What Quality 1080p TV to get?

[jmone]

Hi,
I've pulled the Trigger on the Amp & Speakers now time to research what TV to get. Most of my viewing will be standard TV in a non light controlled room (well except at night!) so Front Projection is out, apart from that I don't care too much on the technology (DLP / LCOS / LCD / Plasma) as long as it is big (eg 60"+), are is a real 1080p panel and can take 1080p over the HDMI inputs. Also not worried about depth, weight etc. Some that look promising are:

• LG - 71SA1D: Looked OK but it was a pre prod model & was not being fed a 1080p signal.
• Toshiba - 72CM9UA: Newly released down here in Oz (yet to see)
• Others?

Thanks
Nathan

 

[rupertoooo]

If I were going to venture into the 70"+ area I would strongly recommend a front screen projector, If not I would look at the Toshiba 62HM195(1080i) or the Sony 60"SXRD (1080i) although most of your name brand displays will look excellent with proper calibration.

If money is no object and you want the best bang for your buck check out the Sony VPL-VW100 1080P SXRD Front Projector its not cheap 10K, but it is arguably the best display on the market.

I strongly recommend having whichever set you purchase calibrated by an ISF Technician, but it is VERY important that you do thorough research before calling one in. Make sure he or she has had extensive experience calibrating the display you purchased do not be afraid to ask around via the ISF website. I have found most professional calibrators are more than willing to offer advice or recommendations for people in your area.

 

[clayman88]

I believe the only tv that accepts 1080p over HDMI is the HP model...not sure on the exact model number though. Based on the reviews I've read the HP is not the greatest for quality (not bad either though). If you want a Sony/JVC/Toship/Mitsu tv that accepts 1080p over HDMI, you'll have to wait until summer or fall probably.

 

[Hanse18]

The only current, affordable rptv that claims to accept 1080p via HDMI is the HP dlp. remember however, that this is not a true 1080p panel but instead a 720p display using "wobulation" (slight movement of the existing mirrors to create another half-pixel or w/e) to achieve the 1080 lines of resolution. A better option would be the recently released JVC HD-ILA models. although they don't advertise to accept 1080p via hdmi, members over at avs forums have confirmed that it will accept and display a 1080p/60 signal, using a htpc with dvi-hdmi link. This is a lcos tv (just as sony calls their variant SXRD, JVC has chosen to call theirs HD-ILA), and has a true 1080p panel, unlike any currently available plasma or dlp tv's. The JVC is also available up to 70", although that model is probably impossibe to find in a B&W store, if you were interested in comparing something that large. A $10,000 sony projector was mentioned earlier, and i know you said front projection was not an option, but if you are looking at spending that much money, you might want to check out the Sony Qualia 006. Apparently sony has shut down all of the qualia manufacturing plants, or converted them to other products, but i believe the 006 is still available, and having seen this tv in person, i can say there is no other TV that comes close to quality, in my opinion anyways. It is 70", and i believe it accepts 1080p, through either hdmi or firewire, if not both.

Good luck with your purchase, or if you have any more questions, just ask!

 

[rgriffin25]

The only current, affordable rptv that claims to accept 1080p via HDMI is the HP dlp. remember however, that this is not a true 1080p panel but instead a 720p display using "wobulation" (slight movement of the existing mirrors to create another half-pixel or w/e) to achieve the 1080 lines of resolution. A better option would be the recently released JVC HD-ILA models. although they don't advertise to accept 1080p via hdmi, members over at avs forums have confirmed that it will accept and display a 1080p/60 signal, using a htpc with dvi-hdmi link. This is a lcos tv (just as sony calls their variant SXRD, JVC has chosen to call theirs HD-ILA), and has a true 1080p panel, unlike any currently available plasma or dlp tv's. The JVC is also available up to 70"

I am glad someone has finally mentioned the Wobulation used by any "1080p" dlp. We carry the JVC HD-ILA 1080p sets at work and I must say the picture is outstanding with x-box 360 and with a 1080i NFL game on CBS. For me either the Sony or JVC LCoS sets with true 1080p resolution would be the only 1080 set I would consider buying.

 

[jmone]

thanks for all the feedback so far - looks like a few mnths to go before I get much of a choice (note: the LG is a 1080p LCOS set as well but only advertises that it takes 1080i over HDMI....go figure!)

....you might want to check out the Sony Qualia 006.

These were never released in Oz, but he Qualia Projector I saw was FANTASTIC being fed a 1080p source from a BlueRay disk, but at A$40K was way out of the ballpark (and I would still have bright room light issues!).

Thanks
Nathan

 

[westcott]

It just is not a good price\performance ratio to go with a 1080p set unless it is front projection at this time. Especially, as mentioned, not many accept a 1080p signal or use a psuedo wobulation technique.

The last issue is that unless you go REALLY big, 1080p material just is not going to buy you that much more resolution with smaller screens. Lastly, their just is not much 1080p material available. To view programming in anything but its native resolution usually is not the ideal solution, no matter what scaler you are using.

Now, before everyone gets upset, there are other redeeming qualities beyond resolution that makes these newer displays very attractive. Just be aware of what you are getting and not getting.

If front projection is not in your future, I would buy a really nice 1280 x 720 Plasma or LCD. They do well in lit rooms and provide a beautiful picture off axis.

I would not consider rear projection because of its poor off axis performance unless I was a hermit and the only one that was ever going to watch it.

 

[Hanse18]

If he is determined on having a set that is at least 60", this seems to be a tv more directed towards a true home theater, so seating shouldn't be an issue? If his household is anything like most I have seen, he probably has a tv in a family room somewhere that is smaller, and where the seating might not be as convenient, where a plasma or lcd flat panel WOULD come in handy for wider viewing angles.

I believe there is nothing wrong with purchasing a 1080p TV, as long as you know what you are truly getting. I was somewhat disappointed when I found out my 45" Sharp LCD (LC-45GD4U), which was one of the first "1080p" displays on the market, doesn't actually accept a native 1080p signal. Granted, the screen is small enough, and I sit far enough away, that I will probably never notice the difference between 720p upconverted to 1080p by the display and a native 1080p signal, but I still felt as if I had been duped by Sharp. What is now driving me crazy is seeing the Sunday catalogs for places like Ultimate Electronics, that state the resolution in big bold stand out letters, even though I know it's not a true 1080p TV. But I digress...

Of course there is an image improvement with the new 1080p TV's over the year-old 720p models, or else there would have been no point in releasing them (or at least thats what the optimist inside me says... the pessimist says that the 1080p label would garner enough profits on its own...), so the real question is whether or not the price increase is worth the picture quality, or is too much of that price increase due to the (misleading) 1080p label?

Also, it seems like you are buying all new products for this HT project. It simply wouldnt do to buy a year old TV would it? lol, perhaps that is the wrong way to look at things, but technology becomes so outdated so fast, its nice to at least be able to brag to your neighbors, even if its only for a MONTH, that you have the newest and best product available.

If accepting a 1080p signal is important to you, it seems HP and JVC are your only options currently. Otherwise you have to wait until next year... and then there will be some NEW gimmick that will make you want to wait a year longer... and so on and so on.

 

[Xsound]

check out the Brillian 6580iFB. I am just learning about the company, but here is what I have learned so far. Brillian/syntax is the proprietary developer of LCoS technology - JVC's HD-ila is a variant technology and not the same technology as in the Brillian/Sony sets. Sony has contracted with Brillian for the production of their LCoS tvs.

The Brillian website says that the 6580 supports 1080p input. The picture quality is the same as the Sony's, but theSony cost more as they add some tweaking features. All in all the Brillian is a nice balance between the cost effectiveness of the JVC technology and the high-end Sony.

http://www.brilliancorp.com/home.html

Not the best web-site around though.

Anyway, at this stage of the game, this would be my choice for a 1080p set.

Enjoy,
X