I really doubt that you, average Joe consumer like 99.9% of everyone, could really tell that much difference among various brands if set up properly (and that is the key). Places like Best Buy and some other stores have their units displayed in darkened areas, but you will see lots of differences among each picture, most totally due to how it is set up. Any of the decent brands will have a good picture that will make you happy. In general that means to drop the brightness down to maybe 50%, color saturation and contrast down below max. Again, for the price the Samsungs seem to be an excellent value.
I note now that many shows/movies are being filmed (??) for HD and seem either to have very dark images, or the color saturation cranked way up (Miami CSI comes to mind). The Discovery HD channel, and PBS nature shows have some stunning images and very well balanced colors -- I would use these for a reference if you are trying to compare or tune up your set. Some of the key things to look for in the various types/brands is the viewing angle (up/down and sideways) -- plasmas and LCDs have a wider viewing angle, projections less, so if that is an issue (how you have your room set up, where seats are ref the TV, where the TV is relative to your eyes vertically) then think about that. Also how bright the room is -- projections do better in darker rooms. plasma/LCD in more light. Also, note that a big big TV might not be the best choice if your viewing distance is small -- I think the idea is to be at least 8x (I think that is right, I might be off a bit, maybe it is 6x) the width of the screen from the screen, so your eyes aren't picking out the pixels. Also note that at Sams and Costco you might be able to get a return or open box pretty good price. --R LarryT wrote: > Rich - Excellent info! > You write: <<stores they have all the controls > >> cranked to max>> >> > > Hmmm... I was always told to look at the pictures and pick the picture I > like the best. SOunds like the different settings in stores might make that > not work? > > Also - I always look at the big TVs when going into Costco - there are some > *kick-a$$* images! Even on the very large screens the pictures look > lifelife. When everything is in HD I guess all channels will look perfect? > > Thanks agn for all the info on buying TVs - the technology is moving so > darned fast it very hard to keep up without being in the business in some > way it seems. > > > Larry T (67 MGB, 74 911, 78 240D, 91 300D) > www.youroil.net for Oil Analysis and Weber Parts > Test Results http://members.rennlist.com/oil > PORSCHE POSTERS! youroil.net > Weber Carb Info http://members.rennlist.com/webercarbs > . > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Rich Thomas" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: "Mercedes Discussion List" <mercedes@okiebenz.com> > Sent: Friday, October 26, 2007 3:53 PM > Subject: Re: [MBZ] OT, TV's > > > >> About the least expensive decent unit is a Samsung projection TV (will >> be DLP, thinner than your old projection unit but thicker than the >> plasmas, LCDs, etc.). There are some other cheaper brands, but I think >> these are nice units. Plasmas and LCDs are much more expensive for the >> performance. Either 720P or 1080P, which is the horizontal lines of >> resolution. Full HD is 1080P, which paints 1080 lines every scan, half >> again more resolution than the 720P, which paints 720 lines each scan, >> but not all (actually, not many if any) programs/channels/cable/sat >> providers broadcast full 1080P (or even 720P). (Some do 1080i, which is >> 1080 lines, but it paints every other line on each scan). If you want >> the least expensive, a 720P would be nice and will show your regular >> DVDs nicely. If you are thinking of an HD DVD player, then go for the >> 1080P for most resolution. >> >> Sams sells the Samsungs and Sonys and other brands. I don't think there >> is a whole lot of noticeable difference in the different brands -- most >> of the viewing "goodness" will depend on how you tune them up as far as >> brightness (keep it about 50% to keep from blowing out the colors) and >> contrast and color balances. In the stores they have all the controls >> cranked to max, which in bright light is showy, but at home you want to >> back it off considerably. >> >> Most places will price match, Sears is good at that and sells most major >> brands. You might want to wait a month or so, as before Christmas there >> will be some price drops and good prices and store competition -- prices >> have come down a lot in the last year or two a lot (alot). If you go >> one place, and they have a bit higher price and balk at a match, work on >> them to throw in a (decent) DVD player and cables or something. >> >> Also note that the newer units have HDMI inputs (and newer cable/sat/DVD >> boxes too), these cables are expensive but I suppose the picture is >> somewhat better and it is easier to hook up.. Most units also have the >> standard RGB 3-cable hookups, which should work OK too. You also want >> to get a surround sound set up, if you don't have that, with a big bass >> shaker. It makes movies and a lot of shows a lot (alot) more fun to >> watch! Get a TV with at least 2 or 3 inputs, cable/sat + DVD + maybe a >> game box. >> >> Note that starting next year analog broadcasting is supposed to go away, >> so look for a unit that has a digital tuner to get over air broadcasts. >> If you have sat or cable, not so much an issue. >> >> --R >> >> Kaleb C. Striplin (CAT) wrote: >> >>> OK, so my 60" big screen has been giving me trouble lately. I bought it >>> in '99 and its not high def, so probably time to upgrade anyway. I will >>> probably still get this one fixed and use it in my office or something. >>> So whats the story with these things these days? Which is the best. >>> Best for the money? Im not wanting to spend a whole lot so..... Dont >>> know the difference between plasma, led, so on and so forth. Best place >>> to get one at somewhere like Worst Buy or Dead Sams? >>> >>> --- >>> Kaleb C. Striplin >>> Cox Auto Trader >>> 730 FSBO Supervisor >>> 918-746-1400 x305 >>> _______________________________________ >>> http://www.okiebenz.com >>> For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ >>> For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>> >>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >>> http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >> _______________________________________ >> http://www.okiebenz.com >> For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ >> For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >> http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >> >> >> -- >> No virus found in this incoming message. >> Checked by AVG Free Edition. >> Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.11/1094 - Release Date: >> 10/26/2007 8:50 AM >> >> >> > > > _______________________________________ > http://www.okiebenz.com > For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ > For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > > > > _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
