Effects - Pedals, Multi-Effects, and Floor Boxes

[hangwire]

my old 1995? TV is finally starting to show some lines on the side which I have heard indicates that its finally ready to go.  So I am going to join the 2005 crowd and get a flat TV

however, I wonder if I can just cheap out on less desirable models.  I was told 1080p and 120Gz is the only way to go... and I am looking at 38-42 inches.  

We get TV from a digital antenna for our local channels, have a Sony DVD player we bought back in 2000 or so, and have old game systems hooked up via RF/coaxial or RCA plugs.  The Wii being the most advanced... 

It would be cool too if there is a way to send video signal from our macbook to the new tv via some cable or wireless/bluetooth, so I dont know if that influences anything or if I need to look for a certain type of input available.

so ... what do you guys think?  

HHGreg has 40" 720p Tvs for $150-190 from a flyer that was in the mail this week.  BUT if there is a good reason to stick with the 1080p and 120ghz - I'll do that and get one when this old TV finally goes...

[TomVanDeven]

I picked up a 46" 1080p LED tv for dirt cheap when a store was selling it as a floor model. Works perfect, no problems, it just sat on the showroom floor for a bit to show people how awesome it can be.

Scoop up stupid deals like that if possible, ones that have warranties still attached. 720p vs 1080p is a debatable topic but personally I feel as long as you're upping yourself over your 1995 CRT, you'll be just fine. 

[hangwire]

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TomVanDeven wrote:

I picked up a 46" 1080p LED tv for dirt cheap when a store was selling it as a floor model. Works perfect, no problems, it just sat on the showroom floor for a bit to show people how awesome it can be.

Scoop up stupid deals like that if possible, ones that have warranties still attached. 720p vs 1080p is a debatable topic but personally I feel as long as you're upping yourself over your 1995 CRT, you'll be just fine. 

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I can tell the difference in the 60ghz vs. 120ghz tvs displayed next to each other... but I thought I remember reading that old tube/big back TVs [crt you call it] actually have a better picture comparable to high dollar/spec flat tvs up to 32 or 38" big... 

the upgrade for me will be having a TV that works over an old one that doesnt work anymore.  just not looking to regress  with a purchase

[BrentMpls]

You wont notice a difference between 720p and 1080p unless you get to about 50" or bigger. 

I have a 60hz and think its fine, I don't notice any issues, but 120 would be nice, especially for sports or fast motion (but again at 60 I haven't seen any problems). 

If you've managed to go this long without a HD tv, you may want to consider using your computer or some other more econimical means. 

[BrentMpls]

There is no way a CRT looks as good as a HD. The lines of resolution and way the picture is presented isn't even in the same city, let alone ballpark. 

[NotMe]

No

[hangwire]

Google have plenty of hits, here's one:
"Exactly, SD looks like crap on most HDTV's because the resolution has to be scaled to fit the much higher resolution and few HDTVs have a scaler that could even be called adequate (although some do a passable job). If it's not HD it doesn't look good or as some say "garbage in, garbage out". Don't downplay CRT's either, CRTs currently offer the best picture of any available technology because of their amazing black levels and incredibly accurate and vibrant color. The technology has been around forever it's pretty much the most refined display technology you can get. HD CRT's looks awesome, they're only downside as far as the picture goes is they max out at 34".

[juri]

If you're going to be watching Netflix or regular TV or DVDs make sure to get a TV that also sounds good. People focus a lot on image obviously but sound matters as well. Definitely go with 120 hz over 60, the more the better. Tv or DVD will never be more then 720p unless it's being upscaled.
CRTs are going to be smaller in size, not sure if they even sell them. I used to have an HD Samsung CRT with awesome refresh rate (100hz) which was more then the LCDs that were out at that time, which ran at 60hz. But that was 6-7 years ago.

[Trick Fall]

The 120hz does seem to make a difference with sports. My old 42" would get a little smeared with fast action stuff. At work we use Plasmas for color grading films and tv shows. I don't even think we have any crt's in use anymore.

[BrentMpls]

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hangwire wrote:
Don't downplay CRT's either, CRTs currently offer the best picture of any available technology because of their amazing black levels and incredibly accurate and vibrant color. The technology has been around forever it's pretty much the most refined display technology you can get. HD CRT's looks awesome, they're only downside as far as the picture goes is they max out at 34".

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That is true, CRT's do black much better than a LCD. But nobody has CRT's. The last time I saw a HD CRT was about 8 years ago. It was between 30-40 inches, weighed several hundread pounds and was the size or a small elephant. 

[BrentMpls]

Over the air HD is getting is going to be either 720p or 1080i. 

juri wrote:
If you're going to be watching Netflix or regular TV or DVDs make sure to get a TV that also sounds good. People focus a lot on image obviously but sound matters as well. Definitely go with 120 hz over 60, the more the better. Tv or DVD will never be more then 720p unless it's being upscaled.

Video games and blurays can be 1080p.

[eti313]

Get 1080 for sure. Not sure what's the best refresh rate.

Get something good since you're probably going to own it a long time.

[Trinath]

Yeah CRT is better

[omni]

720 Plasma. Stay away from LED TV's.  The plasma is cheaper and blows the LED's away. Panasonic..

[ChuckNorris1982]

I'm not really an expert on this stuff, but we got an entry level LG 42" LCD flat screen a couple of years ago and it's been fantastic.  We were upgrading from an old 20" CRT so pretty much anything would have been an improvement. I'm sure it wouldn't satisfy proper home cinema nerds, but when you're no expert and you're used to ancient technology and smaller screens you'll find even entry levels really satisfying.

Ours does do 1080p and I don't really notice the difference between 720 and 1080.  Both look great to me.  Gaming in particular looks exceptionally good on 1080p though - xbox graphics using component cable are laughable compared to using HDMI.

[BrentMpls]

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ChuckNorris1982 wrote:

Gaming in particular looks exceptionally good on 1080p though - xbox graphics using component cable are laughable compared to using HDMI.

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Unless your tv is well over 50" I doubt you can see a difference between 720p and 1080p. 

Regarding Componenet vs HDMI - if you are comparing the two in 1080, chance are you are seeing component in 1080i, not 1080p, since component cannot display 1080p via the video standards used by XBOX, PS3, etc etc.  Meaning that you are seeing the difference beteween interlaced vs progressive video which would be very noticble, especially with games. 

[ChuckNorris1982]

Yeah to clarify, I haven't compared 720p to 1080p with the xbox.  I just set mine to 1080p and left it there.  I just meant that the HDMI connection looks WAAAAAAAAAY nicer with the xbox than the component cable.

[BrentMpls]

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ChuckNorris1982 wrote:

Yeah to clarify, I haven't compared 720p to 1080p with the xbox.  I just set mine to 1080p and left it there.  I just meant that the HDMI connection looks WAAAAAAAAAY nicer with the xbox than the component cable.

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Right, and what I'm saying is that you should see little to no difference between componenet and HDMI if the settings are identical. 

Since you are seeng a waaaay big difference, I'm guessing you are comparing 1080i to 1080p, since componenet will not display 1080p when using those devices. And there is a big difference between interlaced and progressive. 

[t-rey]

Check out some reviews and find one that has overall good reviews in your price range. Stay away from those 'door buster' too good to be true deals - they are usually built specifically to be blown out like that and most have some strange quirks like not enough inputs or one I had looked at wouldn't even remember your fucking settings if you turned it off.

You should be able to find a really good tv 1080p/120hz for less than $600 no problem. Look into the best way to connect your macbook to the tv and just search for one that has that particular input.  You may not even notice the difference between 1080 vs 720, but the 1080 sets (unless it's plasma) are generally newer models that have more desireable features.  And the whole 1080/720 thing is a function of size/distance if you have a small room or sit close to the television the differences will be more apparent on a smaller screen.

You may also want to look into OTA HD antennas - depending on where you are you can pick up quite a few hd networks.

[goodhonk]

know this, if you plan to go to the stores and check em out, they often make the pictures look worse on models they aren't pushing.