LCD TVs and Hz

[Jax]

Does anyone have any experience with LCD TVs at 120Hz or 60 HZ? I'm going to finally upgrade to an LCD TV, and I'm confused about the real impact of the Hz. One store said (and showed a demo) that suggets the 60HZ isn't all that clear and in fact, could be less quality than my existing tube TV. So...the difference in the models is about $400. Is it worth it? Anyone have any experience here?

[jseal]

Jax,

If you have the time to read up on the details, Consumer Reports did a pretty thorough review of many of the different available flat screen TVs (http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/tvs-services/tvs/index.htm).

We went with the Sony Bravia 42", as they were on sale at the time.

[Casperr]

In my experience, there's not really any difference between the different Hz. LCDs aren't like CRTs where Hz actually matter - we're not really talking refresh rates with LCD. Getting a screen with a low response time (less than 6ms) should do the trick.

Get a screen with a good resolution (you want to do 1080p high definition, so one with at least 1080 vertical lines, eg 1920x1080). Also look for contrast ratio, at least 1,000:1 but the higher the better.

Good luck!

[Jax]

Hi.

Thank you for the info. JSEAL, I tried the link but couldn't get in because I'm not a member, but thank you though.

Okay, so we went ahead and bought the 1080P, 60HZ tV...and it's blurry on fast moving things (i.e. live action football). The store warned me that would happen, but when I looked at theirs it wasn't blurry. So..more questions....

If I upgrade to Hi-Def, will that change it? And, when it comes to 'flat screens' aren't most people using a 720p model? (since the 1080 apparently is newish?) - or are they all using Plasma's and not LCDs?

From here, I'm going to go back to the store and ask more questions, as I didn't buy it on clearance, and the store is close I'm not worried about returning it, it's more a case of how much $ I got to spend.

Let me know if anyone has any more thoughts here.

Thank you in advance.

[Aqua]

The 'normal' channels will sometimes look worse on an HD tv. If you can get HD channels (which are only 720p currently) the picture will improve drastically. Especially with football. 1080p has been out for quite some time now. We bought a 1080p so we would (hopefully) be prepared for newer technologies that are released to utilize that resolution.

[Jax]

So..in the end, we upgraded to hi-def...It made all the difference in the world. We are at '60hz', and that had little if any impact. (Supposedly 120Hz is better - and it is definitely more expensive, but the $400 premium doesn't seem worth it.).

Thank you everyone.

[SethAwakened]

ok im not really infoed on the impact of hertz on a tv
but i can tell you that 1080 tvs are better than 720
because and i have seen the picture difference in person
the 1080 will show hd clearer than 720 even though only 720 is the highest actually broadcast inas for reg tv channels i dont know if some of the hd tvs dont have this but my tv actually upgrades the picture quality of what its broadcasting as does my dvd player now it doesnt brign the quality of the reg channels to hd but its better than they normally are and my hd tv is an lcd
so ask about that if you go searchign for an hd tv
and look at the pictures sometimes you can clearly see the difference =]
one more thing sometimes the reason your tv is blury is because your not watchign from the optimal distance if your watchign from too close it will be abit blury sometimes

[Matte]

It usually depends on what you want outta your tv. Currently there is no HD signal that transmits above 720...and with the fact that most signals arent even in HD yet...I am doubtful we will see an HD 1080 signal within the life of a TV if you bought it today. Regular stations still broadcast in analog/digital...so obviously your not getting the performance out of either the 720 or 1080. As of now the only REAL reason to get a 1080 now is either for the future or because you're upgrading to blueray...those work best with a 1080 tele. Personally I won't be upgrading to blueray till im well forced to...and im betting by that time my tv will be well used and ready for an upgrade.

[wyndhy]

this is what i've noticed - 60 makes the non-hd stuff look weird. there's this ghost image thingy that goes on, especially with stuff/peeps in the foreground picture. it's pretty subtle, hubby barely notices, but sometimes it's all i can see! makes me feel funny, dizzy almost