Video Asylum

TVs, VCRs, DVD players, Home Theater systems and more.

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RE: Beginner questions on flat panel and DVD player

Posted by David Aiken on May 5, 2008 at 14:51:38:
Question 1: depends on viewing distance and you haven't specified that. If you're sitting a fair way away, you won't see a difference. You need to be close to see the added resolution that 1080 offers.

Question 2: see the answer to question 1. If you're not going to sit close enough to be able to see the additional detail of 1080 resolution, it doesn't matter whether you're watching 1080 source material.

Question 3: BD players also play normal DVDs and generally do a very good job of it. Many do as good or better a job with normal DVDs as most DVD players.

Question 4: Plasmas are probably cheaper at 50" than LCDs but probably close to equal in cost at 46" these days, at least for displays of comparable quality. Plasmas have better black levels which can deliver better picture quality but you may lose that benefit if ambient lighting levels are high since plasmas do better in darker spaces. Bottom line: look at both in your budget range and look at them in lighting levels similar to those you do your home viewing in. Pick whatever gives the best results to your eyes but be careful and try to ensure that the picture quality settings are good while you're doing your auditioning. Lots of displays in shops are adjusted to grab your attention rather than to deliver the best quality image achievable.

David Aiken