OMG! What A Difference..

[Skooby]

I finally took the plunge yesterday and picked up a 32" LCD. It's not a brand name that is well known and it didn't cost me $4000, but you know what!?, the picture is bloody beautiful.. I also picked up a HD Set Topbox with HDMI and am running the FTA channels through HDMI (well that is the plan, my aerial co-ax cable isn't fitting both the LCD and STB atm, so I'm off to retravision to see if I can get an adaptor)

Here's the specs for those that care:

TCL LCDTV3212BK ($1798 at Harvey Norman)

* 1080i/720p HD Ready
* 1000:1 Contrast Ratio
* Stereo
* 1366 x 768 Resolution
* Programmable remote control
* HDMI Input
* Adaptive comb filter
* YCbCr/YPbPr input
* S-Video input
* VGA input
* SCART Input
* Teletext
* 550cd/m2 Brightness
* 8m second high speed motion picture response
* Viewing Angle( V >= 176° H >= 176°)
* Easy Set-up menu
* 99 Channels
* W 956mm x D 100mm x H556mm

http://tclelectronicscomau.melbourneitwebsites.com/persistent/catalogue_images/products/LCDTV3212BK_b.jpg

The image is just so much sharper (and bigger) than a SD TV. Anyone who says there is not a lot of difference between the picture qualities is either blind or can't appreciate a good thing when they see it!

I've only tested the game on Top Spin 2 atm but the differences being that I can actually read the text now and I can actually see the faces of the crowd. That alone is a huge achievement for me because I struggle to read anything in games like PGR 3 and GRAW.

Anyhoo, thought I'd share the love and the news that Harvey Norman have 19 months interest free atm to all approved customers. In 11 months I'll have this baby paid off and then I can hit the missus up (not literally) for a PVR :D

[Shane]

on my CRT tv, the picture quality was great, i was using component though.. if you use RCA then of course it will look crap.

the biggest thing that impressed me was going not from crt to a big lcd, but going from 4:3 to widescreen.. that impressed me the most :D

[Uncle Benzo]

Welcome to the world of HDTV.

Nice isn't it.

Now don't forget the surround sound. Shop around and you can get a nice little system to really add some kick. Don't have to spend too much either. Not sure if you're a shooter fan but SS is a must.

Enjoy.

[ch0pzta]

I use RGB through my 42" Plasma and have it set to Hi def... its a huge difference from SD in my opinion... i played them both one after the other and you can definately see the difference, and thats on the same TV!

[Skooby]

Welcome to the world of HDTV.

Nice isn't it.

Now don't forget the surround sound. Shop around and you can get a nice little system to really add some kick. Don't have to spend too much either. Not sure if you're a shooter fan but SS is a must.

Enjoy.
I mentioned this to the wife earlier today and I was ignored. Guess I'll have to wait until I pay this off first. I also just happened to mention that we needed a PVR :chortle:.

[Deathgod]

i have the Sony KVH... 86cm WS HDTV and it farken rocks
games look and sound so sweet

welcome to HD gaming skoobs

[Shane]

the only other thing im glad i did was grab a set of PC speakers for my LCD tele instead of using the built in tinny crappy ones.

just a $100 pair of logitechs with a subwoofer did the trick nicely. even came with the audio/console adapter thing i needed as im using VGA.

its not surround, but for me it kicks arse.

[c_m77]

I just bought a 32" LCD as well and want to know if it's worth buying the Advanced AV pack (for my old xbox)? I've read a bunch of threads here stating that it is better than the standard RCA inputs, but my questions is how much better? What is the technical difference in the output from RCA compared to S-Video with the Advanced AV pack from an old Xbox if the Aussie ones can't output 576p ?

Cheers

[AJMitchell]

Skooby, I saw the TCL on sale at my local Retravision for $1599 and was going to get it based on your glowing review.

I just wanted to ask first if you had anything negative to say about it. It def looks like the best deal around right now for cheap HD but have you had ANY probs with the unit?

[Skooby]

Skooby, I saw the TCL on sale at my local Retravision for $1599 and was going to get it based on your glowing review.

I just wanted to ask first if you had anything negative to say about it. It def looks like the best deal around right now for cheap HD but have you had ANY probs with the unit?
None whatsoever. I would've gone to retravision too but i needed the credit from HN :chortle:.

I play the 360 in 720p because in 1080i there is stretching on the edges. I'm not sure if that is an Xbox problem or if it's the TV? 720p is fantastic though..

One thing I've noticed is that there is a fair amount of heat that comes from the screen. Once again not sure if that is with all TV's or just this one. It doesn't affect anything though.

Even though TCL is a Chinese company they have a re-distribution centre in Port Melboune that all Australian warranty claims go through. That and the fact that they offer a 3 year warranty sold me on the TV. Most of the other more-known brands only offer a 12 month warranty now.

[E-Vader]

Pick up some VGA cables for the 360 now skoobs much better than the HD Component cables. :thumbsup:

[samueljay]

Whoa! :D You took the plunge! :D :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: Congrats Skoobs! Welcome to the world of High Definition!!! :D how awesome! :thumbsup: