Joseph_Jackson

rptv vs. tube tv

Hello All, I had a question about sharpness. I have a mits wt-46809 and a buddy of mine has a toshiba 27 analog tv. I was watching a movie on his television a few days ago, and noticed that his picture was more sharp than mine. Are tube tv's more sharp than rptv? Not only was the picture sharper but the colors were better. My tv has not been prof. calibtrated as of yet.I was just wondering if getting my set calibrated whould address these issues. I have all high grade component cables going from my dvd player to my tv.The movie was lord of the rings.


My setup is:

Mits Wt-46809
denon AVR 3803
denon DVD 2900

Michael TLV

Greetings

I hope you realize that the amount of information in a TV image is finite. The image is not like that esper machine in Blade Runner that can infinitely zoom into a picture and give you infinite detail.

What does a photo look like when you blow it up from its 6"x4" size to 60" x 40"? Do you wonder why the image no longer looks as sharp as the small image? If that answer is obvious, then why is the TV answer not so?

A DVD image is made up of 350K pixels of information ... this number does not increase if you show it on a 27" TV or a 46".

Did you also notice that VHS also looks much better on smaller screens? Infact, if you go small enough, it looks just like DVD ... so why would people even consider DVD when it looks the same as VHS? Heck, even HDTV looks like VHS at that small size ...

But make no mistake about it ... RPTV's like yours can show much more detail than that analog 27". YOu feed it the right stuff and you will see. Feed it the wrong stuff ... well ...

On the subject of colours ... use a test disc to calibrate the TV ... or get a pro calibration. You'll get better colours.

Regards

Michael @ The Laser Video Experience
THX Video Systems Instructor
ISF Calibration Instructor
Lion A/V Consultants Network

Agustin

if you dont have AVIA you can adjust your tv with any movie on dvd with THX Optimizer you'll se a great dif.

Acdbulls in other games forums

Mitch Stevens

Joseph_Jackson:


Joseph, I agree with the above statements about calibration. While you don't need to have your TV professionally ISF calibrated, it is strongly recommended that you at least do the calibration yourself using either Avia or Video Essentials.

Secondly, I recently got a 65" Mits Widescreen HDTV, and I too noticed that images are not as razor-sharp as on my old Sony 27" Flatscreen Wega. But that was only because I was playing the WRONG DVDs :-)

You said you were watching LOTR-FOTR, and I too noticed exactly the same thing as you described. While I myself only have the 2-disc edition, I have read many posts on the HTF where people state that the 4-disc edition is a huge improvement in sound and picture quality. Of course, I can not comment on this, since I don't have that version, but I plan to get it in the future. Like you said, I found the picture to be overly way too soft, but it did have a "good" amount of detail in it.

Then, last week I rented "Dagon" a low-budget B-Horror movie, and as soon as the movie started, my jaw dropped to the floor! The picture quality is absolutely stunning! Razor-sharp images, with practically HD quality. *EVEN* if you don't like low-budget movies, I IMPLORE you to rent this title as it will give you a great idea on what your HDTV is capable of displaying with regular DVDs. This is probably the best transfer on DVD that I have seen! I admit that I haven't watched too many DVDs on the new set yet, but I would give this transfer a 10/10, as it really shows the limits of what a Rear Projection HDTV can do!

Daniel Becker

Well, on the ol' RPTV Vs. Tube debate I fall on the tube side of the fence. I was in the market for my first HDTV a few months ago and I made the decision to go with a Sony 36" HS510. I couldn't be happier with it and your impressions about the tube tv being sharper and brighter seem to be very common. I feel the tube just puts out a much more pristine image. My 36" set in widescreen mode provides an image that is the equivalent of a 33" 16:9 set. Not bad at all as long as you sit about 8' away as I do.


I've seen some very nice images from RPTVs but thats only on the very high end and it seems to be the general opinion that RPTVs really don't give you their full potential until you have them calibrated. Thats not as critical with a good HDTV. RPTVs are just more complicated and prone to a lot more issues than a tube. In particular burn-in is always a concern and if you play any videogames thats a huge concern. I just feel like tube tvs are the way to go until plasmas come down to real world prices. In about 5 years i'm sure i'll be shopping for a plasma.



Dan.B

Kyle Tippett

What is the right stuff? i just went out and bought a 46" Hitachi.. about an hour ago, and am tryingto find something amazing to watch on it... is there a specific dvd, or line of dvds thate are better, shoudl i look at ctirterion or superbit, or maybe SW: AOTC, or lord of the rings 4 disc... one of everything mentioned... the super bits are both Mila's (5th element, ad Resident Evil) and the only criterion i have thats not in mono or black and white is ROYAL TANENBAUMS... i am going to besy buy and borders today.. so let me know if you read this.

dan fritzen

Dan I agree with you, probably the same theory as speakers, they more speakers you have the complex it is to get good sound, same with TV, RPTV's have 3 guns so that makes it harder to do. Not saying it can't be done but harder to do.

"Other than that Mrs. Lincoln how did you enjoy the show?"

Daniel Becker

I agree. RPTVs can look amazing if they're calibrated, if the lighting is perfect, and if the viewer is seated in the perfect position. Of course the trade-off is you get a much bigger screen for less money. A tough choice for sure but I chose to go with a nice sized tube screen at 36" and I get all the benefits of a tube.



Dan>B

Justin Hargis

Yeah, Star Wars : Attack of the Clones is a great demo disc for video(and sound). However, Star Wars : The Phantom Menace is not, as far as video goes. I'm not saying "don't get TPM," just don't expect AOTC video quality out of it. Another film that comes to mind, with good video quality, is an older one called Willow. Makes me wonder why Lucasfilm can make an older movie like Willow look so good, and a newer film like TPM look so bad(compared to other high-quality video transfers). I'm hoping Lucasfilm does an amazing job, with video and sound, on the upcoming Indiana Jones Trilogy.

Yes, Superbits are the creme of the crop when it comes to video and sound quality. I've got Vertical Limit and Labyrinth. Both in Superbit; both look unreal.

To keep on topic: I like a good direct-view tv versus a rptv. RPTVs are a great bang for the buck and can produce an amazing picture. Furthermore, you have bigger size screens to choose from. However, you have limited freedom as far as where to sit to get the best of that amazing picture. Whereas with a direct-view, you have the freedom to sit anywhere(< 180 degrees) and get that same amazing picture. It's just not as big.

My two cents.

Jeremy Scott

I agree man, after febating between a tube and a rptv, i went with a JVC 36" HDTV today, it was last years model for $1298.

i got a stand, 3 year warranty and devlivery for another $205

tax was $120 so the total was like $1629

it gets delivered on Monday.