Hi Snv,
I have been researching a bit about Lcd?s these days.
Somethings I came to know from the AVS forum.
1. Sony + Samsung and Philips + LG are the common tieups (factories in korea) for creating lcd panels while Sharp makes their own and supplies to Sony too.
2. Apart from lcd panels there could be other factors which contribute to the quality of picture produced.
My main purpose for panel is playing games on X-Box 360 . PS3 and movies on a good upscaling player like the oppo dv 980 / 981 ( have to acquire one soon). The PS3 and XBOX-360 output 1080i / 1080p. I need good response time to maintain smooth movement while playing fast paced games at very high framerates. Good picture quality picture with good black levels is of course necessary.
I am looking at 37inches. 1080i / 1080p.
Any thoughts on the Hitachi model ? Why you prefer that over the Samsung bordoux art ? Model number ? price ?
Thanks.
Dear Square_wave,
You are right about the company tie ups. The 2 lcd panel companies I prefer are Hitachi and Sharp.
As you are well aware, a product in not always what the specs claim it to be.
Response time/Refresh rate is key drawback in lcds. Its a technology constraint.
A Lcd cannot match the black levels of a plasma.
You have to see the Pioneer plasma to believe it. The deepest blacks I have ever seen.
Quality also depends on the grade of the panel used by the company.
The heart/engine of the panel is the processor.
I can show you panels with better processors and slower response time of 8ms (Hitachi) performing better than a lcd with lousy processors and a better response time of 5ms & now even 2ms (LG)
If you can, then opt for the 42" plasma from Hitachi - 42PDA01A.
If you want the worlds best 42" plasma then its the Pioneer undoubtedly.
Regards
SNV