For those of you looking for plasma TV's

[boostbros]

Bill what set works best as a computer moniter? do video cards need more memory to drive higher resolutions? why does hdmi cable work better? why is it so expensive? i found on some sets they do not draw letters very well very jagged not smooth is it a setting or just the way it is? there really is not much help here and specialty stores around here have no clue when you tell them you not using it as a tv

 

[BillR]

Bill what set works best as a computer moniter? do video cards need more memory to drive higher resolutions? why does hdmi cable work better? why is it so expensive? i found on some sets they do not draw letters very well very jagged not smooth is it a setting or just the way it is? there really is not much help here and specialty stores around here have no clue when you tell them you not using it as a tv

Computers are totally different from video. It is a combo of monitor and video card. I don't know which (or both) matter most.

I am NOT up on computers, but last time I compared, a Sony looked good to my eyes, but it only lasted about 1.5 years - and non-repairable.
I now have a LG 23" HD computer monitor. Looks ok, but I don't know if it is "good". However I don't do anything on the computer that is graphics heavy. Mostly Wordperfect and surf the net.
I do know the iMac computers look great - but no clue on who's stuff they use.



HDMI looks better because they are able to carry more band width / information. The difference is especially noticeable at higher resolutions such as 1080p. Digital video will be sharper than component, and eliminates the softness and ghosting found with component. Small, high contrast details such as text bring this difference out the most.
However there are so many versions of HDMI handshake - sometimes HDMI won't work reliably - or something isn't compliant. Previous versions of HDMI have had more than enough bandwidth to support all current HDTV formats, including full, uncompressed 1080p signals, the latest HDMI 1.3 increases its single-link bandwidth to 340 MHz to support the demands of future HD, such as higher resolutions, Deep Color and high frame rates.

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/articles/hdmi-spec-versions.htm

 

[Tommy Gun]

Hey Bill, I have an RTI universal remote but no instructions on how to program it. Got a new Direct TV DVR and need to reprogram the RTI. I sent RTI an e-mail but no response. Can you help?

 

[BillR]

Hey Bill, I have an RTI universal remote but no instructions on how to program it. Got a new Direct TV DVR and need to reprogram the RTI. I sent RTI an e-mail but no response. Can you help?

I "may" be able to give you the passcodes to get into the dealer section of the RTI site. I don't think I have them at home - probably at the shop.
From there you can download the software and program it yourself.
Ever done one? The RTI's can be time consuming.

I have done two RTI's myself - friggen took me all day. What took time was testing.

FYI: A decent universal remote that the avg guy can program and customize is the Monster Cable AVL300. It's NOT super fancy, but is decent and capable.

 

[Tommy Gun]

I "may" be able to give you the passcodes to get into the dealer section of the RTI site. I don't think I have them at home - probably at the shop.
From there you can download the software and program it yourself.
Ever done one? The RTI's can be time consuming.

I have done two RTI's myself - friggen took me all day. What took time was testing.

FYI: A decent universal remote that the avg guy can program and customize is the Monster Cable AVL300. It's NOT super fancy, but is decent and capable.

Guess that's why the install guy charged me $500 to program it the first time around. Thought I could save some $$ since I only have the new DVR to reprogram.

 

[ThruHull]

Guess that's why the install guy charged me $500 to program it the first time around. Thought I could save some $$ since I only have the new DVR to reprogram.

$500 to program a remote?? damn I am in the wrong business......

 

[Tommy Gun]

That's what I thought, but he was at it for hours.

 

[Dave]

Looks like Sony WAS going to change from Samsung as a supplier to Sharp, but that looks to be on hold:
http://www.dealerscope.com/article/...ir-joint-lcd-panel-venture-year-402576_1.html

What do I recommend? Search my posts on here, Speedwake and OSO. I and Audiofn have given LOTS of recommendations.

Plasma is the way to go - UNLESS you have a room with LOTS of glare/light (like a whole wall of glass)
Pioneer Elite is the best
LG is the best bang for the buck for reliability and picture quality
Panasonic Pro (not consumer) is very good

In LCD
the better LG's are nice
the XBR series in sony is ok
The LED back lit LG's and Samsungs are really good and expensive.
Some of the Sharps are ok.

Remember - in flat panel TV's you get what you pay for. You want a cheap price, you will have a cheap TV - regardless of where you buy it.

Isn't the LED back lit Samsung considered rear projection? Also what do you recommend for the larger screen sizes over 61"?

 

[Fever Mike]

+1 BillR. My brother in law did not take my advise and get a Pioneer Kuro because Cruthfield told him the Panasonic is better and that is what he bought. Unfreakin believable!

So he gets the TV watches it for a week, I tried to do the best set up for him with my blu-ray Joe Kane Video Essentials. Then he comes over to my house and my 2 year old 60" Pioneer Elite (non Kuro!) blows him away.

 

[Pachanga]

That's what I thought, but he was at it for hours.

LOL What happens when the batteries die? Another $500? :rofl::rofl::rofl:

 

[Audiofn]

Hey Bill, I have an RTI universal remote but no instructions on how to program it. Got a new Direct TV DVR and need to reprogram the RTI. I sent RTI an e-mail but no response. Can you help?

You can see if you can find the software at www.remotecentral.com

If the guy took hours to program an RTI then it must have been his first time If you have trouble figuring it out I can probably help you out. Was he nice enough to leave you with the program cable?

I like the Pioneer Kuro sets. they only make a 50 and a 60. They just had a HUGE drop on the non elite 50" units. Honestly beyond warrantee and speakers I do not think that there is any difference between the Elite and Non Elite units. They say that there is and the Elites do have different firmware but that seems to be it.

 

[BillR]

Isn't the LED back lit Samsung considered rear projection? Also what do you recommend for the larger screen sizes over 61"?

ALL LCD Tv's are back lit but not considered rear projection. One little fact that no one talks about; all those LCD sets sold. . . .well they have florescent bulbs behind the screen as their light source. Now start thinking how long those will last? How long before one end starts to get black and get dim? They are different than what you put in your ceiling, but they do go out! If you MUST have an LCD set, the ONLY way to go (IMHO) is one back lit by LED's. they look better and the LED will last a very loooong time. But most folks go the cheapo route because they are not properly informed - and you won't get proper info from Walmart, Internet sites, Big Box stores.


over 61"? You have 4 plasma choices (that I know of) and one LCD:

LG 70. (never have seen one)
Panasonic 65 pro. Buy this one.
Panasonic 65 consumer.
Samsung 63.

LCD = Sharp


Audiofn - there is a diff btw Elite & Pio. Same glass, different electronics and of course firmware. Now the "Signature series" Elite panels are different from the all of them.

 

[BillR]

Hey Bill, I have an RTI universal remote but no instructions on how to program it. Got a new Direct TV DVR and need to reprogram the RTI. I sent RTI an e-mail but no response. Can you help?

PM'ed you :26:

 

[Dave]

over 61"? You have 4 plasma choices (that I know of) and one LCD:

LG 70. (never have seen one)
Panasonic 65 pro. Buy this one.
Panasonic 65 consumer.
Samsung 63.

LCD = Sharp

Looked at a 67" Samsung DLP LCD LED. Look pretty good at $2300.

 

[Davidmnc]

But as cheap as these TVs are now, arn't they really disposable. Why wouldn't you buy the cheaper one. Then toss it when it gives up, and get the next best disposable cheap TV? IMO

 

[Tommy Gun]

LED TV's?

LG Display Signs Supply Agreement With Cree For LED Chips

Jan 27, 2009 21:25:44 (ET)


SEOUL (Dow Jones)--LG Display Wednesday said that it has signed a supply agreement with U.S.-based chip manufacturer Cree Inc. (CREE) for LED chips to be used in liquid crystal display backlighting.

"LG Display will expand the share of panels featuring LED-backlight to 50% of its total notebook LCD output," said Han Sang-beom, Executive Vice President and Head of the IT Business Unit.

The agreement will allow LG secure a stable supply of LED chips, the company said. It didn't elaborate.

LED is a key component for environmentally friendly, ultra slim panels offering high picture quality, and LED backlight use is expected to expand from notebook LCD panels to LCD TV panels in the near future, the company added.

-By Jung-Ah Lee, Dow Jones Newswires; 822-2198-2230; jung-ah.lee@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 27, 2009 21:25 ET (02:

BTW if you're looking for a stock to buy CREE is worth researching...leader in LED and recently signed a contract to do LED lighting in the Pentagon.

 

[BillR]

LED TV's?

They are using LED's as the light source in LCD tv's.
Currently they use florescent tubes.

Just wait to those that bought LCD tv's have to start replacing bulbs. They're gonna wish they bought plasma.
Our shop has had to replace some bulbs. Ain't cheap.

 

[MarylandMark]

But as cheap as these TVs are now, arn't they really disposable. Why wouldn't you buy the cheaper one. Then toss it when it gives up, and get the next best disposable cheap TV? IMO

That's how I roll..

Kind of like computers. My friends laugh because I buy $700 laptops while they spend $4K. In 6 years we will have spent the same money but I would have had 6 computers to their 1; with all but the original one able to smoke their original one in performance. Buy cheap and buy often. Works for a lot of things- most 10 year old BMW's aren't as nice as a brand new Acura.

I'd guess the cheapest 240HZ 1080P is better than a 3 year old 60HZ 1080I ?

Plasma is the only way to go unless size constraints and then go LCD IMHO. Smallest plasma was a 32" and think only one company was making them but could be wrong.

I forget the ins and outs but computers aren't held to the same regulations as a TV signal by the National Television Standards Committee, PAL, etc. Whole different world getting your signal on the internet and sending it to your screen vs picking up a signal from a FCC regulated industry and all that kind of stuff.

 

[mosi]

Forget Picture In Picture....

$1200 bought me 4 cheap 32 inchers that I hang on the wall and watch a combination of 4 games/programs at once........
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.....Each to his own.....it works for me!!