Ok, TV question again!

[MTboatguy]

As I said earlier, my plasma is going out and we are now looking at new TV's, what I want to know, is there really that much difference between a 60 mhz and a 120 mhz refresh rate, and in normal TV viewing will it be noticeable?

Thanks, we are looking at LED 1080 TV's have found a couple that are actually pretty well reviewed for the price point we are looking at.

Of course I watch NASCAR, and the action can move pretty fast in some of those races

 

[16victor]

Re: Ok, TV question again!

We just got done shopping for one, bought a Samsung LCD w/ LED backlight. 240Hz. Gorgeous picture.

Plasma's are supposed to be faster....some are advertising 600Hz. Might be marketing hype, but I did hear they were supposed to represent fast motion more clearly than LCD. Let the experts pipe in.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Ok, TV question again!

That is the reason I am asking, I love my plasma, but have not found anything in the size range and price range that fits the bill, so I guess I have to change my thinking to LED.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Ok, TV question again!

The high refresh rate is hype.

1080P which is what your BluRay player puts out, is 60hz. No matter what the hype is, that is all the information that is being sent to the TV. A 120Hz may artificially smooth it so you think it may look less jerky but you can't change the fact that the input is at 60Hz.

If you pay more for a set that is 240 vs 120, you just wasted your money...that is if you actually have a choice these days.

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: Ok, TV question again!

I have a 60" LG plasma and really like the picture, The off-angle viewing is really nice too compared to led/lcd if that is a concern where your TV is placed. That Sharp brand 70" LED has one hell of a picture, The price was out of my range when I bought mine though.

LK

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Ok, TV question again!

If you want a cheap Plasma

$699 for a 60"

LG 60PA5500 60 Class Plasma HDTV - 1080p, 1920 x 1080, 16:9, 600Hz Max Sub Field Driving, 3000000:1 Dynamic, HDMI, USB at TigerDirect.com

 

[rbh]

Re: Ok, TV question again!

Stay with the plasma if your viewing rooms bright.

I still like our 4 year old panasonic plasma TV, not 3d, but 3d makes me wanna hurl anyways. LOL


So you gotta winch and the wife gets a new TV, good trade off!!!

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Ok, TV question again!

If you want a cheap Plasma

$699 for a 60"

LG 60PA5500 60 Class Plasma HDTV - 1080p, 1920 x 1080, 16:9, 600Hz Max Sub Field Driving, 3000000:1 Dynamic, HDMI, USB at TigerDirect.com

Wish I could, I just don't have the room for one that size.

 

[generator12]

Re: Ok, TV question again!

When I compared plasma units to LCD units, I found I didn't like the visible matrix of the plasma screen - the fact that the little dots making up the plasma screen were visible to me. At a short viewing distance the LCD is preferable to me.

Of course there are advantages to plasma, including a wider viewing angle and "blacker" blacks. Newer LCD's seem to have caught up though. Plasma sets tend to weigh more than LCD's, which can be a disadvantage in certain situations.

As I understand it, the primary disadvantage of LCD's is the back light. It creates some heat and will eventually need to be replaced. Of course, if it's an LED/LCD, the backlight is likely to last as long as the rest of the set.

Personally I'll stick with the LCD type.

As to the 60 Hz/120 Hz/240 Hz refresh rate, it's not a big concern to me, even when watching sports. Fact is, the signal I receive from Time-Warner is not better than my older Vizio can display. Getting a new set with higher resolution and faster refresh rate would not noticeably improve my viewing experience.

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Ok, TV question again!

When I compared plasma units to LCD units, I found I didn't like the visible matrix of the plasma screen - the fact that the little dots making up the plasma screen were visible to me. At a short viewing distance the LCD is preferable to me.

Of course there are advantages to plasma, including a wider viewing angle and "blacker" blacks. Newer LCD's seem to have caught up though. Plasma sets tend to weigh more than LCD's, which can be a disadvantage in certain situations.

As I understand it, the primary disadvantage of LCD's is the back light. It creates some heat and will eventually need to be replaced. Of course, if it's an LED/LCD, the backlight is likely to last as long as the rest of the set.

Personally I'll stick with the LCD type.

As to the 60 Hz/120 Hz/240 Hz refresh rate, it's not a big concern to me, even when watching sports. Fact is, the signal I receive from Time-Warner is not better than my older Vizio can display. Getting a new set with higher resolution and faster refresh rate would not noticeably improve my viewing experience.

Ever felt the heat off a plasma? They get real hot and eat power

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: Ok, TV question again!

MTboatguy, just do a google search for refresh rates explained and form your own opinion. They are important in larger Tv's, especially for sports or other high action programming. I use 42" as my break off point for 60hz. At 42" it's half a dozen of 1, 6 of the other. Above 42, I recommend something above 60hz. Not sure what size you're looking for.

Also, If you have a lot iof ambient light in your room (windows), go LED. Plasmas look the best in darker environments, but the newer ones are a lot better if they have an anti-reflective coating on the screen.

Here's a couple of good articles:
Plasma vs. LCD vs. LED: Which HDTV Type is Best? | PCMag.com

60Hz vs. 120Hz vs. 240Hz vs. 480Hz - LCD Response Rate

LED LCD vs. plasma vs. LCD | TV and Home Theater - CNET Reviews

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Ok, TV question again!

MTboatguy, just do a google search for refresh rates explained and form your own opinion. They are important in larger Tv's, especially for sports or other high action programming. I use 42" as my break off point for 60hz. At 42" it's half a dozen of 1, 6 of the other. Above 42, I recommend something above 60hz. Not sure what size you're looking for.

So please explain how if the input signal is 60Hz max, that increasing the refresh rate to anything higher does anything? Well, its simple. It doesn't.

It may look smoother but its becuase along with changing the refresh rate they artificially smooth what you see. It may look less less jerky to you but they distorted the image.

 

[jkust]

Re: Ok, TV question again!

I have a 60" LG plasma and really like the picture, The off-angle viewing is really nice too compared to led/lcd if that is a concern where your TV is placed. That Sharp brand 70" LED has one hell of a picture, The price was out of my range when I bought mine though.

LK

We've got one of the 70" Sharp LED's. The picture is fine.

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: Ok, TV question again!

Ever felt the heat off a plasma? They get real hot and eat power

It's like $13.00 a year more if watching for 8hrs a day - I was worried about the heat off of the plasma but honestly unless you have it on all day (like in the store) it is not even warm.

LK

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: Ok, TV question again!

Bruce, I'm not here to argue with you, so why don't YOU explain? Please tell us why I am not able to find ANY documentation on the internet to back up your OPINION? In all of the reading I have done on this subject, you are the only person to have this opinion. I'm not saying I disagree with you. It may very well be true.

Besides, even if it does "artificially smooth out" the picture, isn't your viewing pleasure the goal? Does this make synthetic oil or artificial sweetener bad too?

Personally I don't care how the TV makes the picture better/smoother. If it is more appealing, that is truly all that matters to me. If you are satisfied with a 60" 60hz picture watching a NASCAR race or football game, great. I, for one, am not.

Just because you don't like how the TV does it, doesn't mean you need to try and start an argument about it.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Ok, TV question again!

I have never had problems with my plasma getting hot, and it was run for way more than 8 hours a day. I decided to give a 46in led a try, I am going to get it from Costco, I figured what the heck, it is really not that expensive and they have a 90 day no questions asked return policy, so we will see how it goes.

It is a 1080p, 60hz refresh, 200,000 to 1 contrast ratio, ambient auto levels.

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: Ok, TV question again!

Great MT! I love Costco because they double the warranty too! I am in the market for a new set soon too and I will likely buy mine there too.

 

[jkust]

Re: Ok, TV question again!

I have to say the 60HZ are getting pretty dated and I'm suprised I still see them around for sale new. That said we have many tv's and have lived with the 60HZ without too many complaints. NASCAR is a bit of a challenge I will admit with certain camera angles that capture the fast action. I can see how a videophile would be dissatisfied of if it is your main tv. I do like our LED's over our LCD's though.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Ok, TV question again!

Bruce, I'm not here to argue with you, so why don't YOU explain? Please tell us why I am not able to find ANY documentation on the internet to back up your OPINION?

If you actuallly searched you can find plenty. Here is just one article:
TV Refresh Rate Explained: 60Hz vs. 120Hz, 240Hz, and Beyond | PCMag.com

Read the article especially the section called "going to far".

The reason you don't often see 60Hz TVs anymore is they are harder to sell is because so many have bought into the myth that the higher refresh rate is better. If you want a crisp picture without the smoothing effects that go on(The shot on video look), you don't go with these higher interpolated refresh rates.

Besides, even if it does "artificially smooth out" the picture, isn't your viewing pleasure the goal? Does this make synthetic oil or artificial sweetener bad too?

Not when it is blurring the picture and gets rid of some of the crispness/sharpness of the scene. It definitley should be turned off if possible if you are watching a bluray movie or other content that is broadcast in true 1080P.

I think some people that buy into the hype think its better because they are told its better.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Ok, TV question again!

Stay with the plasma if your viewing rooms bright.

Actually, the opposite is recommended. We have a plasma in a bright room at one of our vacation homes and the TV is almost unwatchable during the day. LCD in a couple other bright rooms at other homes and they are fine.