[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by fairchild

Thanks for this great source!

I have a quick question though. I see the trend for LCD's to mostly be displays with 120hz or 240hz which do an even pulldown, but you have some sets with 60hz native refresh rate (the LG LH30 set) that passed.

Has there been any info whether the Sony KDL-EX400 line also does a proper pulldown? I know the EX500 line is on this list, it is a 120hz set though. I would be very upset, since I went with the EX400 as I thought this and the EX500 were both nearly identical aside from the 120hz refresh rate and the swivel base. Is it possible that it does a proper pulldown through a 48hz refresh rate since it claims to have the same 24p support same as the EX500 line? (24p True Cinema™ Technology : Yes)

If this has been posted elsewhere, I apologize, but it would be very appreciated if you could direct me to a link with this info! Thanks!

P.S. I don't know if this helps at all to determine if this set does a true 24p, but when I'm connected through my HTPC (through my ATI 4890 video card and a DVI-HDMI cable), I can select a refresh rate of 24hz and 60hz at 1080p. I had been using 24hz to playback movies encoded at 23.98, and I was under the impression that this meant it actually is outputting at 24p, since at this refresh rate the TV even says it's outputting at 1080/24p.

No consumer display or cinema movie projector displays native 24fps at 24fps since there would be an unwatchable flicker on the screen. In the movie theater 2D movies are shot at 24fps and flashed on the screen at 48fps, 72fps, or higher multiplies of 24fps. When the info button on a TV or consumer display says 1080p/24 it only means that the signal it is receiving is 1080p/24. A consumer display when receiving 1080p/24 signal will either convert the image to 48HZ, 72HZ, 96HZ,120HZ, or 240HZ to maintain the smooth film quality look or it will convert the image to 60HZ with 3:2 pulldown judder.

When Sony says “24p True Cinema” that just means the display will accept a 1080p/24 signal. It does not mean the display will display the signal at multiplies of the original frame rate.

There are some 60HZ models on the list from LG (spec sheet only), Sony (review), and other brands that claim that they will also support 48HZ when a 1080p/24 signal is received. Sometimes the accuracy in companies spec sheets for 60HZ displays are incorrect and they do not really display at 48HZ when a 1080p/24 signal is received (Those displays get removed from the list when and if the inaccuracy is discovered).

According to page 46 of the Sony KDL-EX400 instruction manual the display has a native 60HZ refresh rate. It does not appear that the Sony KDL-EX400 will display 1080p/24 signals at 48HZ since there is no documentation to support it. Some 48HZ flat panels are so bright compared to a ceiling mounted front projector. The bright image sometimes is unwatchable or has a visible flicker at 48HZ on some flat panel screens. Most manufactories of flat panels due to a flicker issue no longer make 48HZ displays anymore. Ceiling mounted Front Projectors at 48HZ generally do not have the flicker problem since the screen is not as bright compared to a flat panel. For those consumers that want true 24fps feature on a flat panel, a 72HZ or higher refresh rate will provide flicker free viewing for 2D viewing.

Now just because the Sony KDL-EX400 only offers a 60HZ refresh rate does not mean it’s a bad display, all it means is that you will experience a small amount of judder during camera pans and fast moving scenes that are film based. Many people have been watching 60HZ displays for decades. Your Sony KDL-EX400 is still going to provide the 1080P quality from Blu-ray movies but only with a minor amount of judder during camera pans, etc. There are many consumers that are happy with their 1080P 60HZ displays in terms of picture quality and they have no desire to upgrade to a 120HZ or 240HZ display for a small picture quality improvement (assuming all other feature are the same). Deep black levels, ANSI contrast ratios, and shadow details are more important features when comparing displays.