LCD TV,,, Do I Need 120HZ (Toshiba)

[fishrdan]

I'm looking at Toshiba LCD TV's and some of the new models (maybe all?) come with 120hz refresh rate instead of 60HZ. From what I've heard, 120hz is better for sports and fast motion, but I couldn't see a different while watching 2 models in the store; Tomb Raider, ocean scenes, animals, etc.

I don't watch sports, so I'm thinking 120hz isn't a reason to spend an extra $2-300.

BTW, we are looking at 46-52" Toshiba 1080P Regza LCD's.

Thanks,
Dan

 

[roscoe]

Re: LCD TV,,, Do I Need 120HZ (Toshiba)

I can't see the difference either.

And I don't need 1080p either, as my video source isn't(will probably never be) 1080p. But thats what they sell now days.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: LCD TV,,, Do I Need 120HZ (Toshiba)

I'd go with 120, there are 240's out there now too. The motion blur on LCDs give me a headache fast if I'm watching action movies or sports, other than the blur I like them. I don't think 1080 is as important, but most are now in that size range.

 

[NoKlu]

Re: LCD TV,,, Do I Need 120HZ (Toshiba)

If you don't get 120 hz you will notice the difference when you get home not in the store where all the signal is optimized. They do everything possible in the stores to make the pictures look good but when you get them home they look completely different on cable or satellite tv. They won't tell you that in the store,usually the story is it's been split so many times they are lucky they get a picture at all. BULL.As with any electronics get the best you can afford at the time cause next week it will be outdated. With all the new video technology coming out it won't be long before your 720p at 60hz won't cut it, especially in the screen size you are looking at. I did the same thing you are doing and bought a 32" with 60hz and 720p and have been kicking myself in the butt for not spending the extra money ever since.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: LCD TV,,, Do I Need 120HZ (Toshiba)

That's the kind of input I'm looking for,, the good, the bad,,, and the ugly (not necessarily directing that comment to the 3 people who posted back so far, or in that order )

It's kind of funny as our TV's are from when we were both single,,, 10 years! When we started looking at LCD's My wife asked how big our living room set was and I said, dunno, gotta be a 35, maybe a 32? Turned out to be a 27"

 

[elan86]

Re: LCD TV,,, Do I Need 120HZ (Toshiba)

Hey guys, new to the forum. I know a lot more about tv's than boats, unfortunately! I recently was the sales manager for a mid to high end a/v store in Florida until they shut their doors in Dec. Honestly, Our video feed was from a Dell computer to approximately 40 tv's in the store over miles of component cable. Not optimal at our store though others probably are different.
120 hz can be extremely useful if not absolutely necessary. 120 hz is marketed as a "feature" but really is a band aid for engineering shortfalls in lcd technology. Motion blur is a real problem with 60 hz tv's and like some other guys said, you probably will notice it after you get home. In comparison, plasma suffers from no motion blur due to its engineering. If your application wont have direct light coming from behind you on its glass screen, I would consider a plasma. There are some phenomenal cheap deals on these out there.

 

[derekpfeiffer]

Re: LCD TV,,, Do I Need 120HZ (Toshiba)

I'd at least check into the DLP tv's if you're not needing to hang it on the wall. The new projection DLP's have an LED light source and are probably about half the price of a comparable LCD tv. Me and a friend at work both have the new Samsung 61" and both love them...Just something to consider

 

[lowkee]

Re: LCD TV,,, Do I Need 120HZ (Toshiba)

x2 on the DLP. I have a 61" JVC 1080p and use it as my PC monitor. It has been fantastic and was $1000 a year ago, so I'm sure you're looking at $800-ish now. The 10K:1 contrast ratio makes it vibrant in any light, which it tough to find in an LCD. It is 60Hz, and even playing first person shooter games I haven't noticed any headaches from motion blur. A little ironic how effects houses and game companies are beginning to simulate motion blur for realism in games and movies while consumers are trying to get sets which display less blur. Seeing as all laptops out there run @ 60Hz, I'm probably used to it more than most.

 

[mthieme]

Re: LCD TV,,, Do I Need 120HZ (Toshiba)

Like you computer screen, the better the refresh rate the better the picture especially on bigger screens.
When I went through this back in the fall, I noticed plasmas were predominately 720 and looked fantastic...almost went that route since the pricing was better, but these puppies put out a LOT of heat.

One other thing....I keep TV's about 10 years average. I expect most don't buy a new one every other year as well. Cry once and get something you'll be happy with.

x2 on the DLP.

X3 - got a 67" Samsung after a two month's of agonizing research and shopping. Floor model that went through the refurb process, 30% off with warranty.

If you don't get 120 hz you will notice the difference when you get home not in the store where all the signal is optimized. They do everything possible in the stores to make the pictures look good but when you get them home they look completely different on cable or satellite tv. They won't tell you that in the store,usually the story is it's been split so many times they are lucky they get a picture at all. BULL.As with any electronics get the best you can afford at the time cause next week it will be outdated. With all the new video technology coming out it won't be long before your 720p at 60hz won't cut it, especially in the screen size you are looking at. I did the same thing you are doing and bought a 32" with 60hz and 720p and have been kicking myself in the butt for not spending the extra money ever since.

Some stores run HD DVD demos like BJ's which shows off the pictures well.
Most other stores in our area have a generic cable signal split 200 times and the pictures are awful. Personally, I like to see what I'm buying and get the best view possible.

I can't see the difference either.
And I don't need 1080p either, as my video source isn't(will probably never be) 1080p. But thats what they sell now days.

While I don't know what stations broadcast within reach of you, here in Baltimore all the stations have an HD channel being broadcast. I'm actually going to throw an antenna on the roof this spring. Also, blue-ray is here. 1080p is the next standard.

 

[i386]

Re: LCD TV,,, Do I Need 120HZ (Toshiba)

I had a thread here a while back when I was shopping for a new TV.

We ended up getting an LG 50" Plasma (720p). The end of February will marks 2 months having it and we're still very pleased with it. It was $999.

Each type of TV has its own strengths and weaknesses.

For our room, none of plasma's weaknesses affected us. From my viewing distance, it didn't matter that it was 720p. As stated previously by another poster, motion blur isn't a problem on a Plasma set.

A 720p set might be a good option for you too if your viewing distance is far enough away. There is a certain distance that the human I can't distinguish the difference in the number of pixels. So when you go shopping, make sure you're evaluating them from the distance you'll be sitting at home.

So my $.02 is that a good 720p plasma can be a smart buy if it works for you.


BTW, my friend bought a 60" DLP (1080p) for his basement/family room and it looks great.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: LCD TV,,, Do I Need 120HZ (Toshiba)

Plasmas don't put out enough heat to make it an issue, check your home theatre system for heat, you'll be surprised.

Do a search here on HD TV, a recent post had a link to viewing distance and how it relates to TV size and whether 1080 makes a difference. On smaller sets it can be difficult to tell the difference, as the sets get larger you can see the difference, but you need to be close to the screen to tell the difference between 1080 and 720. I know on my setup it wouldn't make a difference between the two because my viewing distance is right at the edge of where your eye can discern the difference in detail. When you're in the store standing 3' from the screen there's a big difference between the two, when you move back to nine or ten feet the difference may go away completely.

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: LCD TV,,, Do I Need 120HZ (Toshiba)

For me, if I even watched TV, 120Hz would have to be my choice. I suffer from '60Hz flicker'. May be why I don't watch that much TV because it does give me a headache. The worst is when it's in my peripheral and somewhat close to me. Every computer monitor I've ever stared at (and I'm a computer geek) has always been set 75Hz and higher.