[Discuss] Totally off topic - TVs

[Brij Charan]

Also, I wouldn't do a computer based solution for HD tv right now, canada
has no structure in place for computer based hd-tv.
You'll need a box from shaw, bell, or starchoice(also shaw).


On 6/28/07, Brij Charan <brijcharan at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> 2.  HD TV boxes from Shaw went up in price.  Not sure why, maybe the
> demand, i got mine for 250, now they're around 400.
> As for tv's, you're still gonna have to go widescreen, but you can get
> tv's that allow you a few options for non-widescreen content.
> - Either watch it in its standard 4:3 which gives
> spacinng(black/grey/white) to the left/right of the picture
> - Stretch the image (which you don't want)
> - non proportionately scaling the image wide, this is what I use.
>
> Basically it takes a picture, and it scales it this sort of weird way,
> that has less of that 'stretched', 'fat-people' look.
> Basically, from the center of the picture, outword, it stays 1-to-1 with
> the original scale, then as it moves to the left/right, it starts to scale a
> bit more, but not 100%
> What this does is cause the center of the picture (what you most normally
> look at) to appear to be normal, where the ends on the left/right are scaled
> out, but its a subtle scale.
> Most higher end tv's will possess this, and its often branded as 'Theater
> Wide - #1', there will also be 2 & 3.
>
> 3.  I wouldn't go for a 'local' retailer, as much as do your homework and
> go pick out the tv.  Some staff are smart, but sometimes biased, some staff
> are just down right idiotic (futureshop), but can give you a better deal.
> Do all your shopping online, compare, read reviews, etc.  Check futureshops
> and Bestbuys websites, along with other major companies, you'll often find
> the major models there, and if you're really insistent on going local, just
> take that price to a local store, or just go into futureshop and say 'I want
> THAT tv, nothing else'.
>
> Ok now this part is very important when shopping for an HDTV.
> Almost every hd tv says it can do 480p/720p/1080i/1080p.
> The problem however is that they just take that signal and 'downscale'
> it.
> So what you want to look for is the 'Native Resolution' of the tv.
> To get true hd, you need 720p or higher, here's the resolutions.
>
> 720p = 1280x720 (last height is res)
> 1080i/p = 1920x1080 (full hd)
>
> If you want 'full-hd', you'll need to get a 1920x1080 native resolution
> tv, these aren't very cheap either, especially if you want to go lcd/plasma.
> (lcd projection is cheaper, and yields very good picture quality, and more
> bang for the size/cost ratio)
>
> most projectors don't do full hd, and most lcd monitors don't do full hd
> either, you'll see a lot of them max out at 720p, or some weird 1600x10??
>
> Also Check to see what the dead-pixel guarantee is if its an lcd tv, a lot
> of them get dead pixels.  Most aren't super great guarantee's, but its good
> to have anyways.
>
> As for lcd vs plasma, go research this yourself, google is your friend.
> There are huge coke/pepsi like wars on this, but basically every few months
> each technology makes a stride to improve picture quality/performance.
>
> If you're just gonna watch dvd's, you'll only need a 480p tv, but if you
> want hd, then you gotta bump up that native resolution.
>
> Hope thats enough info Derek.
>
>
>
>
>
> On 6/28/07, Deryk Barker <dbarker at camosun.bc.ca> wrote:
> >
> > As this list is a hotbed of technophiles, I thought I'd see what advice
> > I can glean...
> >
> > My wife and I are in the market for a new tv - probably 26-32". We don't
> > want another CRT - our 20" is quite big enough.
> >
> > Clearly the only plasma and/or lcd sets this size are a) widescreen and
> > b) mostly HDTV.
> >
> > So, here come the questions (and yes I have done some research on the
> > web):
> >
> >     1. Does anyone have a set they particularly recommend and why?
> >
> >     2. We have no intention of going either digital or HD for some time
> > (you can guild a turd but it's still a turd)                  which
> > means that for the foreseeable future we'll be either watching cable or
> > DVDs. Anyone any insight                   into which is a good tv for
> > 'letterboxing' 4:3 content - we do NOT want it stretched and frankly
> > can't                        understand  how anyone can watch that.
> >
> >     3. Does anyone have a local retailer they'd particularly recommend -
> > i.e. knowledgeable staff, good selection                and  reasonable
> > prices (don't want much do I?)
> >
> >
> > I think that's it for now.
> >
> > thanks.
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> > Discuss at vlug.org
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> >
>
>
>
> --
> Brij Charan
> Software Developer, Specializing in UI Development.




-- 
Brij Charan
Software Developer, Specializing in UI Development.