HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

[wxkid23]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

I just moved into a new house and am in the market for a flat screen plasma or LCD (1080p please) between 40-50 inches under $2500 ... I have a family room with an excellent place to put a TV above the fireplace and create a theatre like atmosphere.

Can I get anything name-brand in that price range? Im into online gaming so It has to have a good refresh rate and not lag. Anyone have any ideas? I probably won't be buying until closer to x-mas but im gonna go ahead and start looking around.


Edit- Actually, after looking around, I think I may hold off and wait for a 1.3 HDMI set sometime likely Q2 next year. The new 1.3 HDMI sounds like a pretty significant upgrade and with the PS3 support it's likely worth the wait.

[TheGenius]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

So I went to Target again with the intention of purchasing the TV this time. However, when the electronics worker checked in the back, they were out. I was a little upset, since why would you have a TV on display and not have any in the back...I really don't care if it's on clearance or not.

So, basically, I decided to spring the extra $40 or so and get the black version of the same TV from Wal-Mart. So now it's in my living room, just waiting to get the new box and hook that up to utilize the HD capabilities.

[sva91]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

A new Costco just opened, and we joined today. Found that for a $30 price difference, I could upgrade to a 32".

Vizio L32HDTV

Only $699 at Costco. I just did the exchange, and am pretty pleased. I can't get the VGA to completely fill the screen, so I end up with about a 31" diagonal on the Xbox.

Fossen have you played NBA2k7 on your vizio? All other games look great,but the reds and oranges on 2k look way too bright. Especially the rim and anything red. Do you know a way to make it look better?

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

Johnny... Chad Billheimer is coming Saturday at 10 for my TV. I'll give you impressions once he's complete.

[mjb2124]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

Johnny... Chad Billheimer is coming Saturday at 10 for my TV. I'll give you impressions once he's complete.

I'd be interested to hear how he does as well. I know he'll do audio as well. If he does good work (which from all reports, he does) I might give him a call.

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

I'd be interested to hear how he does as well. I know he'll do audio as well. If he does good work (which from all reports, he does) I might give him a call.

Yeah, he does it all. He told me about 6 hours or so to do my TV.

I looked all over to try to get a new TV, after 2 months of searching, I'm sticking with my XBR, I just can't find a TV I like more. I know there are better tv's, but my tv's picture, as well as features make me a happy viewer. Now getting the geometry and colors fixed, will make me enjoy it more.

[JohnnytheSkin]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

Yeah, he does it all. He told me about 6 hours or so to do my TV.

I looked all over to try to get a new TV, after 2 months of searching, I'm sticking with my XBR, I just can't find a TV I like more. I know there are better tv's, but my tv's picture, as well as features make me a happy viewer. Now getting the geometry and colors fixed, will make me enjoy it more.

Can't wait to hear what he does. I'm stuck here in Boise and can't foot the bill for travel fees, and our "prospective" move to Springfield, IL (an area he services) has been delayed until '07. I wish I had some calibrator here in Boise that did good work

[fishepa]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

Fossen, how do you like the Vizio? I was thinking about getting the same one for our downstairs TV.

[rudyjuly2]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

Fossen, how do you like the Vizio? I was thinking about getting the same one for our downstairs TV.

It gets a low score from CNet (6.3) but decent user reviews. I'm still holding out hope that the Samsung 3251 drops in price around Christmas.

Vizio 32"

http://reviews.cnet.com/Vizio_L32HDTV/4505-6482_7-31661373.html

Samsung 3251 (highest rated 32" LCD TV)

http://reviews.cnet.com/Samsung_LN_S3251D/4505-6482_7-31787622.html

Top 32" LCD TVs

http://reviews.cnet.com/4323-6531_7-6509130.html?tag=txt

[aukevin]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

Yeah, he does it all. He told me about 6 hours or so to do my TV.

I looked all over to try to get a new TV, after 2 months of searching, I'm sticking with my XBR, I just can't find a TV I like more. I know there are better tv's, but my tv's picture, as well as features make me a happy viewer. Now getting the geometry and colors fixed, will make me enjoy it more.

I had my TV calibrated a couple years ago. I found this guy from hometheaterspot.com that was recommended to do it. It took about 6 hours, like the guy told you. It's a long process and I had to take a day off work for it since I caught the guy on a calibration tour and it had to be done on a weekday. My TV looked great after that, still does. It was kinda expensive though, but I'd recommend it to you guys who are interested in getting the best picture out of your set.

[rudyjuly2]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

How do those calibration DVDs work? Are they hard to work with and how much do they cost?

[JohnnytheSkin]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

How do those calibration DVDs work? Are they hard to work with and how much do they cost?

They cost between $20-$30 and generally aren't that hard to navigate. In order of ease of use:

Monster/ISF Calibration DVD, AVIA: Guide to Home Theater, Digital Video Essentials

The latter is my favorite (though a self-made calibration DVD is the one I've used most often from someone at avsforum) but the menu's are two-tiered and are a bit difficult to navigate if your remote or DVD player don't support two-tiered menus (i.e. having a "Menu" key and a "Top Menu" key).

AVIA is the most outdated but is very easy to use. Both AVIA and DVE come with color filters. They basically generate test patterns on your screen and tell you how to adjust your user menu controls to set Contrast/Picture (White Level), Brightness (Black Level), Color (both Tint and Hue), and Sharpness. There are also a lot of other patterns that pros can use, and there are references available as PDF's for both DVD's online, and loads of info on your TV and the DVD calibration tips over at avsforum.

The Monster/ISF DVD doesn't use test patterns...only the "live" scenes that are on all Media Center PC's. It helps you adjust the same controls by showing scenes of a guy in a white shirt for white level, a moving black "X" and a black shirt guy, etc.

I can help you with the self-made DVD if that interests you as well...the patterns there are all moving (which makes changes easy to discern) though you will have to provide your own filters (like the THX blue glasses). It's the "GetGray" thread over at avs.

Good luck, and hope this helps!

[rudyjuly2]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

Thanks Johnny! Still haven't got an HDTV yet but I really hope to get one over the holidays. Just trying to do my research and gather info. I had read some people post specifications for certain TVs models based on their calibration tests but that's probably only good for their room with set lighting etc I suppose.

[Heelfan71]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

Father in law has a Vizio. Great picture on it.

[JohnnytheSkin]

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

Thanks Johnny! Still haven't got an HDTV yet but I really hope to get one over the holidays. Just trying to do my research and gather info. I had read some people post specifications for certain TVs models based on their calibration tests but that's probably only good for their room with set lighting etc I suppose.

Correct! Ambient lighting, glare, etc. will all affect your settings. The more complex settings though (Noise Reduction, Detail Enhancers, etc) would still hold true for your display.