Going HD

[Raitei]

Well, in light of the fact that i will be getting a PS3(60gb) i was looking at new TVs. I've been looking at HD sets. My dad already wanted a new TV and so doing my research would help.

I came across the Sagem Axium HD-D50H set. I personally see nothing wrong with the set but i thought running it under your expert eyes would help.

SCREEN
• Piano black edging with silver finish base
• 50 inch diagonal screen (127 cm)
• 39cm in depth
• All-in-one table-top style with a matching stand unit
(available as an optional extra)
• Format: 16/9
• Resolution: WXGA 1280 x 720 pixels
• Contrast: 3000:1
• Brightness: 700 cd/m2
• Viewing angle: 140°
• Anti-reflection-coated screen
• DCDiTM de-interlacing chip by FAROUDJA

RECEPTION
• Tuner
• Input frequency: 45.5 - 862.25 MHz
• Number of programmes: 99
• Systems: PAL, SECAM
• Modulations: BG, I, L, L’, D, K, H

SIGNAL INPUT
• Video:
Native/ Upscale: SDTV/EDTV (480i/480p) (576i/576p)
HDTV (1080i/720p)
• PC Signal:
Native/ Upscale: VGA 640x480, SVGA 800x600,
XGA 1024x768,1280x720
SIZE AND WEIGHT
• Size (WxHxD in mm):
1168x861x394 (without side-speakers)
1296x861x394 (with side-speakers)
• Weight: 32 kg

RIGHT-HAND SIDE FUNCTIONALITY
• Headphone
Output (jack 3,5)
• 6 buttons (on / off, P+, P-, V+, V-, OK))

REAR CONNECTIVITY
• 3 Scart Sockets (RGB/Comp./S-video, audio)
• AV4
S-video input (Mini Din 4-pin):
Video composite input (1xRCA)
Audio input (2xRCA)
• AV5 (progressive or interlaced: automatic detection):
Input Y, Pr, Pb (3xRCA)
Audio input (2xRCA)
• HDMI1 input (HDCP copy protection management)
• HDMI2 input (HDCP copy protection management)
Audio input (2xRCA)
• PC1
VGA Computer input (SubD-15 pins)
Audio input (jack 3.5)
• Audio connectivity:
HiFi output (2xRCA)
SPDIF in/out (2xRCA)

AUDIO
• Wide band 2x30W AMP (20Hz - 20kHz)
• Twin modular slim speakers
• BaSS 2.1 audio system with subwoofer integrated into the stand
• Virtual Dolby Surround, Stereo NICAM
• 5-band graphic equalizer

POWER SUPPLY
• AC - 220-240 V 50 Hz
• Typical power consumption 170W (stand by 3W)
• Economic mode: settable lamp power

FEATURES
Crystal MotionTM
Exclusive picture processing for a brighter image and enhanced contrast

HD READY
720-line display in progressive scan mode (720p) or
1080-line in interlaced mode (1080i)
With the development of HDTV content you can enjoy programmes
in a quality up to 20 times superior to that of electro-magnetic
TV reception and up to 3 times better than DVD
Advanced Functionality

• DLPTM technology
• Picture: 5 setting modes, 7 format types
• PIP, PAP**,PAT, Teletext
** PIP/PAP functions: providing viewing of High Definition and standard content -
for example DVD - simultaneously

PDF: http://www.sagem.com/fileadmin/pages...20eng09-05.pdf

Im sorry if that's a bit long, but im really not sure what's unimportant and should be cut. It's only £999 at Comet

[Gegenki]

Why oh why??
Don't go for the 1280x720 native res.
Go with the 1920x1080 native res and upgrade to sky+ HD

If you have 720 native res, even if you set the game to 1080, all you will see is 720.
And while you are at it you should make it 1080p

[Saibo]

Im personally not getting a HDTV yet until SED display are ready and out. Plasma / LCD display are horrible and expensive.

[Epix]

I agree. If you can, hold out a little longer and get a set with a 1080 native rez, and one that can actually recieve a 1080p signal (not just display it). By the time the PS3 hits the shelves these sets should be much more available and less expensive.

[Epix]

Originally Posted by Saibo

Im personally not getting a HDTV yet until SED display are ready and out. Plasma nad LCD are horrible and expensive.

Since you're waiting, why not wait for OLED and just have the absolute best.

- 100 posts! Where's my props? -

[xbdestroya]

Well I personally prefer 720p to 1080i, but that said you should just wait anyway. Not because I think SED, OLED, or anything else is right around the corner... just because if you don't need it right now, well prices are going to keep dropping. You can put the savings towards your PS3!

[Saibo]

Originally Posted by Flop_King

Since you're waiting, why not wait for OLED and just have the absolute best.

- 100 posts! Where's my props? -

IMHO, SED are superior to OLED. its basically a evolve CRT so it doesnt have all the color issue OLED has.

As for resolution, 1080P or higher!

[Raitei]

I already have the PS3 money (was originially going towards a new gaming pc but, what's a gaming PC versus a console, with an OS)
But if i do leave it for some time, let's say Oct or Nov then the prices will be lower and new tech will take the same prices.
Makes more sense to me

[Goki]

lol, u guys have any idea how much SED are going to cost when released, it aint cheap! Toshiba reckons $ 6000 for 43 inch model

[Epix]

Originally Posted by Saibo

IMHO, SED are superior to OLED. its basically a evolve CRT so it doesnt have all the color issue OLED has.

As for resolution, 1080P or higher!

I like the color repoduction with the OLED and the fact that there's no burn in as with SED has me excited. Although I wouldn't rule out getting an SED especially if they beat OLED to market by a long shot.

[Saibo]

Originally Posted by Goki

lol, u guys have any idea how much SED are going to cost when released, it aint cheap! Toshiba reckons $ 6000 for 43 inch model

got a link back up that price? Beside i dont want a 43 inch, just a 24 inch to use with my computer :D. So i can hook up to the PS3 and use it as a computer.

Originally Posted by Flop_King

I like the color repoduction with the OLED and the fact that there's no burn in as with SED has me excited. Although I wouldn't rule out getting an SED especially if they beat OLED to market by a long shot.

Toshiba plans on release a SED display Q4 2007. Im not aware of any OLED display releaseing that year. Color reproduction on both SED and OLED are great. OLED still suffer from short life(certain colors die out quicker than others). SED doesnt suffer from this, this is a huge advantage.

[Z]

I won't get anything less than native 1080p. my new TV will last me at least a decade. so might as well make it a good one.
I alreadt got my eyes on one of those amazing Bravias. but I still won't get one till I have enough 1080p content (games and movies) to justify the purchase. untill then, better looking, more featured Bravias will be coming out and prices will be coming down. so it's all good.

PS. LCD is getting really cheaper than it used to be, and prices are diving. I found Bravia to be actually cheaper (while being much better tech and feature wise) than many other smaller makers that I was originally thinking of getting. w00t w00t!

[Nameless]

Raitie, If your are on a budget, I would suggest waiting till next year and purchase a true 1080P display. The prices should be more reasonable and you could find a 50" 1080P and not break the bank... Just make sure you do your homework and ensure the TV can display true 1080P footage. I know some people suggested waiting for new display standards, but the new standards will be expensive and with new tech comes new problems...

[Epix]

Originally Posted by Saibo

got a link back up that price? Beside i dont want a 43 inch, just a 24 inch to use with my computer :D. So i can hook up to the PS3 and use it as a computer.



Toshiba plans on release a SED display Q4 2007. Im not aware of any OLED display releaseing that year. Color reproduction on both SED and OLED are great. OLED still suffer from short life(certain colors die out quicker than others). SED doesnt suffer from this, this is a huge advantage.

True, but they now have red and green LED's with 100,000 hr life spans and blue with well over 50,000 hrs. Sounds like this is no longer an issue.

[LaLiLuLeLo]

I'm not getting an HDTV until the preponderance of 720p televisions are in the hundreds of dollars range, not the thousands of dollars range.

[Rai]

thats why I'm waiting for PS3...by then good quality 1080p sets will be out...

[8_Bit]

According to Canon, (one of SED's creators) SED has a high probability of being less expensive to manufacture than plasma and comparable LCD techs, once mass production really kicks in. Of course the first ones we'll see in 2007 will be expensive.

I was very close to buying the new 37" Westinghouse LVM-37w3 (1080p native LCD) the other day, but I came to my senses after recalling all the other 1080p sets I saw at CES this year that should be hitting the market this summer, which will drive prices down and features up.

I think it's best to save up your cash and wait until at least September. You'll get a better deal, even if you decide to buy any of the sets you are currently considering.

[Smokey]

Originally Posted by Saibo

Im personally not getting a HDTV yet until SED display are ready and out. Plasma / LCD display are horrible and expensive.

what is wrong with plasma?

[8_Bit]

Originally Posted by smokey777

what is wrong with plasma?

Everything out there has it's shortcomings. I'm not a fan of plasma though.

-While in tech specs, plasmas often have great-looking contrast ratios, those are on paper. In real-world conditions, plasma usually has considerably less contrast ratio than a modern LCD. Some people see a modern plasma as more contrasty than a modern LCD, but what they are actually seeing is Plasma's enhanced color saturation, but LCDs are getting better there, as well.

-Burn-in remains a big issue for gaming or computer displays on plasma, despite advances to combat it. The methods used to combat burn-in on plasmas work pretty well for most programming, but gaming and computer displays are a different kettle of fish, and still present problems for plasma. LCDs don't burn in. Burn-in for gaming and computer use may also be a hurdle for SED to overcome as well, but the jury is still out on that at this early stage.

-Plasma brightness is great, but the brightness fades approx. twice as fast as LCD. You're looking at around 30,000 hrs life span with plasma opposed to 60,000 hrs for LCD, and the next-gen LCDs will have LED backlights instead of lamps, extending that advantage something in the neighborhood of 20x.

-Plasmas use a lot more electricity, and also produce a lot more heat. Some plasmas get VERY hot. Electricity costs you money, and heat has many disadvantages as well. In hot climates in the summer, a plasma is combating your air conditioning in the same way that leaving a stove on "warm" all day in your kitchen would. You also can't mount a plasma as close to the wall as an LCD because of the heat and the need for ventilation, and of course the more a flat panel sticks out from the wall, the less sense it makes to have a flat panel in the first place.

-Some plasmas are very buzzy. They've gotten better, but some still aren't very quiet.

-Modern LCD has recently surpassed plasma in effective viewing angle.

-Modern LCD is rapidly catching up with plasma's main benefit, which is fast response times. A good, modern LCDs do around 8ms, which will be fine for even the fastest action gaming.

-Plasmas are expensive not only to purchase, but to run and maintain. A five-year extended service plan is an absolute MUST if you buy a plasma, IMO. Plasmas have a lot more parts to go bad than an LCD or DLP. For example, a typical plasma has three power supplies, and if any one of them goes out, you are in for service.


Personally, I'd take a new DLP or LCD (or a front projector if you have the right room/circumstances) any day over a plasma. Plasma had it's day, but that time is fading fast. The newest stuff that's just on the horizon for DLP, LCD, and other techs will push plasma into the history books.

[Smokey]

the thing i dont understand why people buy rearprojection tvs, i have never seen a good one in my life but the advantage is price for size i spose. and i know what your saying for plasma.my room is hotish now i have plasma, computer, setop boxes galore paytv/freetv hddrecs all putting out their own heat. so the heat is the main undestanding i can relate too. and itll get hotter once ps3 is pumpin it out. plus ill be having my own computer too hook up too the plasma. that means i can get rid of the other one out of the room i spose