Need help picking HD WS TV

[Ashenden]

Hi all, I have been thinking about getting a HD Widescreen TV for a while. I checked hometheaterspot.com and have been reading previous threads from this forum on the subject.

I am considering the Sony 51HW40 while I saw it for 2099 at my local Bestbuy today.

The thing is that I will only be using it for DVD's, I never watch regular tv (cancelled my cable recently because I did not use it) and I was wondering if there is a cheaper solution for me.

Anyone?

[tomdkat]

If that is the KP51HW40 (or that general model #), then 2099 is a GREAT price! Onecall.com is selling that set for 2499.....

What other sets does your BestBuy have that interest you? Do they have the Toshiba 50H81? What about any 55" Mitsubishi or 53: Pioneer TVs? Any of those?

Peace......

[Ashenden]

They had some Toshiba models as well, but I did not see a ws one.

So am I right in saying that I do need to spend around 2500$ on a ws hdtv even if I just use it for DVD viewing?

[Rogue]

I own the 51hw40 and it is a great set for DVD viewing. Once it arrives at your house all that is required is:

1. Turn it on and wait 30 minutes. (To let it warm up a bit before attempting the auto convergence)
2. Press the Flash Focus button.
3. Put the set in Pro Mode and set wide mode to Full.
4. Set DRC to Cinemotion if you don't have a progressive scan DVD player. I have the Panny RP56 progressive scan player so I don't worry about the DRC for DVD viewing.
5. Calibrate with AVIA or Video Essentials.

After these steps DVDs will look awesome!!

I plan on a professional calibration in the future.

[chlngr1970]

BBY doesn't carry the Mits They even dropped the Pioneer AFAIK. I am hearing rumors that Pioneer may not be making the retail sets any more and are concentrating on the higher end and Plasmas. Of course, my thought is we just didn't sell enough, or Pioneer couldn't supply the ammount we were ordering, and we stopped carying them either way, I am pissed that now that I am accually about to buy one, we don't have them anymore.

As for Sony VS Toshiba, I'd go with the Toshiba 50" WS over the Sony. Although the Sony IMHO had a better picture with analog stuff, I think the Toshiba has a better HD picture. If you can find an independant dealer that will allow you to tinker, check out the 50h82.

OR...

You could spend that 2500 on a used Barco or entry level LCD projector

THAT would be great for DVD viewing

j

[tomdkat]

Originally posted by chlngr1970

You could spend that 2500 on a used Barco or entry level LCD projector

THAT would be great for DVD viewing

j

Would you happen to know anyone who is doing this?

Peace.....

[Ashenden]

Well, I ended up getting the Sony 51HW40 while I saw it at 1949$ in BestBuy yesterday. Can't wait for them to deliver it next Saturday.

And thanks Rogue, I will be going through those steps.....

[Rogue]

Congrats, Ashenden!

Please report back and tell me what you think of your new TV.

[mighty mint]

Originally posted by chlngr1970


You could spend that 2500 on a used Barco or entry level LCD projector

THAT would be great for DVD viewing

j

How is the picture on your LCD projector? I've been trying to decide between the two options myself.

[Ashenden]

WHOOOOHAAA! I finally got it delivered........ and was just watching Total Recall.

I have a question on the cabling though. With my old TV I just had a SVIDEO cable between my Sony NS700P and the TV. I did the same thing with the new TV, but I know that BestBuy recommended doing the 3cable setup instead. My question is whether this will improve the picture?

I did notice that the picture was a little 'dusty'.

Also, when you have a big TV like this, where do you put the center speaker? For now I have put it on the top of the TV, but that does not seem like the most stabile situation (earth quakes etc).

[1138]

Composite to S-Video is a noticeable improvement. S-Video to component isn't as big a leap, but it will make a difference. I'd definitely go with it since you've already got the capabilities and have spent a good chunk of change on your equipment. Why hinder it after all of that?

Oh yeah, plus, with the coponent output, you can take advantage of your player's progressive capability. Be sure to turn it on at the player once you've hooked it up with component.


As for the center, if the top of the TV seems wide enough in area to support it, that's a fine place for it. Directly above or below is prefferable.

[Ashenden]

Ok, so "component output" is the 3 cable thingy? I will play around with that. Thanks for the tip on enabling progressive capabilities, I wasn't even aware that I needed to do that

Also, I updated my Home Theater Post in case anyone wants to see what it looks like. I have to admit I like it......... who cares if I do not have a life, I have a big TV. :p

[Rogue]

Question: Did you buy the NS700 to go with your new TV or did you have it before?

The reason I ask is that the NS700 uses a proprietary chip by Sony to do its deinterlacing. I'm pretty sure its the same chip that is inside the 51HW50 (this is used when you set the DRC to Cinemotion).

In other words, with the NS700, you won't notice a differnce between the player's progressive scan output and the TV's line doubler.

[1138]

But wouldn't the player do it digitally while the Tv has to do it in analog? Even if that were true, there probably wouldn't be much of a difference though I'll agree.

[Ashenden]

I have had the NS700P for a while. There is a switch on the back of the player where I could set whether it was progressive or not, but I could not see any difference, so you might be right that the TV come with that setting

[1138]

Yeah, even if there was a difference, it'd probably be in the area where you have to actively look for it and only it, so what's the point?

[Rogue]

What I was getting at is that a progressive scan DVD player is only as good as the chip that does the deinterlacing. Its alot like 3D accelerators for computers.
The best deinterlacing solutions out there are the Sage/Faroudja and Silicon Image chips. Other chips might do a decent job but will often stumble and present artifacts. The NS700 uses a chip made by Sony, so it stands to reason that the same chip does the deinterlacing on the 51HW40.
So if you had bought your player recently, I was going to suggest that you either return it for a player that does superior deinterlacing or, if you are happy with the job the TV does, get a great interlaced player.
This is not to say that the NS700 is bad. Its not bad by any strech of the imagination. Its just not the best player to combine with that TV (from a deinterlacing standpoint).

1138,
You are right about doing the deinterlacing in the digital realm. But with this combo I bet it would be nearly impossible to see the difference.