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This might be a long and rambling post but I need to get my thoughts on this subject out. In 2008, I purchased a Samsung LN-T4081F for $1300 from Abe's of Maine. It was one of the first commercially available LED-backlit LCD TVs, using a full-array of LED (none of these edge-lit shenanigans), with local-dimming. The primary purpose for the display has been movies in HD, and photo editing. The source is a desktop computer. In the time I've owned my LN-T4081F, I've moved a couple of times, rearranged rooms many times, replaced all the components of that desktop computer twice, and moved from ancient, freebie, full-cabinet 2.0 speakers to a nice 5.1 setup with a subwoofer I built myself. The only component in my entire hometheater setup that hasn't changed is the TV itself. I still love it; it works just as well as the day I received it. However, my viewing distance from it is a bit too long, and I can't move my seating forward without re-engineering the otherwise-ideal room layout. I need a bigger display. The problem is twofold: 1) I care about image quality above all else, with longevity in second place, and low-latency behind that. 2) I'm never going to use any of the following functions: motion interpolation (120/240/480Hz), TV Tuner, CableCard, Dolby Audio processing, integral speakers, analog input of any kind (composite, s-vid, component, VGA, BNC), 3D-anything, game-mode, Smart-TV functions (Hulu, YouTube, Skype), upscaling... the list goes on. The only problems I have with my current TV are: • the front face is 30+% bezel. It's the size of a modern 46" TV, seriously. • the local-dimming function has a very low number of zones (8 or 12, something like that) • the PVA panel in it has around 55-60ms latency by my estimate. I've considered getting a Samsung UN46D8000, but I feel like I'd be paying for all those features I won't be using. Also, the ultra-thin-ness of the device seems to hurt its image quality. c-net gave it a 6.0 for IQ due to unevenness; I hear that's a common problem with ultra-thin designs. I hear it has horrible latency issues which make even console gaming on it a chore. There's also the LG LW9800, which would be ideal if only they would launch the 47" model they announced. At this time, it's only available as a 55" (55LW9800) which is a bit outside my budget ($3800 or something like that). The other options I keep running past in my mind aren't TVs, but Large Format Displays (LFDs) intended for digital signage applications. The Samsung ME46A and Samsung UE46A strike my fancy. They're both PVA panels, but newer than mine, so probably slightly better latency, and no worse than anything else on the market. Both models swap out the TV Tuner in favor of a ARM A8 CPU with a GPU and a DSP, for handling 1080p H264 without an input device. They have 1 HDMI, 1 DisplayPort (never seen that on a TV before), 1 DVI, and 1 VGA for input. The UE has a quicker response time, and higher brightness (UE: 450nit, ME: 300nit). Also, they take serial input from an RS232 adapter, which can be use to operate the menus, change power state, check status, etc. It's nerdy but I could see using that. None of the LFDs have been reviewed on any site anywhere, unfortunately. The biggest advantage these panels offer is the warranty, though: 3 years on-site parts and labor from the manufacturer, which is easily worth $200+ in my eyes. Would anyone suggest any alternatives? I know Sony has some nice models in similar price ranges, some of which are even on sale right now, but I have a history of hating the hell out of Sony's documentation, support, and UI design (their menus are abysmal). Gigas-VII fucked around with this message at 18:33 on Jan 13, 2012 |
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Jan 13, 2012 18:27
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BonoMan posted:Honestly most of your desired requirements/specs are outside of what I can recommend, but I did want to correct this. The 120/240/480Hz stuff is refresh rate capabilities and is separate from that crappy "motion interpolation" a lot of modern TVs come with. It's unfortunate because a lot of the marketing wording makes them SEEM like they are one in the same. But the TVs refresh rate is actually a different function from the lovely soap opera effect interpolating gimmick that you see often. As I understand it, even if the panel can render at 120+Hz, the inputs won't accept a signal faster than 60Hz, on every single model I've ever seen or heard about. Even those fancy 600Hz Plasma units won't take a 120Hz signal. Seems to me that 120+Hz can't be used even if your source can output it, so the only benefit it has is for interpolation... please correct me if I'm mistaken. I know that HDMI 1.4a doesn't support 120Hz, but DVI, VGA, and DisplayPort all do. edit: wait, I just thought about the use of 120Hz in rendering interlaced video without during a pulldown detection + deinterlace. So maybe there's that. But honestly, since I'm using a PC as the source, I'm handling all format conversion on a CPU+GPU, the TV would never see anything but 1080p60Hz on the line. Gigas-VII fucked around with this message at 18:48 on Jan 13, 2012 |
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Jan 13, 2012 18:44
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evilalien posted:The benefit even if it can't accept a 120hz input is that it can display 1080p24 without 3:2 pulldown. Yeah, that's exactly what I was thinking about, you just beat me to it  That might be handy, I dunno. 3:2 pulldown has been my only option for so long, I haven't really considered the alternative. This is a valid part of 'image quality', but not one I had considered initially. I was thinking about still-frame IQ, or 60Hz IQ. Now you've got me thinking that a 120Hz panel might actually be a good idea. The UE46A has a 120Hz panel, now I'm leaning even harder toward that... drat it, $700 is such a huge difference for a semi-usable doubled signaling rate. EDIT: am I crazy for even considering a business-grade device here? I mean, I could get a 55" or larger TV if I sacrifice quality. A 55" unit wouldn't fit in the space I have, but would probably be a better value. I dunno, I just don't want to settle for something I'll come to hate. I've been so pleased with my current TV and I want that trend to continue. Gigas-VII fucked around with this message at 18:59 on Jan 13, 2012 |
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Jan 13, 2012 18:54
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