HD vs DIGITAL - How good is good?

Ed-WI · ‎10-21-2007

I have a 56" Samsung DLP and the picture is outstanding, better than my other tvs, connected by component cables. HD is not needed with U-Verse. I can do all the normal things like record 4 and use the 120 hrs dvr. I plan on adding Digital Optical Audio Cable for the best sound with my 5.1 Dolby surround sound, but not necessary.

Koolkid1935 · ‎07-27-2007

If you don't have HD service, the optical cable won't do you much good as the only place you will find DD5.1 is on the HD channels as of now.

motorcityman · ‎01-04-2008

Hey Ed, I hope you do not think this is a stupid question, but what and how much difference is there between LCD and DLP? Is DLP that much better? I have been looking at the Samsung TVs online but not at a store to compare the two. I can not afford a new TV yet, but hopefully down the road I will be able to, especially if the prices keep falling. But I really can not complain about my picture quality. I have a Sony television that I purchased in 2000 and my reception has never been better since I made the switch to U-Verse. Thanks for any input.

Ed-WI · ‎10-21-2007

I currently get quite good sound without the dig cables and a much better picture and sound than with video cables.

As for my DLP the picture is great and compared the LCD much lower price and lighter weight. I got my 56" for 1479 with free delivery. As for weight my 56 was about 66 lbs, my wife help me lift it to our new stand. The tv was too wide for me to pick it up. The bubs are improving to normal tv life time is what I hear.

Message Edited by Ed-WI on 01-25-2008 06:33 PM

Message Edited by Ed-WI on 01-25-2008 06:33 PM

motorcityman · ‎01-04-2008

That's a pretty decent price for that size TV. I have read some things online where the bulbs burn out on DLP., but I do not know much about DLP or HDTVs in general, so I am just trying to get as much information as I can "if and when" I make the jump to HDTV. I will have to talk the wife into that one.

I am glad that you are happy with your TV and the picture quality.

Ed-WI wrote:
I cuurently get quite good sound withoutr the dig cables. Much better picture and sound than with video cables.

As for my DLP the picture is great and compared the LCD much lower price and lighter weight. I got my 56" for 1479 with free delivery. As for weight my 56 was about 66 lbs, my wife help me lift it to our new stand. The tv was too wide for me to pick it up. The bubs are impoving to normal tv life time is what I heard.

Koolkid1935 · ‎07-27-2007

Personally, I can't stand single chip (vs. triple chips, one for each color) DLP systems, regardless of size. Single chip systems need a color wheel in order to produce colors and I am one of those that can see the 'rainbow' effect by using a color wheel. I get distracted by the rainbow effect so much that I can barely watch whatever is being shown.

Message Edited by Koolkid1935 on 01-25-2008 05:31 PM

motorcityman · ‎01-04-2008

So kookkid, what do you recommend for HDTV? LCD? Plasma? or DLP triple-chip? I have heard enough bad things about plasma to not to go that route, but I was just wondering what offers the best picture for HDTV.

Koolkid1935 wrote:
Personally, I can't stand single chip (vs. triple chips, one for each color) DLP systems, regardless of size. Single chip systems need a color wheel in order to produce colors and I am one of those that can see the 'rainbow' effect by using a color wheel. I get distracted by the rainbow effect so much that I can barely watch whatever is being shown.

Message Edited by Koolkid1935 on 01-25-2008 05:31 PM

Ed-WI · ‎10-21-2007

I suggest that you view one at a best buy, circuit city or any tv seller the rainbow effect is not seen buy most people. The model I have:HL-T5676S DLP TV - televisions SAMSUNG.

Happy looking

hogrunr · ‎08-08-2006

I dont' know why everyone is so against Plasma. I have never had a single issue with my 47" Plasma.

motorcityman · ‎01-04-2008

I must admit that I wrote that comment out of ignorance because like I said, I have not done enough research to even make a decision on which one I would like best. I guess my comment about Plasma had more to do with reading about how they will sometimes exhibit screen burn-in. But I realize that not everyone will have this problem. I will just have to do some research and see which platform I like the most.

hogrunr wrote:
I dont' know why everyone is so against Plasma. I have never had a single issue with my 47" Plasma.

hpmsrm · ‎09-14-2009

This subject kind of drifted but let me expound. (I'm good at expounding...according to my family)

20 months ago we needed a new TV so decided it was time to step up to large screen HD. At that time the big, flat panel LCD's and plasma's were just plain outside our financial capability so we started comparing the rear projection DLP and triple LCD units from various companies. We spent hours comparing the different sets...side by side...using the same program material. After all that work we had narrowed things down to either the Samsung DLP or the Sony SXRD which uses three LCD screens and projects the light from a powerful lamp through them. We finally decided on the Sony for two reasons.......I wanted to steer away from the mechanical, color wheel device in the DLP.....and the Sony consistently reproduced highlight and deep shadow detail better with a shade better sharpness than the Samsung did (in our humble opinion). So we settled on the 55" Sony SXRD and have been in love with the HD image ever since. (I'm a serious amateur photographer so I'm pretty finicky about image quality). Now.....it has always amazed us how the Sony blows up the standard definition, 4 X 3 images to 16 X 9, 55" size and still makes it look better than it did on our 27" CRT set. But I cannot stress too strongly that there is no comparison between the SD image and the glorious images we see in 1080i HD. The "Planet Earth" series was just superlative. And....who wouldn't marvel at the nearly 3-D experience of a well produced NFL game in HD? So don't cheat yourself of the opportunity to enjoy these wonderful HD programs. They are great and getting better all the time. We're 71. We didn't wait. We don't buy green bananas anymore.

I'm very much aware that not everyone would agree with us on our choice. Hey.....that's why they make different kinds. But WE are happy and that's what counts. Given the increase in availability of really big screen LCD flat panel screens and much reduced prices over that past 20 months......we would probably go with an LCD flat panel now. Nothing particularly wrong with the plasma but the good ones are still pretty darned expensive and to the eyes of both myself and my loving wife of 52 years......the LCD's seem to have a slightly sharper and "crisper" image. Imagination? Maybe. It's a wonderful life.....hope I live to 100.

Phil

Message Edited by hpmsrm on 01-25-2008 08:37 PM

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RCSMG · ‎12-10-2007

Ed, how long ago did you get your DLP? I am planning to get one and I was wondering if Samsung changed their technology. It sounds like you really like the picture you get which makes me want to get one even more. I am a video and film producer director and I have seen all of the posts that have made in the forums about picture quality and problems. Uverse may have problems right now but when they get them all worked out I believe they will have if not the best, one of the best HD feeds. The Samsung DLP has looked better to me than other manufacturers DLP sets, how do you think they compare?

Koolkid1935 · ‎07-27-2007

Actually, the SXRD (Sony's name for LCoS) isn't like triple LCD rear projection in that the light is shown through the LCD panel from behind then projected on the screen in front of the panel. The SXRD method is somewhat of a cross between DLP and LCD. Here are some explanations on how LCoS works:
Howstuffworks "How LCoS Works"
Projector Central - LCoS

We have a Sony SXRD TV (KDS-60A2000) as our main TV and quite enjoy it.

Ed-WI · ‎10-21-2007

My DLP is a week old: I got it delivered last fri. Best to view side by side I saw my next to a Sony 60” the manger said mine and Sony were equal. I did not get the Sony’s name because I was viewing mine for the first time then. I agreed they look equally well but the Sony cost was over 3k.

I am pleased with my choice.

spd2demun · ‎07-28-2007

I came across this article and found it interesting; especially for someone thinking about buying an HDTV:

http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/patterson/11939

hpmsrm · ‎09-14-2009

Wow! Very, very informative, Koolkid. Thank you so much for the links. The cons that are mentioned have not been a problem for us. Our SXRD has more than adequate black levels. We get all the contrast we desire and our picture quality is excellent.....like looking at a very high quality color photo enlargement. I always enjoy learning new stuff. You made my day a good one, kid. Thanks again.

I guess you are aware that Sony is planning to cease manufacturing and selling the rear projection units since sales, which were previously very good, have tailed off. I read a brief news story on it in the business section of the Kansas City Star.

Phil

Need help? Call AT&T at: 1-800-288-2020 then follow recorded instructions.
A Veteran – whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve – is someone who, at a one point in his/her life, wrote a blank check made payable to ‘The United States of America’, for an amount of “up to and including his/her life.” ...Author Unknown

Koolkid1935 · ‎07-27-2007

Yes, I had heard that too and it is a shame IMO because the SXRD line of TV's were really good and the prices were starting to get down to the 'sweetspot' so to speak.

The way Sony combats the bad black levels typical of LCoS is through the iris, which controls the amount of light let into the lens (much like our eyes do).

Ed-WI · ‎10-21-2007

Thanks for all the info on tvs. Does anyonelse have comments about digial is great in U-verse and HD is great too. I wonder how others think about the need or must have HD. In other ways I wonder if HD was invented because of cable without 100% digial was ugly?

Ed-WI · ‎10-21-2007

In addition, I enjoy recording 4 steams over a HD picture which by far better than normal cable and gobbles up bandwith that I can live with 100% digital cable.