Quote:
Originally Posted by krh77 /t/1520860/plasma-or-led-video-proc...essed-avi-mp4-mkv-torrent-files#post_24435951
Thanks for the quick response. So you are basically saying that a 720p tv might be better than a 1080p since it doesn't have to process/upconvert the compressed video to 1080?
My other viewing is ESPN (quite a bit), HBO, Roku channels and OTA Fox, NBC, and CBS. I'm pretty sure that almost all of them are 720p as well. If I don't watch blue rays, there really is no need for a 1080p tv correct?
It's just my opinion based on my experience, so don't take my word for it. It's still best you see these TVs yourself with your test files on USB. I will still give you my impressions on three TVs I've used.
"DVDs"
Sony 1080p LCD : I felt they were extremely soft to the point I thought if I was watching any bad VHS or VCD here. Definitions were very fuzzy and overall picture lacked pop. Extremely disappointing compared with my CRTs.
Panasonic 1080p plasma : DVDs also didn't look too good on this plasma, although the picture was still contrasty thanks to its great black level. Seems it picks up wrong elements about DVD upscalings. It makes overall picture soft, yet shows compression defects with extreme sharpness. Still, its softness wasn't quite as puking as the Sony LCD. It was watchable.
LG 720p plasma : The best representation of DVDs I've ever seen on flat panels I've owned! It still reeks digital smell, but this is as far as CRT like it gets. After black modding, the contrast shoot through the floor so much that sometimes I prefered it to watching it on my CRTs. DVDs are quite watchable on this set.
"Netflix"
Sony 1080p LCD : While fuzzy in overall presentation, it didn't really do many things wrong either. It's not amazing, but not too bad either.
Panasonic 1080p plasma : Can be made amazing with right contents, but has too much variance with regards to bitrates. Still, I don't really like how this set tries to magnify compression artifacts with such clarity. It sure is a detailed set.
LG 720p plasma : Very tolerable with low bitrates. Always gives pleasant picture even on low bitrates, but it can still benefit from giving higher bitrate. What I liked this set as opposed to my current Panny is how it's trying its best to only show good details and hiding artifacts, making it for some of more analogue like picture.
"Youtube"
Panasonic 1080p plasma : Since this is a 1080p TV, you would think Youtube 1080p is going to rock with this TV. Turned out to be not. While resolving all the resolution details, it also picks up heavy compression artifacts typical of not so amazing bitrate. Overall image seems quite digitized but its superior contrast ratio is at least giving it an edgy pop.
LG 720p plasma : Loses slight details in comparison with my Panny, but more than makes it up with absolute grain-free presentation. This kind of aspect from the LG was always sorely missed whenever I watch Youtube on my Panny now. Now, if we're talking about logos and all that digital creation, they're going to look jaggy on the LG set, but videos and movies do great on the 720p sets. After black modding, even Youtube videos can be made to look like I'm looking through the window. Very CRT like in presentation and very pleasing in overally presentation.
"Blu-ray"
Sony 1080p LCD : Sharp, clear, bright in presentation if only cartoony in its presentation. Compared to my plasmas, it's a bit one dimensional. Horror movies are not good fit because of bad shadow detail.
Panasonic 1080p plasma : Absolute beast with Blu-rays. Such clarity, such black, it's simply perfect in presentation and FINALLY I get to see grain free picture on my Panny.
LG 720p plasma : With such lousy resolution, I also thought Blu-rays were going to look piss poor on this set...and I was WRONG. Blu-rays look very good on this set too. It may be slightly softer in presentation, but it still manages to give all the important details. I actually enjoyed watching Blu-rays on this plasma more than the Sony LCD.
"720p mkv files"
Sony 1080p LCD : On average, they felt like I'm watching on LCD monitors, only bigger. Sure it's softer, but there's nothing too much bothering about it either.
Panasonic 1080p plasma : Extremely picky with bitrates. Personally I don't like seeing digital artifacts in my videos and this set is way too sharp for that. I don't know how to put it in words, the upscaling themselves are fine and tend to be less softer than the LCDs, but it seems a bit stronger with digital compression artifacts. I don't know...it's just my impression.
LG 720p plamsa : Perhaps the best TV for this kind of random video throw off. What I loved about this set is its ability to give me detailed picture while hiding all the nasty digital artifacts. Sure, it's slightly softer in presentation, so compared with LCDs, it may not seem razor sharp, but that's fine with me. Seeing as I'm so used to CRTs, I really liked this set. But some others hated it for being too fuzzy for their liking, so YMMV.