Not impressed with HD TV

Page 1 of 5 123 ... LastLast

  1. Posts : 3,371
    W10 Pro desktop, W11 laptop, W11 Pro tablet (all 64-bit)
       #1

    Not impressed with HD TV


    I have been resisting buying an HD TV for my home because when I go to the store and look at the TVs, I see (IMO) very high prices with only a marginal improvement in picture quality over SD TV.

    The other day our 18 year old 32" SD TV bit the dust so I gave in and purchased a 40" HD TV. I got our DISH satellite system upgraded to HD and have been watching HD TV for the past few days. The TV is capable of 1080p but the satellite signal is only 1080i.

    In my comparison viewing, it appears that there is a fairly noticeable difference in picture quality between SD and HD content on the HD TV. However, when I compare the HD picture quality of the HD TV with SD picture quality of another SD TV, the difference isn't nearly as noticeable.

    I also feel that one reason the picture seems better on the HD TV is due to the larger picture size (40" vs 32").

    Am I the only one that feels that HD TV isn't a big enough difference in picture quality to warrant the price difference?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 342
    Windows 7
       #2

    I love the HD/Blu-ray ads on DVDs showing the before and after picture qualities. I say to myself - why can't they just do that for the damn dvd?!?
      My Computer


  3. Lee
    Posts : 1,796
    Win 7 Pro x64, VM Win XP, Win7 Pro Sandbox, Kubuntu 11
       #3

    One of the big mistake people make when buying a HD TV is they go for the model that is the least expensive which means they are getting only 60 Mhz picture refresh rate. The 120 Mhz refresh rate TV's are far better, and give you a more smoother picture. And, yes they do cost more; in some cases (depending) on size they can be up to a thousand dollars more. My TV is a 52" Phillips with 120 Mhz and I can really tell the difference when I am at my brother's who has the same make and size only it is a 60 Mhz system.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 2,164
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit
       #4

    I personally can't stand the 120 and 240hz motion smoothing feature. gives it a weird look and unnatural motion.

    The first time I really saw it was when I finished setting up my friends 55" LG LED TV and was checking out some HD on it, saw Coyote Ugly playing and thought that I was watching a TV show version since it didn't look like a movie with the 120hz.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 12,364
    8 Pro x64
       #5

    On the whole, HD TV's are only as good as the source material.

    When fed native HD content - they can look great. Clearly better PQ compared to SD.

    But when they're fed non-HD content, or even 'low quality HD' content which on average is largely most of the content that is viewed on TV's - they can look sub-par in comparison to SD CRT TV's whereas the SD CRT sets can handle the low quality material and still manage to make it look pretty good.

    This is where the quality of the HD TV itself comes into play as some are more 'tolerant' when displaying SD content. Some sets will make SD content look considerably worse than a SD set, others make it look marginally worse.



    Is the price worth the difference? It's personally subjective. For some, yes. Others maybe and the rest, no.

    I'm a maybe. When viewing HD content, it's yes. When viewing FTA TV/non-hd content it's no. But the size of the panel does tend to make up for it.


    It's the HD hype juggernaut that doesn't really live up to expectations.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 107
    Windows 7 Professional x64, SP1
       #6

    How far back are you sitting? Too far back and the detail of HD is lost. Too close and the pixels are too big. Have you tried calibrating it?

    The formula is (in general) is to multiply the number of feet to the front of the screen by 4. For example, I am 12.5' away. 12.5 X 4=50" TV.

    Have you tried 720p instead of 1080i? The 1080p is for Blu Ray and some limited PPV movies.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 4,751
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32-Bit - Build 7600 SP1
       #7

    strollin said:
    I have been resisting buying an HD TV for my home because when I go to the store and look at the TVs, I see (IMO) very high prices with only a marginal improvement in picture quality over SD TV.

    The other day our 18 year old 32" SD TV bit the dust so I gave in and purchased a 40" HD TV. I got our DISH satellite system upgraded to HD and have been watching HD TV for the past few days. The TV is capable of 1080p but the satellite signal is only 1080i.

    In my comparison viewing, it appears that there is a fairly noticeable difference in picture quality between SD and HD content on the HD TV. However, when I compare the HD picture quality of the HD TV with SD picture quality of another SD TV, the difference isn't nearly as noticeable.

    I also feel that one reason the picture seems better on the HD TV is due to the larger picture size (40" vs 32").

    Am I the only one that feels that HD TV isn't a big enough difference in picture quality to warrant the price difference?
    I got my HDTV in 2003. It is a 65 inch. At the time there weren't that many shows in HD, but the big screen was nice. I have the Dish Network and just about all the shows are in HD now, it is really great. The picture just seems to "jump out at me". I have found the show that demonstates HD the best in "CSI: Miami". There are always so many bright colors on the show, it looks just great in HD. In answer to your question, HD is definately worth it. Things are so much brighter and clearer. You had mentioned 1080P and 1080I. Mine is 1080I because that was all there was when I bought it. As far as I can tell, the picture is about as good as it gets. You should be able to tell a noticeable difference in HD and SD.
      My Computer


  8. Woz
    Posts : 79
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64 Steve Ballmer Signature (jealous???)
       #8

    My ten year old son commented one day that DVDs looked better on the Sony 13 inch SD CRT than they do on the Panasonic 58 inch HD plasma. It's true. When blown up to 58 inches, every flaw in the DVD picture is magnified. It's like digital zoom on cameras.

    Playing DVDs through a PS3 improves their picture quality considerably. The upscaling on the PS3 works great, but it's not up to the quality of blu-ray.

    For the majority of television shows, HD vs SD makes little difference to me. Sporting events, on the other hand, really show off the HDTVs. Watch one football game in HD, and you'll never want to watch in SD again.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 3,028
    Windows 7 Ultimate (x64) SP1
       #9

    I watch HD TV on my PC and it's great quality.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 12,364
    8 Pro x64
       #10

    tw33k said:
    I watch HD TV on my PC and it's great quality.
    FTA channels? The smaller screen hides a lot of sins of our so called 'HD channels'

    Channel BT HD rips do look good though :)
      My Computer


 
Page 1 of 5 123 ... LastLast

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:14.
Find Us