I noticed a plasma display in a store in the "Knifepoint West" <g> shopping centre in Maribyrnong (Melb). The store price ticket claimed "1920 x 1080 resolution", the Plasma's bezel had "V6 HDTV 1920 x 1080 ready" printed on it. The price of $3495 would have been some bargain for a true HD monitor.

I waited while the salesman explained to some mug punter how high definition DVDs worked with these HD monitors (I didn't catch the whole spiel, but it went on and on and on, I think he was making it up as he went along).
When he had finished with the other bloke, I asked him what the native resolution of the display was.
He said it was eight hundred and something by four hundred and something.

I asked why then did the sign claim HD resolution when it was could not display a high resolution image at its original definition, and was not, in fact, even standard definition. We debated briefly the difference between displaying an HD source image and being able to reproduce that resolution. I pointed out that the store's "swing ticket" sign was a lie and misleading, and probably illegal.

Unfortunately the Plasmas printed resolution "V6 HDTV 1920 x 1080 ready" slips through the loophole by use of the word "ready", however the swing ticket misleadingly claimed the high figure as the monitor's resolution.

The sales person told me he would change it, but I won't be holding my breath.

If anyone is looking at "Optical" or other brand Plasmas at a chain store with a name better known as an ISP (think about internet that flies), be very careful with the specs of your intended purchase.

Cheers

JB

There is no doubt in my mind that this phrase is being used to mislead people, especially if you combine it with the "advice" offered by the retailer. But the swing ticket is pure misrepresentation.

Sounds like the sort of thing that the Department of Fair Trading would be VERY interested to hear about!

When they can accept a 1920x1080i signal then they are telling the truth, But when they claim that thats the pannels actual resolution they are telling fibs. The Panasonic TH-42PA20 Plasma (852x480) that I bought with a HD set top Box, could accept a 1920x1080i trough the component connection on the TV, And I can tell you there was a difference between say LCN 09 and LCN 90 when viewing it on the 1920x1080i setting on the STB, So just because you buy a 852x480 doesnt mean that you cant get HDSTB.

I think you'll find that the word "Ready" in the context of "High Definition ready" is the accepted terminology to designate a screen which can handle a HD signal whilst not necessaril being native HD.

This seems to be pretty standardised terminology.

So:

A HD display - is a display which can natively show a an image above SD resolution

whereas

A HD ready display - a sd class display which has the circuitry to handle and display a range of HD signals.

Not really related to the topic but i love your description John i havent heard it called that in years,i was over there today and managed to avoid any knifings but one thing you carnt avoid there and the homemaker centre across the road is salespeoples B.S.

Cheers Ryan

not true at all in europe they have an accepted standard for 'HD ready' with specific requirements :

http://www.homecinemachoice.com/cgi-bin/shownews.php?id=7396


In australia what you are merely seing is unscrupulous salesman trying to take advantage of the buzz around HDtv and applying the term HD ready to SD and sub SD displays. The term silk purse from a sows ear seems a bit more appropriate I think here.

I was referring to Australia, as I understand this is an Australia specific DTV forum.

you say its accepted terminolgy - well I don't accept it and I'm sure theres plenty others who don't either.

The problem is a lack of any sort of standard(as in europe) in Australia as far as this kind of labelling - and hence its being abused as apparent in this thread.

Yeah a workmate introduced me to that expression a year or so ago, I thought it was hilarious but I agree that the place has moved on a bit from the old western suburbs stereotype nowadays!

Cheers

JB

Hi
On this subject I noticed an article in the latest issue of Choice(Jan-Feb).
The Dept. of Fair Trading(NSW) had inspectors visit several Retail outlets
and were amazed at the disinformation supplied to Consumers. The end result was a Brochure published outlining to the Public the perils of purchasing a Plasma.
The SD Plasma(850-480) can still display a fine picture however, so it boils down to Consumers being aware of the options and the fact that the HD options are downscaled to suit.

Regards

Basil

Whilst I have no doubt some retailers do mislead buyers it is no surprise when even the educated people on this forum misuse the "HD" term.

The term HD in Australian broadcasting has a particular meaning and refers to a particular resolution 1080i and/or 720p ( I dont even know if its either or one or the other).

So if a panel does not natively display the HD resolution how can it be HD (in pure use of the term). No Plasma panel does HD natively all must scale.

Yet we all use the term HD to mean two things, (one) the Braodcasting standard meaning and (two) when referring to HD panels when in fact we mean "Higher Definition" than SD not the HD broadcasting standard resolution.

Simple solution: retailers should indicate whether the panel can accept a HD signal and what the native resolution is.



I think Basil hit the nail on the head in the above post.

Happy viewing

Saw a Bing Lee add in the weekend paper for a "HD plasma panel" (bold typeface) with the next line reading "852X480 pixels" (same size typeface, not bold).

Then yesterday I heard a radio add promoting Bing Lee as your "home entertainment experts" who can help you understand these new technologies.

Almost makes you want to weep!

Wouldn't even go near a BL now. Always seems to be more expensive. Even more so than HN.

what i dont understand is why would sales people try to tell you that a 2000-4000 dollar tv is just as good as a 4000-10000
doesn't that go against the idea of selling
isnt selling stuff supposed to be get the most amount of money in the deal
is it more of a case of the sales people cant tell the diff either!!!!!???