Ridiculously noobish question...

[dead edwards]

Bear with me, as I am brand new to all this, but I have been trying to find answers to my questions on the internet for the last three hours and just seem to be confusing myself further.

The simple fact is I want to get a Blu-ray player but am not sure, with my current TV, if it is worth it. My TV is a standard definition 42" plasma. The more i read about 576p, 720p, 1080i and so on I seem to understand it even less.

My TV is an LG RT-42PX10. I've had it for about 3 1/2 years and am not ready to upgrade just yet...

Basically I just am hoping for an honset opinion as to whether there is any point in making the step to Blu-ray with this TV.

here are some specs i found... I realise most of it is useless information for what I need to know but...too confused to think straight at this point

100 Hz Technology: No
16:9 Aspect Ratio: Yes
Audio Included Speakers: 4
Audio System: Stereo
Auto Timed On/Off Switch: Yes
Brightness (cd/m2): 1200
Compatible HDTV Input Signal(s): 576p, 720p, 1080i
Component Video Input: Yes
Contrast Ratio (:1) - Dark Room: 3000
Dimensions (mm) Depth: 295
Dimensions (mm) Height: 645
Dimensions (mm) Width: 1210
HDTV Compatible: Yes
Horizontal Resolution (pixels): 852
Included Speaker Type: Inbuilt
Included Tuner Style: Inbuilt
Maximum HDTV Display Resolution: Not Applicable
Maximum Power Consumption (watts): 250
No Of Scart Terminal(s): 0
NTSC Reception: Yes
Reception System: I, B/G, D/K
S-Video Input: Yes
Screen Size (cm viewable): 107
SDTV Compatible: Yes
SECAM Reception: Yes
Stereo Type(s): A2 (German) Stereo
Teletext: Yes
Tuner Type: Analogue
Twin Tuner Picture In Picture: Yes
Vertical Resolution (pixels): 480
Virtual Audio Surround: Yes
Weight (Kg): 36


any way thank you in advance to anyone brave enough to help this lost soul.

[Guinness7]

You do have a hdtv according to your info listed which would mean it would be worth while to get a blu-ray player now if you want one because you could see the movies in hidef. You can input at 720p and 1080i which is hidef.

[tiger roach]

Even if your TV can not show the full potential of high-def media, there are other advantages to going blu now:

1. Any blu discs you buy will be more future-proof. If you continue buying DVD's you may find yourself wanting to replace them in the not-too-distant future.

2. A blu player will still play your existing DVDs very well.

[CptGreedle]

I believe your TV is capable of a 720 resolution, but it is not 720p or 720i, it is technically 852 x 480p (better than the SD 480i). Your TV is not specifically in a standard format for HDTV, but I beleive it is capable of showing this.
Either way, Blu-ray will play on existing standard definition formats as well as all HD formats.
To clear up more about HD, look here.

To me, it appears that your TV is not technically HD, but it is capable of better resolution than SD, therefor an HD signal will look better than an SD signal.
This is not a new tv either, so it is a little out of date for HD. However, to answer your question, it will be able to display a BD disc and look better than a DVD, but only slightly. Either way, BD is capable of playing on any format, SD or HD.

[Paden]

Originally Posted by Guinness7

You do have a hdtv according to your info listed which would mean it would be worth while to get a blu-ray player now if you want one because you could see the movies in hidef. You can input at 720p and 1080i which is hidef.

Because of this line: Vertical Resolution (pixels): 480

I believe he has what was called an "Enhanced Definition TV". This means he can accept those signals (as is confirmed by his ability to use component inputs) but that it will downgrade the signal to 480 (probably 480p). Based on what I see here, that's my take. I would therefore recommend the only way he go Blu at this time is via the PS3. This way he'll have the ability to not only use the system for movies but also games. This way he'll also get to see his DVD collection in the best possible upscale for his current TV and his purchase is future-proofed as well as can be given the circumstances. If it turns out his TV is actually capable of 720p he'll be all that much happier!

[CptGreedle]

Originally Posted by Paden

Because of this line: Vertical Resolution (pixels): 480

I believe he has what was called an "Enhanced Definition TV". This means he can accept those signals (as is confirmed by his ability to use component inputs) but that it will downgrade the signal to 480 (probably 480p). Based on what I see here, that's my take. I would therefore recommend the only way he go Blu at this time is via the PS3. This way he'll have the ability to not only use the system for movies but also games. This way he'll also get to see his DVD collection in the best possible upscale for his current TV and his purchase is future-proofed as well as can be given the circumstances. If it turns out his TV is actually capable of 720p he'll be all that much happier!

Actually I think you are right. "HDTV Compatible" is the same as saying "HD ready" which means it can take an HD signal, but not display it as high definition.
However it supports progressive and not just interlaced which means the quality of the image will be better, but not as good as HD. It is wide screen so you can watch DVDs and BDs as they fill the screen.
LOOK HERE
I own an EDTV myself. I have no HDMI input, but I do have Component Video as well as Composite video. Component will give you better quality as it splits the video into 3 channels, red, green, blu. (I also have an HDTV, 1080p)

So to make a long story short, you have an EDTV, capable of accepting HD signals, but not showing HD images, but the image is progressive so it is better than SD.

[tru_to_blu]

It sounds like your blu ready.

32" VIZIO 720p/1080i
80gb PS3 / Blu-ray player
4 PS3 games / 4 Blu-ray discs soon to own more

[glenn-bob]

Originally Posted by tru_to_blu

It sounds like your blu ready.

32" VIZIO 720p/1080i
80gb PS3 / Blu-ray player
4 PS3 games / 4 Blu-ray discs soon to own more

what he said.

I'm new to blu as well, come on over and git er done.

[m6bigdog]

Originally Posted by tiger roach

Even if your TV can not show the full potential of high-def media, there are other advantages to going blu now:

1. Any blu discs you buy will be more future-proof. If you continue buying DVD's you may find yourself wanting to replace them in the not-too-distant future.

2. A blu player will still play your existing DVDs very well.

Well said, If you buy movies, investing in you future makes the most sense.
I will not by DVD titles anymore because it is not the media format for the future. Blu-ray's will become less expensive - I have gotten many non-current release titles for less than $15.