Best HDTV's for watching movies on standard definition DVD's?

[Stryker]

Has anyone seen TV's that show a better picture for movies on standard definition DVD's? That's the only thing my wife and I would be watching, since we're not interested in Blu-ray, computer games, or what's on the regular TV channels. It would probably be a 40 to 42 inch HDTV on sale around the $800 to $1000 mark. Any certain specs I should be looking for, like contrast ratio etc.? Thanks for any replies in advance.

[ppl4golf]

If you have a suitable viewing environment, a 720p plasma really kicks a$$ in rendering SD content.

My LG42PC5D gives a stunning SD picture, no upconverting player is needed.

OTOH, my Samsung A550 plasma is great with HD content but not so with SD content unless I use a Sony S550 Blu-ray player for regular DVDs and the results are comparable to the LG.

I would also consider a Panasonic 720p plasma if their price is comparable.

[Blackmajik]

From my experience, SD looks like crap on a HDTV. I wouldn't buy a TV just to make sure I get the best SD experience but rather buy a HDTV for the best HD output. You can get a DVD player that up converts it to a higher res for DVD movies which looks better on a HDTV.

[warpdrive]

Plasma usually has the best picture quality in terms of contrast and they aren't expensive, so if you want the best picture quality for HD or SD, plasma usually yields best bang for the buck especially compared to the LCD TVs you'll find in the $800 range which usually have poor contrast or inaccurate colours. You can pick up a Panasonic (preferred), Samsung (quite good), and LG Plasma for around $1000. Plasma does have some drawbacks such as their glossy reflective screens, and generally dimmer output

Most HDTVs don't really do that well for SD or DVDs with some exceptions on the high end models, so the best way to optimize picture quality for DVD is to get a decent upconverting player such the Oppo DV-980H, or in a pinch, try the players from Toshiba that use their XDE technology (some people don't like its effect though)

[Stryker]

Thanks for the interesting, informative answers. They leave me hesitant though. I'd hate to spend the money to buy a new HDTV and upconverting DVD player, and then realize I'd made a mistake, and been better off keeping the old CRT TV set and watching the standard definition movies on there. I like the idea of a bigger screen, but not at the cost of a degraded picture.

[ppl4golf]

Many movies/DVDs are widescreen or wider than 16:9, I can't see myself watching any of these on a 4:3 TV. The experience is a positive one both bigger screen and being widescreen. Be honest, my LG plasma (1024x768 resolution) is as good as a tube TV minus the scan lines. Obviously, HDTV showing HD content is night and day difference comapred to SD content, this is true especially on a lesser LCD TV.

BTW - you're in Toronto and should seriously look into getting HDTV channels over-the-air by aiming an antenna to CN Tower.

[warpdrive]

Some people are still more than happy with their CRTs but I wouldn't go back to a CRT ever. You'd have to pay me big money to go back. The bigger screen size and just the fact that the TV itself looks better and takes up less space in my room is a big plus.

Most movies at 16:9 or 2.35 aspect ratio so any HDTV will increase viewing area. Even a 40" will give you a better viewing experience than the typical 36" CRT which will lose can lose half the viewing area.

[Felks24]

If you have a suitable viewing environment, a 720p plasma really kicks a$$ in rendering SD content.

My LG42PC5D gives a stunning SD picture, no upconverting player is needed.

OTOH, my Samsung A550 plasma is great with HD content but not so with SD content unless I use a Sony S550 Blu-ray player for regular DVDs and the results are comparable to the LG.

I would also consider a Panasonic 720p plasma if their price is comparable.

+1. Go with a 720p Panasonic Plasma.

[maniacshopper]

I've played dvd movies off of my 46" LCD, it's fine.

I agree with ppl4golf, you should seriously consider getting an OTA antenna.
Very little cost upfront, you get free HD channels, no monthly fees. If you can live with just the basics, without the HBO, TSN, etc. You can save a lot of money not paying for cable.

If you're going with 40-42, you don't necessarily need 1080p as you would hardly tell the difference from 720p. Given that you're not going to put a BR player, ps3, 720p is enough for you. Look for high contrast ratio, refresh rates of normal 60hz is good enough, though people are looking at 120hz, and the top of the line LCDs have 240hz now. New type of TV has hit the mkt also, called LED, basically LCD, but instead of using a lamp to light up the LCD, i uses LED to light up the screen, uses significantly less power.

There's a thread for a sanyo TV from walmart $698, should be a good deal.
Generally, I recommend Samsung and Sony only for LCDs, as those are my only experiences, as they've been all good.

[mkjr]

i have a Sony BDP350 BD player via HDMI that up converts the DVD into 1080p and then into Pioneer 5080...PQ kicks but....i tried to just feed 480i into the panel but found the Sony does an amazing job with up coverting...

i can not tell the difference between Blu ray band of brothers and SD band of brothers from the 10 feet that i sit from my panel...

[arm2000]

Toshiba 42XV540 is amazing for SD DVDs. I have this and a non-converting Philips DVD player connected by component and it seems perfect for me.

[number8888]

Assuming you want to keep using your existing DVD player, you probably want to invest in a better plasma that can upscale DVD 480i signals properly. Avoid the cheaper "Wal-mart" brands and go for a Panasonic (or Pioneer if you can find one at a decent price). A 42" 720P Panny should be within your price range during sales.

[ppl4golf]

Assuming you want to keep using your existing DVD player, you probably want to invest in a better plasma that can upscale DVD 480i signals properly. Avoid the cheaper "Wal-mart" brands and go for a Panasonic (or Pioneer if you can find one at a decent price). A 42" 720P Panny should be within your price range during sales.

I have to agree there are dullish plasmas out there and Sanyo is one with a bigger name but crappy picture.

Panasonic/Pioneer are not the only nor obvious choice unless their prices are competitive with the Korean brands. These days, you can't go wrong getting any of these 4 bigger name plasmas.

Also read 2 posts above yours RE : advice on spending more $$$ more a better plasma:)

[Stryker]

I've seen some of the upconverting DVD players. Some were brand names like Toshiba, Sony, Samsung, and Philips, all around the $40 to $60 range. Wouldn't have a clue, as to which one to buy.

I went to the library today, and went through Consumer Reports (March 2009). I remember they said in the article, words to the effect, that plasma was the best for movies, which is our sole interest. Perhaps they were referring to Blu-ray, because they have a column for the different models of HDTV's that they tested. One column showed DVD and another Standard Definition. Comparing the plasma, to the LCD's, it appeared to me that the LCD's were getting a higher rating for both features. This surprised me, but I'll have to go back to the library again, when I get a chance, and take another look at these comparison charts.

As for OTA, I looked at this last winter. Yes, I could pick up a number of channels on the old CRT, using a pair of rabbit ears. I don't seem to be interested in putting up an outdoor antennae. I haven't watched regular TV programming in ten years now, and I don't really miss it.

[maniacshopper]

you could check your local library online and reserve some BR discs. Borrowing from library is free. I wouldn't spend $60-70
on a dvd upconverting player when you can buy a ps3. I think you can get a bottom end ps3 for about $250 I think.

Alternatively if your pc's is good enough, spend $100 for a BD-rom and you're in business. Since your concerned about cost, this is the better option for you.

Like I said if you're looking for a TV, check out walmart's 40 inch Lcd.
If you can spend more, stick with samsung and sony. I've never had a DOA or any dead pixels on arrival. I've heard of dead pixels on arrival for LG. Sharp with banding issues, even though newer models have fixed, will they start showing after a few months??

[ppl4golf]

I've seen some of the upconverting DVD players. Some were brand names like Toshiba, Sony, Samsung, and Philips, all around the $40 to $60 range. Wouldn't have a clue, as to which one to buy.

I went to the library today, and went through Consumer Reports (March 2009). I remember they said in the article, words to the effect, that plasma was the best for movies, which is our sole interest. Perhaps they were referring to Blu-ray, because they have a column for the different models of HDTV's that they tested. One column showed DVD and another Standard Definition. Comparing the plasma, to the LCD's, it appeared to me that the LCD's were getting a higher rating for both features. This surprised me, but I'll have to go back to the library again, when I get a chance, and take another look at these comparison charts.

As for OTA, I looked at this last winter. Yes, I could pick up a number of channels on the old CRT, using a pair of rabbit ears. I don't seem to be interested in putting up an outdoor antennae. I haven't watched regular TV programming in ten years now, and I don't really miss it.

I am not big in watching regular channels back in the days when I had Rogers cable. Guess what ?? OTA changed my viewing habits. My big TVs are both plasmas and they do a decent job for SD contents, the thing about it is once you're used to watching HD contents in 16:9, you just don't want to watch anything SD. There is plenty of good contents on the 20 or so HD channels available to GTAers. You did OTA but all you're talking about analog channels, there is no WOW factor there...Like many others, I delete all analog channels right after a channel scan. The digital channels are what you're after.

For these soon to be extinct 720p plasmas, it is the happiest medium when you watch a lot of SD stuff but also getting into HD game. HDTVs come with ATSC tuner, it is beyond my resolving power to figure out why some folks don't use it.

Last thing you want to get is a Blu-ray player, it is still an expensive game I wish I had never gotten into LOL

[Stryker]

Most of the content we watch is standard definition movies borrowed from the library. We've watched movies that stretch from recent, back to the 1950's. We're content with that. Not all Hollywood blockbusters, since we throw in many foreign films into the mix. Once Blu-ray players come down in price, much like that Samsung a few weeks ago, that went at $99 in Zeller's for a very short time, then I may get interested. Otherwise, I can wait a couple of years. I'm in no great hurry.

I have a lot to learn yet though, to get myself up to speed, before I'm ready to do battle with the sales staff in the electronics stores.:lol:

[Aske001]

+1 for Panasonic plasma. It does a great job of scaling SD content, particularly from a 16:9 digital source like DVD or digital sat/cable broadcast. I can understand why people who bought an average LCD TV think that SD looks like crap on all HDTVs - but they're wrong.

However in reality even the Panasonic plasma still doesn't equal the contrast ratio of my old Sony XBR CRT.