Blu-Ray vs. HD DVD- Page 3

[tazber]

Posted: 11/12/07 at 3:13pm

good answer, thanks.

[mateo]

Posted: 11/25/07 at 9:43pm

Bestie, Do you have any suggestions for a person looking to buy their first HDTV?

What kind of brand; Is LCD or Plasma better? I read up on some of this stuff, but it's all so confusing. They don't give you a straight answer.

I'm just looking for a personal TV (may be 3 feet wide), that I can play dvd's on, and eventually get hooked up with digital tv signal.

Should I wait till after the new year to purchase?

[Craig]

Posted: 11/25/07 at 10:05pm

In brief- I did the research when I was buying and came to the conclusion that for my apartment/size I was buying/cost/energy used/etc - that the LCD was the best way to go.

I got a GREAT Toshiba 32" for about $850+tax and couldn't be happier.

It has 3 HDMI ports - which isn't necc the norm. Stay away from anything less than one with one HDMI port. I'd even stay away from the ones with two.

my .02

[JP2]

Posted: 11/25/07 at 10:19pm

I have a 32" LCD that I'm very happy with. From what I read, Plasma eventually leaves a ghost on the screen.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 11/25/07 at 10:57pm

I have the 42inch LG LCD. My brother has the 32inch LG LCD. It's a great brand with great prices.

I agree with Craig about wanting 2 - 3 HDMI ports. But at least 1.

Also, if you want your LCD TV to also work as a computer monitor, make sure that the model does.

And the big distinction:

1080i - HDTV currently broadcasts at this

1080p (or Full HD) - In about 3 years, TV will be broadcasting at this supposedly. HD and Blu Ray DVDs are 1080p.

[chino]

Posted: 11/26/07 at 2:23am

I really love the quality of Blu-Ray. the HD is grainy. But, I might buy a player that can play both because Heroes was not released on Blu-Ray which I so hate!

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/26/07 at 7:40pm

Mateo, I'll try to answer your question(s)... but there's no black-and-white answer to this. Some of it has to do with product quality, but some of it has to do with taste, preferences, use, etc.

I prefer the Plasma TVs for several reasons, mostly to due with quality of picture. Their rich colors and deep blacks produce the most vibrant HD picture on the market now. And the issue of burn-in has been solved by most makers of Plasma TVs. If you're buying a new TV I wouldn't worry about that as an issue, unless you're a heavy gamer. If you play a lot of video games that use on-screen graphic interface controls that hold their position on the monitor for hours on end... you still could potentially end up with a ghost image "burn in." But again, we're talking about hours and days of holding those graphics in the same place.

If you are a heavy gamer, then I would go with LCD. I'm a big fat movie buff, so I'm more concerned with a vibrant, detailed picture. The reason I don't like LCD as much has to do with the black levels. The images look too much like they're being displayed on a giant computer monitor. They're usually flat and lack the rich detail that you can get from Plasma. One brand seems to have licked this though: Sony. Their LCD monitors have the richest and best black levels in that format.

I should back up one notch and say that I definitely prefer the flat screen models of both! I hate rear-screen projection HDTVs. You have to be sitting dead center in a dimly lit room for them to look good. If you're off to the sides, the image fades dramatically and loses a lot of quality. Definitely not for me.

If you're looking for a 32-36" HDTV, I'd probably check out a Sony LCD monitor.

The other reason I prefer Plasma has to do with size. (giggles) The Plasma images look better on larger TVs. LCD images are usually sharper, crisper, but they get a lot of digital noise in them (pixelation, graininess and dithering). Again, not for me. I like the way my up-converted DVDs look on a big Plasma set.

If you go with Plasma, Pioneer is considered the best. It's also the most expensive. I have a Panasonic, which is cheaper, and has a killer picture quality rivaling Pioneer's.

Also... Get a 1080p TV if you're into movies, and plan on getting and HD player (either Blu-ray or HD DVD). 1080p is the highest resolution available.

If you're on a budget, you can get a 720p or 1080i TV. They will cost a lot less than the 1080p sets. And if you're not getting an HD player (yet, or for a while), you should know that none of the HD channels are broadcasting in full 1080p, so you wouldn't even be able to enjoy the highest resolution when you're watching TV. I'm sure in a few years, once they work out the bandwidth issues, we'll start seeing television broadcasting in full 1080p. But it's not there yet.

If you have any specific questions, let me know, and I'll try not to overwhelm you with a "Gone With the Wind" -sized post about it.

[mateo]

Posted: 11/26/07 at 7:55pm

Wow.

First off thank you so much for replying.

I am not a gamer at all. (But i hear I should buy a PS3 if I go the Blu-Ray route.)



So a 32"/36" LCD looks better than a 32"/36" Plasma?

and Sony makes the best LCD's?


Where is the best place to shop online? or anywhere really? and should I wait till after the holidays to purchase?

Updated On: 11/26/07 at 07:55 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/26/07 at 8:11pm

The "should I wait" question will drive anyone who's into electronics insane. New products come out, they are pricey for a while, then they go on sale, then a year later (or sometimes months later) the prices fall dramatically.

You can constantly chase your own tail with the "should I wait" question. There will always be a better, cheaper mousetrap built in the future.

Don't sweat it.

Figure out what you think you can afford, what you want to buy, and get it. There will be a lot of holiday sales going on, so this is as good a time as any, and maybe even better.

As far as a PS3, yes... they have the best Blu-ray player on the market. Fastest load-in time, graphic refresh, etc. Plus they are constantly upgradable via an Internet connection. When the full versions of BD-Java and BD-live become available, the PS3 will be right there, upgraded, and ready to go. Some of the other earlier BD players will not be fully compatible with the forthcoming Java/Live features.

I've seen a lot of PS3 sales running lately too.

Oh... and 32-36" for HDTV is still fairly small. You might want the more crisp details that LCD can offer, over the rich vibrant colors of Plasma. If you were going 42" or bigger, I'd say Plasma, if you're going to watch mostly movies on it. Smaller than 42", and I'd say LCD (if it's Sony).

As far as buying on line, you'll pay shipping charges, and sometimes the merchandise can take WAY longer than they say to reach you. I speak from experience, unfortunately. If you want it on time for the holidays, I would buy locally, and look for sales that offer free in-home delivery and/or "no" sales tax. I was lucky enough to find both on a sale here in L.A., when I bought my set a few months ago.

[JP2]

Posted: 11/26/07 at 8:30pm

Amazon is chok full of Free super saver shipping, and often don't charge tax.

[mateo]

Posted: 11/26/07 at 9:16pm

32"- 36" LCD Sony 1080p

or

42" Plasma Pioneer/Panasonic 1080p


For 40" do you suggest LCD?


Unfortunately, I don't have many stores in town.

Do you know if Costco carries name brand HDTV's, like Sony?

[tazber]

Posted: 11/26/07 at 9:21pm

thread jack:


besty, I love you.
your knowledge is so valuble to me. I can not thank you enough.

thread jack over.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/27/07 at 9:55am

Thanks, Tazzy! The best kind of thread-jack ever!

Mateo---Costco does carry name brands. They have a great 46" 1080P LCD from Sony. It's in the stores, or on line here:
LINK

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/27/07 at 9:58am

Costco also has the Panasonic 1080p Plasma set that I bought in 50". Mine is a 58" inch.
Link to the 50" Plasma 1080P from Panasonic

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/27/07 at 10:05am

One last thing:

If you buy any HDTV and want too hook it up to your current DVD player, you need to get an upconverter and a decent HDMI cable to make it look good. Otherwise you'll be disappointed in the "stretched" (rather than up-converted) standard-def image.

If you get a Blu-ray player or PS3, the upconverter for standard DVDs is built-in. Just hook up your PS3 with a good HDMI cable and you're all set for both SD and HD discs.

[Craig]

Posted: 11/27/07 at 10:58am

Best -

Forget about game playing. Are you saying the best blu-ray player on the market is the PS3?

Oh.. and I know you keep pitching the Sony - which is one I was looking at. But when push came to shove - I bought the Toshiba - which I couldn't be happier with!

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/27/07 at 12:22pm

Craig---If you're happy with it, that's all that counts. And I mean that.

And YES, I am saying that the best Blu-ray player currently on the market is the PS3.

[Craig]

Posted: 11/27/07 at 12:28pm

I watch far more movies than TV (although I watch plenty of tv on DVD ironically). Was debating but leaning against any hi-def player - and then thought about the hybrid player. But I know me - and I would be frustrated that I could play both types of movies, but special features might be lacking due to java issues. Having some titles on one format and others not on the other really is a consumer "nightmare" - which again, makes me lean towards nothing right now. But I think if I were to choose a format - it would be blu-ray and I'd get the PS3 - because hey - the price is right and why not also get a game machine with the player? LOL

[mateo]

Posted: 11/27/07 at 12:41pm

Bestie,

Is this a cheaper model of the Costco Sony Bravia 46" 1080P LCD?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/B000SBCA54/sr=8-1/qid=1196184893/ref=dp_proddesc_0?ie=UTF8&n=172282&s=electronics&qid=1196184893&sr=8-1

This one is $100.00 less at $1,899.98 I don't see a difference, but may be you know.

Costco KDL-46VL130

Amazon KDL-46V3000

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/27/07 at 12:47pm

I agree with your reasoning, Craig. I've debated getting the LG hybrid player too. At this point, it's pricey (around $1K), and may or may not be compatible with various future Java/Live functions on the Blu-ray side. They are saying that an upgrade will be made available to the player if it's needed.

I did hear that a couple of recent Fox BD titles were not showing everything they should as far a Java features. And also that a "fix" was coming for that player. Don't know if it's been made available yet or not... or how successful it was.

I've seen the PS3s (60 GB storage) going for $699 at Costco. That included the Bluetooth BD remote (which you will definitely want, unless you like navigating through your BD movie discs with a PS3 game remote)... Also included some BD discs in the bundle.

Right now, they have an 80GB storage PS3 available for $599 with wireless game remotes and some free games. No Bluetooth BD remote, however. But you can buy that separately. Amazon sells them for $20 now.

PS3 link at Costco.com

Updated On: 11/27/07 at 12:47 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/27/07 at 12:54pm

Mateo---I don't know the difference between the two personally. Might be a few modifications in the specs, which you should review. Both are well-liked sets, and both are fairly new. The Costco one seems to be the latest/greatest.

Here's a link to some feedback about that one:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=12052816

I would suggest "googling" around with both model numbers, and see what you can find as far as reviews, feedback, ratings, etc. That's the way I do my research. Then I ask people at work... but ultimately it comes down to splitting hairs... and you have to go with your own personal preferences of what's most important to you.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 11/27/07 at 2:28pm

Of course, the fun only begins when you get your HD TV. Then you have to get Time Warner to get you the proper cable box. When I relocated recently, Time Warner gave me a supposedly new and improved grey HD box, which finally, after several phone calls and multiple service visits, turns out to not support HDMI connections. We finally had to get one of the older silver HD boxes to be able to use the HDMI connections.

Unbelievable.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/27/07 at 2:46pm

A "newer" box didn't support HDMI connections?

How lame!

The cable and dish companies are waiting for us too. It's not cheap to "upgrade" to HD anymore. They offer lots of incentives for new customers, but if you just want to upgrade from your current SD offerings... they're gonna getcha in the wallet. Sure they have "specials" running, but it's still not cheap to do.

[Patronus]

Posted: 11/27/07 at 2:46pm

I have a Samsung 61" DLP LED HDTV and I absolutely love it. If 61" is too much there do have smaller versions of the same TV available.

The LED is relatively new for televisions as it replaces the arc lamp and & color wheel design of previous DLP HDTVs.

With LED there is no need to buy new lamps as with standard DLP TVs so it's a better investment and better on the environment.

I also have a Phillips 27" LCD HDTV that is okay, but I personally don't care for LCD. Sometimes it looks like I am watching TV through a screen door.

I've been really happy with my DirecTV HD programing as well if you're in a situation where you can get that. Far more channels than cable.




Samsung HLT6187SAX 61" Slim LED Engine 1080p DLP HDTV Updated On: 11/27/07 at 02:46 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/27/07 at 2:55pm

In the Dish vs. Cable debate, I prefer dish.

They offer better picture and sound particularly in HD, and they have cheaper packages, many with free HD DVRs (if you're just signing up).

I went from having cable in three rooms to having dish (in my case, DishNetwork) in four rooms that included a free DVR in two of them... and my bill went DOWN $20 per month from the cable bill.

Of course they smacked me in the face with some "upgrade" charges when I switched everything out for HD reception. They did have to come out and install a new dish, as well as replace the boxes.

But I'm happy with the reception! And the extra HD channels. Many of which come from VOOM... The Gallery Channel in particular is a favorite. They tour galleries of the world and show gorgeous HD art. I can stare at that for hours, as well as the Equator Channel---highlighting cities and countries around the world in eye-popping clarity. Good stuff.