Howiefan

I'm shopping for a new LCD and right now I'm torn between the Samsung LN46A550 and the Samsung LN46A650 (which has the 120 HZ feature). The 120 HZ model is about 400$ more than the other model. Does that feature make a big difference?

monsiourde...

I believe it's primarily to reduce jaggies and smooth out other digital noise during fast motion sequences. That having been said, I have a sharp without 120 and I never really notice any issues...CNET has been particularly skeptical about 120hz, you could look up articles there as well

Drexl

For me, it would depend on whether it can do 5:5 pulldown, showing each frame from 1080p24 input 5 times. If it just has the motion interpolation feature, I wouldn't bother. That's just my opinion though; some people like it.

parrotheads4

I think 3-D movies will take advantage of 120hz also. I think the new 3-D movies will run 2 images to create the 3-D effect (meaning each image runs at 60hz)? Maybe some one can clarify.

Also with movies shot at 24 frames per second 120/24=5 where as 60/24=2.5

That said I don't notice the flickering enough to pay more.

Edited to add: sounds like Mitsubishi may trump the 3D shutter glasses using 120hz with a screen that handles 3D without any glasses. But if you want to see the technology here is some info: http://www.berezin.com/3d/samsung3d.htm

shaun3000

yes but that would require a TV capable of polarizing light or syncing up with LCD shutter glasses.

Smoothyella

yes and the Sony W4100 is nice it offers 120 HZ too.... if you have the money get the sony.

Howiefan

Well the LN46A550 model is on sale this weekend and the LN46A630 model (which has the 120HZ feature) is over 500$ more. Is 120 HZ worth that big price difference? I'd mostly just watch HDTV, DVDs and Blu-rays. No gaming.

SmackDaddy

I just picked up the LN46A630 and have been very happy with it. Was it worth more for the 120hz? I think so. I use it for HDTV viewing, gaming and Blu-Ray.

But really, it's the 120hz coupled with each manufacturers "motion smoothing" technology that really makes a difference. Some people like it, some don't. It can give your content a picture that can be a bit too clear (almost like you are actually there). It can be distracting if turned up too high with live action, but on animated stuff (Wall-E for example) it can look just mesmerizing.

hdtv00

No , is the answer to your question.

Howiefan

Well I just got the LN46A630 and it's amazing. I watched Wall-E on Blu-ray last night and my jaw dropped. Even SD programming looks much better than on my old LCD.

dhmac

I think it depends on how sensitive you are to Motion Blur on LCD sets. If you are not bothered by it at all, then 60Hz sets should be good enough (unless you want the 24fps option, then 120Hz is a must).


Here's a good article (written last year when 120Hz LCD sets were "new") on LCD Motion Blur:

http://hometheatermag.com/gearworks/707gear/

.

Joe Schmoe

I have a 73" Mitsubishi DLP with 120hz. It doesn't seem to make a difference when watching fast action live TV (like sports) in 1080i. I say that because I sometimes briefly see pixelation when there's a lot of fast action. However, I NEVER see pixelation in fast action scenes when watching Blu-rays in 1080p. Don't know if that's because it's 1080p or because of the 120hz or because of the two working together.

The 120hz will come in handy if I decide to go the 3D shutter route in the future.

SUPERMANROB

Well there are very few tv's let alone LCD tv's that do a true 5:5 pulldown. The one's that do(the only one's I know of are Sony XBR8's and the new Sammy 950's,I could be wrong though) cost way over what the 550 or 650 cost.
If you can hold off till the New Year you might see better prices on these tv's.
IMO I would wait till the new year and see if you can get the 650 for the price you have seen the 550 for. My two cents.

Drexl

I would guess that the pixelation is due to compression artifacts. HD television typically uses lower bitrates than BDs. Plus, it's MPEG-2, which is less efficient than the AVC or VC-1 codecs.

That said, I think TVs with a 120Hz refresh rate have a benefit even if the motion interpolation feature is turned off. Supposedly the hold time is reduced, which helps cut down on motion blur.

dhmac

The 650 is supposed to be able to do 5:5 pulldown when a disc player is set to 24Hz and the set's AMP feature is turned off.

fmian

I've been watching my Sony x3100 (xbr4 in the US) extensively over the last few months and have noticed that setting motion settings to high for CGI movies, documentaries, or home/lifestyle shows is the way to go for that type of content only. We are comfortable letting the detailed imagery take us out of the narrative, since we know it's not real anyway.
I found it was best to leave them on a medium setting for anything that is fictional with movie sets and special effects. The amount of detail seen with the motion settings on high takes you out of the immersive narrative. You can plainly see the flaws (or sometimes the lack of) in set design and special effects.
I wonder if any of that makes sense, cause I'm stoned right now and can't be bothered reading through it all before posting.

Mordred

I've got a 120Hz XBR4 that does motion interpolation and 5:5. I actually really like the interpolation feature but I can say it does absolutely nothing for motion blur.

I would assume most 120Hz sets do true 5:5 as it's more work not do it I'd think. The XBR4 from last year certainly does.

yachtsman

I just got 52 inch Philips with 120 HZ a week ago, compare to my previous 32 LCD from the same brand it make a significant difference. I am very impressed with a picture especially from LCD ( I also have 50 inch Panasonic plasma 720p and Optoma projector 720p). I have never been a big fun of LCD before The level of the detail and smooth motion is amazing. I should mention that difference in price between 60 and 120 HZ for Philips was less than $200.

bw1985

Hey I'm wondering which one you ended up going with??

I'm looking at the exact same two tv's right now and still can't decide if the 120hz and higher contrast ratio is worth the $450.

Howiefan

I ended up getting the Samsung LN46A750, which is basically like the LN46A650 but with some extra features and I'm more than pleased. It's an amazing set.

reconredneck

I wished I had purchased a LCD with 120hz refresh. At 60hz I get that sick feeling in my stomach when playing some xbox 360 games. Ahhhgg! I feel a seizure coming on!

DVD Polizei

Congrats on your set.

But I'm with dhmac. I would see if you're sensitive to motion on LCD sets. On my plasma, I don't notice it all. So in my opinion, I'm not concerned with 120Hz HDTVs. And of course, we'll see these frequencies increase in marketing. Next, we'll see 240Hz, then 480Hz, and so on, and numbers in-between. Reminds me of digital cameras and the megapixel wars and ISO ratings which are now being cosmically extended.