LCD/Plasma/CRT/DLP - questions

[Model102]

Well hello!

I've been looking at screens extensively for a while now, and my head spilts a tad. But I've done it - sold my old screen of 5 years, and bought a new one.

In terms of lag, well, the screen I've been using for the past 5 years was in the region of 80-100ms, I concluded this by using a ms calibration with an AV reciever. I'm an avid gamer, no, a super, ultra, obsessive and often competative game geek, have been for years - and I have to be honest, I could live with that 80-100ms lag fine, and didn't notice it until I had started to really read about it on the net these past 9 months or so.

I've played hundreds of games on that screen for years, set plenty of fast time trials, and killed many people online! Got pretty damn good at Radiant Silvergun and Ikaruga, and absolutely killed it on Motorstorm 2 and Killzone 2 among some of the best players around (I think!).

Granted, Killzone 2 was HEAVY to control, but that was an aspect of the game I lived with, which grew to like quite a lot. KZ2 had a controller lag of 150ms. Most console FPS games have a controller lag of approximately 100ms (Halo, COD), and KZ3s beta is reportedly around 116ms at this time - not bad!

So that's my take on gaming lag, although I agree that every millesecond counts in the likes of professional Street Fighter III matches, but not with all games.

The new screen I've got, reportedly has a lag of 31ms in 'game' mode, so I guess my gaming will be improving!

I also recently discovered a screen from a few years ago, with amazing reviews, and a 'game' mode lag of 0-10ms...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31546566@N06/5155609669/

http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/sony-kdl40w4500-20081116135.htm

Wowsers!

[Rossco]

How do you work out the input lag manually then? Thought it would require some fancy gubbins? I just wanna know what my tv is as I'm fine with it and that means I can get one thats of similar lag at worst.

[Model102]

Well, one way is to get one of those timer programs, have your PC connected to a CRT and your screen at the same time, and video it.

Then playback the vid, and pause - you will then see the time difference.

I used my reciever via HDMI (the slowest connection to a screen, not sure?!) and watched some Blu-rays and DVDs. Within the AVRs menu, for each input I can set the lag, and the on board circuitry delays the audio output to match what your screen displays. I can delay the audio from 0 - 500ms (WTF screen has a 500ms lag I don't know! ) and after much viewing and watching lips talking, I concluded my old screen of 5 years had 80-100ms of lag, depending on material.

The only time I ever actually had lag brought up with my screen, was when some people were round my place practicing for Street Fighter III 3rd Strike tournaments held in London back in 2005/6. You'd certainly notice if you're a pro at that game! But I never do, and I play and enjoy many fighting games.

But that's my point in a way - but I guess you'd want a new screen with similar or improved lag, for sure!

[Lyris]

That's the method we use at HDTVtest.

[Model102]

Aha!

['Press Start']

Is Controller lag different from wireless to wired?

[Lyris]

I felt a slight difference, but it's hard to measure. Personally, I enjoy playing Halo Reach on a fast TV (Panasonic G20) with a wireless pad, I can't say much more!

[nakamura]

Are there any Flat/LCD style tvs that are not HD?
I would like to replace my CRT with something less intrusive for SD gaming and wonder if there are any options.

[speedlolita]

Early LCD seem to be. I used a certain HUMAX a while back that had a resolution of 640x480. PS2 looks perfect on it.

[nakamura]

That is what I am looking for. Something LCD for PS2/Wii and so on. 16/9 would be great also but in SD format.
Seems like all SD LCDs are maximum 20 inch.

[Model102]

Interesting, the only SD LCD screen I have experience with was the official Sony PSOne screen - never really thought about an SD only LCD and the possible performance with SD content!

As for controller lag, I've recently got a wired 360 pad and I've not noticed any advantage with it (Apart from the nice lightweight feel and the space where the battery pack was). I've been extensively practicing on F1 time trials on 360, and the wired pad felt no different at all.

On that note, talking of console versions (PS3 & 360) of games, anyone noticed a difference between the two in terms of lag? I found GTAIV plays quite differently on PS3 compared to the 360 - with the latter feeling much more heavy and almost Killzone 2-like with it's controller lag.

[Decider-VT]

Lyris: thanks for your response. I managed to win a Sony KDL-22E5300 from eBay in the interim and it's performing very nicely, apart from some trailing blacks. Still, live and learn- it's not anything especially noticeable when playing from the correct viewing distance. Hopefully it'll teach me to live with phosphor trails so I can make the jump to plasma next.

On that note, talking of console versions (PS3 & 360) of games, anyone noticed a difference between the two in terms of lag? I found GTAIV plays quite differently on PS3 compared to the 360 - with the latter feeling much more heavy and almost Killzone 2-like with it's controller lag.

As for an SD LCD/etc, there was a small thread about the benefits of SD/ED plasma screens here.

[Mayhem]

Parents are looking for a 26" LCD to go in their bedroom... recommendations? It'll just be used for watching TV mostly. Not sure of budget but fire away

[Lyris]

At that end of the market, I think it will all be quite similar. Samsung's LCD TVs are usually safe bets and priced right.

[phillai]

Can anyone recommend me (actually for my sister) a 37" or 40" LCD TV for no more than £550, please?

Budget no matter what, cannot go over £550 and to be fair, I'd prefer her to have a 40" LCD TV than 37".

I was looking at the Samsung LE37C650 37" LCD TV at £499.99

http://www.richersounds.com/product/lcd-tv/samsung/le37c650/sams-le37c650

or the SONY BRAVIA KDL40EX503 40" LCD TV at £549.05

http://www.richersounds.com/product/lcd-tv/sony/bravia-kdl40ex503/sony-kdl40ex503

Please note, this will mainly be used for watching movies and playing a few games on the Xbox 360. Oh, I'd probably plug in my old PC in it as well for some MAME action!

Many thanks in advance to all replies.