 
|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
|
|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
A salesman told me it's not a good idea to run NTSC in 4:3 mode (black bars left and right) as a default when watching TV on a 16:9 screen due to uneven phosphor burnout. First question: how hard is it really on a good CRT if you do this for 4 hours per day? I presently do the opposite for movies (black bars top and bottom on a 4:3 screen) but that's less often.Next question: I have a 32" Sony Wega that can do a "raster squeeze", or 16:9 "enhanced mode" for DVDs. Can I expect a real improvement by going to a digital TV with DVD? Should I forget it and stay put until HDTV really starts up? I don't have an opinion on this yet because I don't know what I'll be getting into.
Thanks in advance.
Kurt
Follow Ups:
The biggest factor in burn-in is overdriving the CRT's with off the charts brightness and contrast settings. If you keep brightness and contrast at reasonable (ie, ISF recommended) settings, the consensus on the net's home theater forums (avsforum.com, home theater spot) seems to be that burn-in is a non issue, provided you don't go overboard (like leaving ESPN news on 24 hours a day, for example). I know people who have 16x9 sets who have watched hundreds of 2:35 aspect ratio films (which results in black bars top and bottom of a 16x9 set, which has an aspect ratio of 1:78) with absolutely no burn-in whatsoever. I don't like the various stretch modes on my Hitachi 51SWX20B for critical viewing, so I use them only for things like the news. It is a good idea to vary your-I've been watching a lot of hi-def programming since getting it hooked up (via cable) 2 weeks ago. Eventually, 16x9 programming will be the norm, and burn-in won't be an issue.We took the leap from an older (19996) Sony XBR 32" to our present set, and movies have never been more enjoyable. Watching the Lord of the Rings (extended version) was a real treat last weekend, with often startling detail. And HDTV? Unbelievable. Watched a PBS program on Ireland last night, and it was like looking through a crystal clear window. Your Sony has a beautiful picture (a buddy of mine also has a 32" Wega set) and if you sit relatively close (say, around 6-8 feet) it can be very satisfying. My viewing room is 27 feet long, so the bigger picture a 16x9 set produces for movies makes all the difference.
How do you get HDTV on PBS? Your cable company has this capability? The only HDTV I can get is from DirecTV satellite: HBO, Showtime, HDTV network.BTW, I was lusting over the picture on a Zenith 34" HDTV CRT set in Circuit City for $2000. I am still most impressed by CRTs (my brother has gone to a DLP projector, but I don't think that's for me). I calculate the average movie is 4" wider on that set than my 32" Sony. This is kind of minimum to me sitting about 7' back.
Also, I set my TV using "Video Essentials". Do you think I can get 3-5 years of tube life from this set before upgrading? That's kind of the thought here.
Kurt
They started hi-def on 11/12-they just replaced my old box with an SA3100HD, hooked it up with component video cables, and voila-HDTV. Only 4 channels to start (NBC,CBS,ABC,PBS) with HBO and Showtime HDTV channels included if you subscribe to those channels. Several other major cable companies have started hi-def (Comcast, Time-Warner), you might want to check to see if it's being offered in your area.You can easily get 5 years (and more) from your current set-my 7 year old Sony still looks pretty good, although a slight geometry problem is somewhat exacerbated (bowing at the bottom left hand corner, a common problem with my model). Cox offering hi-def was the domino that tipped me into buying an HDTV ready set (that, and the fact that ABC is broadcasting the Super Bowl from San Diego in hi-def this year!)
I think you're smart to stay away (at least for now) from DLP-it's an exciting technology, and it will get better, but the reproduction of blacks just isn't there yet, IMO.
although they're labeled as such. They can't resolve all the information in a 1080i, 720P, or 1080P signal. They'll show a picture, but it won't have all the detail being broadcast. Direct view can do 480P which is what Fox is broadcasting and what you can get from progressive DVD.If you only plan to use the set for 3-5 years, however, the above may not matter to you.
Padrekan is probably getting PBS HDTV over the air with an antenna.
> > They can't resolve all the information in a 1080i, 720P, or 1080P signal. < <I don't know what exactly it means, but the Zenith 34" has "native 1080i resolution".
Kurt
and display it directly without any conversion. Compare any direct view's 1080i reproduction with that of any rear or front projection CRT with 7" or larger tubes and you'll see what you're missing. That said, it may not matter to you, but it does matter to me and that's why I don't use a direct view set for high definition video.
"Direct view CRT sets really can't do HDTV..."Do you have a URL link to back up that claim? Just curious. Can't say IU've heard that before. Not that I doubt it. Link?
Do a search, but why do you need a link for something you can SEE with your eyes?
***First question: how hard is it really on a good CRT if you do this for 4 hours per day?***4 hours of TV per day is worse on your brain than it is on the TV. Seriously though, I have no idea since I've never done it. I always expand the 4:3 picture to 16:9. I can tell you that there are folks who have burned 4:3 images onto their 16:9 tubes, so obviously it can be done.
***Next question: I have a 32" Sony Wega that can do a "raster squeeze", or 16:9 "enhanced mode" for DVDs. Can I expect a real improvement by going to a digital TV with DVD? Should I forget it and stay put until HDTV really starts up?***
If you're satisfied with your 32" picture, I'd wait a year or two. Enhanced DVDs offer visible improvement on large screen sizes...I don't know about small 32" screens. I have no idea what YOU would define as a real improvement, but keep in mind that the best you can get out of DVD pales in comparison to high definition.
NT
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
Top of Page ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ Support/Wish List ]
[ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
