EDTV Plasma vs. HDTV Plasmas

[mindmaniac]

It would sure help if there wasn't so I could save $1,500.

Edit

Yeah I know technically there are only 480 lines resolution on EDTV and HDTV is 1080 lines but can you easily tell the difference while watching tv or a DVD?

 

[Albis]

720p and 1080i difference

 

[BigB10293]

Only 2 little letters. I can't see it being a big deal.

 

[purbeast0]

yes its a huge difference

EDTV = 480p
HDTV = 720p/1080i

its a HUGE difference if you are into quality and stuff. just think about when you went from 800x600 resolution to 1280x1024 or whatever ... its like that big a jump pretty much (well kinda).

 

[spidey07]

Its huge.

HD looks like a window and is amazing.

SD is regular TV.

 

[SLCentral]

Depends on the viewing distance. If you're watching from 7+ feet away, I bet you won't notice the difference. Otherwise, HDTV is significantly better.

 

[Shaotai]

I'd say no... I have a panasonic EDTV and it looks waaay better than certain brand HDTV.
It's all about quality of the panel, etc... (OTOH, I've seen some HDTV panels that are simply amazing and blows mine away!)

Your best option is to look at it yourself...

 

[Albis]

i would never buy an EDTV plasma because why pay the plasma premium without the HD benefit

 

[mindmaniac]

Any good plasma recomendations? I started out being rather against plasmas since they have come out, but now with their prices down and the technology improvements it would really fit my lifestyle.

 

[franksta]

You don't gain any resolution from the EDTV over standard definition it's just a progressive scan. Don't waste your time with it, go straight to HD.

 

[mindmaniac]

Originally posted by: Shaotai
I'd say no... I have a panasonic EDTV and it looks waaay better than certain brand HDTV.
It's all about quality of the panel, etc... (OTOH, I've seen some HDTV panels that are simply amazing and blows mine away!)

Your best option is to look at it yourself...

I only worry while viewing at a store they will be sending their dumb store transmission. It could be rather difficult to watch what I typically would like a DVD.

 

[batchusa]

Its not all about resolution. Color, contrast, come into play. I would take an excellent EDTV over an average HDTV any day of the week.

 

[mindmaniac]

Originally posted by: SLCentral
Depends on the viewing distance. If you're watching from 7+ feet away, I bet you won't notice the difference. Otherwise, HDTV is significantly better.

That's what I am worrying about. Sure upclose there may be a difference. And with either system standard tv looks like crap, but both can receive the HD signal. When I'm sitting at my normal viewing distance 8-10' away will there be a difference.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: mindmaniac

Originally posted by: Shaotai
I'd say no... I have a panasonic EDTV and it looks waaay better than certain brand HDTV.
It's all about quality of the panel, etc... (OTOH, I've seen some HDTV panels that are simply amazing and blows mine away!)

Your best option is to look at it yourself...

I only worry while viewing at a store they will be sending their dumb store transmission. It could be rather difficult to watch what I typically would like a DVD.

Then go to a specialy audio/video store where you can spend some time and bring your own DVDs. They'll even have very knowledgible salesmen.

 

[Preyhunter]

DVD are just standard definition anyway, so comparing that on both sets isn't going to show much of a difference. The DVD may actually look better on the ED set because of the native resolution of the ED set, whereas the HD set will be "downscaling." The difference lies in viewing the HD content on the HD set. That will sell you on going with HD.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Preyhunter
DVD are just standard definition anyway, so comparing that on both sets isn't going to show much of a difference. The DVD may actually look better on the ED set because of the native resolution of the ED set, whereas the HD set will be "downscaling." The difference lies in viewing the HD content on the HD set. That will sell you on going with HD.

Well of course he should see some goodie HD content as well.

That alone will convice the OP to get HD.

 

[mindmaniac]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: mindmaniac

Originally posted by: Shaotai
I'd say no... I have a panasonic EDTV and it looks waaay better than certain brand HDTV.
It's all about quality of the panel, etc... (OTOH, I've seen some HDTV panels that are simply amazing and blows mine away!)

Your best option is to look at it yourself...

I only worry while viewing at a store they will be sending their dumb store transmission. It could be rather difficult to watch what I typically would like a DVD.

Then go to a specialy audio/video store where you can spend some time and bring your own DVDs. They'll even have very knowledgible salesmen.

Too bad I live in a town too small for specialty stores other than Best Buy. But that does sound like a good reason for a road trip.

 

[shilala]

EDTV plasmas look as if you're watching tv through a screen door.
HDTV plasmas do not.
I'd like to save the $1500 too, but I can literally see the difference and it's huge (to me).
It's tough to lay down 3 grand for a good plasma, but unfortunately that's what it takes.

Panasonic gets a lot of stroke, so I've looked at a lot.
Dell gets a lot of stroke, so I made a special trip to look at one of their HD 42" plasmas.
Both brands look much the same, they are very sharp, stark and ghosty.

The smoothest, softest, nicest looking HDTV Plasma I've seen yet is the Samsung HPR4252.
When I decide to pull the trigger, that'll be her.

Get in the car and go out and stare at these things. Make 20 or 30 trips.
Sooner or later you'll be able to see the differences and you'll be able to appreciate them.

The difference between a good plasma and a bad one are immense, and I don't have very good eyes anymore.
Good Luck!!!

 

[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

 

[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.

 

[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

 

[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.

 

[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

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: mindmaniac
It would sure help if there wasn't so I could save $1,500.

Edit

Yeah I know technically there are only 480 lines resolution on EDTV and HDTV is 1080 lines but can you easily tell the difference while watching tv or a DVD?

I assume you're looking at a 42". If this is so, you're talking about 852 x 480p vs either 1024 x 768p or 1024 x 1024 (sort of interlaced).

At a $1500 price difference, I'd say go ED.

 

[Rickten]

buying edtv plasma to me would be like buying a athlon xp instead of the athlon 64 or 64 x2. Sure its good and will probably work great but your selling yourself short and if your going to buy something new you might as well get the better technology for a few more dollars because it will last longer in terms of compatibility. Future 64-bit apps will run on your processor unlike the athlon xp. I see this decision the same way sure it looks good now and all but why not wait just a little bit longer to save a little more money instead of buying something that is already outdated. Especially with HD dvd coming.