LCD/Plasma/CRT/DLP - questions

[Paulos G]

Should I just phone em up instead?

Yeah, I'd phone 'em.

I had my first order cancelled as I used an incorrect code. Had a bit more hassle that I expected. It was worth persevering though as I got the 32" for ?720.00 in the end.

P

[Kron]

Kron would this set be about as good as i can get for a 32" screen ? I'm worried that playing games on it at 480p scaled won't be as good as 480i on a CRT.

Also been advised that it's not worth getting the cables for the PS2 as not many games support 480p, not sure if that's good advice or not though.

In all honesty the lower resolution consoles we have (pre 360) will look better on a standard CRT if you are using a few sets of RGB cables, than they will upscaled onto a typical current HDTV imho.

If your PS2 is limited to PAL software then its probably not worth investing in a set of Component cables as there are less than 10 games that utilise a progressive scan mode.

If you have no interest in getting High definition equiptment, Sky HD/Telewest or HD-DVD/Blue Ray or PS3/360 then you are probably going to be better of looking for a CRT that has a component input so you can take advantage of Prog scan Cube and Xbox games at the correct (non scaled) resolution which will give you a really sharp image and also Native low resolution RGB scart. Take a look at the Toshiba CRT's as they are arguably the new pinnacle over the old Sony Wega's.

Its total swings and roundabouts and there are so many variations that don't do everything perfectly so you have to compromise unfortunately.

[Chunky]

I think i'd just set my heart on a 32" LCD set, my 21" Sony CRT, while still good, isn't ideal for WS games these days and also i'm looking to make use of it in another room.

At the moment i have a PS2 (which will play US games, as all of my games are NTSC-US), an NTSC-US Cube, and a PAL Xbox. I'll probably end up with a 360 at some poiint, maybe a PS3 aswell as a Wii. I have Sky but not HD - my TV in the lounge is a 36" WS Sony CRT, although tempted to upgrade that later in the year so Sky HD is a possibility then.

My main concern is future-proofing myself, while not losing quality on what i play at the moment. I appreciate that the scaling process isn't going to be ideal, but if it will get me by for the time being without making the games look too sloppy, while being ideal for any future machines, then i guess it's the one for me.

[the_dude]

I think i'd just set my heart on a 32" LCD set, my 21" Sony CRT, while still good, isn't ideal for WS games these days and also i'm looking to make use of it in another room.

At the moment i have a PS2 (which will play US games, as all of my games are NTSC-US), an NTSC-US Cube, and a PAL Xbox. I'll probably end up with a 360 at some poiint, maybe a PS3 aswell as a Wii. I have Sky but not HD - my TV in the lounge is a 36" WS Sony CRT, although tempted to upgrade that later in the year so Sky HD is a possibility then.

My main concern is future-proofing myself, while not losing quality on what i play at the moment. I appreciate that the scaling process isn't going to be ideal, but if it will get me by for the time being without making the games look too sloppy, while being ideal for any future machines, then i guess it's the one for me.

Get the Panasonic TX-32LXD60. Searching for reviews on the net, the TV has got nothing but excellent write up's. Plus it produces great picture quality with non-HD sources, It's the TV i'm getting in the next couple of month. From what i've read, there's nothing that can touch it in terms of the quality you get for your money. The TV can be picked up for around ?970 if you shop around.

The 26" version of the TV is reviewed here.

[Chunky]

Get the Panasonic TX-32LXD60. Searching for reviews on the net, the TV has got nothing but excellent write up's. Plus it produces great picture quality with non-HD sources, It's the TV i'm getting in the next couple of month. From what i've read, there's nothing that can touch it in terms of the quality you get for your money. The TV can be picked up for around ?970 if you shop around.

The 26" version of the TV is reviewed here.

"Unfortunately, there's still no VGA input. As long as PC applications or high-definition gaming isn't a priority though, the screen's dazzling picture performance justifies the comparatively expensive price tag."

Not ideal - i want to plug my PC into it to watch DivX and also play high-definition gaming in the future...

[Kron]

The LXD-60 is an even cheaper set (looks and feel) than the older 52 and still has the update/motion blur problem as well so I wouldn't consider it an option.

[MrDo]

I wouldn't buy an LCD TV/Plasma as there still in there infancy. Wait a year or so until the good 1080p versions come out. Because if you get one just now, when the 1080p versions come out all of a sudden the ?700+ you spend on a 720p TV seems like a total waste of money!

[the_dude]

"Unfortunately, there's still no VGA input. As long as PC applications or high-definition gaming isn't a priority though, the screen's dazzling picture performance justifies the comparatively expensive price tag."

Not ideal - i want to plug my PC into it to watch DivX and also play high-definition gaming in the future...

OK, well what about the Toshiba 32WLT66, if you read the review it's reads like the perfect TV for you. In fact, this one seems better than the first TV i recommended. Tell me what you think?

[andrewfee]

I wouldn't buy an LCD TV/Plasma as there still in there infancy. Wait a year or so until the good 1080p versions come out. Because if you get one just now, when the 1080p versions come out all of a sudden the ?700+ you spend on a 720p TV seems like a total waste of money!

1080p sets are already out, and I had one at the begining of the year. (well, it had a 1920x1080 panel, accepted 1080i and deinterlaced to 1080p internally)

The processing / scaling on 1080p sets needs work; the majority of PS3 titles will be 720p anyway, and there was barely any difference over 720p native displays. As a gamer, buying 1080p just means that the majority of your games will look worse than they could have done for less money.

LCDs and Plasmas have been around for many years now, and are at the point where they're very cheap to buy and you'll get fantastic image quality. (from the bigger brands, at least)

It's people waiting for 1080p displays that are going to be disappointed, not those who bought 720p screens.

[Concept]

I was thinking the same thing. People who specifically by a 1080p TV based on Sony's PS3 hype may find themselves disappointed, when the majority of their games are 720p upscaled. I've seen 480p upscaled on my 1366x768 set and it doesn't look nice at all in many cases, so God knows what 720p will look like internally re-scaled on 1080p native sets.

[Lyris]

Just spent 1450 on my second 720p LCD. No regrets. That price (for my new 32") is only just a bit more than what I paid for a 26" 15:9 panel with a much slower response time in September 2004. Prices are coming down and the quality is going up.

1080p will be nice but the sad truth is that I have a lot of standard definition video material lying around and 720p is a great middle-of-the-road when it comes to price and quality.

Besides - once 1080p becomes practical for me, I'll be able to watch all the Blu Ray discs I've amassed and see all the extra detail and be delighted by high definition all over again.

[Chunky]

OK, well what about the Toshiba 32WLT66, if you read the review it's reads like the perfect TV for you. In fact, this one seems better than the first TV i recommended. Tell me what you think?

Yup, that's the set i first mentioned in my post on Friday It's the one i've been recommended by a mate and certainly carries all the neccessary features. I'm just concerned that it's scaling of 480p signals won't be brilliant.

[gIzzE]

You can buy the Panasonic 42PHD8 screen for under ?1600 now, and that is the best flat panel display device currently on the market, full stop, and I don't think you would get any one to dispute that either.

[Del Boy]

Anyone with a Samsung le26r41bd could you please post up your settings, ive been fiddling for ages and the pic is getting worse lol.

[Akira]

Anybody got their hands on the new R7 samsung LCD range?