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General discussion

HD or ED for best Digital cable viewing?

Jun 4, 2005 6:59AM PDT

We are purchasing a Plasma tv very soon, but still unsure whether to go with HD or ED. We have digital cable and watch mostly sports (hockey and football) and some regular shows and news. We watch maybe 1 DVD movie per week. What will look the best for our viewing habits, without spending way too much? Definitely don't want stretched out, distorted sports. Suggestions appreciated!

Discussion is locked

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EDTV vs. HDTV
Jun 4, 2005 8:42AM PDT

HDTV will give you a smoother picture with much higher resolution. Many cable companies are now broadcasting in HDTV, including sports channels.

You can get a decent HDTV DLP rear projection for the price of an EDTV plasma. 720p DLP models have really dropped in price in anticipation of the new 1080p models that should be on the shelves by the end of June, hopefully.

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ED TV
Jun 5, 2005 4:27AM PDT

I just bought a Panasonic 42" Plasma, EDTV. It works great with sports. In fact, it's just as good as the HDTVs I've seen.

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ED is a great value
Jun 7, 2005 2:26AM PDT

I did my research and discovered that many people were nearly rabid about recommending the Panasonic ED model over the Panasonic HD model. I then checked out the Plasmas for myself (the eyeball test).

In one of the few shows of restraint (I'm a gear junkie!), I decided to go with a Panasonic ED plama TV. I had a rear projection HD tv and this plasma blows it away. Regular tv (digital cable) looks better on this than both my old HDTV and the Panasonie plasma HD model. DVDs look spectacular and HD content looks fantastic!

I'm sure there are those who will say that the HD tvs are better with HD, and I think they are right, but the difference wasn't that big, plus, unless I am sitting close to the TV, I wouldn't be able to notice the difference.

If you are going to watch mostly non-hd tv and DVDs, my personal feeling is that the ED models are a great value. In my case, this TV will eventually go into the master bedroom, but, for now, it is performing beautifully in our family room.

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dont even think e.d. if they still make them nasty
Jul 7, 2005 9:57AM PDT

When you get a 1080 t.v. you will be blown away also you will notice some programs are in 720 but most are broadcast in 1080 and you will se a world of difference good luck please reply to stewart norrie in thisa chat room

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EDTV
Jul 7, 2005 1:17PM PDT

I just bought the Panasonic 42'' industrial model EDTV (480 lines progressively scanned) plasma television. High definition programming looks fantastic on this set. I'm sure a high definition set showing high definition programming looks better. However, given the lack of available high definition programming, the native resolution of a DVD being 480p, and the fact that this set costs $1650; It was a no brainer.

In about 5-6 years, when this set starts to wear out and more high definition programming is available and high definition DVDs are more prevalent, I will go out and buy a 50'' HDTV Panasonic plasma. (You can't see all of high definition without 50'')

A note on shopping: I was CONSTANTLY presented with high definition sets displaying substandard signal. Often it was daytime network programming (non-HD) in 4:3 aspect ratio or DVD (480p). Consumers aren't being duped. The sets they are being shown will look better at home with the proper 1080i or 720p signals. They aren't showing HD in the showrooms because you have to go out of your way to get the true HD signal.