1080p Rules

We had our 3rd bi-annual RPTV face off yesterday. It will be in the February issue, which you subscribers should be getting in about 7 weeks. As I mentioned previously, all the sets were 1080p. They ranged in size from 50 to 62 inches diagonal with an average price just over $4000. We had a panel of 5 judges rank each of the 6 TVs on a variety of factors and on a variety of material. What is perhaps most interesting is that the TV that came in last place this year was better than at least half of the TVs from the 2004 face off. TV competition is fast and furious, and the buyer/enthusiast profits the most from this. For example, the average full on/full off contrast ratio was right around 5000:1, a vast improvement over the digital sets from two years ago. And as far as CRTs go, well, CRT is dead. Sorry. We loved you dearly.

COMMENTS
Ross Jardine's picture

I am assuming/hoping that regular production Sony 60" XBR was one of those in the face off. In your November review of the same model, probably conducted in early September, you note that you planned to provide an update as to any improvement in the color point SMPTE specs, posting an update on the website. Can you provide that information now?

Geoffrey Morrison's picture

The price point of the face off was around $4000, so we included the 50-inch version of the SXRD. The color points were pretty much the same as the 60-inch, so I

Jonathan Gallmeier's picture

I find it interesting that you say the CRT is dead. I'd agree if you want a large display. However, I still prefer a good CRT for quality video. Scaling artifacts, added delay, and other technology dependant artifacts detract from my viewing experience. While I also agree that 1080p is the holy grail of viewing, I find that I'm not really using the added resolution yet. Digital cable quality is poor due to the extremely small bandwidth allocated to a channel, and SD DVD video must be scaled (again) to the display resolution. Some units do better than others in this area. What happens to the allocated audio bandwidth when you are looking at 1080p? For now, please don't take my CRT away.

Geoffrey Morrison's picture

Well said Jonathan. In the RPTV market, CRT is effectively no more, but in smaller screens, it

Chuck Wauda's picture

First off, congratulations on a great website, and your erudite journalism. What confuses me regarding your up-coming RPTV face-off is your comment about the model rated last year in the middle of the group, that winds up dead last this year? I thought this year's line-up was going to be 1080p models? You're implying a level playing field of comparison when afterall, these(1080p)sets were just introduced this year. Thanks.

Geoffrey Morrison's picture

On factors other than resolution (where this year

Bal Sidhu's picture

Can any of these sets handle 1080p input (DVI, VGA, HDMI)? Can I plug in a computer that can do 1920x1080 or other resolutions?

Geoffrey Morrison's picture

I talk about that in the article. It should be availible early in Jan.

Steve Cebe's picture

Have any of you seen the NEC 50XR5 plasma monitor? I have trying to find a review from someone besides an NEC executive. Any help will be deeply appreciated!Thanks,Steve

Keith P. Seymour's picture

I'm going to finally buy a big screen tv. I've narrowed it down to the Sony and JVC LCoS technology based rear projection 1080p models. Has any seen an indepth review of the JVC HD-(56 or 61 or 70)FH96 sets?Will it be in the February issue mentioned above?Best Regards,Keith

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