EDTV Plasma vs. HDTV Plasmas

[lokiju]

On HD content you can tell the difference.

 

[Drekce]

I don't understand how someone can even compare the two... Watch a show from Discovery HD on a "crappy" HD set and watch a high quality DVD of the same show on a good EDTV set and the HD will most definately blow the other away. I have to assume that people who say otherwise either do not own an HD (and get the channels) or bought an EDTV and don't want to feel like they got ripped off. I have a Toshiba 36" CRT HDTV and swear I am looking out a window and not at a TV screen sometimes.

 

[jpeyton]

It's unfortunate most of you guys cannot provide decent advice on electronics. The OP would be much better off asking the same question on AVS forum.

The real answer: it depends on your situation. First, what is your viewing distance? Second, what is your budget? Third, what kind of content will you be watching (ie xx% SDTV, xx% DVDs, xx% HDTV, etc.)

Some guys here would tell you a HDTV is always better than an EDTV, which is entirely wrong. Try comparing something like a $2000 42" Maxent HDTV plasma at Best Buy versus a $1700 42" Panasonic EDTV plasma, and the Panasonic will win hands down, even when displaying HDTV signals (which they both can do).

Why does viewing distance matter? Plasma screens have pixels, and if you are too close to a screen you will see the tiny lines between the pixels. This is called the Screen Door Effect (SDE). HDTV plasmas have smaller pixels than EDTV plasmas, so for shorter viewing distances I would recommend an HDTV plasma. For farther distances, SDE will be unnoticable on either screen.

Why does your budget matter? If you have a hard limit of ~$1600, then the smart decision would be to buy a excellent EDTV set. *IF* you can find a great HDTV set for the same price (for example, Costco had great deals on Vizio HDTV plasmas for around that price), go for it. But don't simply get a HDTV without reading the reviews first. There are a lot of crap plasma sets out there that simply cannot compete with a Panasonic EDTV plasma in terms of contrast ratio, brightness, black levels, and accurate colors.

Why does what you watch matter? Well if 90% of your viewing is going to be SDTV and DVDs, why fret over having an HDTV? Sure, maybe in the future you will start watching more and more HDTV, but a good EDTV set will still display HDTV signals with excellent quality (read reviews on Panasonic EDTVs anywhere online; most owners rave about the quality).

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: DragonMasterAlex

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: DragonMasterAlex

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: DragonMasterAlex
Look, let's not get into wordy reasons for and against, let's just look at the specifications here, guys!

SDTV: 720x480 (that's DVD resolution, anyway, and is as good as you will get on a regular TV), interlaced

EDTV: 852x480. Yep, a measly 132 extra pixels. Interlaced, not sure if they support progressive or not.

HDTV 720i/p: 1280x720, interlaced or progressive. 720p is the most common HDTV format.

HDTV 1080i/p: 1920x1080, interlaced or progressive. 1080i is very common, no TV yet accepts 1080p input. Some TV's upscale to 1080p, but those are still pretty rare.

Bottom line: An EDTV is a waste of your money. If you want to save a few bucks on true HDTV, go with a Samsung DLP or hell, even a Samsung CRT HDTV. You can get a 30" for a few hundred bucks.

Jason

I do not think ED is a waste of time. For instance, if someone is looking to spend $2000 or so and has to pick between a crappy no name HD set or a good brand ED, I would def. go with the ED. The ED will accept progressive scan, this makes it close to ideal for DVD's. Even with an HD source at 42" it will be tough to tell the difference. At 50" it does become more important though.

$2000 on an EDTV? Man, don't shamefully mislead this poor guy! EDTV is *garbage*. $2000 will buy you a NICE HDTV. Samsung is one of the best HDTV's you can buy right now. You can get at least a nice 50" DLP for that price.

Jason

#1 all thats close by to the OP is BB. Show me a "good" HDTV for $2000 on their website

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?type=category&id=pcmcat33900050026

#2 He made no mention of wanting DLP. Usually 50" DLP's in store will be $2500 for the current model depending on brands and deals.

#3. Go to AVS and ask, you will hear the exact same thing I just told you. For a 42" set, ED is not bad.

True, if you are only shopping Best Buy (which is a bad idea, by the way), it will cost you around $2499 for a nice Samsung 51" DLP. For the extra $500 over the EDTV, though, it's WELL worth it.

Alternatively, find one somewhere else that you can order. Peruse people in your area selling via eBay (lots of smaller electronics shops sell via ebay for pretty good prices).

The specs tell the story you need to know: EDTV has roughly HALF the resolution of 720p HDTV and LESS than half of 1080i. You'll regret spending $2,000 on an EDTV, guaranteed. Shop around, and you're all but guaranteed to find a better deal.

Jason

Just a clarification 480p is no where near half of 720p. A good ED will match and usually beat downright a bad HD.