In market for widescreen CRT tv.

[George Maffra]

I'm in the market for a 76cm widescreen CRT television.

There are so many on the market and it so confusing.

Am told the Panasonic is good.

But what do people reckon is a good value?

Yesterdays Green Guide has a Loewe with STB for cheap.

And what are best places in Melbourne to buy from?


thanks
George

 

[Rod Speed]

George Maffra <georgeM@home.com.au> wrote in message news:d494d0d9fe0deaa3e38f923aca6a1ed1@news.teranews.com...

I'm in the market for a 76cm widescreen CRT television.

Me too.

There are so many on the market and it so confusing.

Yeah, many of the terms used to describe the
capabilitys are almost completely meaningless.

Just what the fuck

DRC Pallette
Cinema Drive Mode (3-2 Pull Down)
Power VM
Intelligent Picture

actually mean with the Sony 86cm Widescreen FD
Trinitron Wega for example is anyone's guess.

Am told the Panasonic is good.

But what do people reckon is a good value?

God knows. I'm trying to decide that myself.

Its not as if they are cheap enough to take a punt on.

Yesterdays Green Guide has a Loewe with STB for cheap.

And what are best places in Melbourne to buy from?

I guess I'd buy it from somewhere where you
can return it if you dont like it at those prices
and with that complexity with the features.

 

[Dr. Michael Hfuhruhurr]

Fuck me, Rod Speed is confused. I thought he knew everything



"Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:c69vd3$9rl0l$1@ID-69072.news.uni-berlin.de...

George Maffra <georgeM@home.com.au> wrote in message
news:d494d0d9fe0deaa3e38f923aca6a1ed1@news.teranews.com...

I'm in the market for a 76cm widescreen CRT television.

Me too.

There are so many on the market and it so confusing.

Yeah, many of the terms used to describe the
capabilitys are almost completely meaningless.

Just what the fuck

DRC Pallette
Cinema Drive Mode (3-2 Pull Down)
Power VM
Intelligent Picture

actually mean with the Sony 86cm Widescreen FD
Trinitron Wega for example is anyone's guess.

Am told the Panasonic is good.

But what do people reckon is a good value?

God knows. I'm trying to decide that myself.

Its not as if they are cheap enough to take a punt on.

Yesterdays Green Guide has a Loewe with STB for cheap.

And what are best places in Melbourne to buy from?

I guess I'd buy it from somewhere where you
can return it if you dont like it at those prices
and with that complexity with the features.

 

[George Maffra]

"Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote:

I'm in the market for a 76cm widescreen CRT television.

Me too.

Fantastic Rod !

I'll just buy whatever your getting if you dont mind. I've been reading
your posts for years and really respect your opinion.

What do you like so far?



cheers
George

 

[Rod Speed]

George Maffra <georgeM@home.com.au> wrote in message news:b0f77792d925f933f3f060c1ba68b2fa@news.teranews.com...

Rod Speed <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote

I'm in the market for a 76cm widescreen CRT television.

Me too.

Fantastic Rod !

I'll just buy whatever your getting if you dont mind. I've been
reading your posts for years and really respect your opinion.

What do you like so far?

Unfortunately for you, I havent even decided whether to go
for something cheap and nasty like the very low end Woolys
stuff that is atleast 16:9 or something a lot more fancy.

I have noticed that quite a bit of stuff is now broadcast
in 16:9 format on the ABC and SBS, with black bars
above and below, so it would be worth getting something
that can show those without the bars, like that monkey
program on the ABC recently.

Hard to justify spending 2-3 times as much for say 100MHz
and DRC tho, particularly as none of them have proper
digital tuners, even if you're happy to spend $5K class money.

So I might just go for something cheap for now, basically
because the current Philips 19" TV is on its last legs and
has lost one gun, which is surprisingly irrelevant, but which
loses all color at times too.

 

[Michael]

DRC is just Sony's proprietary line doubler. Cinema mode, likewise is just
their de-interlacer.

"Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:c69vd3$9rl0l$1@ID-69072.news.uni-berlin.de...

Yeah, many of the terms used to describe the
capabilitys are almost completely meaningless.

Just what the fuck

DRC Pallette
Cinema Drive Mode (3-2 Pull Down)
Power VM
Intelligent Picture

actually mean with the Sony 86cm Widescreen FD
Trinitron Wega for example is anyone's guess.

 

[Rod Speed]

Michael <quadhammerNOHAM@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:c6a9oq$94upe$1@ID-169511.news.uni-berlin.de...

DRC is just Sony's proprietary line doubler.

Yeah, did manage to work that out eventually. Less clear tho just
what the difference between DRC, DRC1000 and DRC1024 is.
The Sony suppot site is very vague and basically just says that
it should be enabled in various situations which isnt a hell of a
lot of use when deciding whether to buy a TV that has it etc.

Cinema mode, likewise is just their de-interlacer.

What the hell is the 3-2 Pull Down about ?

Similarly 'Intelligent Picture' is obviously attempting to
present the best picture possible, but just what can it do etc ?

"Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:c69vd3$9rl0l$1@ID-69072.news.uni-berlin.de...
Yeah, many of the terms used to describe the
capabilitys are almost completely meaningless.

Just what the fuck

DRC Pallette
Cinema Drive Mode (3-2 Pull Down)
Power VM
Intelligent Picture

actually mean with the Sony 86cm Widescreen FD
Trinitron Wega for example is anyone's guess.

 

[Matt McLeod]

In article <c6a88r$9p33a$1@ID-69072.news.uni-berlin.de>,
Rod Speed <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote:

Hard to justify spending 2-3 times as much for say 100MHz
and DRC tho, particularly as none of them have proper
digital tuners, even if you're happy to spend $5K class money.

The Samsung WS32A10 isn't bad. ~$2k for a 76cm widescreen with
100MHz and progressive scan, couple of component inputs which
double-up as composite, reasonable enough picture, includes
the stand as part of price.

I hear there's a nice Panasonic model out now for not a lot
more money, but I've been fairly happy with the Samsung so far.

The digital tuner isn't a big deal -- the external set-top boxes
are getting pretty cheap. Add on $200-$300 for an SD box.

Matt

 

[Rod Speed]

Matt McLeod <matt@boggle.org> wrote in message
news:4088c002$1@duster.adelaide.on.net...

Rod Speed <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote

Hard to justify spending 2-3 times as much for say 100MHz
and DRC tho, particularly as none of them have proper
digital tuners, even if you're happy to spend $5K class money.

The Samsung WS32A10 isn't bad. ~$2k for a 76cm widescreen
with 100MHz and progressive scan, couple of component inputs
which double-up as composite, reasonable enough picture,
includes the stand as part of price.

What about that other question, automatically handling
16:9 format material broadcast in 4:3 on FTA TV ?

I hear there's a nice Panasonic model out now for not a lot
more money, but I've been fairly happy with the Samsung so far.

The digital tuner isn't a big deal -- the external set-top boxes
are getting pretty cheap. Add on $200-$300 for an SD box.

Sure, the price isnt the problem, its just rather crude.

More of cosmetic problem than anything too massive tho.

Particularly as I watch almost nothing live except the ABC
TV News, watch the rest off VCRs currently, later moving to
proper digital format from hard drive or DVDs recorded off air.

That may not be as irrelevant for others tho.

 

[Matt McLeod]

In article <c6aipi$9r6bq$1@ID-69072.news.uni-berlin.de>,
Rod Speed <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote:

Matt McLeod <matt@boggle.org> wrote in message
news:4088c002$1@duster.adelaide.on.net...
The Samsung WS32A10 isn't bad. ~$2k for a 76cm widescreen
with 100MHz and progressive scan, couple of component inputs
which double-up as composite, reasonable enough picture,
includes the stand as part of price.

What about that other question, automatically handling
16:9 format material broadcast in 4:3 on FTA TV ?

With digital it doesn't matter one way or the other, as it's
all broadcast 16:9 with bars down the sides anyway.

For analog, well, it's all 4:3, so you put the set in 4:3 mode
when using the built-in tuner (or the AV input you use for your
VCR) and it remembers that.

What is a bit annoying is that it doesn't seem to spot 4:3
material from DVD. Either that or neither of my DVD players
send the necessary signal. But it's workable.

The digital tuner isn't a big deal -- the external set-top boxes
are getting pretty cheap. Add on $200-$300 for an SD box.

Sure, the price isnt the problem, its just rather crude.

You won't find me trying to defend the situation. It'd be nice if
there were more sets available with digital tuners. At the same
time, though, I'm not convinced it's as big a deal as some like
to make it -- you've probably already got a DVD player, VCR,
receiver, CD player, and gods-knows what else, one more box
isn't *too* big a deal. And you can at least you can choose whatever
you think is best rather than be stuck with whatever random crap
the TV manufacturer decided to throw in.

Matt

 

[Rod Speed]

Matt McLeod <matt@boggle.org> wrote in message
news:4088d7cb$1@duster.adelaide.on.net...

Rod Speed <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote
Matt McLeod <matt@boggle.org> wrote

The Samsung WS32A10 isn't bad. ~$2k for a 76cm widescreen
with 100MHz and progressive scan, couple of component inputs
which double-up as composite, reasonable enough picture,
includes the stand as part of price.

What about that other question, automatically handling
16:9 format material broadcast in 4:3 on FTA TV ?

With digital it doesn't matter one way or the other, as it's
all broadcast 16:9 with bars down the sides anyway.

For analog, well, it's all 4:3, so you put the set in 4:3
mode when using the built-in tuner (or the AV input
you use for your VCR) and it remembers that.

I meant does it automatically notice when what is broadcast
is in 4:3 format with black bars at the top and botttom due
to the original being in 16:9 and automatically resize the
display so you dont see the black bars.

What is a bit annoying is that it doesn't seem to spot 4:3
material from DVD. Either that or neither of my DVD
players send the necessary signal. But it's workable.

The digital tuner isn't a big deal -- the external set-top boxes
are getting pretty cheap. Add on $200-$300 for an SD box.

Sure, the price isnt the problem, its just rather crude.

You won't find me trying to defend the situation. It'd be nice if
there were more sets available with digital tuners. At the same
time, though, I'm not convinced it's as big a deal as some like
to make it -- you've probably already got a DVD player, VCR,
receiver, CD player, and gods-knows what else, one more box
isn't *too* big a deal.

Yeah, it wasnt the extra box I care about, just the kludge.

And you can at least you can choose whatever you
think is best rather than be stuck with whatever
random crap the TV manufacturer decided to throw in.

Sure, but it would better if you could just specify
in the setup menu to use the Aust DTV format etc.

 

[Matt McLeod]

In article <c6aoto$9j2o7$1@ID-69072.news.uni-berlin.de>,
Rod Speed <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote:

I meant does it automatically notice when what is broadcast
is in 4:3 format with black bars at the top and botttom due
to the original being in 16:9 and automatically resize the
display so you dont see the black bars.

Do any models? I haven't heard of any that'll do that. There's
no signal (so far as I know) in the broadcast that'll tell the
TV that it can crop stuff, so it'd have to be examining the picture
and taking a guess.

If you're going to mostly watch analogue broadcasts, stick with
a 4:3 set for now, or treat your widescreen as a glorified 4:3.
You can muck about with zoom settings if you really want, but
I've not been too impressed with the results.

If, on the other hand, you're expecting to pick up a digital box
(either a basic set-top box or a PVR) in the medium term, widescreen
is probably worth the money. Likewise if you watch a lot of DVDs.

matt

 

[Michael]

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_7_4/dvd-benchmark-part-5-progressive-10-2000.html
has a pretty good explanation.

"Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:c6abmk$9nnr0$1@ID-69072.news.uni-berlin.de...
> What the hell is the 3-2 Pull Down about ?

 

[Michael]

Everything is broadcast in 16:9 on digital, as Matt said. So, yes, those
black bars on the top and bottom of your analogue signal will disappear if
the image's ratio is 16:9.

"Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:c6aoto$9j2o7$1@ID-69072.news.uni-berlin.de...

I meant does it automatically notice when what is broadcast
is in 4:3 format with black bars at the top and botttom due
to the original being in 16:9 and automatically resize the
display so you dont see the black bars.

 

[Pepe Duran]

Gotta agree with Matt.
If you are watching Analogue just stick to a 4:3 but if you have Foxtel or
Austar a lot of the stuff is in 16:9 including, Both footy codes, W,
Biography Channel Some Tech TV, UKTV, SBS, ABC,
The broadcast signal defines how the aspect ratio is handled. If its 4:3
with black bars its still 4:3 and will be shown that way.
You can try and "Zoom" the picture but still looks shit.


"Michael" <quadhammerNOHAM@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:c6atm0$a3j49$1@ID-169511.news.uni-berlin.de...

Everything is broadcast in 16:9 on digital, as Matt said. So, yes, those
black bars on the top and bottom of your analogue signal will disappear if
the image's ratio is 16:9.

"Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:c6aoto$9j2o7$1@ID-69072.news.uni-berlin.de...
I meant does it automatically notice when what is broadcast
is in 4:3 format with black bars at the top and botttom due
to the original being in 16:9 and automatically resize the
display so you dont see the black bars.

 

[Rod Speed]

Michael <quadhammerNOHAM@hotmail.com> wrote in
message news:c6at34$a4tir$1@ID-169511.news.uni-berlin.de...

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_7_4/dvd-benchmark-part-5-progressive-10-2000.html
has a pretty good explanation.

Yeah, one of the clearer explanations, the entire page.

And google turns up quite a bit with "3-2 Pulldown" too.

Pity about the marks on my legs from kicking myself tho.

Rod Speed <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote

What the hell is the 3-2 Pull Down about ?

 

[Rod Speed]

Matt McLeod <matt@boggle.org> wrote in message
news:4088eac0$1@duster.adelaide.on.net...

Rod Speed <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote

I meant does it automatically notice when what is broadcast
is in 4:3 format with black bars at the top and botttom due
to the original being in 16:9 and automatically resize the
display so you dont see the black bars.

Do any models?

No idea, thats essentially what I was asking.

Cant see any technical difficulty with doing it.

I'd likely wait for that if none do with something that expensive.

That'd be one argument for a much simpler TV, since
I never watch that stuff live for various reasons, do all
that in the digital capture and then just need something
pretty basic to display it on when I do want to watch it.

I haven't heard of any that'll do that. There's no signal (so far
as I know) in the broadcast that'll tell the TV that it can crop
stuff, so it'd have to be examining the picture and taking a guess.

Yeah, thats what I meant. Shouldnt be hard to detect tho with
those black bands above and below the actual content wanted.

If you're going to mostly watch analogue broadcasts,

I wont be doing that for long, certainly not
for the life of a TV thats that expensive.

stick with a 4:3 set for now, or treat
your widescreen as a glorified 4:3.

Yeah, might be best to get one of the cheap ones that does
have a physical 16:9 screen and worry about all that extra
capability in the digital capture when moving away from VCRs.

Main problem is that the cheapest ones dont even have 100Hz etc.

You can muck about with zoom settings if you really want,

Yeah, that'd be too much hassle unless you
could setup a specific profile and just switch
to that manually with that sort of content.

but I've not been too impressed with the results.

In what way ?

I was a bit surprised at how good that monkey doco
looked, given that it was recorded LP on a VCR.

Viewed on a Commodore 1701 monitor, not the dying Philips.

The only problem with the 1701 is that its physically quite small.

If, on the other hand, you're expecting to pick up a digital
box (either a basic set-top box or a PVR) in the medium
term, widescreen is probably worth the money.

Yeah, thats basically why I was thinking along those lines.

Likewise if you watch a lot of DVDs.

Nope, currently dont even have a DVD player at all.

I am planning to move in that direction tho away from the
VCRs, capture in digital to hard disk, write some stuff to
DVD with a burner, just because I collect a hell of a lot
of stuff that can take years before I bother to watch it.

I like to have a lot of stuff recorded so I can just look
thru the database for something to watch and completely
detach myself from the broadcasting schedules.

 

[Rod Speed]

Michael <quadhammerNOHAM@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:c6atm0$a3j49$1@ID-169511.news.uni-berlin.de...

Everything is broadcast in 16:9 on digital, as Matt said.
So, yes, those black bars on the top and bottom of your
analogue signal will disappear if the image's ratio is 16:9.

OK, digital has shown up locally with the FTAs so one
approach would be to feed the output of the digital STB
into the VCR so I'd get the result I want when played
back from the VCR to the 16:9 format TV.

Is that gunna work ? Doesnt sound right.

No big deal I guess, I could get off my arse and do
the digital capture now for those programs and keep
using the VCRs for the mundane stuff for now.


The other thing that has been a hassle for quite a
while now is the stupid SBS programs that insist
on using subtitles instead of overdubbing in english
like is more common with wogs on ABC program items.

I dont stare at the screen much when watching stuff,
mostly listen to the audio and play Freecell etc, just
looking at the screen when it gets more interesting.

And its distracting to read subtitles anyway
when the video is interesting anyway.

It would be nice to be able to use the captions into
a voice synthesiser so I could hear the subtitles
instead of having to read them off the screen.

Clearly the captions arent likely to survive a
VCR, but would be fine with digital capture.

In which case the TV doesnt really need all that much
capability wise, even the cheapys will display DVDs fine.

"Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:c6aoto$9j2o7$1@ID-69072.news.uni-berlin.de...
I meant does it automatically notice when what is broadcast
is in 4:3 format with black bars at the top and botttom due
to the original being in 16:9 and automatically resize the
display so you dont see the black bars.

 

[Rod Speed]

Pepe Duran <pepeduran533@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:tL8ic.3251$qq6.400@news-server.bigpond.net.au...

Gotta agree with Matt.
If you are watching Analogue just stick to a 4:3 but if you have Foxtel
or Austar a lot of the stuff is in 16:9 including, Both footy codes, W,
Biography Channel Some Tech TV, UKTV, SBS, ABC,

Yeah, might be the time to capture at least that stuff digitally now.

I dont watch much at all live, basically so I can skip the crap and
the ads and completely detach myself from broadcasting schedules.

The broadcast signal defines how the aspect ratio is handled.
If its 4:3 with black bars its still 4:3 and will be shown that way.

You can try and "Zoom" the picture but still looks shit.

Yeah, figures I guess.

"Michael" <quadhammerNOHAM@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:c6atm0$a3j49$1@ID-169511.news.uni-berlin.de...
Everything is broadcast in 16:9 on digital, as Matt said. So, yes, those
black bars on the top and bottom of your analogue signal will disappear if
the image's ratio is 16:9.

"Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:c6aoto$9j2o7$1@ID-69072.news.uni-berlin.de...
I meant does it automatically notice when what is broadcast
is in 4:3 format with black bars at the top and botttom due
to the original being in 16:9 and automatically resize the
display so you dont see the black bars.

 

[Steve Batt]

"Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:c6aipi$9r6bq$1@ID-69072.news.uni-berlin.de...

Matt McLeod <matt@boggle.org> wrote in message
news:4088c002$1@duster.adelaide.on.net...
Rod Speed <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote

Hard to justify spending 2-3 times as much for say 100MHz
and DRC tho, particularly as none of them have proper
digital tuners, even if you're happy to spend $5K class money.

The Samsung WS32A10 isn't bad. ~$2k for a 76cm widescreen
with 100MHz and progressive scan, couple of component inputs
which double-up as composite, reasonable enough picture,
includes the stand as part of price.

*************************************
I hope the Samsung and LG models have improved since i bought my 76cm,
Both were next to the Pana in the showroom, I was permitted to play with all
3
remotes by the staff, so comparisons were in my control ........

Bought the Panasonic TX-76PW50A.

old model now but hope this helps.

Steve

*********************************

What about that other question, automatically handling
16:9 format material broadcast in 4:3 on FTA TV ?

I hear there's a nice Panasonic model out now for not a lot
more money, but I've been fairly happy with the Samsung so far.

The digital tuner isn't a big deal -- the external set-top boxes
are getting pretty cheap. Add on $200-$300 for an SD box.

Sure, the price isnt the problem, its just rather crude.

More of cosmetic problem than anything too massive tho.

Particularly as I watch almost nothing live except the ABC
TV News, watch the rest off VCRs currently, later moving to
proper digital format from hard drive or DVDs recorded off air.

That may not be as irrelevant for others tho.