HD tv for SD viewing - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

Regor12 · 2010-01-29, 10:41 AM

Hi.

I am planning to buy a HD TV in the next couple of months for my small (12' x 12') room. The viewing distance will be about 13' max and 5' min. I will be hooking this TV up to a Bell 3100 receiver via s-video for the foreseeable future. I have no plans to switch to HD as the house I live in is rented and I plan on buying a new house in a couple of years.

Can anyone comment on the quality of the SD viewing on the set that I am planning on purchasing?

I am looking at a Dynex 37' LCD Model No. dxl3710a.

If there are better suggestion, please make them. My budget for this purchase is $700.00 plus tax (13% HST) max.

Thanks

Regor12 · 2010-01-29, 11:22 AM

Just remeasured my max viewing distance -- 10' not 13'.

JamesK · 2010-01-29, 12:22 PM

^^^^

I was wondering how you'd manage 13' viewing distance in a 12' room. ;-)

Regor12 · 2010-01-29, 12:56 PM

JamesK.

TV in one corner, chair in the other-- Diagonal set up.

eljay · 2010-01-29, 01:03 PM

Fixed-pixel displays aren't ideal for SD TV viewing, but at 10' from a 37" TV you'll probably be alright. I sit ~12'-13' from my 46" Sony KDL-46V4100 (LCD, 1080p, 60Hz) and I find SD PQ to be acceptable. It's better on some channels than on others but, overall, it's alright.

57 · 2010-01-29, 01:38 PM

For SD viewing, a proper setup of the HDTV can be quite important, although the quality of the original signal is the most important. See the following FAQ on SD PQ. Some of the items don't apply for this application, but some do.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=18580

Tom.F.1 · 2010-01-29, 05:44 PM

IMHO, rather than the Dynex, i've seen Sharpe, LG & Samsung 40" 60Hz TV's for 699 on boxing days sales. Look and ask and you can still find good pricing. I'd stick with a brand name.
As for SD picture, it will only be SD quality, doesn't much matter what you play it on, its not going to look like HD.

Mike Osadciw · 2010-01-30, 05:24 PM

Regor

From a 10" viewing distance, the 480i/p image on a 37" won't be objectional. An issue I'd be more concerned about would be distorting/cropping the incoming 4:3 signals to make it fit on your 16:9 display. This will introduce an increased loss of resolution and image artefacts unless left in "normal" 4:3 mode...the trade off being smaller viewing area.

cooper83 · 2010-01-30, 06:44 PM

Quote:

From a 10" viewing distance, the 480i/p image on a 37" won't be objectional.

I really hope you meant 10 feet, not 10 inches

. Because at that distance, I'd want at least 1080p!

Mike Osadciw · 2010-01-31, 09:54 AM

LOL... yes Cooper, 10 FEET. At 10" we'd see sub-pixels!

Mike

worth · 2010-02-01, 01:41 PM

If you know you won't be going HD for a couple of years yet, I'd search Craigslist for a good second hand 27-36" CRT.

You can find sets that were top-of-the-line only a few years ago for well under $200, and picture quality will likely exceed what you'll get watching SD material on an HD set.

2010-01-29, 10:41 AM	#1
Regor12 Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 37	HD tv for SD viewing Hi. I am planning to buy a HD TV in the next couple of months for my small (12' x 12') room. The viewing distance will be about 13' max and 5' min. I will be hooking this TV up to a Bell 3100 receiver via s-video for the foreseeable future. I have no plans to switch to HD as the house I live in is rented and I plan on buying a new house in a couple of years. Can anyone comment on the quality of the SD viewing on the set that I am planning on purchasing? I am looking at a Dynex 37' LCD Model No. dxl3710a. If there are better suggestion, please make them. My budget for this purchase is $700.00 plus tax (13% HST) max. Thanks

2010-01-29, 01:03 PM	#5
eljay Premium Supporter Join Date: May 2003 Location: Ottawa (Orleans), ON Posts: 8,337	Fixed-pixel displays aren't ideal for SD TV viewing, but at 10' from a 37" TV you'll probably be alright. I sit ~12'-13' from my 46" Sony KDL-46V4100 (LCD, 1080p, 60Hz) and I find SD PQ to be acceptable. It's better on some channels than on others but, overall, it's alright. __________________ MY HT SET-UP (PICS & GEAR LIST)

2010-01-29, 01:38 PM	#6
57 Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Toronto, Rogers, 8300HD, eHDD, Panasonic TCP65S1, Denon AVR4310Ci; 8300HD, eHDD & Sony KDL40W3000 Posts: 50,293	For SD viewing, a proper setup of the HDTV can be quite important, although the quality of the original signal is the most important. See the following FAQ on SD PQ. Some of the items don't apply for this application, but some do. http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=18580 __________________ 57's Home Theatre (Latest equipment & photos) 57's Optimization Services (Home Theatre Optimization)

2010-01-29, 05:44 PM	#7
Tom.F.1 Veteran Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ajax, Ontario Posts: 1,926	IMHO, rather than the Dynex, i've seen Sharpe, LG & Samsung 40" 60Hz TV's for 699 on boxing days sales. Look and ask and you can still find good pricing. I'd stick with a brand name. As for SD picture, it will only be SD quality, doesn't much matter what you play it on, its not going to look like HD. __________________ Samsung TV, Pio-Elite AVR, OppoBD, Wharfedale Speakers, Kicker Subs. Bell EVu, DB-4e OTA:)

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2010-01-29, 11:22 AM	#2
Regor12 Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 37	Just remeasured my max viewing distance -- 10' not 13'.

2010-01-29, 12:22 PM	#3
JamesK Veteran Join Date: May 2009 Location: Mississauga Posts: 5,036	^^^^ I was wondering how you'd manage 13' viewing distance in a 12' room. ;-)

2010-01-29, 12:56 PM	#4
Regor12 Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 37	JamesK. TV in one corner, chair in the other-- Diagonal set up.

2010-01-30, 05:24 PM	#8
Mike Osadciw Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Halton Region Posts: 144	Regor From a 10" viewing distance, the 480i/p image on a 37" won't be objectional. An issue I'd be more concerned about would be distorting/cropping the incoming 4:3 signals to make it fit on your 16:9 display. This will introduce an increased loss of resolution and image artefacts unless left in "normal" 4:3 mode...the trade off being smaller viewing area.

2010-01-31, 09:54 AM	#10
Mike Osadciw Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Halton Region Posts: 144	LOL... yes Cooper, 10 FEET. At 10" we'd see sub-pixels! Mike

2010-02-01, 01:41 PM	#11
worth Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 104	If you know you won't be going HD for a couple of years yet, I'd search Craigslist for a good second hand 27-36" CRT. You can find sets that were top-of-the-line only a few years ago for well under $200, and picture quality will likely exceed what you'll get watching SD material on an HD set.