Lord of the Rings in Blu-Ray

[Valarauko]

Thanks everybody! Now I just have to bite the bullet and make a decision as to what I'll buy. The sooner I can do that, the sooner I'll be watching the trilogy in all its glory!

 

[user 122]

I'd get a Panasonic 1080P plasma 42 or 50, whichever you can afford. You'll be very satisfied!

 

[Batfreak]

ive got a 50" 720p and my blurays look amazing on it. one day though i would like to get a 60" 1080p, but for now im very happy with my 50".

 

[The Ween]

Thanks everybody! Now I just have to bite the bullet and make a decision as to what I'll buy. The sooner I can do that, the sooner I'll be watching the trilogy in all its glory!

This is me too. I need to bite the bullet on a big screen. I have a 26" 720p in my bedroom, but I want the biggest set I can get for my family room. I'm trying to decide if I want a plasma or a LED.

btw......I noticed that they have different Hz. What does that mean and what is the best to get?

 

[Radagaster]

With the 3D TV sets coming out, it'd be remiss if you didnt get on that boat. I'd wait a few months and future-proof your TV and get a 3D TV.

 

[The Ween]

With the 3D TV sets coming out, it'd be remiss if you didnt get on that boat. I'd wait a few months and future-proof your TV and get a 3D TV.

I'm not sure if I even want one of those.

 

[tomandshell]

btw......I noticed that they have different Hz. What does that mean and what is the best to get?

That number (60hz/120hz/240hz) refers to the refresh rate of an LCD screen--how many times per second that the image is displayed. A faster refresh rate means a smoother image, and a slower refresh rate can lead to motion blur/ghost trails during fast moving scenes in a movie, game or TV show--because the action is moving faster (and hence the source image is changing) faster than the pixels can refresh and redraw the new picture.

 

[Michael Crawford]

Be sure to actually spend some time looking at the set, because some people feel the 120 and 240 hz sets produced an unreal image. The best option is a tv that you can switch the refresh rate.

And 'future proof'? Heheheheh - yea, like that's possible!

 

[tomandshell]

I would definitely go to a Best Buy or Costco or some place with several sets on display so that you can see the difference for yourself. I personally have a hard time getting used to the look and feel of the faster refresh rates.

 

[The Ween]

It's so hard buying a tv these days.

 

[LOTRFan]

I like the 120/240 for sporting events, but can't stand it for movies and most TV; and I really don't like the idea of watching TV with glasses on.

 

[Ashley11]

I had purchased all the parts in different dvd.

 

[Michael Crawford]

I love electronics shopping - it's the hunt that's all the fun!

 

[Blu Falcon]

That number (60hz/120hz/240hz) refers to the refresh rate of an LCD screen--how many times per second that the image is displayed. A faster refresh rate means a smoother image, and a slower refresh rate can lead to motion blur/ghost trails during fast moving scenes in a movie, game or TV show--because the action is moving faster (and hence the source image is changing) faster than the pixels can refresh and redraw the new picture.

Right on. A much simpler way to put it is with a 60hz refresh rate, a movie will look like a movie. Basically the same cinematic feel we all know and love. A higher refresh rate makes a film look less like a traditional film and almost like a live video broadcast (if that makes any sense). My main issue with a higher refresh rate is special effects really stand out and no longer appear to be seamless. Try watching Transformers or a similar effects laden film at 120hz and higher and you'll see what I'm talking about. I can only imagine how fake Gollum might look when shown in a scene with Frodo and Sam at 120hz +. Although tempted by the new ultra-slim and feature rich (3d) HDTVs flooding the market, I've got a 1080p 60hz set that I purchased over 2 years ago, and it still does the job.

 

[RoboDad]

The real issue with higher refresh rate TVs that causes the problems for some people isn't actually the refresh rate itself, but the addition of "motion-smoothing" technology, where frames are created by the TV and added to the image, in between the actual frames that come from the source (DVD / Blu-ray / broadcast). These frames create the artificial-looking image that many people find unappealing. As long as the TV can turn that feature off (and most can, from what I've read), then you should be fine.

As far as "LED" versus LCD versus plasma, the first thing to understand is that the current crop of TVs marketed as "LED" are not actually LED TVs. They are LCD TVs that use a moderate-to-high resolution array of LEDs to provide the backlight for the LCD panel. The advantages to this setup are a thinner TV, and much more consistent light levels at virtually any viewing angle. True LED (OLED) TVs are coming, but not for at least a couple of years.

If I were buying a TV today, I would go for an LED-lit LCD with 120 Hz refresh rate (making sure that the motion enhancement feature can be disabled). Plasma is fantastic, but that technology has been lagging behind in terms of new advancements, when compared to LCD. Plus, LCD uses significantly less power (and produces less heat) than plasma.

Oh, and I would definitely go with 3D, but that's just because I am the ultimate trendy techno nerd.

 

[Darth Madden]

Boy I remember the good old days when your TV choices were Black & White or Color.

 

[RoboDad]

Well, even then there was still the choice of screen size - 19" or 25".

 

[Michael Crawford]

Another advantage not to overlook of the LED is theoretically better black levels with the full array type (not os much with the edge lit). I say 'theorectially' because it's still dependent on how the set handles it as to whether it manages positionaly dimming well or not.

 

[RoboDad]

True. Even in a worst case, the black levels in a full-array design should be improved over an edge-lit design. The improvement may not be significant, but it should still be measurable. Some of the LED sets that I have looked at have rivaled the best plasma sets in terms of black levels, which kind of takes away plasma's one remaining claim to fame.

 

[Michael Crawford]

Yep, I'm probably going with a full array LED for my bar sometime in the next couple months. I want to see how quickly the 3D tech gets built in though - I may hold off long enough to get one in preparation. I have to replace my living room TV too, though, so I may just go with the 3D set there.

A question for you, Robodad - can you explain to me why a 120hz set would have motion interpolation? I don't get it - I'd think a well designed 120hz set would match the 24fps perfectly, removing almost all judder. Are they also trying to attack motion blur with it at the same time?