Is this a good TV for 360?

Diamond · 17-09-2005, 03:18 AM

Futureshop is a store in Canada, far as I know Best Buy has owned the franchise for 5 years now.

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...n=&lan gid=EN

What do you guys think of this TV? I know it's not the greatest, but for that price I think I may be getting a decent deal. I'll add more if I find any.

I was really kinda hoping for 16:9 ratio but I'll get what I can afford I guess.

EDIT: This one is LCD and 16:9 but more expensive:
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro... 060909&catid=

Diamond · 17-09-2005, 03:40 AM

I will also mention I have no idea what cables/connecters I'm going for. It's all alien to me.

Nomino · 17-09-2005, 04:54 AM

The first one is a complete waste of money. For one, it's 4:3 ratio, and another, it's not even HDTV compatible (just progressive scan).

The LCD one is much better, as it's 16:9 ratio, and is HDTV compatible. It doesn't mention having DVI or HDMI (digital inputs) which would be a bit of a loss, espeically in the future.

The cables you will use (included with the "premium" Xbox 360) are the component cables. Component cables will allow you to play the games in 720p/1080i, depending on what the developer chooses to support. If you get the core system, you will have to buy the component cable separately.

I personally have gone for the 26" Samsung:

http://stores.tomshardware.com/searc.../promo_id=63//

It has fantastic contrast ratio, brightness, and it has HDMI, so is pretty well future proof. It costs more money, but it's worth it in the long run.

Jacksmith28 · 17-09-2005, 06:10 AM

it's ok. I recomend 4:9 aspect ratio and if anything, get 1080i

Nomino · 17-09-2005, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacksmith28

it's ok. I recomend 4:9 aspect ratio and if anything, get 1080i

4:9? Make your mind up. 16:9 or 4:3. Who in their right mind, unless absolutely strapped for cash, would buy a 4:3 ratio TV these days? Yes, you can get large 4:3 sets cheap, that offer a "virtual" widesceen image with black bars at the top and bottom, but that's just a waste of screen.

16:9 is widescreen, and is the native resolution of HDTV signals 720p and 1080i. However, when it comes to gaming, you want a progressive signal, not interlaced. That's why the majority of Xbox 360 users will be sticking with 720p, because:

1) You get less flicker and shadowing
2) You can hardly tell the difference between it and 1080i.

There is 1080p, which is better than 720p. However, at the moment Xbox 360 cannot output that resolution, and TVs that can display that resolution are still very expensive.

Jacksmith, if you can't justify your posts with facts or reasoning, don't bother.

Jacksmith28 · 17-09-2005, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nomino

4:9? Make your mind up. 16:9 or 4:3. Who in their right mind, unless absolutely strapped for cash, would buy a 4:3 ratio TV these days? Yes, you can get large 4:3 sets cheap, that offer a "virtual" widesceen image with black bars at the top and bottom, but that's just a waste of screen.

16:9 is widescreen, and is the native resolution of HDTV signals 720p and 1080i. However, when it comes to gaming, you want a progressive signal, not interlaced. That's why the majority of Xbox 360 users will be sticking with 720p, because:

1) You get less flicker and shadowing
2) You can hardly tell the difference between it and 1080i.

There is 1080p, which is better than 720p. However, at the moment Xbox 360 cannot output that resolution, and TVs that can display that resolution are still very expensive.

Jacksmith, if you can't justify your posts with facts or reasoning, don't bother.

Ok, 4:3. whatever. 1080i whatever, thats what i recomend. Were not all tv experts ya know. I know more about 360 than tvs, so i really dont care about tvs. Plus when ur watching standard screen shows on a 16:9 tv, there are black bars on the sides. thats just a waste of screen.

Diamond · 17-09-2005, 06:35 PM

Ok. I the samsung one looks good, at a much higher cost though. I'm not rich so I may have to wait awhile before getting it I guess. I was just hoping for something good I could get before the 360 is out (and still have the funding to buy 360 of course). I might just deal with it and wait.

EDIT: By the way, I can't order anything from American sites, as I live in Canada. Even if I could I'd risk paying huge duty fees.

truGamer · 17-09-2005, 07:53 PM

why do some hdtv's say they don't have hdmi inputs and that u would need to buy a "set top box" to recieve hd signal. does that mean that if i buy a ps3 and that tv, i wouldnt be able 2 get the full 1080i? some1 pleaze XplAn

Diamond · 17-09-2005, 08:17 PM

I found this TV on sale until Sept. 22 @ futureshup which is just down the road.

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...n=&lan gid=EN

But it doesn't look like it has 720p. Too bad.

truGamer: I have no idea. Wish I could help but I don't care much about PS3.

Cybergig1 · 17-09-2005, 08:30 PM

head to www.avsforum.com for lots of info on TV's bud. The members there are very friendly when you ask questions. I was lurking around there for two months before I decided on the PAnasonic Plasma I bought

Diamond · 17-09-2005, 08:49 PM

Really. Alright thanks, I was also considering Panasonic. I've heard a LOT of good feedback on Panasonic from everyone. My second brother bought a new one and says it's the best thing since free refills.

Alright I added that refills part, but he did was it was pretty good.

Nomino · 18-09-2005, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diamond

I found this TV on sale until Sept. 22 @ futureshup which is just down the road.

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...n=&lan gid=EN

But it doesn't look like it has 720p. Too bad.

truGamer: I have no idea. Wish I could help but I don't care much about PS3.

No, but it has 1080i, so you are sorted, IF that's the TV you want. Both the Xbox 360 and the TV have what they call "scalers", so you have some options:

- If the game supports native 1080i, you don't need to do anything.
- If the game supports just 720p, you can either set your Xbox 360 to output 720p and let your TV do the scaling up to 1080i, or you can tell the Xbox 360 to do the scaling for you. It depends on which looks best.

I personally would not buy such a huge TV set that only has 1080i - the interlacing will look horrible. As for which TV should you buy? It totally depends on what you are using it for and how far you will sit from it. If it's just for gaming and you sit close, then a small LCD HDTV will be perfect. If it's your main TV set, you might want something a little larger.

Oh, and My jack "whatever, whatever" smith28, if you can't handle debate, don't bother trying.

Nomino · 18-09-2005, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truGamer

why do some hdtv's say they don't have hdmi inputs and that u would need to buy a "set top box" to recieve hd signal. does that mean that if i buy a ps3 and that tv, i wouldnt be able 2 get the full 1080i? some1 pleaze XplAn

Some TV sets have HDMI, some don't. It's only a digital signal, as opposed to analogue offered by component. There isn't actually much difference between the two in terms of quality, but HDMI also carries digital 5.1 surround sound along the same wire. A TV can support High Def signals without HDMI, but most modern sets include it because HDMI also supports the latest copy protection.

Most TVs come labelled as "HD Ready", which means that they are capable of displaying a High Def signal from an external source (as opposed to having a High Def tuner built-in). That external source can be a "set top box", DVD player, or PS3 for example.

So, to answer your question, yes, if you buy a PS3, you will be able to plug it directly into the HDMI socket and enjoy HDTV gaming upto 1080p. No additional equipment will be needed.

truGamer · 18-09-2005, 07:55 AM

thanx a lot Nomino.

ps2killa · 18-09-2005, 02:45 PM

i got 27 semi flat screen panasonic tv 03 is this decent

Diamond · 19-09-2005, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nomino

Some TV sets have HDMI, some don't. It's only a digital signal, as opposed to analogue offered by component. There isn't actually much difference between the two in terms of quality, but HDMI also carries digital 5.1 surround sound along the same wire. A TV can support High Def signals without HDMI, but most modern sets include it because HDMI also supports the latest copy protection.

Most TVs come labelled as "HD Ready", which means that they are capable of displaying a High Def signal from an external source (as opposed to having a High Def tuner built-in). That external source can be a "set top box", DVD player, or PS3 for example.

So, to answer your question, yes, if you buy a PS3, you will be able to plug it directly into the HDMI socket and enjoy HDTV gaming upto 1080p. No additional equipment will be needed.

So does that mean it'll work for the 360 too? I mean if I bought an HDTV ready TV I could just plug the cables in without having to buy some special box from the 360? Sorry but I don't know anything about TV's.

Oh and by the way, it will be for gaming yes but I plan on using it for a long time, so something decent sized would be nice. I also plan on inviting friends over for split screen matches and when they all get the 360 *probably* will be some link sessions going on.

Oh, and yeah, I saw that 1080i part, I won't be getting it. I'll just settle for 720p. The thing is, I live in Canada, so as rare as HDTV's are I think there's going to be a lot more going around by Christmas. I may wait until next January or Febuary before I get a HDTV. But if I do run into a good deal on, lets say a 720p 30" TV I'll check it out.

Also, I was wondering what other things I should look out for? Someone said something about a responce time?

I know it's a lot of questions, but I don't like buying expensive things that I don't know much about. I don't want to get screwed, you know?