Sorry for another one of these threads, i've read back through old threads to learn as much as i can.

I was originally going to buy a HD display like the hitachi 1024x1024 ALIS panel for around 5k or so... but its not real HD (1920x1080), that and the the HD PVR's are expensive (toppys not even out yet), so figured for half the price i could go for a SD setup rather than HD. HD isn't broadcast all that much either. I figured spend a few $ on a SD setup now, in 2-3 years hopefully some real HD panels have come out and down to a reasonable price, like the Sharp 1920x1080 LCD which are 15kUSD.

What do you think of this? should i be blowing the extra $ to get a half arse HD setup or not?

I figure i can move the SD setup to the bedroom once we get a HD setup in a few years.

Most of my viewing is done from the Xbox at the moment which can upscale to 480p/720p/1080i... and I dont have a STB yet, but TV viewing will be done from that (no foxtel)

I read a review on the Teac 42" Plasma that seemed to go for less than 3k and most people seem happy with it for the money - i'm a bit iffy about teac, just always known them as a low end kmart brand. A large RPTV won't fit where we want it, so i guess it would have to be a Plasma/LCD/CRT. The Mrs really wants a plasma/LCD etc.. i do as well kind of, but am still considering CRT

Does the toppy5000PVR output 576p? if it only does 576i then doesn't this stuff the plasmas around since they only really display a progressive signal?

Ferni,

I got the Teac you will have seen posted on around here (the PLMSDM1060) for $2,700 (from memory, just for the plasma) as a part of a deal that included a Pioneer DVD surround sound system (HTD8) and the OpenTel ODT-4200PVR (All up we paid $4K). Our setup is great, only improved by the fact that we recently added a Panasonic DMR-E85H that runs SCART from the STB to it, then component into the plasma - progressive on. GREAT picture, and well worth it. From our perspective, we'll run the screen into the ground and re-evaluate what we want when we need to get a new one (5 years? 8 years?).

There are other options around, and people have varying degrees of luck with them. For mine, the Teac is a great unit that does the job sub $3K.

themolk.

DMR-E85H is a DVD recorder? so you're passing a STB SD signal to it (576i) and upscaling it to 567p and then to the projector?

Do any SD STB output progressive signals (576p)? especially interested in the toppy5000.

Ferni,

Yes - the DMR-E85H is a HDD/DVD recorder. I have the STB connected to the Recorder via SCART, and then component to the Plasma (set to run Progressive - 576P). The picture quality is fantastic. It sounds like the only way I could make it better is run a HD STB via component in the TV direct (which I am not planning to at the moment).

Happy to help where I can.

themolk.

Hey Feni,

Check out the 'Post the deal you got your plasma for' thread, theres some good examples of what you can get good SD panels for in there, I got my JVC for 3600 on interest free, so if I had cash I may have got it for 3300 or so... JVC is a quality brand with a good reputation, and I couldnt be happier with the panel... there are other panels out there for the same price range too... I too wasnt keen on teac or lg for that matter due to the general perception of those 2 brands.

My opinion on HD is that it could be 5 years before its really worth investing, due to amount being broadcast, and as you said, hard to find true HD panels and they are lots of $$$$$ when you do. Also I couldnt see enough difference between HD and SD to influence me toward HD till the price diff is neglegable.

Bottom line at the moment is, 3-4k will get you an extremely good 42" SD panel.

Callum

Cal-Syd: thanks, thats the same line of thought i'm on, if i were rich i'd be fine blowing 15k on a true HD screen and HD box but for us plebs 2.5-3.5k is a lot for a TV.

I have been watching that thread as well just to get an idea of screens in my price range. Are you running a HD or SD STB?

I've got fox digital, so its kinda SD but from what most people on here say its not particulary good SD (i.e not as good as 7,9,10 SD) most of the time it looks pretty good to me, I do notice a difference between programs tho, Music stations are pretty good quality generally, as are most movies - varies between movies tho. I have the fox conected scart to svideo with a very good quality cable to help the situation as well.

If I didnt have fox I think I'd just run an SD box at the moment and maybe upgrade it when the HDs fall in price a bit more.

Fortunatly for me fox is supplied by work so its not a waste of money for me!

Interestingly the JVC plasma I have says it supports 1080i but has no DVI input, so I think that means it needs to be done via component and the picture would be scaled down... i suspect the panel itself would probably run better at 576 anyway...

When I bought my panel the shop had a multitude of panels on the wall all playing nemo via what the guy told me was HD dvd... I stood back and tried to objectivly see the differences in pitcure some were brighter etc but I couldnt pick which were HD panels or not, without looking at pricetags... (I have noticed posts on here and another forum idicating from a decent distance its so hard to tell SD from HD anyway!!) I dont really know how well the displays were setup tho. Also the more the sales guy realised I had been doing research the more he opened up with info as well, and when I asked him how much he could do the jvc for (5499 retail) and he came back with 3600 i damn near fell over as it was my pic of the SD panels, i was thinking he'd say 5200 or something... moral of the story, if you find a nice SD panel for 5k or more, you can probably find it somehwhere for less than 4k retail price isnt meaning a whole lot in the world of SD plasma at the moment.


Cheers
Callum

haha work pays for foxtel? thats a nice scam, i want in on that

Most SD plasmas seems to take a 1080i/720p signal and downscale it. I've just read a couple of things about plasmas (maybe certain ones) not liking a 567i signal that much.

ferni

If you are still considering a CRT look at the 36" toshiba. I was offered one for $2800 inc stand for cash.

http://www.castel.com.au/Toshiba/ProductDe...uctCode=36SW9UA

I thought the picture quality was exellent on SD and HD. Very close to the mighty Sony KVHR36m31.

Maybe something to think about.

Regards

Daywalker