Best plasma for Foxtel digital?

[Rudiger Flatula]

I'm about to buy a new plasma and have been hearing great things about the
quality of the NEC SD 42" models. However, with prices plummeting, I've
found that a HD 42" or even 50" may be attainable within my budget (provided
I'm prepared to live off two minute noodles for a while). Alternatively,
I've heard that the Panasonic Vierra's are kind to the foxtel signal as
well. Either way, I'd be viewing from an average distance of 3 - 3.5 metres.

My question is, given the ordinary picture quality of foxtel digital, is a
High Definition picture a wise investment under the circumstances, or would
it likely just exaggerate the high compression of the foxtel picture? Foxtel
provides at least 90% of my viewing, so there's little point in stretching
to a HD panel if a SD panel will be just as good, or even more forgiving of
the foxtel signal.

Any recommendations?

[Justern]

Well, the first thing I was told is, the viewing distance should be 4-6
times the panel size, so a 50" panel when your sitting 120" away is insane.
Stick 37" LCD or 42" Plasma. Foxtel Digital only allows SVideo and Composite
out...which is less than half the resolution (lines) that a HD Unit can
handle - so it makes zero difference at all - purely whatever brightness and
colour depth which captures your eye.

--
____________________________________
My eBay Auctions
http://search.ebay.com.au/_W0QQsassZjustern
"Rudiger Flatula" <rudigur@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:425bca95$0$20397$5a62ac22@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au...
> I'm about to buy a new plasma and have been hearing great things about the
> quality of the NEC SD 42" models. However, with prices plummeting, I've
> found that a HD 42" or even 50" may be attainable within my budget
> (provided I'm prepared to live off two minute noodles for a while).
> Alternatively, I've heard that the Panasonic Vierra's are kind to the
> foxtel signal as well. Either way, I'd be viewing from an average distance
> of 3 - 3.5 metres.
>
> My question is, given the ordinary picture quality of foxtel digital, is a
> High Definition picture a wise investment under the circumstances, or
> would it likely just exaggerate the high compression of the foxtel
> picture? Foxtel provides at least 90% of my viewing, so there's little
> point in stretching to a HD panel if a SD panel will be just as good, or
> even more forgiving of the foxtel signal.
>
> Any recommendations?
>

[Firefly]

"Justern" <justern@NOSPAMhotmail.com> wrote in message
news:d3h831$v8e$1@nnrp.waia.asn.au...
> Well, the first thing I was told is, the viewing distance should be 4-6
> times the panel size, so a 50" panel when your sitting 120" away is
> insane. Stick 37" LCD or 42" Plasma.

I agree. If you sit too close to the screen you'll suffer eye-strain and
you'll be able to pick out all the faults in you display AND what's being
displayed on it. This is especially true with a plasma. Whil people "ooh"
and "aah" about them, they really aren't a great display.

> Foxtel Digital only allows SVideo and Composite out...

Depends on the box and what firmware it's running. Some have component out.

[Jo Blo]

I suggest you stay away from the bottom end plasma screens, their picture is
coarse and they are not good on fast moving images. Obviously they get the
price down by sacrificing on the hardware and firmware in them. There are
three different grades of plasma screen I have been told

I cannot pick the difference on most FTA broadcasts on picture quality
between HD and SD on a good brand of Plasma, sometimes there is more
information on the screen on HD broadcast, so I cannot see the point in
spending a lot of extra money on HD plasma screen, especially if Foxtel is
the main viewing source. Save the difference on the price between SD and
HD plasma and out it towards a good sound system, you will notice more of a
difference there, also a HD STB will give you better sound if it is being
broadcast.

Fujitsu, Panasonic and Pioneer seem to me to be the best amongst the brands
and their SD screens are quite acceptable. The bottom of the price range
NEC, Samsung, LG and Viewsonic are not worth watching.


"Rudiger Flatula" <rudigur@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:425bca95$0$20397$5a62ac22@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au...
> I'm about to buy a new plasma and have been hearing great things about the
> quality of the NEC SD 42" models. However, with prices plummeting, I've
> found that a HD 42" or even 50" may be attainable within my budget
(provided
> I'm prepared to live off two minute noodles for a while). Alternatively,
> I've heard that the Panasonic Vierra's are kind to the foxtel signal as
> well. Either way, I'd be viewing from an average distance of 3 - 3.5
metres.
>
> My question is, given the ordinary picture quality of foxtel digital, is a
> High Definition picture a wise investment under the circumstances, or
would
> it likely just exaggerate the high compression of the foxtel picture?
Foxtel
> provides at least 90% of my viewing, so there's little point in stretching
> to a HD panel if a SD panel will be just as good, or even more forgiving
of
> the foxtel signal.
>
> Any recommendations?
>
>

[Charles Kooij]

Firefly <brightlight@nite.com> wrote:

> "Justern" <justern@NOSPAMhotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:d3h831$v8e$1@nnrp.waia.asn.au...

<snip>

> > Foxtel Digital only allows SVideo and Composite out...
>
> Depends on the box and what firmware it's running. Some have component out.

Yes? Which ones? (keeps fingers crossed that you're talking about the
little Pace units)

ck


--
http://homepage.mac.com/charles.kooij/PhotoAlbum3.html

[Rudiger Flatula]

"Jo Blo" <seatrade@optushome.com.au> wrote in message
news:Ga27e.9571$5F3.8088@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
>I suggest you stay away from the bottom end plasma screens, their picture
>is
> coarse and they are not good on fast moving images. Obviously they get
> the
> price down by sacrificing on the hardware and firmware in them. There
> are
> three different grades of plasma screen I have been told
>
> I cannot pick the difference on most FTA broadcasts on picture quality
> between HD and SD on a good brand of Plasma, sometimes there is more
> information on the screen on HD broadcast, so I cannot see the point in
> spending a lot of extra money on HD plasma screen, especially if Foxtel is
> the main viewing source. Save the difference on the price between SD and
> HD plasma and out it towards a good sound system, you will notice more of
> a
> difference there, also a HD STB will give you better sound if it is being
> broadcast.
>
> Fujitsu, Panasonic and Pioneer seem to me to be the best amongst the
> brands
> and their SD screens are quite acceptable. The bottom of the price range
> NEC, Samsung, LG and Viewsonic are not worth watching.

Sounds like you've not been keeping up with current models. The SD NEC's are
rated very highly for Picture Quality, with many commenting that it is a
very thin line between SD and HD when the PX-42VM5W or 42VR5W are used as a
base. Check out the forums at www.dtvforum.info for more up to date info on
what is and isn't worth watching...

> "Rudiger Flatula" <rudigur@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:425bca95$0$20397$5a62ac22@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au...
>> I'm about to buy a new plasma and have been hearing great things about
>> the
>> quality of the NEC SD 42" models. However, with prices plummeting, I've
>> found that a HD 42" or even 50" may be attainable within my budget
> (provided
>> I'm prepared to live off two minute noodles for a while). Alternatively,
>> I've heard that the Panasonic Vierra's are kind to the foxtel signal as
>> well. Either way, I'd be viewing from an average distance of 3 - 3.5
> metres.
>>
>> My question is, given the ordinary picture quality of foxtel digital, is
>> a
>> High Definition picture a wise investment under the circumstances, or
> would it likely just exaggerate the high compression of the foxtel
> picture?
> Foxtel
>> provides at least 90% of my viewing, so there's little point in
>> stretching
>> to a HD panel if a SD panel will be just as good, or even more forgiving
> of the foxtel signal.
>>
>> Any recommendations?

[georgiarose]

"Rudiger Flatula" <rudigur@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:425d2994$0$11009$5a62ac22@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au...
> "Jo Blo" <seatrade@optushome.com.au> wrote in message
> news:Ga27e.9571$5F3.8088@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
>>I suggest you stay away from the bottom end plasma screens, their picture
>>is
>> coarse and they are not good on fast moving images. Obviously they get
>> the
>> price down by sacrificing on the hardware and firmware in them. There
>> are
>> three different grades of plasma screen I have been told
>>
>> I cannot pick the difference on most FTA broadcasts on picture quality
>> between HD and SD on a good brand of Plasma, sometimes there is more
>> information on the screen on HD broadcast, so I cannot see the point in
>> spending a lot of extra money on HD plasma screen, especially if Foxtel
>> is
>> the main viewing source. Save the difference on the price between SD
>> and
>> HD plasma and out it towards a good sound system, you will notice more of
>> a
>> difference there, also a HD STB will give you better sound if it is being
>> broadcast.
>>
>> Fujitsu, Panasonic and Pioneer seem to me to be the best amongst the
>> brands
>> and their SD screens are quite acceptable. The bottom of the price
>> range
>> NEC, Samsung, LG and Viewsonic are not worth watching.
>
> Sounds like you've not been keeping up with current models. The SD NEC's
> are rated very highly for Picture Quality, with many commenting that it is
> a very thin line between SD and HD when the PX-42VM5W or 42VR5W are used
> as a base. Check out the forums at www.dtvforum.info for more up to date
> info on what is and isn't worth watching...
>
>> "Rudiger Flatula" <rudigur@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:425bca95$0$20397$5a62ac22@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au...
>>> I'm about to buy a new plasma and have been hearing great things about
>>> the
>>> quality of the NEC SD 42" models. However, with prices plummeting, I've
>>> found that a HD 42" or even 50" may be attainable within my budget
>> (provided
>>> I'm prepared to live off two minute noodles for a while). Alternatively,
>>> I've heard that the Panasonic Vierra's are kind to the foxtel signal as
>>> well. Either way, I'd be viewing from an average distance of 3 - 3.5
>> metres.
>>>
>>> My question is, given the ordinary picture quality of foxtel digital, is
>>> a
>>> High Definition picture a wise investment under the circumstances, or
>> would it likely just exaggerate the high compression of the foxtel
>> picture?
>> Foxtel
>>> provides at least 90% of my viewing, so there's little point in
>>> stretching
>>> to a HD panel if a SD panel will be just as good, or even more forgiving
>> of the foxtel signal.
>>>
>>> Any recommendations?
>
>

Agreed. NEC are indeed a cut above the rest, and IMHO only rivalled by
Pioneer.