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Thinking of getting a new tv,whats the crack with this HD bollocks? If i spend 1500 on one of these things will it be any better than a normal tv,or only if i subscribe to a service?
Looking at the picture on them in Dixons,they didn`t seem any better to me. Although im informed that an XBOX 360 will look incredible being played through one.
Then,will i have to buy a HD-DVD player too,or will it make my current player look better?
I have a 50 inch LCD. Yes my xbox 360 looks great. My other HD source is the dish network reciever (mpeg 4 with recorder). HD prices are falling i hooked my parents up with a 26" tube for 350.
in other news microsfot will strangle you in DRM when they support HD in vista.
if u have the extra money go for it, not to much media actaully recorded in HD. football is great. TNT has some good movies. I watch "rave" channel.
There is HD and also ED. HD is more expensive because it is more expensive to manufature, not because it's top of the line. HD is better for HD applications (DVD and HD TV), but when it plays normal tv, VHS or something not in HD format, then the quality is not as good. ED is better for all the formats that HD is not as good as, but has a slightly lower quality with HD formats.
I went with ED because the quality difference of HD and ED is so minimal that I don't think it was really worth the added expense. Plus we watch alot of regular tv and Ed looks better for that.
If you are looking for a plasma, you can get a REALLY good deal if you buy the computer monitor instead of the home version. It is the exact same thing except it doesn't have a tv tuner (your cable or sattelite box is your tv tuner anyways) and doesn't have a few superficial bells and whistles that the home version has.
Bought my 52" Panasonic plasma for $1300, where as the exact same plasma in the home version was worth $2450. If buying a plasma, do get a good brand as crappy brands really put out really crappy quality plasmas.
it's a waste of money. don't bother. no amount of picture quality can improve the bullshit on tv.
From what I can gather HD TV is the latest marketing ploy to extract more money from mug punters. Yes you will get enhanced picture quality but only if you are watching a programme filmed & broadcast to HD standards. The World Cup was and also that Hotel Babylon programme earlier in the year. To reap the full benefits you will need a HD digibox, HD DVD player etc. My advice get a decent sub £1000 telly off Richer Sounds. If you want a really big screen, save your money just sit closer to the TV.
His Holiness, The Pope wrote: it's a waste of money. don't bother. no amount of picture quality can improve the bullshit on tv.
fuckin amen to that
Watching sports in HD is greatness. National Geographic is also good. I have seen some really good concerts on HD Net (The Cult and Morrissey).
Any one know if this Panasonic off Richer is a good deal
I'm not arsed about HD, just want a large ,decent picture and a smart looking screen.
I'm holding off until i can get a non-brand cheap Chinese set. these days everything comes out of china anyway.
To be honest, I don't see THAT much difference when I look at tv filmed on film...
But sports events are incredible... it's like looking through a window, or quite close to it.
Problem is, until everything is HD, having a big screen TV will only enhance the flaws or normal tv...
I'm waiting until there's more available HD content before i splurge on one of those. I do plan to get one eventually, though. DVDs and regular TV signals look the same, but if you have digital TV with HD channels they look incredible. Resolution and color precision is vastly improved in HD.
You can also now buy movies in HD that will play on an HD-DVD or Blu-Ray DVD player for your HD TV. I'd wait until that standards war gets fought and settled before investing in any of that yet, though.
Definitely go to the store and look at the TVs before you decide to buy. Have the salesperson show you HD content vs. regular TV content so you can see the difference and decide if you want to go for it. Ultimately it's not the feature list on the tag, but your own impression of the picture that really matters.
Jeffari-al-Texani wrote: what fucking language are you people speaking?
go check out the audio visual section at target. 
Hank Wiseass© wrote: Any one know if this Panasonic off Richer is a good deal
I'm not arsed about HD, just want a large ,decent picture and a smart looking screen.
That's the plasma I have. Great quality and the blacks are extremely good. Watching sports event in HD tv on it is amazing. Once you get it, you'll wonder how you lived without it. (be aware there are no speakers with it. There are some that you can purchase that attach to it, or you can hook everything up to your home entertainment center). Panasonic is one of the top brands of plasmas. If you check out the "home tv" version, you'll see almost double the price, but it's the same screen....plus you can hook up a computer to it real easy which is kind of cool.
EdelBrock wrote:
Hank Wiseass© wrote: Any one know if this Panasonic off Richer is a good deal
I'm not arsed about HD, just want a large ,decent picture and a smart looking screen.
That's the plasma I have. Great quality and the blacks are extremely good. Watching sports event in HD tv on it is amazing. Once you get it, you'll wonder how you lived without it. (be aware there are no speakers with it. There are some that you can purchase that attach to it, or you can hook everything up to your home entertainment center). Panasonic is one of the top brands of plasmas. If you check out the "home tv" version, you'll see almost double the price, but it's the same screen....plus you can hook up a computer to it real easy which is kind of cool.
Fuck,after looking at Hanks link i was keen on that,Panasonic for 800 rips. But if it hasnt got built in speakers its too much hassle.
steveone wrote: Thinking of getting a new tv,whats the crack with this HD bollocks? If i spend 1500 on one of these things will it be any better than a normal tv,or only if i subscribe to a service?
Looking at the picture on them in Dixons,they didn`t seem any better to me. Although im informed that an XBOX 360 will look incredible being played through one.
Then,will i have to buy a HD-DVD player too,or will it make my current player look better?
To make it worth your while, you will need to get a DVD player with HDMI output. The new HD-DVD & Blu-ray players are backwards compatible with regular DVDs and should be able to upscale the output to HD standards. They also cost shitloads.
You will shortly be able to get an add on for your Box 360 to make it into an HD-DVD machine. I guess that that will also upscale regular DVDs.
On their own with regular equipment, there will be no improvement on the picture you curently get.
To improve your regular TV viewing, the only option at present is Sky HD. There will be Freeview HD down the line, but you will need to get a compatible box.
Think about inputs too, at least 2 HDMI sockets, plus scarts, s-video and component.
Personally, I think that Panasonic at Richer Sounds is a waste of time as it has no receiver inside it, no HD (you need to future proof yourself) and very limited inputs.
Kevin Smith wrote:
Personally, I think that Panasonic at Richer Sounds is a waste of time as it has no receiver inside it, no HD (you need to future proof yourself) and very limited inputs.
The tuner is a waste of money as you already have a cable/satellite box. The only reason you would need it is if you you are hooking straight into a cable line with no cable box or were pulling tv off an antenna.
The plasma has plenty of hook ups, composite, component, and vga, plus a few slots to add anything else you might need. What other slots would you need really?
And trust me, HD is overrated, as ED has better quality than HD on normal inputs, and is almost identical in the HD inputs.
EdelBrock wrote:
Kevin Smith wrote:
Personally, I think that Panasonic at Richer Sounds is a waste of time as it has no receiver inside it, no HD (you need to future proof yourself) and very limited inputs.
The tuner is a waste of money as you already have a cable/satellite box. The only reason you would need it is if you you are hooking straight into a cable line with no cable box or were pulling tv off an antenna.
The plasma has plenty of hook ups, composite, component, and vga, plus a few slots to add anything else you might need. What other slots would you need really?
And trust me, HD is overrated, as ED has better quality than HD on normal inputs, and is almost identical in the HD inputs.
So the end line is the Panny from RS is a monitor,not a HD plasma tv?
EdelBrock wrote:
Kevin Smith wrote:
Personally, I think that Panasonic at Richer Sounds is a waste of time as it has no receiver inside it, no HD (you need to future proof yourself) and very limited inputs.
The tuner is a waste of money as you already have a cable/satellite box. The only reason you would need it is if you you are hooking straight into a cable line with no cable box or were pulling tv off an antenna.
The plasma has plenty of hook ups, composite, component, and vga, plus a few slots to add anything else you might need. What other slots would you need really?
And trust me, HD is overrated, as ED has better quality than HD on normal inputs, and is almost identical in the HD inputs.
Actually I don't have a cable or satellite box so a built in receiver is rather crucial to me. At the moment we don't have to have a digital box from free to air digital channels until the analogue signal is switched off (you simply don't receive them), however, most plasma screens come with one built into the set to save having a separate box.
We don't have ED over here so I cant comment.
As for the inputs, at that price, without HD, I would require component inputs so I could use progressive scan from my high end Arcam DVD player. You obviously didn't look at the spec on the Richer Sounds plasma that was linked too and that I was referring to.
steveone wrote:
EdelBrock wrote:
Kevin Smith wrote:
Personally, I think that Panasonic at Richer Sounds is a waste of time as it has no receiver inside it, no HD (you need to future proof yourself) and very limited inputs.
The tuner is a waste of money as you already have a cable/satellite box. The only reason you would need it is if you you are hooking straight into a cable line with no cable box or were pulling tv off an antenna.
The plasma has plenty of hook ups, composite, component, and vga, plus a few slots to add anything else you might need. What other slots would you need really?
And trust me, HD is overrated, as ED has better quality than HD on normal inputs, and is almost identical in the HD inputs.
So the end line is the Panny from RS is a monitor,not a HD plasma tv?
That's right, it's a non HD monitor, no speakers, no tuner and certainly no Freeview tuner.
If it's not HD than it's ED for a plasma. also, you definately want to go component with a plasma, I have my VCR hooked up with composite and it is looks terrible. Plasma needs component.
HD is overrated. Tell me one thing that is worth the extra 100s of dollars (or pounds) for the feature?
What is free-veiw anyways?
As for the speakers, there are some that you can buy seperate and look fine, and aren't that much of an additional price.
Sorry to hear about the lack of a cable tuner.:\ohwell:
EdelBrock wrote: If it's not HD than it's ED for a plasma. also, you definately want to go component with a plasma, I have my VCR hooked up with composite and it is looks terrible. Plasma needs component.
HD is overrated. Tell me one thing that is worth the extra 100s of dollars (or pounds) for the feature?
What is free-veiw anyways?
As for the speakers, there are some that you can buy seperate and look fine, and aren't that much of an additional price.
Sorry to hear about the lack of a cable tuner.:\ohwell:
Freeview is a little box (available in the UK) that you plug into your TV and receive certain channels.around 30,without a subscription. Hence 'free' view.
I've got satellite, so I'm not worried about the lack of an inbuilt reciever. I'm not gonna stump up £300 for a HD box, plus an extra £10 a month on a HD subscription.
I never watch DVDs or Videos and prefer the look of the screen without the speakers. I'll probably just get a cheap home cinema set up for sound.
Any potential problems if I buy this screen?
Hank Wiseass© wrote: I've got satellite, so I'm not worried about the lack of an inbuilt reciever. I'm not gonna stump up £300 for a HD box, plus an extra £10 a month on a HD subscription.
I never watch DVDs or Videos and prefer the look of the screen without the speakers. I'll probably just get a cheap home cinema set up for sound.
Any potential problems if I buy this screen?
Does your satellite box have compenent hook-ups? If you aren't familiar, with the difference between component nd composite:
Composite - one video wire, usually a yellow plug
Component - three video plugs, green, red, and blue
If you are getting a plasma, you need to go component for the better screen quality. Composite can work on it, but it is a definate loss of quality compared to your average tv screen.
Also make sure it either comes with a stand or a wall mount.
For the ease of wiring I suggest (but not needed) a switch box that you plug all your inputs into, and has only one set of wires running to the plasma. Keeps the amount of wires to a minimum to hide when it's wall mounted. A good switch box goes for $100.
***I know it sounds like a pain in the ass, but there really isn't anything like watching tv, movies, sports, etc. on a plasma. Definately worth the pain of setup. I have a hard time watching old tv sets now, since I'm so spoiled.
steveone wrote:
EdelBrock wrote: If it's not HD than it's ED for a plasma. also, you definately want to go component with a plasma, I have my VCR hooked up with composite and it is looks terrible. Plasma needs component.
HD is overrated. Tell me one thing that is worth the extra 100s of dollars (or pounds) for the feature?
What is free-veiw anyways?
As for the speakers, there are some that you can buy seperate and look fine, and aren't that much of an additional price.
Sorry to hear about the lack of a cable tuner.:\ohwell:
Freeview is a little box (available in the UK) that you plug into your TV and receive certain channels.around 30,without a subscription. Hence 'free' view.
Interesting. Here in the US a regular tv tuner gives us the "basic" channels. Sounds like a UK scam.
EdelBrock wrote:
steveone wrote:
EdelBrock wrote: If it's not HD than it's ED for a plasma. also, you definately want to go component with a plasma, I have my VCR hooked up with composite and it is looks terrible. Plasma needs component.
HD is overrated. Tell me one thing that is worth the extra 100s of dollars (or pounds) for the feature?
What is free-veiw anyways?
As for the speakers, there are some that you can buy seperate and look fine, and aren't that much of an additional price.
Sorry to hear about the lack of a cable tuner.:\ohwell:
Freeview is a little box (available in the UK) that you plug into your TV and receive certain channels.around 30,without a subscription. Hence 'free' view.
Interesting. Here in the US a regular tv tuner gives us the "basic" channels. Sounds like a UK scam.
Its not a scam,just shite UK. The tuner thats built into a stanard tv inthe uk can only pick up 5 channels. We have to pay for everything-if there is a big football game,we pay extra,if there is a big boxing match,we pay extra. The latest movies,you guessed it-we pay extra!
Mr disco 99 wrote: I'm waiting until there's more available HD content before i splurge on one of those.
Definitely go to the store and look at the TVs before you decide to buy. Have the salesperson show you HD content vs. regular TV content so you can see the difference and decide if you want to go for it. Ultimately it's not the feature list on the tag, but your own impression of the picture that really matters.
Therre are soo many things getting upgraded right across the tech. board.
The HD plasmas and LCD. Don't know what anybody's choices would be but the prices are coming down seems as the quality improves.
steveone wrote:
EdelBrock wrote:
steveone wrote:
EdelBrock wrote: If it's not HD than it's ED for a plasma. also, you definately want to go component with a plasma, I have my VCR hooked up with composite and it is looks terrible. Plasma needs component.
HD is overrated. Tell me one thing that is worth the extra 100s of dollars (or pounds) for the feature?
What is free-veiw anyways?
As for the speakers, there are some that you can buy seperate and look fine, and aren't that much of an additional price.
Sorry to hear about the lack of a cable tuner.:\ohwell:
Freeview is a little box (available in the UK) that you plug into your TV and receive certain channels.around 30,without a subscription. Hence 'free' view.
Interesting. Here in the US a regular tv tuner gives us the "basic" channels. Sounds like a UK scam.
Its not a scam,just shite UK. The tuner thats built into a stanard tv inthe uk can only pick up 5 channels. We have to pay for everything-if there is a big football game,we pay extra,if there is a big boxing match,we pay extra. The latest movies,you guessed it-we pay extra!
The other thing to mention is that the regular 5 channels are analogue and this signal is starting to be switched off between next year and 2011, depending upon where you live. So if you don't have cable or satellite, you will need one of these boxes in order to watch TV.
That would of course make the TV licence issue interesting. No digibox and no radio, all you watch is DVD, how much hassle will you get from the authorities for not having a licence.
I guess you Americans don't have to pay for a TV licence either, I know the Aussies don't.
Kevin Smith wrote:
steveone wrote:
EdelBrock wrote:
steveone wrote:
EdelBrock wrote: If it's not HD than it's ED for a plasma. also, you definately want to go component with a plasma, I have my VCR hooked up with composite and it is looks terrible. Plasma needs component.
HD is overrated. Tell me one thing that is worth the extra 100s of dollars (or pounds) for the feature?
What is free-veiw anyways?
As for the speakers, there are some that you can buy seperate and look fine, and aren't that much of an additional price.
Sorry to hear about the lack of a cable tuner.:\ohwell:
Freeview is a little box (available in the UK) that you plug into your TV and receive certain channels.around 30,without a subscription. Hence 'free' view.
Interesting. Here in the US a regular tv tuner gives us the "basic" channels. Sounds like a UK scam.
Its not a scam,just shite UK. The tuner thats built into a stanard tv inthe uk can only pick up 5 channels. We have to pay for everything-if there is a big football game,we pay extra,if there is a big boxing match,we pay extra. The latest movies,you guessed it-we pay extra!
The other thing to mention is that the regular 5 channels are analogue and this signal is starting to be switched off between next year and 2011, depending upon where you live. So if you don't have cable or satellite, you will need one of these boxes in order to watch TV.
That would of course make the TV licence issue interesting. No digibox and no radio, all you watch is DVD, how much hassle will you get from the authorities for not having a licence.
I guess you Americans don't have to pay for a TV licence either, I know the Aussies don't.
Im sure the BBC will find a way round it-they ain`t gonna lose billions of pounds that easily.
steveone wrote:
Kevin Smith wrote:
steveone wrote:
EdelBrock wrote:
steveone wrote:
EdelBrock wrote: If it's not HD than it's ED for a plasma. also, you definately want to go component with a plasma, I have my VCR hooked up with composite and it is looks terrible. Plasma needs component.
HD is overrated. Tell me one thing that is worth the extra 100s of dollars (or pounds) for the feature?
What is free-veiw anyways?
As for the speakers, there are some that you can buy seperate and look fine, and aren't that much of an additional price.
Sorry to hear about the lack of a cable tuner.:\ohwell:
Freeview is a little box (available in the UK) that you plug into your TV and receive certain channels.around 30,without a subscription. Hence 'free' view.
Interesting. Here in the US a regular tv tuner gives us the "basic" channels. Sounds like a UK scam.
Its not a scam,just shite UK. The tuner thats built into a stanard tv inthe uk can only pick up 5 channels. We have to pay for everything-if there is a big football game,we pay extra,if there is a big boxing match,we pay extra. The latest movies,you guessed it-we pay extra!
The other thing to mention is that the regular 5 channels are analogue and this signal is starting to be switched off between next year and 2011, depending upon where you live. So if you don't have cable or satellite, you will need one of these boxes in order to watch TV.
That would of course make the TV licence issue interesting. No digibox and no radio, all you watch is DVD, how much hassle will you get from the authorities for not having a licence.
I guess you Americans don't have to pay for a TV licence either, I know the Aussies don't.
Im sure the BBC will find a way round it-they ain`t gonna lose billions of pounds that easily.
I did hear rumours of the TV licence being renamed as an "Entertainment Licence" to cover things like internet usage and streaming radio.
