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In Reply to: Is an HDTV set required to maximise current DVD format? posted by Ted33 on November 05, 2002 at 13:58:14:
My understanding is that component video inputs on the set is the biggest improvement on DVD. I've seen a Philips 32" set with component input for $500 that had a great picture and would assume this will drop to $400-$450 after the first of the year. I was going to hold out for HDTV before replacing my 11 year old 27" (that has a bad S-input), but am now seriously considering the 32" and waiting for all the controversy about HDTV inputs to settle down.Bruce
Follow Ups:
Yes, component is better than s-video but, IMO, is not the big jump you get from composite to S-video.
By all means zero in on a unit that has component input BUT do not that influence you too much. DVD players vary quite a lot so no set can improve on what comes out of that player. Similarly, video cabling can make a difference. Finally, the electronics in the set vary, particularly in processing the complex video signal. And bigger is not necessarily better. It depends how well it is implemented. Too big and the scan lines become distracting without effective line multipication + bigger magnifies deficiencies in the signal, particularly broadcast material but sadly, also in some carelessly engineered DVDs.John
Peace at AA
Peace at AA
I certainly agree that S is better than composite. That's the problem with my current set. The color does not maintain the same tint over the whole picture in S. Composite does not demonstrate this. I did all the switching out of cable, connecting through the receiver then directly to the set and I was having the same problem through my S-VHS VCR tuner. So I was able to narrow the problem down to the S input in the set. My DVD player, Panasonic DVD-RA60, produces, in my opinion, an excellent picture. I had a Pioneer DV 440 before that and the Panasonic is at least the Pioneer's equal. As far as I know, none of the lower lines of TV's have any extra signal processing that should get in the way. As to bigger not necessarily better, true, but my TV is approx 10 feet from my viewing position. Anything 4:3 aspect is big enough on the 27" but certainly could stand to be larger. Widescreen DVD's, OTOH, which is my viewing preference, are too small on the 27", so a 32" is certainly a good size for me. I went to Sears as they had a Sylvania 32" on sale for $309. While I'm sure the Sylvania would look better compared to my current set, the $429 ($399 at Best Buy) Magnavox (S input) and the $499 Philips (probably the same basic set with component input) looked so much better that I couldn't see buying the Sylvania, even at a price I've never seen a 32" set go for. So I have thought about this and as HDTV hasn't straightened out the input situation, a decent low line 32" should fit the bill for me and make me less anxious about HDTV. I certainly can't see spending much on a set unless you know it will be totally compatible with future standards. And you'll never find a salesperson that either knows whether a set is future proof or won't lie and tell you it is to complete the sale. So that's my lengthy story and I'm sticking to it : ).Bruce
I purchased a '99 model, 32" set, in early 2000. After connecting it, I noticed there were vertical stripes of alternating dark (charcoal) gray and lighter gray. The repair tech said it was a faulty power supply and not fixable, so I sent the TV back and purchased a Panasonic. No problems since and a very, very nice picture with DVDs.BTW, very few TVs on the market today are "future proof." The FCC is trying hard to get Americans to adopt digital TV (it won't be HDTV due to bandwidth issues) so it will have more spectrum to auction off. It recently issued a ruling that all sets must have digital tuners built in by 2007. So just get what you'll enjoy now, then purchase outboard equipment (i.e., digital tuner) or a whole new unit when necessary.
Will digital TV be pretty much all that is available in 2007, or will analog still be around?I'll be kind of bummed if TV sets start going digital. I switched to digital but than went back to analog. Digital would often have problems with the picture breaking up in blocks, and the quality wasn't really any better than the analog picture. At least HDTV will become more common, which is a good thing to say the least...
Abraham
I understand few sets being future proof which is why I can't see spending the bucks currently on a high-end set. Panasonic's do look good (I even helped a friend pick out a $800 Panasonic flat 32") but generally are more expensive, not quite as high as Sony (close, though) but more than Philips/Magnavox. The Philips and Magnavox I saw at Sears had pretty good pictures and were indistinquishable one to the other (no real surprise here). They both made the Sylvania (don't know who makes these currently) look pretty sad, especially in sharpness of text and overall "look" of the picture. I tried for about ten minutes to adjust the Sylvania to look closer to the P/M sets with no success. I'm not looking for "state of the art" just a decent picture that will temper my desire for HDTV for a few more years while that format is finallized (thought it was earlier this year and found out differently with the various dvi and firewire issues). I really only looked because the Sylvania was $309. I wasn't looking for $400-$500. But I've now seen the extra $ is worth it (more so than the $300-$400 extra a flat 32" Panasonic would cost). Plus I figure that next year the P/M sets will be lower still, especially if TV's don't sell for Xmas. Besides I really need to get my new front speakers and receiver first, so I'm looking at about March/April.Bruce
I don't recall the model #, but given your tight budget, may be worth some more Internet sleuthing and side-by-side comparos . . .
Sharp has kind of been an enigma. Back in the late 70's, early 80's, their "linytron" (sp?) sets were considered second only to Sony at a much lower price. Then it seemed they backtracked and started making only cheaper sets. Now it seems they are trying to go upmarket with a lot of different products. But if there is one around when I go to a store, I'll certainly give it a look.Bruce
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