Purchasing a gaming TV

[Ionami]

So I am going to be purchasing a gaming TV, and I really am new to the whole HD/Plasma/LCD thing. I know about progressive and interlaced, but that's about it when it comes to this kind of stuff.

I own both a PS3 and a 360, and I want to find a TV that works well with both. Price is not really an issue for me, so don't worry about factoring that into your suggestions. Also, I'd prefer to not have a wall mounted TV, but that's not super important. The only other thing I know is that I think I need the TV to be HDMI compatible?

I'm also aware that Plasma TV's apparently can cause burn-in, although this is less of a problem these days.

Anyways, if anyone has any knowledge on gaming TV's and what works best, please let me know your recommendations or if you just have advice on what to look for, that would be a huge help.

(I apologize if this shouldn't be in the gaming discussion forum, I figured since it was technically gaming related that it could go here.)

 

[Nivag the Owl]

I seriously need a new TV. I don't really game on it much or care about graphics (Nintendo-ass-kisser) but I still have like an 18" box television. I'm better off compared to some friends but it's starting to make me feel like a 50 year old.

 

[Baby Tea]

40" LCD Samsung.
http://yahoo.shoptoit.ca/shop/product--catId_1001037__locale_en__productId_5438445.html

That's the TV I bought not too long ago. HDMI, two component, VGA, 1080p.
My 360 looks brilliant on it. It wasn't too expensive either (Money may not 'be an issue', but everyone likes to save money, right?).

EDIT: Changed Composite to component...my bad.
Also: Response time: 5ms. Not too shabby. Me likey.

 

[Danny Ocean]

I seriously need a new TV. I don't really game on it much or care about graphics (Nintendo-ass-kisser) but I still have like an 18" box television. I'm better off compared to some friends but it's starting to make me feel like a 50 year old.

Oh please. The amount of money most 50 year olds have is enough to get a much better TV than that.

On topic. Plasmas are good for 30"+ size, LCD are good for less than that. Make sure it's a 1080p/i if it is a large screen, or else it will look terrible.

Find one with a low response time, and the right ports on the back, too.

 

[Ionami]

40" LCD Samsung.
http://yahoo.shoptoit.ca/shop/product--catId_1001037__locale_en__productId_5438445.html

That's the TV I bought not too long ago. HDMI, two composite, VGA, 1080p.
My 360 looks brilliant on it. It wasn't too expensive either (Money may not 'be an issue', but everyone likes to save money, right?).

That's the kind of stuff I'm looking for, specific models of tv's. Thank you!

EDIT: I can't seem to find a price for it, any idea where I can find it?

 

[Nivag the Owl]

I seriously need a new TV. I don't really game on it much or care about graphics (Nintendo-ass-kisser) but I still have like an 18" box television. I'm better off compared to some friends but it's starting to make me feel like a 50 year old.

Oh please. The amount of money most 50 year olds have is enough to get a much better TV than that.

On topic. Plasmas are good for 30"+ size, LCD are good for less than that. Make sure it's a 1080p/i if it is a large screen, or else it will look terrible.

Find one with a low response time, and the right ports on the back, too.

Stop making me feel even worse You have sort of convinced me to go and get a new one though so, it's on my list.

 

[Baby Tea]

40" LCD Samsung.
http://yahoo.shoptoit.ca/shop/product--catId_1001037__locale_en__productId_5438445.html

That's the TV I bought not too long ago. HDMI, two composite, VGA, 1080p.
My 360 looks brilliant on it. It wasn't too expensive either (Money may not 'be an issue', but everyone likes to save money, right?).

That's the kind of stuff I'm looking for, specific models of tv's. Thank you!

EDIT: I can't seem to find a price for it, any idea where I can find it?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8793996&st=Samesung+LN40A530&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1205537712071

Best Buy U.S. has it at $999

 

[Ionami]

40" LCD Samsung.
http://yahoo.shoptoit.ca/shop/product--catId_1001037__locale_en__productId_5438445.html

That's the TV I bought not too long ago. HDMI, two composite, VGA, 1080p.
My 360 looks brilliant on it. It wasn't too expensive either (Money may not 'be an issue', but everyone likes to save money, right?).

That's the kind of stuff I'm looking for, specific models of tv's. Thank you!

EDIT: I can't seem to find a price for it, any idea where I can find it?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8793996&st=Samesung+LN40A530&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1205537712071

Best Buy U.S. has it at $999

Ahh, there we go, thanks again!

 

[Baby Tea]

Ahh, there we go, thanks again!

I live to give!

 

[Anton P. Nym]

The deadly secret of HD/gaming TVs is that a 720p or 1080i display is fine for the smaller sets, say anything under 36". You only really need the added resolution given by 1080p on the bigger sets, unless your eye is much sharper than the general populations'.

Plasmas are good for gaming now that they've got the burn-in sorta under control, but if your room is on the bright side you may prefer to use LCDs as Plasmas wash out more in sunlight. If your room is dark or you're willing to use darkening curtains you may prefer the faster refresh rate and richer colours plasma can bring. Also, plasmas use more power and generate more waste heat than LCDs if that's a concern.

HDMI makes things simpler, and it's getting easier to find now. Consider getting a set with multiple inputs, or if you're going whole-hog into home theatre you may want to get a home theatre receiver with a bunch of HDMI inputs and a pass-through for your set. Component cables will still give a good picture, though, so don't feel you have to get HDMI.

I'll look at specific models later, but right now the office is a touch busy... sorry to cut this short.

-- Steve

 

[Ionami]

The deadly secret of HD/gaming TVs is that a 720p or 1080i display is fine for the smaller sets, say anything under 36". You only really need the added resolution given by 1080p on the bigger sets, unless your eye is much sharper than the general populations'.

Plasmas are good for gaming now that they've got the burn-in sorta under control, but if your room is on the bright side you may prefer to use LCDs as Plasmas wash out more in sunlight. If your room is dark or you're willing to use darkening curtains you may prefer the faster refresh rate and richer colours plasma can bring. Also, plasmas use more power and generate more waste heat than LCDs if that's a concern.

HDMI makes things simpler, and it's getting easier to find now. Consider getting a set with multiple inputs, or if you're going whole-hog into home theatre you may want to get a home theatre receiver with a bunch of HDMI inputs and a pass-through for your set. Component cables will still give a good picture, though, so don't feel you have to get HDMI.

I'll look at specific models later, but right now the office is a touch busy... sorry to cut this short.

-- Steve

Thanks, Steve! Looking forward to seeing what you can find. And yes, I do plan on setting up a home theatre eventually. I have a pioneer amp, and I need to pick up some speakers for it.

What exactly is a pass-through? And is a home theatre receiver the same as an amp?

 

[742]

I seriously need a new TV. I don't really game on it much or care about graphics (Nintendo-ass-kisser) but I still have like an 18" box television. I'm better off compared to some friends but it's starting to make me feel like a 50 year old.

my grandparents are 80 years old, one of them doesnt even TOUCH the computer, the other needs to call me for help when he hits number lock. they still have a better TV than you. seek help.

 

[Anton P. Nym]

What exactly is a pass-through? And is a home theatre receiver the same as an amp?

A "pass-through" is a connection that takes a signal brought in to a gadget (in this case, a receiver) and passes the signal along unchanged to another gadget. Many home theatre receivers have an HDMI pass-through these days.

An amp is, strictly speaking, just an amplifier for an electrical device. Every home theatre receiver has an amplifier built-in to drive the speakers. (Some also have a separate power-driven subwoofer.) If you have a Dolby system, you have a receiver as it's the thingy that directs the signal to the right speakers. If it has an HDMI plug in the back, you're in luck as it'll be able to take the sound off that; if not, it should have either a fibre-optic or coax cable input to take the digital audio signal. (And if you have the pass-through I mentioned above, it'll be able to send the digital signal on to the TV.)

Argh... gotta go, more later.

-- Steve

 

[Ionami]

What exactly is a pass-through? And is a home theater receiver the same as an amp?

A "pass-through" is a connection that takes a signal brought in to a gadget (in this case, a receiver) and passes the signal along unchanged to another gadget. Many home theater receivers have an HDMI pass-through these days.

An amp is, strictly speaking, just an amplifier for an electrical device. Every home theater receiver has an amplifier built-in to drive the speakers. (Some also have a separate power-driven sub woofer.) If you have a Dolby system, you have a receiver as it's the thingy that directs the signal to the right speakers. If it has an HDMI plug in the back, you're in luck as it'll be able to take the sound off that; if not, it should have either a fiber-optic or coax cable input to take the digital audio signal. (And if you have the pass-through I mentioned above, it'll be able to send the digital signal on to the TV.)

Argh... gotta go, more later.

-- Steve

Again, thanks for the helpful advice.

If I am just buying a TV for now, can I go ahead and buy whatever one I want, (so long as it has at least one input for HDMI) and then buy a home theater receiver later? Or will I have to buy my TV, keeping in mind which specific receiver I want to get later? (I understand that's kind of vague, and I'm sure the store I purchase the TV from can tell me when the time comes, but I figured I'd see what you think of it.) Is the idea to have a HDMI compatible TV, (or component) and an HDMI compatible receiver? (or component) Or can this pass-through make it compatible regardless?

 

[DangerousFat]

I'd look into Vizio LCD's if I were you. They are much better priced, offer more ports than the other guys, are just as reliable, and if you're American, they're a completely American company.

This is the TV I have and I can honestly say that it's absolutely amazing, I love it.

http://www.vizio.com/productDetails.aspx?id=1628&pid=1504

 

[Nivag the Owl]

I seriously need a new TV. I don't really game on it much or care about graphics (Nintendo-ass-kisser) but I still have like an 18" box television. I'm better off compared to some friends but it's starting to make me feel like a 50 year old.

my grandparents are 80 years old, one of them doesnt even TOUCH the computer, the other needs to call me for help when he hits number lock. they still have a better TV than you. seek help.

Ok, ok, ok I'm sorry I'll get one as soon as I have the money.