Looking for a "budget" 120hz LCD 46-47"

[SmackDaddy]

I'm on the hunt for a a new TV (see my posts in HD Talk's Blu-Ray player thread for why).

I hate losing even a few inches (from my 50" projection set) but the jump in price from the 46"-47" LCD sets to 50"+ is something I can't really justify.

So, are there any 1080p, 120hz LCD panels that won't break the bank. Does 24p make a huge difference?

I'm not tied to an particular brand so I'm pretty open as far as that. The more inputs the better. I'll have 2 HDMI (HD Satellite, Blu-Ray) and 4 component cables (Wii, PS2, PC, DVD) to plug into the new set. I'd like to keep it under $2000.

[JustinCleveland]

You can get the Samsung 52" LN-T52a650 from Circuit City right now for $2200, and they have 36-months no interest financing. So it won't break the bank (at least right away). The 46" version is $1800, also with the 36 months financing, so you if you want the smaller set that is an option as well.

[SmackDaddy]

Originally Posted by JustinCleveland

You can get the Samsung 52" LN-T52a650 from Circuit City right now for $2200, and they have 36-months no interest financing. So it won't break the bank (at least right away). The 46" version is $1800, also with the 36 months financing, so you if you want the smaller set that is an option as well.

I'll be paying cash, thus the $2000 limit. Saw the/a 46" Samsung at CC last night, but the source they had running to it was horrible (and the clerk had no clue if it was 120hz or not, the tag was missing).

Anyone know if the 24p setting is critical? Is it something that is basically standard with most 120hz 1080p sets?

[SoSpacey]

why is 120hz crucial?

[SmackDaddy]

Originally Posted by SoSpacey

why is 120hz crucial?

I don't know the why of it, I just know that it's a distinct visual difference. Most notable with 1080p/24p material.

Not my explanation, but a good one:

The importance of 120Hz comes into play when we are dealing with film-shot material rather than video-shot material, keeping in mind that film is 24fps and video is 30fps or sometimes 60fps. A 60Hz display refreshes it's image 60 times per second and 120Hz doubles that. For video, there is no problem displaying a smooth image on a 60Hz display because the number of video frames will divide evenly into the display rate. But when using film material that is 24fps, the frame rate will not divide evenly into the 60 frame display rate, so the 3:2 pulldown technique is put into play. This means that for every 3 video frames that display once, there is a single video frame that is displayed twice. This allows an even frame rate to be divided into an odd-numbered display rate. This 3:2 causes artifacts, such as blurriness or choppy frames during fast motion.

Now, the 120Hz display rate can be divided evenly by both film's 24fps as well as video's 30fps or 60fps, thus eliminating the need for the 3:2 pulldown math. But keep in mind that video-shot material will look good on both a 60Hz and a 120Hz display, especially HD video. Film-based material won't look as good on a 60Hz display as a 120Hz display because of the need for the 3:2 pulldown. As far as standard-def material, this will look crummy regardless of the display rate

[Sdallnct]

If you really want a 50" set, and your concern is the best picture quality possible, then I'd save some money and get this. I thing is would out perform most of what you are looking at,

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....ci_sku=8723045

Or if you just feel you can't live without 1080p even in this small of a set, try this

http://www.buy.com/prod/panasonic-vi...207388755.html

As a 1080p LCD flat panel owner, I'd go for either of these plasmas for better, noticeably better picture.

[fourwalker]

you can get a 120HZ 46" Sony Bravia for $1700 at Best Buy. I was at my local BB today and the image was beautiful. Its probably not the cheapest one out there, but you can't go wrong with sony, and it sounds like it is well within your price range

[SmackDaddy]

Thanks guys. I wandered into Fry's yesterday to look at more sets and they had a Samsung A630 46" 120hz panel for $1300. Couldn't pass it up.

As an FYI they also had an LG 46" 120hz set for $1200

[Sdallnct]

I have last years version of the Samsung. It is a nice set.

[SmackDaddy]

Yeah, I've been very impressed so far.

[Sdallnct]

Originally Posted by SmackDaddy

Yeah, I've been very impressed so far.

I was very unimpressed and very disappointed with mine when I pulled it out of the box. I almost put it right back in the box and took it back. But I went to AVS and found the thread for my set and played around with several different sets of calibration. I found one that really seems to get the best out of the set. I'm still not totally happy with the black level, or shadow detail. I also think it has a very slight harshness to it. But my god it is bright and very sharp.

If your not comfortable calibrating yourself (with a disc), then I highly recommend going over to AVS and finding the thread for your set and see what others are using. Read thru the thread, there are likely some using your sources that have found nice settings. You will really be surprised by the difference.

At the very least I'm thinking you need to turn down the brightness off torch mode!