Why spend a fortune on a HD TV when it will be obsolete in 6 months - Blu-ray Forum

Thundarr · 01-13-2009, 08:11 PM

I just bought a Samsung LN52A650 for 2k at Best Buy and I really like it. Its a 120mz and 1080P which is almost state of the art. Now there will be 240mz and LCD backlit TVs coming next. So I ask you why bother to spend any more that you have to knowing your purchase will be obsolete in 6 months tops. As the differences between Plasmas and LCDs narrow in terms of plasmas strengths of blacker blacks and less motion blur and better color accuracy vs weaknesses of burn in and higher power consumption I predict Plasma will eventually be relegated to a niche market because all the R&D workis going into LCD because they have so many more applications. Plasma will just be for 50-60" sets by a few manufacturers and LCD takes over since they have so many more sizes to pick from in smaller sets

gearyt · 01-13-2009, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thundarr

I just bought a Samsung LN52A650 for 2k at Best Buy and I really like it. Its a 120mz and 1080P which is almost state of the art. Now there will be 240mz and LCD backlit TVs coming next. So I ask you why bother to spend any more that you have to knowing your purchase will be obsolete in 6 months tops.

Enjoy your Samsung... btw, do you own a computer ?? did you know it was obsolete ??

bigger, better, cheaper... does not make unuseable

Driver_King · 01-13-2009, 08:19 PM

LCD TV's have been trying to catch up to plasma technology for many years now. It is not a niche product at all. They are generally cheaper than LCD's too. Image retention (not burn-in-problem solved with solution called Pixel Shift) is an issue with LCD's too so that argument doesn't hold any water any more. The only reason most people choose LCD's is because they are a little thinner and look brighter than plasmas on the floor and people equate that to being better (like people do sound- the louder it can get, the better

). I have a Sony VPL-VW10HT projector that is over 8 years old and is way better than most LCD TV's on the market. The only complaint I have is the 400:1 contrast ratio it has. It doesn't matter too much though. I went from a Samsung 27" HDTV to that and I prefer more accurate colors and detail over black levels now.

If you saw my projector and watched a movie like Speed Racer, you'd agree.

coolmilo · 01-13-2009, 08:20 PM

Good question. That is what consumer electronics is all about (keeps the consumer buying).

I try to make the best decision as possible with these big ticket items hoping they will last at least 3 years. Also, I try to stay in the sweet spot so I am not over paying for bleeding edge technology. Finally, I try to make purchases when the item I want is on sale.

My last big ticket item was a Pioneer Kuro Elite Pro-111FD. I waited until the price was acceptable before I pulled the trigger. Im my case, the Kuro was onsale for $1600 off retail (Best Buy sale). I believe the Pio will last at least 3 years and it will look awesome for years to come.

alomar · 01-13-2009, 08:21 PM

Because of the fact that if you keep waiting for something to come out that will not be obsolete in say 6 months to a year......you will never buy an electronic item again. Televisions, cell phones, cameras, dvd players, nearly everything you buy gets replaced constantly. So to wait for one that wont be is non existant.

Driver_King · 01-13-2009, 08:21 PM

You could also say the same thing for a "new" baby. Yeah, it's new until there's another newer one for you.

Hopefully that didn't happen to you.

Zvi · 01-13-2009, 08:22 PM

I suspect that mhz race in tvs is like ghz mace few years ago on cpus, except with even less benefits.
Other than that, such is the technology and TVs last longer than comps before becoming soo yesterday.

coolmilo · 01-13-2009, 08:24 PM

^^^ My response addresses the bigger question only and not the benefits of Plasma over LCD or the other way around.

VHS4Ever · 01-13-2009, 08:36 PM

Is it just me or is the 120mhz stuff overrated and useless. My TV does 120mhz but I never use because I makes movies look weird. I'm guess 240mhz will be even worst.

To the OP, you can never really keep up with technology. Just buy the TV and be happy.

As far as TV goes. I think mine will be a keeper for at least 6-7 years. I'm not sure how much more could HD TV improve over the next couple years. It has to be a drastic improvement for me to invest in another one.

coolmilo · 01-13-2009, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VHS4Ever

Is it just me or is the 120mhz stuff overrated and useless. My TV does 120mhz but I never use because I makes movies look weird. I'm guess 240mhz will be even worst.

To the OP, you can never really keep up with technology. Just buy the TV and be happy.

As far as TV goes. I think mine will be a keeper for at least 6-7 years. I'm not sure how much more could HD TV improve over the next couple years. It has to be a drastic improvement for me to invest in another one.

In a way, that is another reason why I selected the Pioneer Plasma. There are no bells and whistles per say. Rather, Pioneer focused on professional calibration and 72 Hz for the best looking picture as possible. The best solution beyond the Pioneer Kuro is a projector setup.

I think the next killer TV will be OLED once they get the bugs worked out and get the price down. Of course they need to make an OLED TV over 50" before it start attracting real attention.

Purplegrasshopper · 01-13-2009, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VHS4Ever

Is it just me or is the 120mhz stuff overrated and useless. My TV does 120mhz but I never use because I makes movies look weird.

/sigh

If you don't use the refresh rate of your TV, you must never turn it on...

jsteinhauer · 01-13-2009, 08:49 PM

The LED backlighting in the LCD's is what's important. The blacks are now pretty near truly black. Without having seen them, I expect the benefit of 240Hz over 120Hz to be negligible, unless you like the "smoothing" effect of the motion enhancement features in the newer displays. I keep mine turned off. It is more important that you choose a set (at least 120Hz) that appropriately handles 60fps and 24fps sources to eliminate judder. You will have to decide whether you prefer movies with the normal 24p flicker or not. Some 120Hz sets still perform inverse telecine. The better ones do not, and multiply the 24 by five to get 120.

There is still a place for LCD's in this world. If you have a brightly sunlit room, I still would favor an LCD. That is why I chose LCD. My home faces Lake Superior and every room has nearly a complete wall of windows facing the lake. In winter, the sun shines in from 9-4, and in midsummer, daylight lasts until well after 9pm. I need a bright display.

hardcorefrokid · 01-13-2009, 08:54 PM

That's technology for you. Things that were high-end 6 months ago are replaced by something bigger, better today. With TV's it's not that big of an issue, but with computers it takes it to a new level. There are new video cards out every month. And you need them if you want to play a new game on your computer.

HD 335 · 01-13-2009, 09:01 PM

The 650 is an excellent TV and I'm sure even with emerging new sets, you'll still get many good years out of it before you feel the need to upgrade.

Quote:

Originally Posted by VHS4Ever

Is it just me or is the 120mhz stuff overrated and useless. My TV does 120mhz but I never use because I makes movies look weird. I'm guess 240mhz will be even worst.

As another poster mentioned, your TV is always refreshing at 120hz. You can't turn this off. What you are referring to is a frame/motion interpolation processing feature called Auto Motion Plus (AMP) in Samsung's 120hz sets.

Here's a sticky thread in the Display Theory and Discussion's forum
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=33838

Tempest · 01-13-2009, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Driver_King

Image retention (not burn-in-problem solved with solution called Pixel Shift) is an issue with LCD's too

I have never heard nor seen a LCD with IR.. however I read daily of plasma's having IR and people having to run wipe functions or waiting hours/days/weeks for it to go away. Something I wouldn't be able to live with and the worrying and steps needed to be taken to help prevent it.

And IR is the ONLY reason I didn't get a plasma and may not in future upgrades.. I think this is the reason many don't get plasmas.

Perhaps some Plasma's are less work to prevent IR but with so many having issues it scares me away.

joegs300 · 01-13-2009, 09:04 PM

i bought a dynex 42'' 1080 lcd because it was 579.00 @ best buy. it was a bangin' good deal and i got the 4 yr warranty for it. if anything, ill just give it to my brothers when i move out of the house. not a bad buy. your mindset is based on fear.. you gotta learn to enjoy the present!

Driver_King · 01-13-2009, 09:16 PM

A quick search on "The Google

" gets you to this article. One of the first ones there.

IR on LCD's happens all the time.

prankster · 01-13-2009, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VHS4Ever

Is it just me or is the 120mhz stuff overrated and useless. My TV does 120mhz but I never use because I makes movies look weird. I'm guess 240mhz will be even worst.

pbparham · 01-13-2009, 09:26 PM

Well, the other side of the argument is that, because new and improved products continue to emerge, prices on the product continue to benefit the consumer. This is not even factoring the price drops that have occurred over the last few years due to competition in the market place. I think it is awesome that TV's become obsolete, because it isn't as though the televisions aren't good anymore. If you aren't committed to staying right on the razor's edge of new, you can stay relatively up to date without spending wads of cash. I'm looking at getting a new TV in the next year or so, and I began investigating a year ago. I'll get what a year ago was near the top for a large percentage less than the year ago purchaser did.

So, I guess its all in how you look at it.

NovaBomb · 01-13-2009, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thundarr

I just bought a Samsung LN52A650 for 2k at Best Buy and I really like it. Its a 120mz and 1080P which is almost state of the art. Now there will be 240mz and LCD backlit TVs coming next. So I ask you why bother to spend any more that you have to knowing your purchase will be obsolete in 6 months tops. As the differences between Plasmas and LCDs narrow in terms of plasmas strengths of blacker blacks and less motion blur and better color accuracy vs weaknesses of burn in and higher power consumption I predict Plasma will eventually be relegated to a niche market because all the R&D workis going into LCD because they have so many more applications. Plasma will just be for 50-60" sets by a few manufacturers and LCD takes over since they have so many more sizes to pick from in smaller sets

Welcome to the world of technology....

01-13-2009, 08:11 PM	#1
Thundarr Member Member since:Dec 2008 Blu-ray collection:15	Why spend a fortune on a HD TV when it will be obsolete in 6 months I just bought a Samsung LN52A650 for 2k at Best Buy and I really like it. Its a 120mz and 1080P which is almost state of the art. Now there will be 240mz and LCD backlit TVs coming next. So I ask you why bother to spend any more that you have to knowing your purchase will be obsolete in 6 months tops. As the differences between Plasmas and LCDs narrow in terms of plasmas strengths of blacker blacks and less motion blur and better color accuracy vs weaknesses of burn in and higher power consumption I predict Plasma will eventually be relegated to a niche market because all the R&D workis going into LCD because they have so many more applications. Plasma will just be for 50-60" sets by a few manufacturers and LCD takes over since they have so many more sizes to pick from in smaller sets

01-13-2009, 08:19 PM	#3
Driver_King Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Tampa Bay, Florida Home Theater Gallery:96 Blu-ray collection:28 Trading Score:10	LCD TV's have been trying to catch up to plasma technology for many years now. It is not a niche product at all. They are generally cheaper than LCD's too. Image retention (not burn-in-problem solved with solution called Pixel Shift) is an issue with LCD's too so that argument doesn't hold any water any more. The only reason most people choose LCD's is because they are a little thinner and look brighter than plasmas on the floor and people equate that to being better (like people do sound- the louder it can get, the better). I have a Sony VPL-VW10HT projector that is over 8 years old and is way better than most LCD TV's on the market. The only complaint I have is the 400:1 contrast ratio it has. It doesn't matter too much though. I went from a Samsung 27" HDTV to that and I prefer more accurate colors and detail over black levels now. If you saw my projector and watched a movie like Speed Racer, you'd agree.

01-13-2009, 08:36 PM	#9
VHS4Ever Senior Member Member since:Sep 2008 Blu-ray collection:224 Blu-ray reviews:61 Trading Score:16	Is it just me or is the 120mhz stuff overrated and useless. My TV does 120mhz but I never use because I makes movies look weird. I'm guess 240mhz will be even worst. To the OP, you can never really keep up with technology. Just buy the TV and be happy. As far as TV goes. I think mine will be a keeper for at least 6-7 years. I'm not sure how much more could HD TV improve over the next couple years. It has to be a drastic improvement for me to invest in another one. Last edited by gearyt; 01-13-2009 at 08:51 PM.

01-13-2009, 09:16 PM	#17
Driver_King Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Tampa Bay, Florida Home Theater Gallery:96 Blu-ray collection:28 Trading Score:10	A quick search on "The Google" gets you to this article. One of the first ones there. IR on LCD's happens all the time.

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01-13-2009, 08:20 PM	#4
coolmilo Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Silicon Valley Home Theater Gallery:16 Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:2	Good question. That is what consumer electronics is all about (keeps the consumer buying). I try to make the best decision as possible with these big ticket items hoping they will last at least 3 years. Also, I try to stay in the sweet spot so I am not over paying for bleeding edge technology. Finally, I try to make purchases when the item I want is on sale. My last big ticket item was a Pioneer Kuro Elite Pro-111FD. I waited until the price was acceptable before I pulled the trigger. Im my case, the Kuro was onsale for $1600 off retail (Best Buy sale). I believe the Pio will last at least 3 years and it will look awesome for years to come.

01-13-2009, 08:21 PM	#5
alomar Active Member Member since:Apr 2008	Because of the fact that if you keep waiting for something to come out that will not be obsolete in say 6 months to a year......you will never buy an electronic item again. Televisions, cell phones, cameras, dvd players, nearly everything you buy gets replaced constantly. So to wait for one that wont be is non existant.

01-13-2009, 08:22 PM	#7
Zvi Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jul 2006 Blu-ray collection:121	I suspect that mhz race in tvs is like ghz mace few years ago on cpus, except with even less benefits. Other than that, such is the technology and TVs last longer than comps before becoming soo yesterday.

01-13-2009, 08:24 PM	#8
coolmilo Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Silicon Valley Home Theater Gallery:16 Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:2	^^^ My response addresses the bigger question only and not the benefits of Plasma over LCD or the other way around.

01-13-2009, 08:49 PM	#12
jsteinhauer Gaming Moderator Member since:Aug 2007 Blu-ray reviews:120 Trading Score:66	The LED backlighting in the LCD's is what's important. The blacks are now pretty near truly black. Without having seen them, I expect the benefit of 240Hz over 120Hz to be negligible, unless you like the "smoothing" effect of the motion enhancement features in the newer displays. I keep mine turned off. It is more important that you choose a set (at least 120Hz) that appropriately handles 60fps and 24fps sources to eliminate judder. You will have to decide whether you prefer movies with the normal 24p flicker or not. Some 120Hz sets still perform inverse telecine. The better ones do not, and multiply the 24 by five to get 120. There is still a place for LCD's in this world. If you have a brightly sunlit room, I still would favor an LCD. That is why I chose LCD. My home faces Lake Superior and every room has nearly a complete wall of windows facing the lake. In winter, the sun shines in from 9-4, and in midsummer, daylight lasts until well after 9pm. I need a bright display.

01-13-2009, 08:54 PM	#13
hardcorefrokid Power Member Member since:Sep 2008 Location:Southern California Blu-ray collection:97 Blu-ray reviews: 16	That's technology for you. Things that were high-end 6 months ago are replaced by something bigger, better today. With TV's it's not that big of an issue, but with computers it takes it to a new level. There are new video cards out every month. And you need them if you want to play a new game on your computer.

01-13-2009, 09:04 PM	#16
joegs300 Special Member Member since:Dec 2008 Location:West Los Angeles, CA Home Theater Gallery:19 Trading Score:45	i bought a dynex 42'' 1080 lcd because it was 579.00 @ best buy. it was a bangin' good deal and i got the 4 yr warranty for it. if anything, ill just give it to my brothers when i move out of the house. not a bad buy. your mindset is based on fear.. you gotta learn to enjoy the present!

01-13-2009, 09:26 PM	#19
pbparham Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Nashville	Well, the other side of the argument is that, because new and improved products continue to emerge, prices on the product continue to benefit the consumer. This is not even factoring the price drops that have occurred over the last few years due to competition in the market place. I think it is awesome that TV's become obsolete, because it isn't as though the televisions aren't good anymore. If you aren't committed to staying right on the razor's edge of new, you can stay relatively up to date without spending wads of cash. I'm looking at getting a new TV in the next year or so, and I began investigating a year ago. I'll get what a year ago was near the top for a large percentage less than the year ago purchaser did. So, I guess its all in how you look at it.

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