HDTV - Is this any good?

[eddie00001]

Looking at upgrading to a HDTV and found this one, price seems pretty good, but as I'm not that familiar with the tecnology, just wondered if this was a good buy:

http://www.dabs.com/ProductView.aspx...&InMerch=1&v=3

[orangebird]

Originally Posted by eddie00001

Looking at upgrading to a HDTV and found this one, price seems pretty good, but as I'm not that familiar with the tecnology, just wondered if this was a good buy:

http://www.dabs.com/ProductView.aspx...&InMerch=1&v=3

Oooh, that's the one we're getting. It's lovely.

Not that I imagine for a second I'll notice any difference at all in the picture.

[eddie00001]

It seems to have all the things that's necessary

Specifications

High definition LCD WXGA display, resolution 1366 x 768p
Built-in Freeview
HD ready for the highest quality display of HDTV signals
Digital Crystal Clear provides vivid cinema-like images
Dynamic contrast enhancer delivering rich black details
3D comb filter separates colours for a razor-sharp image
Virtual Dolby Surround for a cinema-like audio experience
Compact and slim design that fits in every room
Turn your TV screen into a mosaic of different channels
HDMI for full digital High Definition connection
Picture / Display:
Aspect ratio: 16:9, Widescreen
Brightness: 500 cd/m²
Diagonal screen size (inch): 32 inch
Diagonal screen size (metric): 80 cm
Display screen type: LCD WXGA Active Matrix TFT
Picture enhancement: Digital Crystal Clear, Progressive scan, 3D combfilter, 3/2 - 2/2 motion pull down, Digital noise reduction, Jagged line suppression, Active Control, Contrast plus
Screen enhancement: Anti reflection coated screen
Viewing Angle (Horizontal): 178 degree
Viewing angle (Vertical): 178 degree
Panel resolution: 1366 x 768p
Response time (typical): 8 ms
Dynamic screen contrast: 1600:1
Supported Display Resolution:
Computer formats: 640 x 480, 60, 67, 72, 75Hz, 800 x 600, 56, 60, 72, 75Hz, 1024 x 768, 60, 70, 75Hz
Video formats: 640 x 480p - 2Fh, 720 x 576p - 2Fh, 1280 x 720p - 3Fh, 1920 x 1080i - 2Fh
Sound:
Sound enhancement: Dynamic bass enhancement, Auto volume leveller
Sound system: Virtual dolby surround, Stereo
Output power (RMS): 2 x 15 W
Equaliser: 5-bands
Convenience:
Ease of installation: Auto programme naming, Automatic Channel Install (ACI), Automatic Tuning System (ATS), Auto store, Fine tuning, Plug & Play, Program name, Sorting
Ease of Use : Auto volume leveller (AVL), Program list, Smart picture control, Smart sound control, Side Control
Remote control type: RCFE06SPS00
Teletext enhancements: Program information line, 4 favourite pages
Picture in Picture: Twin page text
Remote control: DVD, TV, Multi functional
Screen format adjustments: 4:3, Movie expand 14:9, Movie expand 16:9, Subtitle Zoom, Super Zoom, Widescreen
Clock: Sleep timer, Wake up clock
VESA Mount: 200 x 100 mm
Teletext: Smart Text
Tuner / Reception / Transmission:
Tuner bands : Hyper band, S channel, UHF, VHF
TV system: PAL, SECAM
Video playback: NTSC, PAL, SECAM
Aerial input: 75 ohm coaxial (IEC75)
Tuner display : PLL
Number of preset channels: 100
Connectivity:
Ext 1 Scart : Audio L/R, CVBS in/out, RGB
Ext 2 Scart: CVBS in/out, S video in, Audio L/R
Other connections: Antenna IEC75
Front / Side connections: CVBS in, Headphone out, S-Video in, Audio L/R in
Number of scarts: 2
Ext 4: YPbPr
Ext 5: HDMI
Ext 6: HDMI
Power:
Power consumption: 120 W Normal Operation W
Standby power consumption: 1 W <
Ambient temperature: +5 -/+ 40 C
Mains power: 110 - 240V, 50/60Hz
Dimensions:
Product weight: 18.9 kg
Weight incl. packaging : 22 kg
Width (with base): 924 mm
Height (with base): 550 mm
Depth (with base): 222 mm
Colour cabinet: Bi-colour Black and Silver Frost
Included accessories : Power cord, Quick start guide, Registration card, Remote control, User manual, Batteries for remote control, Table top stand, Warranty certificate
Loudspeakers:
Built-in speakers : 2

[idi banashapan]

i guy i work with recently bought an HDTV. he watches HD quality programmes on it and also bought a denon DVD player that somehow upgrades the picture for HDTVs. He says it's like looking through a hole in the wall, it's so clear.

I know sky run their little HDTV ad things every now and then with swirling colours and lines... I think it looks pretty hypnotic on a normal TV... I'd love to see it in HDTV.

I downloded some HDTV clips for trial which you can play on the pc. I know that no GPU cards can currently display true HDTV, but even those clips looked awesome. even more so because I played a dvd on the pc, then immediately compared it to watching a couple of clips. when I went back to the DVD, i ended up switching it off because it looked so poor!!!

time to save the money for a new tele methinks!!!

if you're interested... files are fairly large, but hey....
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...tshowcase.aspx

[eddie00001]

This one does seem good at just under £800

[Aragorn]

If you are not worried about brand, Aria do a 32" LCD HD for under £600 (bottom of this page) which has a Samsung panel.

[eddie00001]

Ok, just looked at the spec, and in responce to one of the comments Aria have said:
"To clear it up, it is a HDTV, it is NOT HD ready - there is a big difference "

But what is the difference?


And now you have me looking at that site, this looks good too:
http://www.aria.co.uk/ProductInfoComm.asp?ID=20821

[UnReaL]

The resolution seems way too low.

You'll only get High-Def images in 720p format.

1366 x 768p - uh-uh, lowestonweb.com have some great deals all the time.

[jtwn]

The resolution seems way too low.

You'll only get High-Def images in 720p format.

1366 x 768p - uh-uh, lowestonweb.com have some great deals all the time.

Thats pretty average unless you are willing to spend thousands for the few and far between actual 1080i displays.

Originally Posted by Bender

I downloded some HDTV clips for trial which you can play on the pc. I know that no GPU cards can currently display true HDTV, but even those clips looked awesome. even more so because I played a dvd on the pc, then immediately compared it to watching a couple of clips. when I went back to the DVD, i ended up switching it off because it looked so poor!!!

time to save the money for a new tele methinks!!!

if you're interested... files are fairly large, but hey....
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...tshowcase.aspx

Computers are more than capable of displaying high def video. For a start actual monitors are better displays with the resolutions / refresh rates they support.

[eddie00001]

Quite like the look of this one on the lowestonweb.com site - seems to cover it all, and reviews look good.

http://www.lowestonweb.com/Products/...1-ACEDC5173C43

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by Bender

i guy i work with recently bought an HDTV. he watches HD quality programmes on it and also bought a denon DVD player that somehow upgrades the picture for HDTVs. He says it's like looking through a hole in the wall, it's so clear.

I downloded some HDTV clips for trial which you can play on the pc. I know that no GPU cards can currently display true HDTV, but even those clips looked awesome. even more so because I played a dvd on the pc, then immediately compared it to watching a couple of clips. when I went back to the DVD, i ended up switching it off because it looked so poor!!!

time to save the money for a new tele methinks!!!

if you're interested... files are fairly large, but hey....
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...tshowcase.aspx

There are some DVD players now that will upscale to HD resolutions so the DVDs are watchable on HDTVs.

Also what do you mean most PCs will play proper HD clips, GPUs have been able to display in HD resolutions for ages, you are limited by your CPU speed and amount of RAM though as my Athlon XP 2100 some times stutters alot while playing 720p or 1080i.

Originally Posted by eddie00001

Quite like the look of this one on the lowestonweb.com site - seems to cover it all, and reviews look good.

http://www.lowestonweb.com/Products/...1-ACEDC5173C43

Seems good but I wouldn't buy a new HDTV that doesn't come with a HDMI socket as that is what all the new equipment will be using shortly.

[eddie00001]

So this would be the better buy?
http://www.lowestonweb.com/Products/...3-77958C37A92D

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by eddie00001

Ok, just looked at the spec, and in responce to one of the comments Aria have said:
"To clear it up, it is a HDTV, it is NOT HD ready - there is a big difference "

But what is the difference?

Put simply, an HD Ready TV contains copyright protection software, that is used to decode protected content, such as Movies. WIthout this software, you will be able to watch unprotected content, but won't be able to watch protected content.

All HD Ready TVs also have DVI sockets and/or HDMI sockets as well. DVI has the advantage that it is easy to attach to PCs. HDMI has the advantage that it uses a smaller plug, and carries digital audio as well. The downside of HDMI is that very few PCs have HDMI sockets.

[eddie00001]

Seems the more I look, the more questions crop up