be prohibitively expensive. A friend of mine works on repairing them and he said the plasmas break far too often and are often a complete loss. Once again, this may be slightly older technology, so learn as much as possible.

steamthief · #11 07-25-2008, 12:30 AM

Thanks for all the input, people. The avsforum website is bomb, I learned a lot. Anybody see the LG Scarlet at Best Buy?