Really confused about 120hz/60hz!

[Johnny Vinyl]

Hi guys/gals,

I've read several threads and stickies and am still totally confused about the benefits of 120hz vs 60hz. I would like someone to guide me as to making a choice between the two, and here is my specific question.

My girlfriend wants to get into BD (we just picked up a Samsung BD-P1500 player) and for her situation an LCD would suit her room environment much better than a Plasma. The HDTV she is considering is the SONY KDL42V4100.

She watches a lot of movies and regular TV. No sports whatsoever, unless I'm there. From what I've read, 120hz becomes a benefit for live events, but it may, note is say may, not be a real benefit for Blu-ray movies and regular TV. She will be getting an HD settop box, but not the HD channels for now.

Is this assumption on my part correct and would this Sony (60hz) suffice?

[crackinhedz]

well, lets start off by puting into perspective...

You've been watching 60Hz for many many years now...probably since tube tv's were first invented (?) ...did you have any trouble with it?

Where 120Hz (or even 24fps for that matter) comes into play is basically a smoother motion picture. AKA less Judder.

Some people find this appealing, others don't really notice anything. I guess you may have to check it out for yourself to get an understanding of it...


I say, if you're buying a new TV and this option is provided as a feature, then why not!

The problem you hear with most of these 120Hz Tv's is a silly feature called "Motion Enhancer" (different brands use different terms)...this really is nothing with 120Hz, rather a feature to "enhance" something. Sort of like "edge enhancement". Really not needed, but some people prefer it.

Usually these functions can be disabled.


I think you could appreciate 120Hz, but the question is...would you pay extra for it?

But if the TV youre already considering has it, then why not!

[Johnny Vinyl]

Hey crackinhedz...thanks for that reply.

The Sony (KDL42V4100) she's considering is 60hz, but it is 1080p. We looked at it for a good hour at BB and also looked at some 120hz sets. We both couldn't really see a difference. So I think for her we'll stick with this one. Also, I don't want to have her to have to turn the setting off/on whenever she watches a movie or a live event or whatever. She wants it simple...Turn on TV and watch!

Along with the Samsung BD-P1500 player I think she'll get a tremendous expereince and will be happy!

[ADRiiAN`]

My Sony Style near me had Spider Man 1 on blu ray playing in 120hz.

All I can say that it was the most un-natural thing i've seen. It looked extremely weird when Goblin was on his flying machine. It almost looked fake.

I don't think the directors intend for these movies to be played back at 120hz.

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by ADRiiAN`

My Sony Style near me had Spider Man 1 on blu ray playing in 120hz.

All I can say that it was the most un-natural thing i've seen. It looked extremely weird when Goblin was on his flying machine. It almost looked fake.

I don't think the directors intend for these movies to be played back at 120hz.

that wasn't 120hz that caused that. it was a feature called "auto motion plus" or something similar, and yes, it's terrible for movies. i only turn my AMP on during some fast moving games. be careful when adding info or suggestions when you're not really knowledgeable on the subject

[FIDDYPOP]

My Sony TV has that as well, I must admit that I dont notice any difference. It is called motion enhancer on my tv. I know some people dont like it on when watching movies but like I said I havent noticed any difference.

[Johnny Vinyl]

So when should this "motion enhancer" be turned on then? Like I said earlier, she wantches mostly regular TV and movies.....I'm starting to think she doesn't need a 120hz set.

[Spider]

Originally Posted by John72953

So when should this "motion enhancer" be turned on then? Like I said earlier, she wantches mostly regular TV and movies.....I'm starting to think she doesn't need a 120hz set.

For TV Shows, News and Sport on Cable I turn it on. I also like it one on any Animated movies or cartoons[BD,DVD]. Fast moving flicks like Crank look also better. But than again thats up to the viewer. If you don't know it you won't miss it. It's a taste kinda thing. I like it but not always.

/Spider

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by John72953

So when should this "motion enhancer" be turned on then? Like I said earlier, she wantches mostly regular TV and movies.....I'm starting to think she doesn't need a 120hz set.

Totally up to you. I think on fast motion it brings out too many artifacts and I don't like the way it looks in stores (I don't own a set with the capability currently). It's totally a user preference thing. Personally I don't like the tech as many people get it confused with how blu-ray or HD is "supposed" to look.

What's only been touched on with 120hz is its ability to properly resolve 24 frames a second features (ie, most films). Since film is 24 frames a second, and most LCDs are 60, they have to resolve the uneven issue through 3:2 pulldown. This causes judder, which some find distracting and some folks don't notice. 120hz sets can properly resolve 24hz features (since 24 evenly goes into 120) and can get rid of this problem.

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by tbizzle

that wasn't 120hz that caused that. it was a feature called "auto motion plus" or something similar, and yes, it's terrible for movies. i only turn my AMP on during some fast moving games. be careful when adding info or suggestions when you're not really knowledgeable on the subject

+100

You said it much nicer than I would have. This is not that difficult of a concept to understand, yet we have folks constantly making comments about "turning on/off 120Hz" or similar uninformed comments. All this does is confuse another crop of LCD virgins.

[dobyblue]

Providing plasma is completely out of the question you're better off with a 60Hz LED backlit LCD than any 120Hz non-LED backlit LCD.

[Spider]

Here is a nice explenation. I find.

[Pelican170]

yea, and why is plasma outted?

[VinnAY]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

+100

You said it much nicer than I would have. This is not that difficult of a concept to understand, yet we have folks constantly making comments about "turning on/off 120Hz" or similar uninformed comments. All this does is confuse another crop of LCD virgins.

Why don't you give the guy a chance to learn? Where you a magical 60/120/24fps guru @ birth?

Get off his balls and play nice.

[Opips2]

My mom plan to buy new any T.V. for next year or later more longer few months. I experineced from read blu-ray forum. I know about my mom watched T.V". Most She used VHS India movie and Soap india EROS from Cable HD.

I know about 120Hz T.V is enhance motion or sharpest clear.
I chatted MSN to my uncle. He want to buy new T.V. LCD is cheaper price. He bought a Samsung LCD 42" 60Hz. My Uncle tried to cable to new T.V. LCD look crap picture. I told him is make of mistake. My uncle decide change T.V. to 120Hz.

[bog13]

I did some basic research, as I'm a basic home viewer and wanted to buy a new TV with the best clarity for blu-ray. The bottom line is that 120 Hz looks amazing, though 60Hz is what we're all used to seeing, so it should be fine.

120 Hz makes everything involving movement a bit clearer.
Blu-ray and High Def. enhances picture details, as long as the camera or disc technology was used properly.

"Anti-judder" Fast motion / True motion / motion flow / etc. are special features on 120Hz TVs that allow movement to be smooth. This DOES enhance any flaws in the original picture... but does not ruin a good picture. For instance, any natural outdoors scenes shot very clearly come out looking real. The most noticeable effect is that the blur is removed whenever the camera moves, making the the background more stable while the movement is crisp - adding an almost 3D effect. Some don't like that you feel like you're "on the set" vs watching the scene on a blurry theatre screen, but that's all preference.

For sports, 120 Hz and the motion technology just makes things clearer, but doesn't really make the picture look oddly different.

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by VinnAY

Why don't you give the guy a chance to learn? Where you a magical 60/120/24fps guru @ birth?

Get off his balls and play nice.

I'm all for folks learning as much as they can, and around here is a great place to start. My problem is with people who make comments and/or give advice when they have no clue what they are talking about. I don't know about you, but I don't go around posting advice or explaining some type of technology unless I know what I'm talking about. Even worse are the morons who continue to post misinformation when they have been corrected or the correct explanation was posted only a couple posts above theirs. So no, I will not 'play nice' with folks like this or with others who don't take the time to learn something before they chime-in as experts.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Pelican170

yea, and why is plasma outted?

Plasma wasn't "outted"....my girlfriend made a decision to buy LCD (see my OP) and I have Plasma. We co-exist quite nicely I might add!

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by John72953

Plasma wasn't "outted"....my girlfriend made a decision to buy LCD (see my OP) and I have Plasma. We co-exist quite nicely I might add!

John, why are wasting your time worrying about a non-issue such as 60/120 Hz? It is too cold around this time of the year in Ontario. You should be concentrating in keeping your girlfriend warm.

In my opinion, tell her to buy the most attractively-priced Sony LCD TV. She will be very happy with it.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

John, why are wasting your time worrying about a non-issue such as 60/120 Hz? It is too cold around this time of the year in Ontario. You should be concentrating in keeping your girlfriend warm.

In my opinion, tell her to buy the most attractively-priced Sony LCD TV. She will be very happy with it.

You know what BD..that's kinda the conclusion I came to anyway. I just wanted to find out a bit about LCD technology (as I'm not familiar with it).

Now, as far as keeping my girlfriend warm is concerned.....THAT is something I am very familiar with! Like I said earlier "we co-exist very well!".