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General discussion

KDL-26L5000 standard defintion quality

by blacksharrds Jun 27, 2009 5:37AM PDT

Does anyone who has the Sony KDL-26L5000 use it for standard defintion tv? I purchased a Toshiba that i wasn't happy with in standard definition quality, so I am planning on returning it. The KDL-26L5000 looks like a quality television, but i wanted to know about its standard definition quality before I dropped the money.

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4 Posts
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SD Quality
by Dan Filice Jun 28, 2009 8:26AM PDT

I have an older Sony 23" WEGA 720p, which is older than the 720p model you're considering, and it looks fine with SD channels. But, I also have a 55" Sony SXRD and a 46" Toshiba (both 1080p), and all 3 are equal when displaying SD, which compared to HD channels, is relatively bad, but acceptable. If you expect to see an image equal to an old CRT 26" TV when watching SD, then you won't be happy with any flat-panel TV you purchase because the new flat panels are designed to display HD content at it's best, not SD. SD content is secondary. SD images on an HDTV is a compromise, but some HDTV's do in fact, do a better job than others.

A major factor in displaying SD content at it's best is how you have your TV connected to get reception. If you have your Toshiba connected with rabbit ears, then SD will look it's worse. If you have cable or satellite, then the worst connection you should use from the box is Component, and ideally you should connect via HDMI.

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sd quality
by blacksharrds Jun 28, 2009 2:21PM PDT

hmm. so what should i do if im only planning on viewing SD in good quality? i've been browsing around and i'm only seeing HDTVs available on the market.

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TVs for SD
by Dan Filice Jun 29, 2009 5:32AM PDT

Trying to find a TV that is geard for SD is a dilemma. I don't know if they are still available, but for awhile there were EDTVs, which is Extended Definition, and they were flat screens made for SD, not HD. Or, since you are looking to replace a small TV, you may be lucky to find a widescreen CRT tube TV that is made for HD, but being a CRT tube, the SD signal looks great. I think Samsung made one as well as RCA. The problem with the EDTVs is that they weren't the way to go for 1080i and 720p and Blu-Ray which does 1080p, and HD is what most people aspire to have now. The problem with the CRT HDTVs is that they were limited in size, and many people wanted 46", 55", and 60" TVs, and nothing in CRT even came close to these sizes.

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Lifting a CRT HDTV
by Pepe7 Jun 29, 2009 6:40AM PDT

Good luck lifting that sucker as well....Ouch! Wink

Seriously though- anyone requiring the absolute best PQ for SD should stick with a trusted and true Sony WEGA or Trinitron. They are nearly impossible to beat, and generally easier to find. I still see them listed for a song on craigs list. Even a wonderful Pioneer Kuro doesn't display it well enough IMHO, although the SD video processing is still quite good.

-Pedro

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