[fredfa]

From Consumer Reports, via Kansas City Infozine:

Now Is the Time for HDTV

Guide to HDTV, Including Buying Advice and Hidden "Gotchas"

CR's Expert Ratings on Plasma, LCD and Traditional Television Sets

Yonkers, NY - Consumer Reports - November 2004 Issue - For shoppers looking to replace their main television, this is the year to make the move to HDTV, according to the inaugural November Electronics issue of Consumer Reports.

The picture quality of the best HDTVs far surpassed that of standard-definition TVs in CR tests. And the experts at CR also note that this year shoppers will find a wide variety of television models, a sharp drop in prices and an increase in the amount of HD-programming.


The inaugural November Electronics issue contains a 24-page section devoted to ratings, recommendations and buying advice for a wide range of digital electronics products including LCD and plasma high-definition televisions, digital cameras, camcorders, MP3 players, digital video recorders, and much more.

HDTV: The big picture

While HD sets are ready for prime time, Consumer Reports notes that not every new feature and attribute is worth buying and offers consumers the following tips to keep in mind when shopping for an HDTV:


* Have the TV delivered and set up - Many big-screen TVs are too heavy to lift and most major retailers offer a delivery and installation service. Consumers may want to consider service when deciding where to buy.

* Prepare for more buttons - Even with a basic setup, there will probably be several devices hooked up to the TV via various inputs. Finding that device and getting it displayed on the set requires scrolling through the source menu on your television to find the right input.

* Not all programs will look better - While HD programming will look great on a good HDTV, there will be a fair amount of standard-definition content for a few years. With standard-definition programs, image quality varies.


ConsumerReports.org will offer a free report on the pros and cons of the various types of HDTV.

Plasma TVs

For big, bright, vivid images, a plasma TV has no equal. These flat panels have a definite wow factor, especially when displaying high-definition images. But Consumer Reports warns that the technology has its drawbacks. CR tests found that while the screen brightness is striking, plasma doesn't provide the picture quality of the best conventional picture-tube HDTVs. CR found the colors to be less accurate than on a tube TV, and subtle gradations of black and gray aren't always discernable. In addition, plasma sets generate a lot of heat and consume more power than any other type of TV, and are vulnerable to screen burn-in of static images.


Consumer Reports offers shoppers the following advice when choosing a plasma television:


* Determine whether a set is HD or ED. If the native resolution, or fixed number of pixels, is above 720 then its HDTV; if its 480, it's an ED set.

* Purists should consider HD, but ED is a good lower-cost alternative.

* With price, make sure to compare apples to apples. Unlike most types of TVs, plasma sets don't always include speakers and a tuner.


CR tested three high-definition and nine enhanced-definition plasma television models. The Panasonic TV-42PX25U ($6,000) came out at the top of the high-definition models and the Marantz PD422OV ($4,800) came out as the leader in the enhanced-definition category.

LCD TVs

LCD televisions are getting bigger, better, and cheaper. Once available only with small screens, these flat panels now come in large sizes that can serve as a household's primary TV set. Like plasma TVs, these liquid-crystal display sets are renowned for their slimness, measuring only a few inches thick. Their light weight makes them good candidates for wall-mounting or hanging below a cabinet. On a stand, they have a compact footprint that fits neatly on a kitchen counter or desk. And CR has found that newer models have a wider viewing angle that gives a better image from off-center than with older models. As with other TVs, prices are steadily dropping, but LCDs are still expensive compared with other types of HDTVs. CR advises that consumers should expect to pay about $2,000 or more for a 26-inch wide-screen LCD model, compared with $700 or so for a comparable-sized HD picture-tube set.


Consumer Reports suggests consumers consider the following advice when shopping for an LCD TV:


* Buy an HDTV for a main set. HDTVs have the best picture quality, even with regular TV programming.

* For more inputs, get a set with a separate control unit. While there will be another box to deal with, there will be fewer cables running to the panel, which is a big plus for wall mounting.

* Consider a model that doubles as a computer display. A dual-function display can save space and money.


Consumer Reports tested 24 LCD TVs. The Sony LCD Wega KDL-32XBR950 ($6,000) came out at the top of the high-definition models and the Panasonic TC-20LA2 ($1,100) came out as the leader in the enhanced-definition category.

Conventional TVs

Even though trendy flat panels and big screens are hogging the headlines, Consumer Reports tests show that plain old picture-tube TVs display the most realistic details and clarity, whether watching standard TV programs, DVD movies, or HD programming.

CR tested six conventional TVs. The Sony FD Trinitron Wega Hi-Scan KV-32HS420 (32-in.) ($1,100) came out at the top of the high-definition models with 4:3 screens and the Sony FD Trinitron Wega Hi-Scan KV-30HS420 (30-in.) ($1,000) came out as the leader in the high-definition wide-screen sets.

 

[NVboy]

My biggest gripe with CR is that they never review all of the models available, just a handful. That is highly consumer unfriendly, and only 1 of a number of reasons to dismiss what they publish. No offense to those who actually like CR.

 

[Rich Peterson]

It's good to see CE recommend HD sets. Their recommendation will carry a lot of weight with some people.


Is this just a press release that describes the CE article? How much more meat is in the article? I hope they tested some rear-projection microdisplay sets and also mention the need for external vs built-in HD tuners somewhere in the article.

 

[HDTVFAN0001]

The only drawback on Consumer Reports is that their credibility is very shakey. They have actually rated the exact same items best and worst within less than 12 months.


One example was a 2002 refrigerator from White-Westinghouse that was rated tops, only to be rated worst 8 months later. The amazing thing is that the manufacturer said they had changed absolutely nothing in the unit for the 2003 model, and yet go a totally opposite rating. That particular discrepeancy was only 1 of 4 cited by the TV news magazine DateLine questioning the practices of the magazine. I have questiioned the credibility of Consumer Reports for 10 years now.


I don't believe anything Consumer Reports says, but I'm still glad that HDTV at least has hit their radar screen for existance in the marketplace (about time).

 

[sregener]

For those who have the Consumer Reports religion, this is good news. For those of us who want HD to catch on, this is good news. For those who do the opposite of what CR says, this is bad news.


I don't think there are many of the latter in the world. So this is still good news, no matter how little we think of CR.

 

[Rick_R]

The above article doesn't even mention CRT based RPTVs. This is where the action is and, in my opinion, the best bang for the buck. But they ignored it.


Rick R

 

[Belcherwm]

Quote:

Originally posted by Rich Peterson Is this just a press release that describes the CE article? How much more meat is in the article? I hope they tested some rear-projection microdisplay sets and also mention the need for external vs built-in HD tuners somewhere in the article.

Meat:

"Some new projection sets, known as microdisplay TVs, are much slimmer and lighter than CRT-based sets. Instead of creating images with bulky CRTs, they use space-saving LCD (liquid-crystal display), DLP (digital light-processing), or LCOS (liquid crystal on silicon) technology. But these types aren't without issue. These sets currently cost more than CRT-based models, though prices are likely to drop. LCD-based sets range in price from $1,800 to $7,000; DLP-based sets cost from $3,500 to $10,000 or more; LCOS sets are priced at $2,000 and higher. In addition to the initial outlay, LCD and DLP TVs may require lamp replacement ($300 or more) over the life of the set".


"For most consumers, an HD-ready set should fit the bill, and it often saves you a little money compared with a set that has a built-in HD tuner. With either type, you usually need a special digital-cable box or satellite receiver and dish to get HD. However, if you want to receive over-the-air HD via antenna, a TV with an integrated HD tuner will eliminate the need to use a set-top box. The Panasonic (19) has tuners for both off-air and digital-cable HD; the set accepts a CableCard you rent from your cable operator. Note that the CableCard won’t give you video-on-demand or interactive program-guide content. For pay-per-view, you’d need to schedule content via the phone".

 

[Belcherwm]

Quote:

Originally posted by Rick_R The above article doesn't even mention CRT based RPTVs. This is where the action is and, in my opinion, the best bang for the buck. But they ignored it. Rick R

More Meat:


"BEST VALUES IN BIG SETS


CRT-based rear-projection sets. 40- to 60-inch wide screens. $1,500 to $4,000.


Pros Cheapest, most proven type of jumbo-TV technology, with decent reliability.


Cons Deep, bulky cabinets; make sure you have the space. Biggest sets weigh more than 200 pounds. Image may dim as you angle away from the center of the screen. Subject to burn-in of static images. The tubes need periodic alignment.


Consider A model with auto-convergence, which aligns CRTs with one button press, plus manual convergence for fine-tuning."

 

[the_bear89451]

I subscribe to Consumer Reports, and was disappointed with this issue. Are consumer electronics getting to complicated for their staff? My biggest complaint is the article does not mention the advantage of OTA. It also does not differentia LCD direct view from RP. DLP gets almost no coverage. No mention of 1080p, WMVHD, or DVHS. DVD burner prices estimated at over $300. They overestimate plasma burn in time....

 

[Belcherwm]

I disagree. I think they know who their audience is and they do an exceptional job of writing to that audience.

 

[miniz]

I also subscribe to CR magazine. I agree with the above. They know exactly who they are writing for. You forgot to mention you can go to their website to find out more, possibly more ratings? I found that they do this quite often. like a few months ago, they rated Dishwashers, the mag only had about 5 models, online their were over 35. They try very hard not to go into too much detail, or confuse the people who are reading it-who lets face it really don't know much at all about the subject. If you want more info, more detailed info or better ratings go online-its all there.

 

[AcuraCL]

Quote:

Originally posted by the_bear89451 I subscribe to Consumer Reports, and was disappointed with this issue. Are consumer electronics getting to complicated for their staff? My biggest complaint is the article does not mention the advantage of OTA. It also does not differentia LCD direct view from RP. DLP gets almost no coverage. No mention of 1080p, WMVHD, or DVHS. DVD burner prices estimated at over $300. They overestimate plasma burn in time....

Like Belcher suggests ... there is a reason they are called "Consumer Reports. Their material is targeted at the general consumer. Someone who is not like (many of ) us. Someone who just wants to get the basic info to make a decision.


Otherwise, they would be called "Aficionado Reports," and would belabor EVERY FRIGGIN DETAIL about every commodity they discuss.

 

[miniz]

"Aficionado Reports"-I wish this magazine existed. I would like it if CR took it to the next step, and wrote a highly detailed magazine for people who know what they are talking about, they could print all 35 ratings in it, instead of just 5 and make everyone who knows this happy because they will have something credible to read!

 

[Rick_R]

I have an in depth knowledge of HDTV. However there are some purchases I make for which I know nothing about the subject. A good first place to gain this knowlegde is Consumer Reports. When I wanted a basic knowledge of tires and their rating system I went to the library and read Consumer Reports.


Consumer Reports has led me astray on ocassion but still it is often a good place to start if you need to gain a basic knowledge of some consumer item. It often tells you features available and their uses and advantages and disadvantages.


Rick R

 

[Belcherwm]

Quote:

Originally posted by AcuraCL Otherwise, they would be called "Aficionado Reports," and would belabor EVERY FRIGGIN DETAIL about every commodity they discuss.

Or they could review stuff that costs more than a small home that nobody reading could afford to buy.


I like Rick's point of view.

 

[the_bear89451]

My problem with the Consumer Reports article is not the quantity of detail, but rather what they considered to be important to the average person.

 

[bfdtv]

What CRT RPTVs do they review / recommend in the issue?