Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater TV ratings

Anyone know a good site to compare different features of TV's, something like what consumer reports would have for items (they probably do it for TV's too). Specifically, I am looking to compare how well different HDTV's display SD programming. My parents are looking for a tv and the concern about viewing non HD channels is an issue for them.

Consumer reports does give a good comparison of HD Tv's as well as reporting which models work best in SD.

Forgot to ask what type and size TV are they looking for?

Some good links to check out below..

http://www.consumersearch.com/www/electronics/plasma-tv/reviews.html

Good CNET link
http://reviews.cnet.com/Home_video/4521-6531_7-5021476-1.html

Audio review has TV ratings as well
http://www.audioreview.com/cat/televisions/CAT_4283crx.aspx

I'm trying to convince them to get at least a 50" and my dad is up for it but my mom thinks it will be too big and wants a 42" or less.

I'll check out those links. Thanks.

FWIW, SD on HDTV can be real good if it is in 4x3. It should be no worse than a SD crt. Stretching the picture can make it worse.

How is the folks eyesight. The bigger screen is easier on the eyestrain.

A 50 inch EDTV should be pretty reasonable.

A 36 inch 300# 4 x 3 crt should be cheap!

Their eyes are fine still. Dad wears contacts, but he has for as long as I can remember. I don't know if I have tried SD on 4x3 instead of stretched. If it is truly as good as what they have now, they'll have no complaints.

For those of you that already have HD, any guesses as to what % of shows are currently broadcast in HD?

Jason, you didn't mention their budget, but the fact that a 50" would be considered is some indication. If they'll go that high the 42" and 50" Panasonic plasmas have shown very good DVD and SDTV performance in tests, besides HDTV.

I don't like the stretch option on my 60" SXRD. I think that option looks terrible. I just let the TV project the SD in normal fashion and have a black stripe on both sides of the picture. Those stripes just don't bother me. Out of proportion people and figures drive me crazy.

With that 60 and my 50 the 4 x 3 is larger than most 4 x 3 sd sets.

In reply to:

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For those of you that already have HD, any guesses as to what % of shows are currently broadcast in HD?

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Is this a cable, sat, or OTA feed? Most major networks have HD in primetime. NBC Olympic feed was beautiful!

In a 24 hour day, I'd say may less than 5%. In the evening, prime time, I'd guess about 15%, maybe less.

Unless you have an HD package through cable/satellite. I watch a lot of HD shows I'd never watch before just b/c they are in HD.

It's actually gotten harder for me to watch shows that aren't HD. Big difference in quality on my set.

yeah, well if your screen is big, it's gonna make SD look like crap. I really don't know how people put up with big screen SD TVs. Grainier than a beach at low tide.

They have analog cable now and will be getting digital cable once they get a TV.

It seems we have mixed opinions now from SD is just as good as a regular TV on a big screen to grainer then low tide (or whatever the comment was)

I looked at consumer reports and they all seem to be in the average or below average category for SD viewing.

I tend to disagree with you because SD looks good (better than on my old SD TV) on my new Sony SXRD. I tend to believe that you may be seeing some of the differences between a good HDTV and a REALLY good HDTV.

The SD on my 50 SXRD, which I watch in 4 x 3 mode, is as good as the Sony 32 inch crt I have upstairs. Both have non-digital cable feeds. The OTA antenna feed (2nd input on the SXRD) SD looks a little better than the SD cable feed. I get my HD from OTA.

Zoom the SD to fill the 16 x 9 is a different matter. Much worse!