HDTV help needed (re 120Hz)

[jpublic]

Okay, I'm buying a HDTV to replace my 32" CRT.

The one I've more or less chosen is a Sharp Aquos 42" (42D65). It has plethora of HDMI ports that makes me happy, as well as sufficient other connectors.

Now, while I'm in the store, I overhear one of the sales guys pushing someone to buy a 120Hz TV, saying that it's more than worth it.

Is this true? In most cases, I'm looking at $300-600 for 120Hz versions. I'm only planning on playing TV, X360, PS2, Wii, and regular DVDs on it.

Thanks.

[resikel]

120 Hz: Does It Matter? (http://www.hdtvprofessor.com/HDTVAlmanac/?p=477)

120 Hz Gaining Ground (http://hdtvprofessor.com/HDTVAlmanac/?p=824)

[jpublic]

Thanks, resikel, but I'm looking for opinions, though.


I mean, a lot of the people around here probably have LCD TVs, and would be able to give me some impressions.

We're talking a an extra $400 for the 120Hz version of the TV I want. ($1.4k vs $1k)

(Please note before anyone points out some newegg/etc price: I'm up in Canada, and am buying from Future Shop as the family gave me $400 in gift cards there for the cause - oh, and they also offered to take away my 100lb dying behemoth of a CRT away free.)

[resikel]

Well, my brother just bought a Samsung 52" with 120Hz. I was over for Christmas and watched a DVD movie on it. The 120Hz makes it looks very different. (Better or worst is subject to your taste)

It does make things much sharper and less motion blur as mentioned in the linked articles.

Sony is releasing a 240Hz HDTV this year and LG is working on a 480Hz version as well. These will hopefully drive the price down on the 120Hz version.

[KingGorilla]

If motion blur is a concern you have, why not look into Plasma?

[Karak]

Okay, I'm buying a HDTV to replace my 32" CRT.

The one I've more or less chosen is a Sharp Aquos 42" (42D65). It has plethora of HDMI ports that makes me happy, as well as sufficient other connectors.

Now, while I'm in the store, I overhear one of the sales guys pushing someone to buy a 120Hz TV, saying that it's more than worth it.

Is this true? In most cases, I'm looking at $300-600 for 120Hz versions. I'm only planning on playing TV, X360, PS2, Wii, and regular DVDs on it.

Thanks.

Easy for a 32 no.
Even a 40-48 no.
Larger yes.
Feel VERY secure with your purchase and move on. I have 2 50's, 1 42, and a projector and none of them have 120Hz and they look A-MAZ-ING.
There will always be a bigger better feature.

[jpublic]

If motion blur is a concern you have, why not look into Plasma?

Burn in. My wife has a tendency to fall asleep in front of the TV with the guide reminders up - even on a modern Plasma a static image for upwards of 2h at a time isn't healthy.

[DoctorFinger]

For anything under 48" you'll probably never notice the difference 120Hz makes, and I don't think it's worth the extra $400. It's just a salesman trying to upsell.

[Philonious]

I haven't witnessed the advantage myself, but plain old Samsung still looks amazing after two years. Considering how fast prices are dropping on HDTVs these days I'd save the money now and upgrade in a couple of years (when they've added even more bells and whistles). Two years ago I spent $2200 (Actually $2800 but the price dropped by $600 within a month) on a 40" 1080p... A similar model is now about half the price. If money is no object, or you can't justify upgrading in a few years from now, spend the cash... Otherwise save your money. Also, FutureShop sales people apparently have some leeway (sp?) in pricing when you bundle stuff, so you might be able to get a better price if you're willing to barter.

Edit: You missed the boxing day sales... Hopefully there are still some good deals.

[Iron Past]

I just visited my dad who has a pretty new Sammy and he insists on running the 120 Hz setting. IMHO, it looks absolutely horrible but he loves it. We watched The Dark Knight on Blu-Ray and it was so distracting I couldn't enjoy the movie. Personal preference, though.

Everything looks like it's a documentary, or that weird thing soap operas do with the film.

Edit: Maybe I'm thinking of something different; my dad's TV had low, medium, high setting for it, and this seems like it would be an all or nothing deal. Still, I swear that's what the setting was.

[Disgustipated]

Don't bother, 120 hz looks horrible to my eyes. It makes things look bad, and usually adds input lag for gaming.

[jpublic]

Phil - the TV I want is normally $1200, but the Boxing Day Sale on it rolled over into their January sale, so I have a Raincheck on that. If I don't see them getting new stock in a week or two, I'm going to hold off until their next sale.

[KingGorilla]

Burn in. My wife has a tendency to fall asleep in front of the TV with the guide reminders up - even on a modern Plasma a static image for upwards of 2h at a time isn't healthy.

Energy saver mode man. You can set auto-turn offs for just these occurrences, like putting your PC to sleep.

[Tron]

120hz = horrible picture.

I nearly vomit every time I go into Fry's and they have the 120hz LCD at the front door. They keep playing some Pirates of the Caribbean demo which has the image split in two. One half is 60hz the other is 120hz. It looks horrible. A film is supposed to look like a film and not video. It makes everything look like video.

What the heck were they thinking?

[jpublic]

Thanks for all the advice guys.

Of course, my dishwasher just had to go caput, so there's $600 down the tubes. I may have to delay this purchase. :(

[Stmfuller]

Thanks for all the advice guys.

Of course, my dishwasher just had to go caput, so there's $600 down the tubes. I may have to delay this purchase. :(

nothing like real life responsibilities to ruin the fun :(

[NotmeyouFOOL]

I personally like the 120Hz. I bought a 28" monitor with a resolution of 1920x1200 with 2 HDMI's and used it for my PS3, 360, PC. The blue ray movies looked like sharper DVD images on this monitor playing at 1080p. I recently bought a philips 42" with 120Hz and love how the blue ray movies look. A friend of mine bought a 52" sony and can't play games with the 120Hz turned on but I can on mine. Games on the 360 and PS3 look more vibrant and sharper. But this is all my personal opinion and I would suggest that if you can check out a 120Hz TV with the things you want to use it for (360, PS3, Blue ray) and see which one you like best.

[Mr. Murphy]

Thanks for all the advice guys.

Of course, my dishwasher just had to go caput, so there's $600 down the tubes. I may have to delay this purchase. :(

You could always... I dunno... wash the dishes in the sink? :confused:

[Stmfuller]

You could always... I dunno... wash the dishes in the sink? :confused:

how dare you suggest manual labour!!!

[Mr. Murphy]

how dare you suggest manual labour!!!

Dishwashers are nice, but is it really worth 600$ to save yourself ten minutes of work every night? Especially if it interferes with more important things - like a new TV for video games!

[Kenzington4short]

So that's what is! There's this one Samsung TV in Best Buy playing Blu-Ray demos and they always looked off. Like it wasn't a movie. It's always bugged my friends and I whenever we passed by that TV. 120 Hz refresh rate - It's weird and I don't like it.