HDTV choices

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Question: is dynamic ratio a deal breaker? If I have a choice of 3 TV, one with a 20,000 to 1 ratio, one with 2,000,000 to one and a last one with 4,000,000 to one, which is the best choice for Taiwan TV?

What info I found has me puzzled:

In the world of video quality there aren't many specification more important than the contrast ratio -- if you enjoy movies or TV shows with dark scenes. Unfortunately, this also happens to be one of the most worthless specifications because every manufacture measures it differently. One of the latest tricks manufactures did was to introduce Dynamic Contrast. So instead of measuring the difference between the whitest white and the blackest black displayed on the screen at the same time, they display white and black on the screen one at a time and then measure the difference. Obviously this is next to useless, because this almost never occurs during normal programming -- of course there are exceptions to this, like alpine skiing or ice hockey. But it is the detail in the shadows and the ultimate appearance of black that is appealing in most programming. In the end the only way to compare apple to apples when looking for a new TV is by going to a trusted reviewer who always measure contrast the same way.

In other words... tiabo.

[Kawa]

Ignore the dynamic contrast ratio specifications, as it is mostly bullshit indeed. Focus on the normal contrast ratio specs to make a comparison.

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Ignore the dynamic contrast ratio specifications, as it is mostly bullshit indeed. Focus on the normal contrast ratio specs to make a comparison.

Which ones are those, for example, here, is the highlighted part the true contrast ratio?:

商品功能:

◎ FHD (1920 x 1080)高解析影像
◎ IPSα FHD Panel (IPSα頂級硬式面板)搭載
◎ 廣視野角,側面觀看顏色不失真
◎ 新純黑面板對比技術4000000：1 ◎ HDTV高畫質數位信號對應 (480p/720p/1080i/1080p)
◎ 24p 真實電影還原技術
◎ VIERA Link 機能連結/HDMI ARC對應
◎ 影像AI/雜訊抑制功能
◎ 愛眼功能對應
◎ VIERA IMAGE VIEWER (SD卡讀卡)
◎ 音量出力10W*2
◎ 低耗電設計
◎ 定時關機功能(10~120Min)
◎ MTS / STEREO對應
◎ 面板使用長壽命6萬小時
◎ PC機能對應(VGA/SVGA/XGA)
◎Skype.Wifi

[Kawa]

Nope, this number is the dynamic contrast ratio. The normal one is not even stated here, so I wouldn't consider a model whose true specs are not disclosed. Static contrast ratio number are usually below 10000:1.

If you really wanna go deeper in those technical specs, I recommend to read this:

http://www.practical-home-theater-guide.com/contrast-ratio.html

Very comprehensive

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Nope, this number is the dynamic contrast ratio. The normal one is not even stated here, so I wouldn't consider a model whose true specs are not disclosed. Static contrast ratio number are usually below 10000:1.

If you really wanna go deeper in those technical specs, I recommend to read this:

http://www.practical-home-theater-guide.com/contrast-ratio.html

Very comprehensive

Thank you...

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I am nearly going bananas here. I was sure of a specif model and make, but to my surprise, for instance, in Costco and on the Internet, the same model they say it has 120hz capacity, while today glimpsing through the Panasonic catalogue, the specs say 60hz. Who to believe?

[headhonchoII]

Its best to look at the sets in the shop so you can compare the display quality directly. From what I recall plasma has good display quality but eats electricity and expensive. The best displays are the Korean oled displays but cost $$$. Now 15k should easily get you a decent LED/LCD TV, so don't fret too much. They should all have various internet connectivity along with HDMI ports.

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To be brutally honest, at the shops, most of them, the image looks awful. Even Costco where they have signs saying they use HD broadcasting, bla bla bla. Choosing by image, I'd go for a Samsung or LG, sincerely. I really wanted to stick with Panasonic for the ease in use with the rest of my Panasonic stuff -DVR- but if I find the model I want then it is not available -ran out- or like that, specs that are not complete/incorrect. Current winner is a Sony bit over 30K, manuals in English, etc. but I didn't want to spend that much. As prices go, it is ridiculous: you have 10K TVs at 120hz, and 40K TVs with 60hz. Yes, most average 15/*17/22K average, but prices do not seem to reflect much. Plasma starts at 40/50K.

Now let me find a suitable frame to hang it from the wall.

[alidarbac]

Its best to look at the sets in the shop so you can compare the display quality directly.

From what I've read online, the only thing people can really notice about the display quality on the retail floor is brightness (i.e. brighter is better) and it's trivially easy for the store to set the brightness for a fancy 80k Sony set higher than for a 25k Vizio/Heran set.

When I bought my HDTV set a couple of years ago, I also went nuts comparing all the different specs. I ended up getting a 37" Vizio that was 15-20k cheaper than the Panasonics' or Sony's of the same size. But once I bought it, I never thought about contrast ratios or refresh rates again. The set that I bought probably doesn't have the greatest dynamic contrast ratio or whatever, but I probably literally couldn't see the difference with my source material (MOD, downloaded mkv files watched with the lights on.) To be honest, if you watch a lot of movies, a better use for that extra 10-15k between these different sets would be to get separate speakers.

[mups]

If you want to go up the price scale I'd say Samsungs give the best picture, but LGs are great bang for your buck. Have a 3 year old LCD model that still holds up pretty good, and just picked up a 37' LED 60HZ model for a small room at 3c for about 21000. LGs have really nice pictures which can be manipulated well through options, and if you stick to models without internet crap and picture processing bells and whistles you're gonna get a good TV at a good price.

Typically I note down models that look good in store, then check amazon for reviews.

I saw some plasmas at costco before but to me the picture seemed not on par with the LEDs there. Probably a good idea to ask for a remote to play with the settings in store if you have any doubts, some TVs have poor default settings out of the box and as mentioned, salespeople can manipulate the picture to draw you to a certain brand/set.

Here's the set I just picked up..there's a 42' model as well but I don't remember seeing it where I looked. Picture is great, sound is average (it's thin), and it also has a great usb player on it that plays MKV files and can be easily used with the remote. Overall I'm very happy with it:

http://www.amazon.com/LG-37LV3500-37-In ... B004OOVIDQ