Hi all,

After a long discussion, my partner and I have decided that a widescreen tv may not be much of use to us due to many reasons.

So, since I play PS2 like once a week but for 4 - 5 hours straight and tend to get some eye strain (my current one is a 50Hz TV) afterwards I would like to know if 100 Hz feature would help.

I have searched through many manufacturers' websites (like Sony, Panasonic, LG, Samsung, TEAC) but all 100Hz models were widescreen.

So, if it does help in my case, can you please recommend a brand and model that is 100 Hz?

Also, if a TV is 100Hz does it refresh at 100Hz all the time whether it be PAL or NTSC or whatever?

Regarding to a digital stb, I'll ask in the other forum.

TIA.

Best regards,
FLD.

I know grundig and metz make a 100hz 4:3 tv.. I dont know the models sorry - they are moderatly pricey for what they are. They do suffer from digital artefacts tho - which is why I dont like them :-) (blocking and the non-movement of pixels on moving image = like poorly compresses mpeg video)

If eyestrain is a problem, perhaps you sould consider an LCD based display.

Cheers,
Bitey

An LCD TV may not seem to be a viable option for me atm. Thanks.

You may be able to pick up an old model Loewe 100Hz 4:3 for a comparitively low price these days. They used to be very expensive (but undoubtably the best in the market). Given that there is virtually nil interest from premium buyers in 4:3 (and precious little in CRTs), you may be able to get one for a good price. Depends on your budget - if you can, get something like a 72cm arcada ... the best in its day. However, these may still be more expensive that a "Sonwa Electronics & Earthmoving Corp" TV imported by TinShed Australia or the like...
On the upside, the 100Hz 4:3 Loewes allow true WS image-stretching, whereby you can actually display all the 16:9 image on a 4:3 set.

I found 1 LOEWE TV PROFILE (or PROFIL) 3572Z for sale for $500. I tried using Google to find any information about it but most of the pages were in German or other languages.

I only know it does 100Hz and is 72cm, which is a strange dimension for me. Is it a 32" TV?

Have you heard about this particular model? If so what do you think about it?

My budget is around $1000 +/- though and can extend to $1500 if it needs be.

If you can find an Arcada, you should be able get it for $1500 or less easily these days.
The profil is a considerably inferior set (and I think may have been subject to power supply problems*).
Cant remember all the model names, but do know that the Arcada used to be at the top in the 4:3 days, and the 72cm was the peak in terms of the various trade-offs (screen size vs clarity vs curvature etc).... this is all pre 16:9 of course.
Not too sure why 72cm .. think it was just the closest to the 68cm standard for big tvs back then.
____________________________________
*Not that the Arcada is immune from the earlier HT transformers failing - fixable though.

I have the Profil, 68cm tube (the Profil plus was 70cm flatter tube apparently). It is still a fine TV, cost $2K about 5 years or so ago. And as was said, does proper vertical compression for the 16:9 mode, so I get the best of both worlds with digital TV:
Large screen 4:3 for centre cut material.
Full res 16:9 (and not that much smaller than those el-budgeto 66cm widescreen TVs, I think I worked out it was less than 2cm in the diagonal smaller only)!!

And yes, although the Profil wasn't the bottom of the range for 68cm Loewes, it wasn't too far from it. I did have one board replaced during warranty when it started making quite high pitched squeels from it, but apart from that, it has been running very well.
Regards

Thanks all.

I found this Loewe:

"Loewe
Televisions CRT
Aventos 3781 ZW
RRP: $1,699.00 "

Its specs are:

Loewe Classic - Aventos 3781 ZW
Entry-level model with a wealth of
features.
Exceptional picture quality thanks to
100-Hz technology.
Particularly attractive priceperformance
ratio.
Brilliant picture quality in 81-cm
widescreen format.
Technical data
Image:
100-Hz-technology
Automatic Gain Control (AGC)
Automatic Movie Detection (AMD)
Picture format: 16 : 9
Vertical image correction
Picture tube diagonal in cm: 81
Visible picture tube diagonal in cm: 76
Chassis: MediaPlus (Q 2500
Digital Noise Control (DNC)
Digital Scene Control (DSC)
Digital Transient Improvement Plus (DTI Plus)
Format options: 16 : 9, 4 : 3, Panorama, Cine, Zoom
Photo CD circuit
Real-Flat picture tube
Sharpness Control System (SCS)
Split Screen TV/Teletext
Fully digitised signal processing: 8 bit
Audio:
Number of speakers: 2
Audio power amplifier output in watts (at 4 Ohms): 2 x 25
Stereo base extension
Two-channel stereo sound
Operation:
Automatic shut-off
Automatic Signal Switch (ASS)
Automatic Volume Control (AVC) [1]
Digital Link
Digital Link Plus
Electronic Instruction Manual
Remote control: RC 4
Content-sensitive help
Parental Lock Plus
NexTView-Link [2]
Standard values can be stored individually
Now & Next (24-hour Electronic Programme Guide) [2]
On Screen Display (OSD) in foreign languages: D-I-F-GB-E-NL
Personal Control System Plus (PCS Plus)
Personalised teletext with direct access to bookmarked
pages
Programme positions (incl. AV): 220 (1.470 with Digital TV
upgrade kit)
Index
Current TV Programme
Teletext: TOP-/FLOF Teletext/Level 2.5
Teletext page memory: 390
Video Timer
Automatic Channel Programming (ACP)
Reception:
Euro cable tuner
Colour standard: PAL, Secam, NTSC, NTSC 4.43 MHz
Television standard: PAL B/G, D/K
Hyper-band (8-MHz) including special channels
Audio standard: two-channel FM
Connectors:
Antenna (analogue)
Audio Out, controlled
Euro-AV/Scart: 2
Euro-AV/Scart, of which the following number are RGBready:
1
Euro-AV/Scart, of which the following number are
S-VHS/Hi8-ready: 2
Front-AV
Headphones: 6.3 mm
Copy function Euro-AV <-> Euro-AV
Copy function Front-AV --> Euro-AV
Optional upgrade kits:
Digital-TV 2 S-Basic
Digital-TV 2 Sat-CI [3]
Digital-TV 2 T-Basic [4]
Digital-TV 2 T-CI [5]
Digital-TV 2 Twin-Sat-CI [6]
Single-Sat 6
Twin-Sat 6
Wireless Home Automation upgrade kit
Accessories:
Remote control: RC 1
Racks: Rack M 12, Rack C 30, Mimo Rack 2
Miscellaneous:
Power consumption in watts when the set is turned off: 0
Power consumption in watts: 130
Power switch
Mains voltage: 220-240 V, 50/60 Hz
VDE-safety standard (inspection seal)
Eco stand-by power supply: < 2 Watt
Mass:
Weight (net) in kg: 52.0
[1] Function depends on signal format emitted by station.
[2] Works only with channels broadcasting NexTView data.
[3] With 2 x CI. Digital audio output; software update.
[4] Digital audio output.
[5] In case of digital-only DVB-T reception, the PIP function cannot be
used. Digital audio output.
[6] With 2 x CI. 1 x digital

The proce is RRP at Encel in Melbourne. What do you guys reckon about this one.

I am not sure if it deas have my requirements (I am very much a newbie, so please forgive me for my bunny questions), which are:

1. At least 68cm. (which I think this one passed)

2. Good beautiful picture

3. Good aftersale support both in warranty and out of warranty
(at reasonable price), and easy to find part after the warranty expires.

4. DVD component input(s) in fact I want 1 in the back 1 in the front for my PS2 or at least 1 front S-video in.

5. Multisystem (PAL, SECAM, NTSC4.43, NTSC3.58), which I think this one does have.

6. 100 Hz to lessen eye strain?

7. Progressive scan.

8. What are features in 6. and 7. anyway and what do they do? And will I benefit from them? Can you please lead me to where I can find the info?

9. HD or SD (but it does not matter if it's is no use for me)

10. Teletext. (would it help for watching some TV programs broad cast with subtitle?)

11. What's SCART connector? How can I use it with my other equipments having S-VIDEO, comosite, and S-VIDEO connection?

My regular TV use is to:

1. Watch movies recorded in VHS tapes.

2. Watch VCD movies.

3. Watch some evening TV programs (like CSI, the Simpsons, and etc)

4. Play PS2 games.

5. Watch some DVD monvies at times. Like a few times a month.

Mostly 2, 1, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. I have both NTSC and PAL PS2 games and play them like 4 - 12 hours.

I am telling you thins because I have very little knowledge in the current TV technology that I don't know what feature the new TV should have.

Can you guys please comments on the this TV model and what kind of features I should be looking at for my use.

Thank you so very much.

Best regards,
FLD.

If you reckon that Loewe is the brand I should be alooking at where I can get them apart from Encel in Melbourne? Can be interstate if they do shipping.

Apologies for these long posts.

Which state do you live in? All capital cities and large regional centres would have at least one Loewe dealership, I am sure. e.g. there is a Sydney dealer who regularly advertises in the SMH TV guide on Mondays.

I have the 70cm Loewe Profil Plus 100Hz that Tonymy01 refers to - 5 yrs old and never had a problem (purchased in Launceston Tasmania). It seems to have most of the features and connections that you specify, including a S-VHS input on the front, which would be handy for ext. game consoles etc. (I use it for Austar digital input). Still goes so well I could not justify replacing with a plasma or widescreen at this stage. Gives a brilliant picture with SD STB connected via rear scart - scart lead.

For Tonymy01 - can you comment on the comparative signal strength of the Topfield PVR5000 as compared to the SD STD 4000? I would like to buy the PVR but am concerned that the 4000 STB I am currently using does not seem to have as strong a signal as a Lennoxx I have connected to our second TV (I live in a marginal signal strength area outside the "blue" zone of the ABC map seen elsewhere on this website. Any advice appreciated.

Thanks

KTF.

I have only ever owned the TF5000, so can't really comment, many have said the Toppy has a pretty sensitive tuner, the bigger issue is that it has 2 tuners, and the little passthrough cable to connect tuner2 to the output of tuner1 can give you issues with receiving stuff off tuner 2 if you are in a marginal area, most have improved the situation by putting a quality splitter at the wall rather than use the passthrough to feed the 2 tuners.

I bought that exact model about 3 weeks ago and it's pretty dang good. One of your questions stood out though and that is the component input - this model doesnt do component. it has 1 scart plug that will accept composite and svhs and another scart that will accept composite, svhs and RGB. I have my STB connected to the RGB scart in RGB mode and the quality is so good visitors say 'WOW'. Keep that component limitation in mind...

You could also check out the Grundigs on Ebay.

Hey FLD, people probably missed you questions on that previous post, as they could have appeared to be part of the blurb on the tv.

Answering some:

Loewe make the best SD tvs.
No 4:3 does HD (well, the real HD, not the bullsh*t channel 7, 2, sbs fake hd).
Search "SCART" on these forums for plenty on SCART connections.
Loewe's "invented" the 100Hz scan.
They can usually do some form of progressive, but often need an additional card... and its not worth it.
Most of the places that sell them are reputable and have good warranty support (mileage may vary).
Do teletext (for what its worth).
Some will accept component (over SCART, for instance).

(And with regards to your viewing habits ... you certainly dont seem to need anything more in terms of resolution, etc given your inputs (eg: vcr!).)

Thanks a great del Santa and all for your kind generosity inanswering my long questions.

I'll go to have look at Loewe tomorrow at probably one of Encels in Melbourne.

Santa,

So, do you reckon that this model would be sufficient for my needs?

Thanks a lot again.

[quote=spanznet,Mar 17 2005, 01:24 PM]
[quote=FLD,Mar 15 2005, 08:20 PM]
I found this Loewe:

I have my STB connected to the RGB scart in RGB mode and the quality is so good visitors say 'WOW'. Keep that component limitation in mind...

[/quote]


Would RGB mean the the composite signal which is an RCA jack? I tend to get mixed up with RGB connection used in Sun Unix machines.

Thanks.

[quote=FLD,Mar 18 2005, 02:19 PM]
[quote=spanznet,Mar 17 2005, 01:24 PM]
[quote=FLD,Mar 15 2005, 08:20 PM]
I found this Loewe:

I have my STB connected to the RGB scart in RGB mode and the quality is so good visitors say 'WOW'. Keep that component limitation in mind...

[/quote]


Would RGB mean the the composite signal which is an RCA jack? I tend to get mixed up with RGB connection used in Sun Unix machines.

Thanks.

[/quote]
No, RGB is carried over SCART in these TVs. (The RGB you're thinking of wrt Suns is RGBHV. With SCART its RGB + composite (which is used for the sync component).)
In the older units I was talking about, I dont think they upgraded to offer component, but the RGB is better anyway. (And on any units of this size, really, s-video - which can also be carried over SCART - is pretty close to RGB anyway).

Check out the Arcadas if they still have them ... and really beat them down on price (they are unlikely to ever sell them with current fashions for thin displays).
Also of course check out whatever else they have, and compare, however I still find the old Arcada can compete with anything in that size and format (4:3), even though its getting on now.
I dont think the set has any problems with NTSC (ask them), and should easily cope with what you listed. (I assume the PS2 outputs s-video...)

You may want to check out Philips - I've seen 4:3 100Hz models in Myer.

On their website (http://www.philips.com.au) they even have a 4:3 100Hz HDTV(!) (model number 29PT7322/79R)

Ben

Thanks a great deal, Ben and all you guys.

That Philips HD model is interesting... dunno if its available in Oz (may be NTSC only?)... possibly uses the same tube as the Loewe (which can handle 1080i provided the electronics are configured for it - not the case in the Loewe).