Posted on 01/07/2006 8:08:19 PM PST by george76
The wraps came off high-definition DVD players at this year's annual Consumer Electronics Show, offering the final component to replicate the movie theater experience at home.
And while a fierce DVD format war likely will delay the mass adoption of such devices, digital video is here to stay - the Consumer Electronics Association trade group estimates 25 million U.S. homes will have a high-def TV set by year's end.
But big, expensive flat-panel sets aside, this year's gadget show offered plenty of smaller screens for video...
Yahoo Inc., DirecTV, Starz Entertainment Group and Sony were also among the companies getting deeper into the business of trying to make it simple to watch recorded Hollywood movies, home video and even live streaming television wherever you may be, on all manner of device.
Not to be outdone, radio was out in force as well, including palm-sized satellite receivers that hold hours of recorded music.
Digital radios, which promise a high-definition listening experience from traditional earth-bound stations, were also on display as that service begins a wider national rollout this year.
- The Inno, a portable combination XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. receiver/MP3 player with 1 gigabyte of internal memory.
- Several new handheld video options included the Gigabeat player from Toshiba, one of a series of devices running Microsoft Corp.'s portable media center software.
(Excerpt) Read more at hosted.ap.org ...
Don't be cheap people!!! Drop the extra coin and get a plasma. TV's last over 15 years. You might as well get the best technology available if you are making such a purchase.
FWIW, I bought a Maxent 52" HD plasma last December at a Best Buy. It's a no-name screen that uses Panasonic components.
It's not on constantly, but sees pretty constant use most evenings and I've had no problems. I'm glad I bought a plasma every time I walk past a LCD, DLP, etc in the stores.
Gotcha.
Do to our needs we plan to get a stand. Heck we are even eyeballing our 20yr old chuncky big screen on its wheels as a stand.
The main tv viewer of the house is a quad so tv needs to be high up for viewing in prone position yet turn to other side of living area when in Wheel Chair ect.
I did a quick search back over at Consumer Reports and it concurs with your last post.
I would like to see the Hewlet Packard and like the idea that they come to the house and set it up and it has a 1yr warrantry.
CReports says it can not report on longevity issues thus far so it suggest an extended warranty but at no more than10-15% of the cost of the tv.
RECOMMENDATIONS & NOTES
Good overall, with very good HD and DVD picture quality. The picture quality with all types of signals was the best we saw in this batch of picture-tube TVs. Standard-definition images looked a little soft with a slight green cast but were still good. Long (24-month) part warranty and labor warranty and in-home warranty. This is the successor to the 34XBR960. Film-based image motion compensation feature worked very well. Heavy.FEATURES
The following features are among the most important in determining whether this model will meet your needs.
TV type
As digital television has grown, the choice of TV types has expanded. Most models, known as standard or conventional, receive only the traditional analog TV signal. Digital TVs are available in HDTV (high-definition TV), EDTV (enhanced-definition TV), and SDTV (standard-definition TV) formats. Once the transition to digital TV is complete, SDTV sets are expected to represent the entry level of TVs. HDTVs can display exceptional picture quality in a 16:9 aspect ratio. EDTVs offer a lesser picture quality than HDTV but have a picture that's roughly equivalent to that of progressive-scan DVD players. SDTVs may not measure up to the HDTV sound and picture standards, but they're similar to high-quality standard TVs. (For each type, the term "ready," as in "HD-ready,' refers to the need to connect an external tuner to decode the incoming digital signals.) Even regular TVs will be able to accept digital signals, once broadcasters go all digital, if they're connected to an external digital TV tuner/decoder. They won't, however, display the superior quality of digital signals. Some are actually "monitors" -- like HD monitor -- these lack any kind of tuner and tuner-related features (closed captions, second-audio program, clock).
close
Screen size (in.)
The size of the television's screen, measured diagonally in inches. In general, the larger the screen size, the farther away you need to sit for optimal picture quality. It's best to sit approximately 11 feet from a 36-inch set, 10 feet from a 32-inch set, and 8 feet from a 27-inch set. For HD (high-definition) sets, the distances can be halved.
close
Screen shape
The screen shape, or aspect ratio, is the proportion of a TV screen's width to its height. Standard TV screens have an aspect ratio of 4:3, giving them a squarish shape that is 4 units wide for every 3 units high. Wide-screen TVs typically have a 16:9 aspect ratio, giving them a wider screen that better resembles the screen in a movie theater. (Some LCD TVs have a 15:9 aspect ratio that differs slightly, but they're often not identified as such.) Wide-screen TVs can use the full screen to display HDTV broadcasts and prerecorded movies. When displayed on a standard screen, such images must be framed at the top and bottom with black bars in order to maintain the wide-screen aspect ratio. Conversely, regular TV programming displayed on a wide screen has black bars on both sides. (Note that much programming actually differs from 4:3 or 16:9, often necessitating bars of some width.) Many sets have stretch and zoom modes to eliminate the bars and fit the image to the screen, albeit with some distortion.
close
ATSC digital tuner
An ATSC tuner can receive over-the-air broadcast digital signals, which may include high-definition widescreen images and multichannel sound. A TV with a built-in ATSC tuner, called an integrated HDTV, requires no additional equipment other than a roof antenna to receive the broadcast networks' HD offerings. (You must be close enough to a station transmitting digitally, with no trees or other obstructions blocking the signal.) However, you won't get premium stations offered only on cable or satellite. For that, cable subscribers still need a box or CableCard provided by the cable company; satellite subscribers need an HD receiver/dish setup. ATSC stands for Advanced Television Systems Committee, a nonprofit organization developing voluntary standards for digital television. They defined the signal formats that are used, which include 480p, 720p and 1080i.
close
QAM digital tuner
This tuner can receive some digital cable broadcasts, which may include high-definition widescreen images and multichannel sound. A QAM channel can be either unencrypted (in the clear) or encrypted (scrambled). Encryption allows the service provider to define and control the subscription levels (conditional access). With unencrypted channels, you need no other equipment to view the broadcast. With encrypted channels (typically premium channels such as HBO), you need either an external cable box or, with a CableCard-ready TV, a CableCard from your service provider. QAM refers to Quadrature Amplitude Modulation, a way of encoding a digital signal that differs from that used for digital off-air (ATSC) broadcasts.
close
CableCard-ready
Also known as "DCR" (digital-cable-ready). When used with a CableCard, these TVs can receive the encrypted cable channels (to the level permitted by your subscription package). You would get a CableCard from the provider. Note that the first-generation CableCard-ready TVs are one-way. They can receive signals but can't communicate back to the provider, so they can't be used for interactive services like subscribe-on-demand. Second-generation CableCard TVs are expected in 2007, maybe sooner.
close
Overall height (in.)
The height of a TV, in inches. For flat-panel LCD and plasma sets, this includes the base and detachable speakers, important if you plan to place the TV on a stand or in an entertainment center. See "Panel size without base" if you plan to wall-mount only the display. For rear-projection TVs, the height includes the stand only when it is part of the set.
close
Overall width (in.)
The width of a TV, in inches. For flat-panel LCD and plasma sets, this includes the detachable speakers, important if you plan to place the TV on a stand or in an entertainment center. See "Panel size without base" if you plan to wall-mount only the display. For rear-projection TVs, the width includes the stand only when it is part of the set.
close
Overall depth (in.)
The depth of a TV, in inches. For flat-panel LCD and plasma sets, this includes the base and detachable speakers, important if you plan to place the TV on a stand or in an entertainment center. See "Panel size without base" if you plan to wall-mount only the display. For rear-projection TVs, the depth includes the stand only when it is part of the set. Also allow extra room for cables to connect to the back of the TV.
close
Weight (lb.)
How much the television weighs (in pounds). This varies with the screen size and model.
close
Warranty (months): parts/labor/in-home
The length of time the television is covered by its manufacturer for defects or repairs. Most warranty coverage is divided into parts and labor, typically one year for parts and either 90 days or one year for labor. (CRT-based TV warranties sometimes cover the picture tube itself for 24 months.) With an in-home warranty, a technician comes to your home to service the set when you have a problem--of particular importance with heavy or wall-mounted sets.
close
Illuminated remote
Some remote controls offer illuminated buttons for easier operation in a dimly lit room.
close
3:2-pulldown compensation
A feature on most digital TVs that can enable things in motion to look less jagged around the edges. It affects only movies converted from film to video--the majority of cinematic movies on DVD. This feature is sometimes referred to as film mode, cinema mode, movie mode, or by brand-specific names such as CineMotion. Progressive-scan DVD players have this feature as well. With older, non-progressive-scan DVD players, which lack 3:2-pulldown compensation, we recommend you buy a TV that offers this feature. Even with progressive-scan DVD players, there's some benefit to buying a TV that has 3:2-pulldown compensation. By going into the menus on both pieces of equipment, you can compare the performance of the feature on the DVD player and the TV, and use the one that does a better job.
close
Can customize display settings by source
Some sets can recall picture adjustments (such as brightness and contrast) you made while using a specific content source--say, your DVD player or a cable box. Settings in TVs with this feature may be stored automatically or by pressing a button on your remote.
close
PIP (no. of tuners)
Many TV sets offer PIP (picture-in-picture), a feature that lets you watch two images at the same time on one screen: the first, full-size; the second, in a small box within the larger picture. A variant of this is POP (picture-outside-of-picture), with which the screen image is split evenly in two. TVs with dual-tuner PIP or POP can tune into two channels simultaneously without the contribution of additional equipment. Those with only one tuner require a second, external tuner, such as a VCR, in order to use PIP. Some TVs can send the second channel's audio to a separate audio output.
close
Virtual surround sound
Produces a simulation of the surround-sound effect using just two speakers.
close
Memory-card slot
Found in a few TVs, a slot that accepts memory cards for viewing still images from digital cameras. Inserting the camera's card typically results in better image quality than if you connect the camera to the TV's composite-video input. Some memory cards are specific to one or more specific manufacturers--such as Memory Stick slots in some Sony TVs. Other slots may accept CompactFlash, SmartMedia, MultiMedia Card, Secure Digital, and/or other media.
close
Composite-video inputs (rear/front or side)
Composite-video inputs are the most common type of video inputs found on TVs. These carry only the video signal, providing better picture quality than RF. These are often used to connect a VCR or cable box. Many sets have front-panel composite-video inputs, which let you make temporary connections to camcorders, game consoles, digital cameras and other devices with composite-video output.
close
Rear s-video inputs
These split the video signal into two parts, color and luminance. In general, an S-video input will provide better picture quality than either an antenna/cable or composite-video input. These are often used with digital-cable boxes, satellite receivers, and DVD players.
close
Front or side s-video inputs
These split the video signal into two parts, color and luminance. In general, an S-video input will provide better picture quality than either an antenna/cable or composite-video input. These are often used with digital-cable boxes, satellite receivers, and DVD players.
close
Component-video inputs
Component-video inputs use three separate jacks that separate the video signal into three parts: two for color and one for luminance. This provides slightly better quality than an S-video connection, most evident in color fidelity. They can be used only with a DVD player, digital-cable box, or other equipment that has component-video output.
close
HDMI inputs
A relatively new form of digital audio/video input in some high-definition TVs, it matches a corresponding output in some DVD players and digital TV tuners. Like DVI, it potentially allows content providers to control your ability to record the content. Unlike DVI, HDMI carries audio and video signals on the same cable.
close
DVI inputs
Digital Visual Interface, a relatively new form of digital video input in some high-definition TVs; it matches a corresponding output in some DVD players and digital TV tuners. Like HDMI (See "HDMI"), it potentially allows content providers to control your ability to record the content. Unlike HDMI, DVI requires a separate audio cable to carry the audio signals.
close
Digital-audio output
A TV with a built-in digital tuner often comes with either a coaxial or optical digital-audio output to let you route the Dolby Digital or DTS multichannel soundtrack to a receiver for decoding. The receiver thus splits apart the soundtrack for distribution to various speakers in the room. This output must match the input of the receiver.
close
Headphone jack
When you want to watch TV without disturbing others, a headphone jack (usually on the front or side of the set) lets you plug in headphones so you alone hear the sound. You won't find this feature on most sets.
close
BASIC SPECS
TV typeDigital (integrated HDTV) Screen size (in.)34 Screen shape16:9 ATSC digital tunerYes QAM digital tunerYes CableCard-readyNo Overall height (in.)26 Overall width (in.)39.5 Overall depth (in.)24 Weight (lb.)190 Warranty (months): parts/labor/in-home24/24/24 FEATURES
Illuminated remoteNo 3:2-pulldown compensationYes Can customize display settings by sourceYes PIP (no. of tuners)No Virtual surround soundYes Memory-card slotNone CONNECTIONS
Composite-video inputs (rear/front or side)2/1 Rear s-video inputs2 Front or side s-video inputs1 Component-video inputs2 HDMI inputs1 DVI inputs0 Digital-audio outputCoaxial Headphone jackNo
Fujitsu Plasmavision P50XTA51UB $550050
63.
1366x768•••2103154.513.5 LG 50PC1DR $330050
63.
1366x768•••22034.551.514 Hewlett-Packard HP PL5060N $260050
59.
1366x768•• 2113361.512.5 Panasonic TH-50PX60U $310050
55.
1366x768•• 22034.54814.5 Zenith Z50PX2D $250050
55.
1366x768•• 21032.555.512.5 Samsung HP-S5053 $320050
51.
1366x768• 22033.548.513 Dell W5001C $300050
46.
1366x768• 220325512
Dell according to CR rated good but more poorly in areas and cost $500 bucks more than the 2nd best rated.
Don't quote me on this but I also believe I read dell had poor warranty and service, I would have to go back to double check the warranty and fixable rating.
Sounds exciting.
However Christmas is my deadline.
We could never afford to buy this but recieved an unexpected gift for the other person in the house to buy one.
I always joked and told him be a decade before we could afford one.
Well that ended up being only two years due to the "gift".
I agree with others if ya gonna buy a 50 incher spend the extra bucks (I could even finance the extra $600) if we decide to go with Hewlett Pack.
Do you have any personal exp in veiw HP's?
I know they said we can have them set it up and get it running and we can return it if it doesn't satisfy our viewing pleasure.
To all looking at this thread and thinking of buying HD this year, visit avsforum.com
They are the AV Geek FreeRepublic.
TC
Thanks!
Definitely ignore "Consumer Reports" - totally worthless in the area of electronics..and probably more.
I just finished the basement rec room / bar and outfitted it with the following:
Panasonic TH-50PHD8UK 50" Plasma
Pioneer Receiver 1015
Comcast cable with 6412 DVR.
XBOX
5 - Mirage Omnisat speakers.
1 - 12" Mirage Subwoofer.
I also put in a bar, fireplace, bathroom, spare bedroom, foosball, and air hockey. I'm still looking for a poker table. It took me over a year.
The company I work for sells off-air HDTV antennas, and business has been really booming for this stuff.
http://www.antennaweb.org is a good start to research the "type" (color code) antenna you would need for OTA HD.
After reading through these websites last month, I was 100% sold on DLP TVs. If you buy one, then, as they say, it might be the last tv you ever buy because nothing wears out except the light bulb (which costs about $300 and needs to be replaced every three or four years depending on how much you watch tv). TigerDirect.com seems to have the best deals. But be careful. You want new, not reconditioned. And 1080i is not nearly as good as 1080p.
However, when my wife and I went to the dealership to take a look at them side by side with other televisions, I couldn't stand the DLP picture. So we ended up buying a Sony S-LCD tv (liquid crystal on silicon) which has a MUCH better picture than DLP, imo, but costs about twice as much (which is still only about half what you'd pay for a comparably sized plasma tv).
What do you mean by "off-air?" These antennas don't work with traditional broadcasts?
In addition to our new tv, we also bought speakers, subwoofer and an audio receiver. VERY complicated stuff (for an old fogey) and I'm still trying to figure it all out. One of the things I notice is that when we are in "tuner" mode, reception is not that good with the included antenna. Will these OTA HD antennas help us with that problem?
Thanks.
I never bought a new tv.
Waiting for the price to drop and quality to go up.
I have read that Dell had computer issues, but not sure of the tv's.
I have heard that Best Buy is ok.
Who was second best ?
Plasma sounds good.
What about high elevation issues over 6000 feet ?
A standard VHF/UHF antenna will do in most cases depending on how far you are from the transmission towers, check out http://www.antennaweb.org to see how far away you are and also the recommended size for your area (note: color coded depending on distance).
For antenna education, I recommend this site; http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/comparing.html .
Ping me.
I have a 50" plasma and DirectTV, but no HD yet.
DirectTV wants too much for too few channels, I am waiting for more channels.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.