Video Asylum

Posted by Harmonia (A) on November 20, 2002 at 10:05:19

In Reply to: Help - NTSC / Cable on Plasma? posted by ddc009@hotmail.com on November 16, 2002 at 19:35:57:

Don't blame the plasma - the Fujitsu is one of the best there is and will knock your socks off with DVD or HD.

Welcome to the world of standard definition. Your 4:3 analog TV was MADE to display this stuff. That's why it looks better with crappy signals. Don't buy a big screen TV for SD- if that's your only reason for purchasing a 16:9 you'll only be disappointed. If you want more impact for your DVDs, you can get some great displays.

The 60" RP will make that SD signal even *worse*. If you're thinking about a big RP (60-65), the Pioneer Elites are the only sets that have a really good line doubler for SD cable/satelite. The Panasonic ED plasmas also do an excellent job for SD.

Keep in mind sat is highly compressed, and you'll have some compression artifacts with DirectTV or Dishnet. Then again, I also get them with TimeWarner digital cable, whcih has some pretty crappy analog channels even though it's "digital". Meanwhile, HD signals look amazing on just about anything, you may decide you like it.

As others have said, the local electonics emporiums have their displays generally VERY poorly set up. Very hard to make comparisons.

Go to avsforum.com, hometheaterforum.com, hometheaterspot.com and hometheaterhifi.com for info.

PS: I like plasmas. But stay away from Sampos, Samsungs and Daewoos. Check out Pioneer, Panasonic, Fujitsu and NEC.