HDTV Checklist / Recommendations

[ftaok]

Which Sharp Model Number? My 40" is native 1920 x 1080i/P. Is it 1080P all the time? Native 1920x1080 or less?

It's a Sharp LC46D62U. I got it back in October 2006. They're still selling them in stores, but they've been supplanted by Sharp's newer lines (D72U, D82U, and D92U ... although I'm not sure if the 72U's are 1080p).

It's a 1080p display with the ability to accept 1080p signals over HDMI or component. It converts all signals to 1080p, all the time. I've gotten my Macbook to output 1080p and it looks great. I wouldn't have been able get similar results with the 42" plasma that I had in my sights (Panasonic 42PX60U). That and glare is what really pushed me towards LCD.

ft

 

[Steve Jobless]

sorry for digging this from the grave but, im looking for an HDTV to use dually as a monitor with my macbook pro as well as consoles. it must have hdmi and i prefer 1080p, while not being overly expensive.

 

[ftaok]

sorry for digging this from the grave but, im looking for an HDTV to use dually as a monitor with my macbook pro as well as consoles. it must have hdmi and i prefer 1080p, while not being overly expensive.

What's your size and budget?

37", 42", 46/47" ???

There are very few 1080p HDTVs under 37". The only one I can think of is the Sharp 32" 1080p, but it's a "gamer's" HDTV and very pricey.

The Sharp 62U series is selling at very low prices these days and they have a 37" screen in the line-up now.

ft

 

[Steve Jobless]

well im a college student, but not living in a dorm so space is a little limited but not very, i was hoping to wall mount the tv but i dont think that will happen. my dream would to be able to see the tv while in my bed and work with a wireless keyboard and mouse (connected to my MBP) or be able to play PS3 (or 360 if i ever decide which to get). as for size 32 seems ideal i was considering 26 or 23 inchers but doubt they would provide the picture im looking for (size not quality).

 

[ftaok]

well im a college student, but not living in a dorm so space is a little limited but not very, i was hoping to wall mount the tv but i dont think that will happen. my dream would to be able to see the tv while in my bed and work with a wireless keyboard and mouse (connected to my MBP) or be able to play PS3 (or 360 if i ever decide which to get). as for size 32 seems ideal i was considering 26 or 23 inchers but doubt they would provide the picture im looking for (size not quality).

Your requirements don't exactly line up too well with the TVs that are currently available. Here's why.

With smaller TVs, the benefits of 1080p are reduced. Add in the fact that you would like to do Mac work from your bed (I'm assuming that the distance is further than 8 feet). A 32" 1080p Mac desktop from 8 feet away would be very difficult to use, unless you have 20/10 vision or something.

Also, there are very few 32" 1080p TVs out there.

If you could relax your 1080p requirement to allow for 720p/768p TVs, your options open up. There are plenty of 720/768p LCDs with HDMI that would work great for your TV needs, however, 1366x768 is less resolution than your MBP ... I think.

ft

 

[KevAllen83]

Your requirements don't exactly line up too well with the TVs that are currently available. Here's why.

With smaller TVs, the benefits of 1080p are reduced. Add in the fact that you would like to do Mac work from your bed (I'm assuming that the distance is further than 8 feet). A 32" 1080p Mac desktop from 8 feet away would be very difficult to use, unless you have 20/10 vision or something.

Also, there are very few 32" 1080p TVs out there.

If you could relax your 1080p requirement to allow for 720p/768p TVs, your options open up. There are plenty of 720/768p LCDs with HDMI that would work great for your TV needs, however, 1366x768 is less resolution than your MBP ... I think.

ft

Agree completely! I ended up buying a LCD tv about 6 months ago, and had this debate with myself.

The 720/768/1080p argument:
I have a 46" 768p set. I initially wanted a 40, but ended up finding the same set I wanted in a 46" open box for less than a 40. Nevertheless, sitting roughly 10' away on my couch looks perfectly fine - I would NOT be able to discern a difference between 768 and 1080 from that distance. If you aren't going to be sitting within about 3 1/2 feet of my set, you won't see a difference. Now, if you're looking at a 32 - 37" set, those numbers become smaller. If you have a 32" set, you will not discern a difference between 720/1080 unless you are less than 2' away from it. Just something to think about - it will save you the headache of finding a small 1080p set, as well as save you the extra money for that "Full 1080p" sticker that doesn't make a difference on a set that small.

 

[bocomo]

helpful link

i have been a home theater nut and subscriber to this magazine for a long time. you should be able to find all the info you need here

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/

 

[Steve Jobless]

the distacne from my bed to the wall is less than 8 feet my guess is between 5 and 7, if possible I would consider a cheap 30" ACD but I think it will be a little small and I also want to be able to watch HDTV on it. I was thinking about the Samsung LN53somethinginbetween32H which has 1080i and can be found with Toshiba upscaling DVD for $1045 or if any ones knows of any other good but affordable screens.

 

[ftaok]

the distacne from my bed to the wall is less than 8 feet my guess is between 5 and 7, if possible I would consider a cheap 30" ACD but I think it will be a little small and I also want to be able to watch HDTV on it. I was thinking about the Samsung LN53somethinginbetween32H which has 1080i and can be found with Toshiba upscaling DVD for $1045 or if any ones knows of any other good but affordable screens.

That Samsung is a 768p screen. It's native resolution is 1366x768. It can accept a 1080i signal and convert it to 768p. If you output your Mac to it, you may be able to get 1366x768. If you send 1920x1080i to it, it will be blurry as the TV will have to scale it to the native resolution.

You mention that you'll be 5 to 7 feet when at your bed. If you intend to do computer work at that distance, I would beleive the following:

1. For 1920x1080 computer resolutions, you will need at least a 40-42" screen to be able to see text clearly. Keep in mind that Leopard may change that with "Screen Resolution Independence - if that's still in Leopard's feature set.

2. For 1366x768 or 1280x720 computer resolutions, you could probably get away with a 32" screen. Keep in mind that 1366x768 is less resolution than the MBP that you have.

If you still want a 32" 1080p TV, I just saw that Sharp has a LC-32D62U TV that is 1080p. I have the 46" version and love it. The 62U series works well with Macs (must use the HDMI port). Best Buy had it for just over $1000 this weekend.

 

[spencers]

You can do what I did...

Circuit City is having a special on the Samsung LN-T3242H (that's a 32") screen. For ~$850 you can an awesome screen and a free upscaling DVD player. When you add both items to the cart, the TV price drops.

To add to the "deal", search ebay for a circuit city 10% off $199 and up coupon.. They're usually only a dollar. This will get the TV priced out at $688.50.

Head over to circuitcity.com. Order it and choose to pick it up in store..

When you go to pick it all up, cancel the DVD player OR return it later for about a $90 credit and you have a nice LCD for $689 + tax!!
(I didn't do this last part, as the DVD player is quite good)

For the MBP part.. To connect it, just grab a DVI to HDMI cable and plug it in. If you're wanting to connect the audio from the MBP to the TV pick up a 1/8" to toslink digital audio cable. (I got these from monoprice.com) Pick up a regular HDMI cable from there too if you plan on keeping the DVD player.

I have a Macbook so I had to order the MiniDVI to DVI adapter from Apple. Why didn't Apple just put a FULL DVI on the Macbooks? Anyway, I'm waiting on my adapter and cables to come in and I'll let you know how it goes.