Re: LCD tv picture quality

FDR wrote:
Last night we picked up a Samsung 40" LCD tv. The picture looks fine with HD content, though it doesn't have the impact as out 42" ED plasma. More importantly though, on SD content channels the LCD picture looks poorly. Faces seem be "smeared" and the picture looks unnatural, and in general it's not as good as our plasma. Up close you can see blockiness in the picture. We noticed this same "blockiness" on a 40" Sony LCD that was being fed HD content. The salesman blamed it on the video feed but I think he was making that up.

Do LCD tv's suffer from bad SD pictures in general? Or is it that it's a HD tv trying to convert the SD signal to the screen that makes it look bad? Our plasma does so much better at SD, but is it because it's and ED tv or becuase it's a plasma?

We wanted to get a LCD for tow reasons. The location where it will go is bright and the non-refelctive surface would be ideal for it. Also, we would probably use it more for video games and didn't want to have to worry about burning the screen. However, I just don't know if the pros outweigh the cns right now so I would appreciate your feedback. Thanks!


I've had a Sony 42-inch DLP for the living room for almost a year. We can make the room semi-dark when we want to watch television during the day. We are quite pleased with it.

Two weeks ago I visited friends who have two HDTVs, a 42-inch plasma in their living room and a 26-inch LCD in their bedroom. They are "no names" sold by Costco. I sort of liked the 26-inch in his bedroom but we then went to the local Costco store and saw the same set on a better HD feed. I was impressed, especially for the price: $750.

We have had it about 10 days now and like it a lot as a second set. It certainly does not have the spectacular picture of our DLP but it is quite good. It also doesn't autoswitch to 4 x 3 on analog channels but it does on digital channels, at least those that have part-time HD content. When operated at 4 x 3 the SD video is quite decent, although not as good as a high-end, standalone NTSC set.

I think I'd rather have the manufacturer's other LCD set of the same type, a 32-inch, for the bedroom. But, Costco, being what they are, doesn't carry that model.

I don't observe any negative issues with the HD video, other than it's not as spectular as the Sony DLP, and the side fall off is greater than the Sony. Plus, the fall off lightens the picture rather than darkens it. But, this is a non-issue in our bedroom. The set is on a swivel base as well, and weights only 28 pounds.
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Question on Analog vs. Digital Signals for Plasma TV
    ... Plasma or LCD will have a much nicer picture. ... Eventually the stores will no longer be selling CRT type monitors. ...
    (sci.electronics.repair)
  • Re: LCD or Plasma?
    ... Plasma doesn't have "smearing" across the picture due to poor refresh rates. ... Make sure you watch the LCD using maybe a DVD of fast moving pictures. ... You will be quite annoyed with LCD if you get the wrong make and model. ...
    (uk.tech.digital-tv)
  • Re: PLASMA, LCD, OR REAR PROJECTION?
    ... more $ than LCD for the same quality picture. ... lifetime, can have image burn problems, not just with video games ... drive plasma out of the market. ...
    (rec.games.pinball)
  • Re: So much info Im overwhelmed
    ... I bought a 37" Sharp LCD set about a year ago. ... means danger of burn-in. ... >essence I want to the tv for picture from satellite, ... >I've read so much about the LCD vs. Plasma debate. ...
    (alt.tv.tech.hdtv)
  • Question about LCD displays and HD picture quality
    ... I recently purchased a Philips 37" LCD. ... supposed to have quite as good a picture as a plasma but I am generally very ... colors, just reds. ... I at first assumed all HD channels that were ...
    (alt.tv.tech.hdtv)
Loading