Korean Job Discussion Forums

[smogdonkey]

I disagree about Korean broadcast HD content. The quality on many programs is sub-standard compared to, for example, DirecTV HD. Mine is not an expert opinion, but an observational one that seems fairly obvious.

Sure it looks better than SD on an HDTV, but that's not saying much. Perhaps sadly, I'm pretty used to stretched out SD by now. I watch more Slingplayer than cable, though, so it's only partially stretched out (by my laptop's lack of resolution options).

I primarily use my 32" PAVV for the PS3 and watching downloaded HD TV shows and movies. I'm not sure how much of that content is available in 1080p, but I'm assuming not much. You can, however, download some Bluray and HDDVD content already, but running a laptop with an external USB, that doesn't sound like much fun.

It should be said that I don't speak Korean, so I really don't bother watching the broadcast channels very often, unless in the company of the better half, who prefers OnStyle much of the time. Everything seems to look way too sharp, and ... speckled, for lack of a better term.

Regular DVDs are 480p.

A buddy recently bought the exact same TV as mine, and he uses it as his sole PC monitor. I haven't asked him yet how it's treating him on a day-to-day basis. I know he loves it for downloaded movies, though... will get back to you.

[gsxr750r]

Where are you getting your downloaded HDTV stuff, and how long does it take to download? Very interested.

[rocklee]

Heard that there will be a revised xbox 360 with HDMI and a much bigger capacity hard disk.

[gsxr750r]

That's the thing... MS tried to act all like, "Oh, you don't need that... we're never making it... buy our Xbox 360 now, because we'll never add it."'

1 year later, they add it.

[pkang0202]

http://www.hometheatermag.com/gearworks/1106gear/

http://hometheater.about.com/od/televisionbasics/qt/1080ivs1080p.htm

http://www.engadgethd.com/2006/11/13/still-no-discernable-difference-between-1080i-and-1080p/

The consensus is that 1080p isn't worth the extra money. The differences are minor and only when viewing native 1080p content. 1080p for TV is like buying a better air filter for a Bugatti Veyron. Yes, it will be slightly better but overall, it doesn't make that much of a difference.

Now, for those of you who are interested in buying a 100 inch TV screen, then I'll definitely recommend 1080p. However, thats a loot point because if you can afford a 100" screen then money isn't something you are concerned about.

[corroonb]

The Xbox 360 does indeed contain a DVD scaler which needs VGA to work due to licensing issues with DVD. The PS3 will be getting this functionlity in a software update.

The whole Zephyr thing (black HDMI 360) is still a rumour and also has a rumoured price tag of $500 dollars.

Korean HDTV frequently looks awful as they appear to be upscaling regular signal in many cases and not using a good upscaler.

[gsxr750r]

The black Xbox360 is, as of very recently, no longer a rumor:

http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9699662-1.html?tag=cnetfd.mt

http://www.gamersreports.com/news/4966/120gig-black-xbox360-with-hdmi-official/

There is another article or two out there I saw which were more of a confirmation from Microsoft, as well.


Also, in defense of the Korean HDTV programming:

There just isn't enough HDTV content out there to run full-time HD on the HDTV channels. This will slowly change over time. So yeah, they intermix standard def with HD footage (in news, most often). TV commercials are another problem -- usually transferred over from standard footage.

[IlIlNine]

re: 1080p/720p ...

I vote getting a 720p/1080i TV right now if your TV size is ~42 and smaller.

Mostly it's an issue of content and price. There is VERY little 1080 content right now. HD-DVDs and Blu-Rays are still far from being mass-market (In my opinion - when I can go to a video rental place and get a good selection, that's when they've hit the mainstream). Xbox 360 looks fantastic at 720p.

Save the money -- and when the new technology hits (OLED w/per-pixel lighting, for example) hits that will blow us all away - buy that.

Maybe I'm just not as picky as you guys... but 720p/1080i looks great from where I'm sitting. 1080p is better, certainly. But -- how much better, how often, and for what price?