#262585 - 11/08/2005 13:00
Flat panel HDTV with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31596
Loc: Seattle, WA
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Anyone see any reason why I wouldn't want to get this? It would be hanging on the wall above the gas fireplace (I'd watch out for thermal issues, don't worry, the house has other heat sources anyway). In addition to the good price and the 1080p resolution, the current deal on the thing also includes a free progressive scan DVD recorder/player and 15 percent off a mounting bracket and a stereo cabinet, all of which are items I need as well. Anyone got opinions on this?
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#262586 - 11/08/2005 13:05
Re: Flat panel HDTV with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution
[Re: tfabris]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 10/06/1999
Posts: 5916
Loc: Wivenhoe, Essex, UK
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None of the LCD based TVs that I have seen in shops have acceptable display quality. They all seem to have a muddy look to them, especially with fast motion.
They are probably all being fed from lousy video sources, but the CRT screens next to them fed from the same video sources have ok pictures.
Or perhaps I'm just being picky.
_________________________
Remind me to change my signature to something more interesting someday
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#262587 - 11/08/2005 13:11
Re: Flat panel HDTV with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution
[Re: andy]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31596
Loc: Seattle, WA
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Hm. I agree that this one has a lower contrast ratio than some of the others out there (600:1 as opposed to 1000:1 that I saw quoted for a different lower-rez panel). And its pixel response time is not given. Hm.
But... But... 1080p for only two grand....
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#262588 - 11/08/2005 13:23
Re: Flat panel HDTV with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution
[Re: tfabris]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 29/08/2000
Posts: 14491
Loc: Canada
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Mmm.. it says it has "DVI-HDCP" inputs, but doesn't mention DVI-D anywhere (for digital PC to monitor connections). I wonder if DVI-HDCP includes that capability?
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#262589 - 11/08/2005 13:31
Re: Flat panel HDTV with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution
[Re: mlord]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31596
Loc: Seattle, WA
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Dunno, but I won't be using it as a computer monitor. It'll just be getting the output from the high-def Tivo.
Hey. I should check to see if the tivo has digital outs. I've never had a TV with digital ins before.
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#262590 - 11/08/2005 13:31
Re: Flat panel HDTV with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution
[Re: mlord]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 29/08/2000
Posts: 14491
Loc: Canada
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Okay, found a photo of the connector -- looks like the same thing, except the HDCP designation means it has built-in DRM for HD video as well as regular DVI-D capability.
Cheers
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#262591 - 11/08/2005 13:31
Re: Flat panel HDTV with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution
[Re: mlord]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 24/12/2001
Posts: 5528
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DVI-HDCP is DVI-D + DRM features and you should be able to just plug it straight into a DVI socket on your PC.
It's supposed to prevent you from snagging a digital copy of the signal because they encrypt it but bypass devices have already been released. If you plug a device which requires a HDCP display device into something which doesn't have HDCP then it will downgrade the output signal i.e. lower the resolution.
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#262592 - 11/08/2005 13:34
Re: Flat panel HDTV with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution
[Re: tfabris]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31596
Loc: Seattle, WA
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Interesting. The Tivo has an HDMI output, but the television does not have an HDMI input. Glad you brought that up. I was just expecting to use the component cable, but now that you bring up the digital connection thing, I don't see any reason why I shouldn't have a TV that has the correct kind of digital input for the tivo.
Anyone got any flat-panel suggestions in the $2000.00 price range?
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#262593 - 11/08/2005 13:35
Re: Flat panel HDTV with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution
[Re: tfabris]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 29/08/2000
Posts: 14491
Loc: Canada
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Quote: Dunno, but I won't be using it as a computer monitor.
I thought you were also a gamer, dude! That screen is high enough rez for high-end gaming, as well as big/good enough for doing digital photo slideshows and the like.
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#262594 - 11/08/2005 13:36
Re: Flat panel HDTV with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution
[Re: mlord]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31596
Loc: Seattle, WA
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Okay, well, I'd be occasionally plugging the PC into it, yeah. But not full time.
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#262595 - 11/08/2005 13:37
Re: Flat panel HDTV with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution
[Re: andy]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 17/01/2002
Posts: 3996
Loc: Manchester UK
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Quote: Or perhaps I'm just being picky.
Not at all, with the exception of the £15k Hi-Def unit I saw at my mates shop, all plasmas and lcd's I've ever seen on display are absolutely shocking. I think my CRT set will be in place for a good few years yet.
_________________________
Cheers,
Andy M
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#262596 - 11/08/2005 13:37
Re: Flat panel HDTV with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution
[Re: tfabris]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 08/03/2000
Posts: 12338
Loc: Sterling, VA
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Tony, I believe your Tivo came with an HDMI to DVI cable. That's how I installed it on my dad's setup.
_________________________
Matt
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#262597 - 11/08/2005 13:38
Re: Flat panel HDTV with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution
[Re: tfabris]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 24/12/2001
Posts: 5528
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HDMI is DVI-D+HDCP+Audio+Control. You can buy cables to convert a DVI-D output into HDMI.
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#262598 - 11/08/2005 13:39
Re: Flat panel HDTV with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution
[Re: tman]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31596
Loc: Seattle, WA
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Thanks, Dignan and TMan. That's good info.
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#262599 - 11/08/2005 13:41
Re: Flat panel HDTV with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution
[Re: tfabris]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 24/12/2001
Posts: 5528
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It gets even more complicated The original HDMI is Type A and that is only single link DVI. If you want to drive huge displays then you'll want HDMI Type B which has dual link DVI.
You should be fine with single link in this case however
Edited by tman (11/08/2005 13:45)
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#262601 - 11/08/2005 13:51
Re: Flat panel HDTV with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution
[Re: Dignan]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 24/12/2001
Posts: 5528
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Quote: Well, the HD Tivo in my situation is connected to a 60" RPLCDTV (I love acronyms). It looks gorgeous.
What resolution is it? Huge in this case is greater than about 2.6MP at 60Hz without GTF blanking.
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#262602 - 11/08/2005 13:54
Re: Flat panel HDTV with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution
[Re: Dignan]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 24/12/2001
Posts: 5528
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Quote: The only thing I'd be concerned about, Tony, is the placement. Do you really want the TV over a fireplace? I'm sure heat is a concern, but I'm more concerned that it's a terrible way to actually watch it. Talk about neck strain!
Put your Lay-Z-Boy on stilts?
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#262603 - 11/08/2005 14:13
Re: Flat panel HDTV with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution
[Re: Dignan]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31596
Loc: Seattle, WA
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Quote: I'm more concerned that it's a terrible way to actually watch it. Talk about neck strain!
It'll be fine, the fireplace is fairly low to the ground and it will be only a little ways above that.
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#262604 - 11/08/2005 14:17
Re: Flat panel HDTV with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution
[Re: tfabris]
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member
Registered: 24/10/2000
Posts: 106
Loc: San Jose, CA
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Quote: Anyone got any flat-panel suggestions in the $2000.00 price range?
I have a 42" Sony WEGA LCD projection. It's not one of those wall mountable panels but you could easily put it on a short wall shelf or swing arm. It's oh, probably about 8" thick, but it's quite light... light enough that one man can carry it fairly easy (I'm a little guy and I can pick it up no problem). It's bulky because of the size, though, and I wouldn't try putting it up on a shelf by myself.
I gave under 2 grand for it during a sale at Best Buy. I don't remember exactly what it was, but they price matched the video store down the street and threw in an Xbox on top of it, I remember getting out of there for under 2 grand including the nice glass stand I bought for it. It has HDMI, component, bunch of other inputs/outputs and does 1080p. When I sprung for the HD channels on comcast I was *shocked* at the quality of the picture and am anxiously awaiting HD football/hockey season heh. I'm not a super video bigot, but it's far and away good enough for the likes of me.
Bear in mind I replaced a 19" CRT that was almost 15 years old when I got this one, so just about anything would be an improvement
-- Gary F.
_________________________
Eeyore, Original Owner -- Mk II 80 Gb, Blue
S/N #090000803
Tigger, 2nd Owner -- Mk IIa, 80 Gb, Blue
S/N #40103789
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#262605 - 11/08/2005 14:36
Re: Flat panel HDTV with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution
[Re: Foz]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 08/03/2000
Posts: 12338
Loc: Sterling, VA
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Quote: I have a 42" Sony WEGA LCD projection.
That's the same line as the 60" my dad bought. Aren't they wonderful? And I agree with you, I'm perfectly happy watching this, and don't think I'd notice any improvement over it, or at least nothing that would be in even the same ballpark in terms of price.
I still maintain that if you aren't going to mount your flat TV on a wall, there is simply no reason to spend the extra dough. I've seen a couple situations where people have placed these TVs on AV storage units that measure around 2.5' deep, which in my mind negates the whole space saving idea of a flat television.
I like the RPLCD units because I tend to want to keep my AV components out front with my TV, and most of these storage units tend to be just a little deeper than the TV.
Tony - that placement sounds OK, although I personally like the middle of the screen to be around eye level when sitting down. I'm just so used to watching "This Old House," and they'll talk about these "great home theaters" they're building, and they almost always put the TV so high that the bottom of it is around 4 feet off the ground!
_________________________
Matt
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#262606 - 11/08/2005 14:58
Re: Flat panel HDTV with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution
[Re: Foz]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31596
Loc: Seattle, WA
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Quote: I have a 42" Sony WEGA LCD projection. (...) It has HDMI, component, bunch of other inputs/outputs and does 1080p.
No, it doesn't.
I haven't yet seen one of the LCD projectors that has a 1920x1080 panel resolution. It's downconverting it to something in the neighborhood of 1024x768.
The reason I'm excited about a 1920x1080 LCD panel is: No downconversion, only upconversion, and only for some channels.
Prove me wrong, give me a model number of that WEGA.
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#262607 - 11/08/2005 15:05
Re: Flat panel HDTV with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution
[Re: tfabris]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 08/03/2000
Posts: 12338
Loc: Sterling, VA
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Well shoot, spoil our fun Like I said, I'm perfectly happy with it, and try getting a 60" LCD 1080i monitor from a reputable company that even nearly matches the price.
_________________________
Matt
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#262608 - 11/08/2005 15:11
Re: Flat panel HDTV with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution
[Re: Dignan]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31596
Loc: Seattle, WA
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I was actually darn happy with my Mitsubishi 1080i CRT rear-projector, but that's not coming to Seattle... And wouldn't fit in the new place anyway.
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#262609 - 11/08/2005 15:42
Re: Flat panel HDTV with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution
[Re: tfabris]
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member
Registered: 24/10/2000
Posts: 106
Loc: San Jose, CA
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Well, I'm at work right now and can't give you the model number, but finding the one that I *think* it is on the sony website does say it's 1080i not p. I should be spanked, flogged, and sent to bed without any beer.
Shoot me now. Please mind the drapes... they're new.
It's a damned fine television none the less, and I'm quite pleased with it. The resolution is 1366x768 according to the sony website.
You may climb back out of my neck now. :P
-- Gary F.
_________________________
Eeyore, Original Owner -- Mk II 80 Gb, Blue
S/N #090000803
Tigger, 2nd Owner -- Mk IIa, 80 Gb, Blue
S/N #40103789
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#262610 - 11/08/2005 16:01
Re: Flat panel HDTV with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution
[Re: Foz]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31596
Loc: Seattle, WA
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Quote: but finding the one that I *think* it is on the sony website does say it's 1080i not p.
(...)
The resolution is 1366x768 according to the sony website.
Exactly my point. Whether it's 1080i or 1080p, my point is that's one of the INPUT SIGNALS IT WILL ACCEPT, not the resolution of the display. It's not your fault that the marketing materials don't make that clear. Sorry to have climed down your neck.
The resolution of the display is 768, not 1080. That means downconversion to 768.
My big deal about this westinghouse monitor is that it's a native panel resolution of 1080, meaning no downconversion. Meaning I can see the puck on HDNET hockey games that much better.
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#262611 - 11/08/2005 16:37
Re: Flat panel HDTV with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution
[Re: tfabris]
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member
Registered: 12/08/2001
Posts: 175
Loc: Atlanta
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I remember reading a forum (AVS?) about some guy using one of these as a computer monitor. His face is about a foot away from it and plays world of warcraft. Everyone on the forum thought he was nuts for sitting too close to the monitor, but he thought it was perfectly fine.
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#262612 - 11/08/2005 16:39
Re: Flat panel HDTV with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution
[Re: Folsom]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31596
Loc: Seattle, WA
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I'm seeing a lot of people on forums and such who use it as a computer monitor. Seems like it would be well-suited to the task.
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#262613 - 11/08/2005 16:43
Re: Flat panel HDTV with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution
[Re: Folsom]
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addict
Registered: 18/02/2002
Posts: 658
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I use a 30" wallmounted LCD as a monitor and it works great. I'm probably about 3 feet away from the screen most of the time. I don't think I could go back to standard sized monitors.
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