I agree, it should be available online only.

I think this post shows one of the main reasons why some cannot see the difference.

The most dramatic differences are seen on studio shot programmes like Pointless and Eggheads ( the latter is instantly obvious when former SD episodes are aired). Introducing a clearly biased opinion based on programme content shows shall we say a not very reliable opinion).

Some HD content is very soft (explained by the directors fondness for soft focus and introduced filmic noise),. If any posters are basing there opinion based on this posters particular choice of content it's not surprising that they can't see the difference

Why not just watch Pointless in SD compared to HD (You don't have to like the content, only check the visuals), and see if you can see the difference.

This weekend set up a new Panasonic 32" TV, for my daughter.

http://www.richersounds.com/product/.../pana-txl32e6b

Frankly this is the best SD pictures I have seen from any LCD TV I have seen (including some of the poorer channels).

SD pictures are remarkably good. HD sources and Blu-ray are fantastic, (coupled with the superior sound) there is still a superior picture. Sharper edge definition (foreground objects are sharply defined from the background - almost 3D, The contrast ratio on HD content is the nearest to a good Plasma I have seen).

Compared to a Sony model at around the same price, off axis viewing is superior.

If you are looking for a budget 5.1 system and a quality TV consider the above

The sound is via a base level proper AV amp coupled with a packaged speaker system and a base level Sony Blu-ray player also from Richer Sounds.

http://www.richersounds.com/package/...deals/pah01844

I'm still struggling with this mental image of Mr Faust sitting 4'' from his tv studying Gardeners World for differences. Priceless.

There's an optimum distance, and close up doesn't work. It's not an iPad retina display we're looking at. I just tried it on the ICC Final highlights and from the settee it's very good. Close up? No. The detail is there but - literally - the bigger picture isn't, it doesn't work as a complete HD picture sitting 4' from the screen.

Around 12 foot is fine for me. As far as I'm concerned I can still appreciate all the benefits of HD PQ from that distance and yes sometimes I'll use my ZOOM and move the chair forward a little, but then I'll pull the lever at the side, recline and be almost back where I started. My OH sits 9 foot away from our 50'.

The only time I've sat really close (about 7') is for 3D, which is not very often at all.

Sounds like a good buy.

LG have this edge sharpening software, it definitely gave the picture a 3D WOW look, but to me it was very unnatural, people tended to look like cardboard cutouts, eventually I had to turn it off.

The clue is in the name of the program.

Not applicable to the OP as they have 720 resolution, but if the viewer had 1080 screen they could be sat as close as 45inches/2x image height, less than 4ft.

Based on visual acuity, the point beyond which some of the detail in the picture is no longer able to be resolved and "blends" with adjacent detail, 5.2ft would be the Max distance before detail would be lost, so someone sitting 4ft or slightly less would allow them to resolve all detail easily and give them a more immersive experience.

THX recommends 4.5ft/36 degree viewing angle, a Max distance of 6.3ft/26 degree viewing angle.

SMPTE recommends a maximum distance of 5.4ft/30 degree viewing angle.

Sitting that close will not appeal to everyone, but if the viewer wants to see every scrap of detail and have a more immersive experience then they will need to sit this close.

Zoom, as in aspect ratio adjustment?

You manually zoom in content that has black bars?

No he doesn't - he has 768 resolution.

But more to the point it's an HD Ready Plasma, and will be pretty useless on HD (which is one of his 'problems' - the other being sitting much to far away).

On an LCD the difference between 768 and 1080 screens is only apparent once you get VERY close

I see "Pointless", I'll take your word for it as I've never watched it.

"I'll use my ZOOM and move the chair forward"

Sorry I should of made the above statement clearer, that's zoom as in optical, which I accomplish by moving my chair slightly closer to the TV if I have a good HD film to watch, it helps with my surround sound too.

So no aspect ratio adjustment or zooming Films if they are in letterbox, although I've noticed lots of recent films are in 16:9. (Blu-rays).

(and I have overscan turned off too )

It's a great programme, not to be missed.

Only going by the description the OP gave, no reason to dispute what they have said as there have been displays of 720 resolution. I have seen Panasonic's advertised as having 720 resolution.

Regardless of resolution 720/768, it's pretty obvious to me they were referring to a set that was HD ready and the difference in the two resolutions had/has little bearing on their argument.

I see - for a minute there I thought you may have criticised the OP's viewing preferences when you were guilty of bastardising the PQ too.

In regards different ratios, I use a PJ for all movies, and most US dramas and have been toying with the idea of a CIH (constant image height) setup for ages. I'm in the process of upgrading, amp sorted and just got a new PJ, need to think which way to go with the new screen, been looking at these.

http://www.carada.com/Masquerade-Masking-System.aspx

Looks interesting, should tidy up the edges and give you more of that cinema feeling, actually I'm sure it's a lot better than going to the cinema.

My last cinema experience involved kids smuggling food and drink in under their coats and then throwing it, eating and texting through the movie, we don't bother going anymore much prefer watching a Blu-ray at home, cheaper too.

There were a VERY tiny number of early Plasma TV's, but this isn't one - as was established earlier in this thread.


The resolutions of 720 or 1080 has little bearing either (apart from if the set is a Plasma, where HD Ready is pretty useless on HD, and 'presumably' Full HD is OK).

Downside is cost - £3k for the screen, also need an anamorphic lens kit, I have been offered an ex demo unit for £2k. Another issue is it's a fixed screen, at the moment we have a pull down screen that goes over the 50" plasma, going this route will mean the TV will need to go, but then it's only HD ready and utterly useless at HD by all accounts so shouldn't be missed.

Prefer my dedicated room to the cinema, but did go when our cinema got the 4k upgrade, an improvement in PQ but parts of the audio system really needs renewing as the same speaker that sounded terrible the last time I visited still sounded as bad.
Agree, to many selfish/ignorant individuals still frequent the cinema which ruins the experience.

At the end of the day it's the enjoyment your equipment gives you, regardless of whether others agree or not.

......and knowing this is going to make a difference to the OP?



The industry still regards Pioneer plasma to be the reference standard for picture quality.

Well, if you want that other stuff, try a different section of DS, or even a different forum.

And the old ones were (and still are) absolutely useless on HD, with the very oldest not even meeting PAL resolution.

The placebo effect certainly exists.

Also...
...having measurably perfect hearing/vision, but not having the brain function to be able to do well in masking tasks (hearing/seeing one thing in the presence of another) is certainly true. Everyone can train to improve their perception in these areas, some more than others.

Cheers,
David.

You've got to be desperate if you're going back that far to discredit plasma technology.

I'm not 'discrediting' anything - merely stating the facts.

No, you are voicing your opinion, you just think it is fact.

The fact is the TV industry have and still do regard Pioneer's Kuro range as reference quality, still nothing to touch them today and they pulled out of the TV market ages ago, you can try and dispute that all you want it certainly won't change the fact. I'm surprised you won't accept they are highly regarded TV's, especially as you work in the TV trade.

With HD blindness must come HD ready blindness, the difference on my set is plain to see.

As plain as the nose on your face, not opinion at all.


So you've now changed your claim to the 'Kuro', where as previously you just specified Pioneer Plasma - two entirely different things.

Kuro's 'might' be pretty good (I don't have access to one to consider) - but if they were that good why did they end Pioneers TV manufacturing history?.