SJetski71
Fully [H]
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2002
- Messages
- 17,333
Hey all, just dropping this thread here so i can keep track of a few things. Backdrop: Within a month or two i may upgrade the size of my TV monitor from a 32" to a 37" or 40". I'm currently using a 32" Panny L32S1 as my main, but with my new desk i have the option of sitting 4' to 4 1/2' back from my display. I'm compiling a list of TV's that supposedly have/hopefully have low input lag, working 4:4:4 for sharper colored text. Pixel refresh time is always a concern and higher static contrast would be a big plus.
List of research candidates so far and my sources:
- Edit: Check out PoohContinuum's more comprehensive 4:4:4 TV list and data thread right here. Note that he lists TV's that both passed and failed the 4:4:4 test. And keep your silly TV buying requests out of there (thanks for all the work and support you've offered us Pooh!!)
- Dynex DX-32L230A12: Source = Racer's most recent posts starting from here. BestBuy has it for between $250-$350. Information and results are still very fresh but there are many many positives with this model. Along with working 4:4:4 and high contrast, It has separate backlight control and tons of service menu tweaks. Bestbuy's return policy makes it an easy purchase even for the reluctant. A big thank you to Racer for the multiple risks he has taken in trying new models, and for the extensive testing he has done.
- Westinghouse VR-3225 series: Source. The 32" and the 40" are available at Walmart with 90 day returns. The 37" VR-3725 is hard to find. Inexpensive, has 4:4:4, accepts 1080P rez over VGA (rare) HDMI & Component. Nice blacks/contrast + decent motion clarity. Specs & owner's manual here. We dug up some panel info here and here, 4 for 4 so far using Samsung panels and decent internal electronics (surprisingly).
- Westinghouse VR-3730 series: Source. The 37" seems to be the only size offered, recently went as low as $280, But $320-$350 is the normal price range. Has 4:4:4 over VGA+HDMI. Thankfully it has nice even CCFL backlighting with good blacks/contrast/colors (unlike the LED models which have poor colors and a tinted picture). Might be a Best Buy exclusive. Specs and owner's manual. There's a few user-reviews for it in this thread including another nice write-up by Racer. Seems to use Chi-mei/CMO parts which means build quality should be decent at the very least.
- LG xxLK450 series, very similar to last year's popular xxLD450. Low input lag, quick pixel refresh, 4:4:4 support. But it's a panel lottery again where a "Y" in the box product code means it has an IPS panel. (A "D" means it has a VA panel). Edit: JoshZH claims he had two of them with VA panels that passed 4:4:4 with the EDID fix, here's his reply to someone who questioned him about the VA version.
- Sony xxEX720 series almost positively has 4:4:4 and low input lag with the right settings. A big thank you to MaZa for testing and providing the best pic and testimony we've seen to date. Take a look at the 1st pic and testimony in his post here and judge for yourself.
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*** YMMV Samsung LN-xxD550 Update see the last sentence for an explanation ... Possibly working 4:4:4 using Dvi-to-Hdmi into the rear hdmi port labeled "DVI" and then renaming the input label to "PC" within the TV menu. Many AVS forum members consider it the best current 60hz CCFL with even backpanel lighting and great contrast for an LCD. Prices vary a lot but you get what you pay for. [H] member Antipode reviews it for us here and here <-- input lag results, using two different test methods, 1 to 2 frames. Here's the D550 owner's thread and a D550 discussion thread. Edit Update: Looks like we have our first D550 with failed 4:4:4, it gets very close though. It may be a flawed panel/videboard combination (possible videoboard lottery), or all D550's may have this problem, Ryz documents his experience starting from this post. I would only risk this TV by purchasing it from a store that offers hassle free returns.
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*** Runner ups that still deserve serious consideration, especially by those who will use them predominantly for gaming:
- The Panasonic U3 and E3 models have very low input lag, guaranteed IPS-alpha panels, low pixel smear. No 4:4:4 so certain colored text will appear smudged, a tradeoff some gamers will be willing to accept.
- The JVC BlackCrystal 3000 series: IPS panel, No 4:4:4, but has low input lag, low pixel smear and good contrast for an IPS TV. Those who need a secondary display for mostly gaming, and were considering Panasonic, can put this on their candidate list as well. A big thank you the thepoohcontinuum for testing it for us. Walmart often has the 32" size for a fair price with 90 day in-store returns. I think Costco B&M also carries it with 1 year in-store returns (?)
- RCA 40LA45RQ: (Edit: As it turns out, the xxLA45RQ series is not 4:4:4 compatible, it gets very close but...) Original Source. Walmart carries the 32", 37" and 40" models, Walmart's easy 90 day return policy, has 4:4:4, low 27ms input lag, decently low pixel smear, not sure if it accepts 1080P over VGA?, headphone jack. Here's the owner's manual.
- I'll add more to my list as i find them. Any thoughts, ideas, candidates and competing lists are welcome.
- Here's the AVS forum thread where they discuss LCD TV input lag results.
- Another AVS forum thread where they discuss Plasma Input lag results
- Here's a decent 4:4:4 Chroma Subsampling discussion.
- Poohcontinuum's brand new 4:4:4 data thread. Word of warning, don't pollute it with buying or recommendation requests since that is frowned upon at the AVS forums. You can do it here however
List of research candidates so far and my sources:
- Edit: Check out PoohContinuum's more comprehensive 4:4:4 TV list and data thread right here. Note that he lists TV's that both passed and failed the 4:4:4 test. And keep your silly TV buying requests out of there (thanks for all the work and support you've offered us Pooh!!)
- Dynex DX-32L230A12: Source = Racer's most recent posts starting from here. BestBuy has it for between $250-$350. Information and results are still very fresh but there are many many positives with this model. Along with working 4:4:4 and high contrast, It has separate backlight control and tons of service menu tweaks. Bestbuy's return policy makes it an easy purchase even for the reluctant. A big thank you to Racer for the multiple risks he has taken in trying new models, and for the extensive testing he has done.
- Westinghouse VR-3225 series: Source. The 32" and the 40" are available at Walmart with 90 day returns. The 37" VR-3725 is hard to find. Inexpensive, has 4:4:4, accepts 1080P rez over VGA (rare) HDMI & Component. Nice blacks/contrast + decent motion clarity. Specs & owner's manual here. We dug up some panel info here and here, 4 for 4 so far using Samsung panels and decent internal electronics (surprisingly).
- Westinghouse VR-3730 series: Source. The 37" seems to be the only size offered, recently went as low as $280, But $320-$350 is the normal price range. Has 4:4:4 over VGA+HDMI. Thankfully it has nice even CCFL backlighting with good blacks/contrast/colors (unlike the LED models which have poor colors and a tinted picture). Might be a Best Buy exclusive. Specs and owner's manual. There's a few user-reviews for it in this thread including another nice write-up by Racer. Seems to use Chi-mei/CMO parts which means build quality should be decent at the very least.
- LG xxLK450 series, very similar to last year's popular xxLD450. Low input lag, quick pixel refresh, 4:4:4 support. But it's a panel lottery again where a "Y" in the box product code means it has an IPS panel. (A "D" means it has a VA panel). Edit: JoshZH claims he had two of them with VA panels that passed 4:4:4 with the EDID fix, here's his reply to someone who questioned him about the VA version.
- Sony xxEX720 series almost positively has 4:4:4 and low input lag with the right settings. A big thank you to MaZa for testing and providing the best pic and testimony we've seen to date. Take a look at the 1st pic and testimony in his post here and judge for yourself.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
*** YMMV Samsung LN-xxD550 Update see the last sentence for an explanation ... Possibly working 4:4:4 using Dvi-to-Hdmi into the rear hdmi port labeled "DVI" and then renaming the input label to "PC" within the TV menu. Many AVS forum members consider it the best current 60hz CCFL with even backpanel lighting and great contrast for an LCD. Prices vary a lot but you get what you pay for. [H] member Antipode reviews it for us here and here <-- input lag results, using two different test methods, 1 to 2 frames. Here's the D550 owner's thread and a D550 discussion thread. Edit Update: Looks like we have our first D550 with failed 4:4:4, it gets very close though. It may be a flawed panel/videboard combination (possible videoboard lottery), or all D550's may have this problem, Ryz documents his experience starting from this post. I would only risk this TV by purchasing it from a store that offers hassle free returns.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
*** Runner ups that still deserve serious consideration, especially by those who will use them predominantly for gaming:
- The Panasonic U3 and E3 models have very low input lag, guaranteed IPS-alpha panels, low pixel smear. No 4:4:4 so certain colored text will appear smudged, a tradeoff some gamers will be willing to accept.
- The JVC BlackCrystal 3000 series: IPS panel, No 4:4:4, but has low input lag, low pixel smear and good contrast for an IPS TV. Those who need a secondary display for mostly gaming, and were considering Panasonic, can put this on their candidate list as well. A big thank you the thepoohcontinuum for testing it for us. Walmart often has the 32" size for a fair price with 90 day in-store returns. I think Costco B&M also carries it with 1 year in-store returns (?)
- RCA 40LA45RQ: (Edit: As it turns out, the xxLA45RQ series is not 4:4:4 compatible, it gets very close but...) Original Source. Walmart carries the 32", 37" and 40" models, Walmart's easy 90 day return policy, has 4:4:4, low 27ms input lag, decently low pixel smear, not sure if it accepts 1080P over VGA?, headphone jack. Here's the owner's manual.
- I'll add more to my list as i find them. Any thoughts, ideas, candidates and competing lists are welcome.
- Here's the AVS forum thread where they discuss LCD TV input lag results.
- Another AVS forum thread where they discuss Plasma Input lag results
- Here's a decent 4:4:4 Chroma Subsampling discussion.
- Poohcontinuum's brand new 4:4:4 data thread. Word of warning, don't pollute it with buying or recommendation requests since that is frowned upon at the AVS forums. You can do it here however
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