ExtremeTech points out 5 HDTVs with quality HD & SD pictures
Standard definition, something your Grandma's TV can produce effortlessly, is sometimes the hardest signal a HDTV to processes. Jagged lines appear, colors can roll vertical on the screen, and everything just looks crappy. Unfortunately for every HDTV owner, not every station is broadcasting in high-def so when you wanna watch, lets say FX, ya' have to deal with the crappy picture. In fact, most of the time that picture looks better on Grandma's TV but fortunately, ExtremTech has posted reviews of 5 HDTVs that deal with SD favorably: NEC Multeos M46-AVT, Sony KDS-55A2020, Vizio VP42, Pioneer PRO-940HD, and AOC Envision L32W461 - wanna place a bet for the best performer? Anyone? Obviously, the Pioneer Elite plasma came out on top but the other four served-up standard-def well enough. Most people don't buy an HDTV with SD in mind but consumers need to understand that not everything on their new, sexy flat-panel is going to look hot.
[Image via DigitalConnection]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Craig @ Aug 27th 2007 4:01PM
go jayhawks!
EricDJ @ Aug 27th 2007 5:54PM
The Sony and Pio have already been updated. The new Sony series is the KDS-55A3000, and the Pio is now a Pro-950hd
CharlieX @ Aug 27th 2007 7:20PM
It's not just interlace and resolution.. but the ridiculous amount of compression SD channels are under. Time warner cable SD looks hardly better than youtube..... Most HDTV's display SD moderately well when fed a 1st generation component signal (ala DVD player, etc...)
Stubby Boardman @ Aug 28th 2007 4:00AM
are pioneer pro's the best plasmas out there? its the impresion i get around the net. lets ask are they the best for the money, and/or are they the best period instead.
Tim @ Sep 16th 2007 2:01AM
Stubby,
Yes Pioneer has the best plasma HDTV. But Samsung has the best picture per dollar.
riverside_guy @ Aug 28th 2007 10:14AM
Does nobody remember the CRT, SD, 4:3 days? When some channels looked great (typically the premium channels) and some looked totally god awful (typically local, non-network stations)? The same today... on a HD display, some look very good (for what the are, one can NOT compare the to DiscHD) and some look god awful. Just like it used to be.