The 10 Worst HDTV Scams, Lies and Video Ripoffs

[dirk digler]

Good info for anyone like me who is going to try to buy a new HDTV this year

http://hdguru.com/the-10-worst-hdtv-...o-ripoffs/235/

This is the HD Guru’s™ 2008 list of ripoffs a prospective buyer needs to be aware of before choosing an HDTV. In a few days I will add another post that will provide more detailed explanations of every point listed.


10-Dynamic Contrast Ratio Measurement Specification
The recent arrival of 2008 HDTV models, has ushered in the era of “dynamic contrast ratio” boasting up to “one million to one (1,000,000:1). The reality? Not only is the dynamic contrast ratio number meaningless, it reminds me of something Dr. Evil of Austin Powers fame would be promoting. Disregard it when comparing HDTVs.


9-Fake HD Cable and Satellite Channels
A number of HD channels provide fake HD image for much of the day. Instead of gorgeous widescreen true high definition programming these channels put out standard definition fare that is upconverted and stretched to fill the screen. The result? Images appear soft and distorted. These fake HD channels include: History Channel HD, TNT HD, USA HD, A&E HD and Lifetime HD. Consider this before choosing a HD program provider and their HD package.


8- Line Conditioners
They claim they make the HDTV image sharper and provide better color. Horse Hockey! Put the $200-$1500+ instead into a bigger, better model HDTV or a Blu-ray player.
For significantly less money than a line conditioner, buy a surge suppressor or surge protector with uninterrupted power supply to protect your HDTV against voltage surges.


7-Deep Color
This feature should be named Deep Baloney. Digital displays (LCD, Plasma or DLP) will only display the amount of color depth (number of shades) a given HDTV is capable of displaying. With no Deep Color source available today, it’s another worthless product feature.


6-x.v. Color

The promise, more colors on the screen then ever before possible. The reality? The only displays that can take full advantage of the wider color gamut x.v.Color promises are Laser TV and they wouldn’t be available for months. In addition, the only sources today that can provide an x. v. color signal are a handful of HD Camcorders. Bottom line, until Laser TVs and xv Color HD discs appear (no one can say if these discs will ever be available), it is a pretty worthless feature.

5-1080p HDTVs below 42” (diagonal)
Most buyers don’t realize how close you must be to a 1080p set to notice the full benefit over a 720p display. The average viewing distance in America is 9 ft. To see all the detail in a 32” 1080p set you have to sit 4 feet 2 inches from the display (or closer). For more info and a chart go to
http://hdguru.com/?p=21


4-Flat LCD HDTVs 26” and Smaller
With the price of LCD flat panels continuing to drop, the image quality of LCD HDTVs in the 26” or below size has actually diminished! A number also have non-standard aspect ratios (1.6:1 instead of 1.78:1 aka 16×9) that will cut off part of an HD image!


3-Off Brand Model HDTVs
Buying no name brands will save you money, but they may be nearly as expensive to repair as to replace after the factory warranty expires. In fact, some models have no post warranty service or parts available. For more information go to
http://hdguru.com/your-new-disposabl...anel-hdtv/107/


2-120Hz HDMI Cables
Super priced HDMI cables that cost over 100 times more than ones you can buy from Amazon.com ($1.98) are claimed to handle “faster speed” signals to meet the requirements of 120 Hz signals, and therefore are present and “future” ready.
The rip-off? There are no 120 Hz signals today or planned in the future. All 120 Hz HDTVs today or tomorrow accept signals at a rate no higher rate than 1080p/60 Hz.


1-HDMI
The worst connector design since S-Video and the most unreliable interface ever foisted on the buying public. Don’t be surprised if your HDMI hookups do not provide any image on your HDTV. You should always pretest HDMI connections before installing your sources and/or new HDTV.

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Yeah, that's pretty much totally correct.

One reasonable product to look into that they alluded to was a voltage regulator. It's built in to better UPSs.

Cable and Sat companies compress the dog piss out of their HD content for the most part.

I wonder if they'll take on the next-gen audio formats (DTS-MA, Dolby HD) next?

[pr_capone]

Well... I've had my Olevia for about a year and a half now with zero problems. Add that to the fact that I picked up my 32 incher for just over $500 back then and I still think I have come ahead, even if the thing were to just shit out on me today.

I would definitely purchase another Olevia regardless of their warranty issues.

[KCChiefsMan]

I made the mistake of buying an off-brand TV once. It lasted 95 days on a 90 day warranty. I think it was Apex. Toshiba is where it's at for me!

[007]

http://hdguru.com/wp-content/uploads...ance_chart.pdf

I am confused as to why the 720p optimum viewing distance is actually farther away than the 1080i/p optimum viewing distance. I have a 42' set and it shows optimum for 720p is 99" and optimum for 1080i/p is 66". Shouldn't those numbers be reversed?

[Lzen]

Originally Posted by Guru

http://hdguru.com/wp-content/uploads...ance_chart.pdf

I am confused as to why the 720p optimum viewing distance is actually farther away than the 1080i/p optimum viewing distance. I have a 42' set and it shows optimum for 720p is 99" and optimum for 1080i/p is 66". Shouldn't those numbers be reversed?

Holy cow, dude!! A 42 foot set? Where do you live? In a hanger?

[Chazno]

Originally Posted by Guru

http://hdguru.com/wp-content/uploads...ance_chart.pdf

I am confused as to why the 720p optimum viewing distance is actually farther away than the 1080i/p optimum viewing distance. I have a 42' set and it shows optimum for 720p is 99" and optimum for 1080i/p is 66". Shouldn't those numbers be reversed?

No they are correct. Resolution and Screen size kinda counter act one another. A larger screen means you can site farther back and still see everything, where a higher resolution requires you to sit closer to see all the detail.

This is why people say there is no point to 1080p on screen smaller than 42"...its because you would have to sit within 5 feet to see all the detail.

If you were to sit 99" away from both a 720 and a 1080 set...they would look virtually the same. If you move up to 66" you would notice a big difference in the 1080 but the 720 would look the same as it did at 99" or possibly slightly worse.