If i get a Akai 37"LCD Full 1080p HDTV Contrast 800:1, will it still look good when playing my Playstation3?

Question

Here is the link to the TV: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5420917

Answer 1

NO! Dont get that TV!

For one, its a cheapy from Wal-Mart, I moonlight as a repair guy and every one of these off-brand TVs they sell seems to have a load of problems all across the board (I had one Visio where I replaced the screen, bulb, and the chip, and only because they broke in that order).

Second, 1080p is the highest definition possible, but an 800:1 contrast ratio sucks ***. Typically, a good 1080p LCD screen should have at least 2000:1. Plus, most good 1080p TVs are in the $1500+ range, this one is nearly a flat grand. Doesn't that tell you anything about the quality of make?

My recommends are as follows (in 37" screens):
Sharp LC-37D90U. It is only slightly better, with 1200:1, but it at least does HDMI (your best possible connection,) and Sharp is a reputable maker.
Westinghouse LVM-37w3. As cheap as your Akai TV, but Westinghouse TVs, at least from my observation, have a low return-to-store rate, so its at least better.

Your best bet for great colors, surperb picture quality and long-life of the screen is probably the Samsung LNS4095DX/XAA. Little more than you were looking to spend it seems, but its definitely worth it.

And shop around: I know the Samsung retails at about $2000, but I'm sure Tiger Direct or BestBuy or someone has a deal on it.

And note to that: BestBuy will match the price of the same model TV as another store that has it cheaper, PLUS give you 10% of the difference. So if its a local store, boo-yah.

Answer 2

The XBox 360 Elite, but not the older XBox 360, Playstation 3, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVDs can all send a 1080p signal. However, some AVRs, like Onkyo's NR905 and SR875, can upscale all video signals to 1080p. I'm not sure of the capabilities of other new AVRs, I can only speak of the Onkyo products since I own one of their NR905 models. I know Denon has a new model that actually uses the HQV Realta processor, but that's an awfully expensive receiver. I know on my Onkyo, I can even take a 480i cable signal and upconvert it to a 1080p signal. However, do not expect that you can take an analog signal, like a 480i signal, upconvert to 1080p and have a hi-def picture...isn't going to happen. The picture will definitely improve, but it's not going to be anywhere near as good as a native 720p or 1080i signal. I have Direct TV with their HD package, and their non-HD channels are broadcast in 480p, while HD is 720p or 1080i. Upconverting the 480p signal to 1080p through the Onkyo improves the picture noticebly, but it's still not as good as the native HD broadcasts. You also need to answer the question of whether or not you even really need 1080p. Most of the new HD tvs are 1080p sets, but realistically, if your screen size is anything less than 52 inches, you probably won't notice a difference unless you're standing about 2 feet away. The resolution you need is determined by screen size and your viewing distance to the set. 1080p is most noticeable on large sets, say 58 inches or better, but even then you're not likely to notice much of a difference. I have a 58 inch plasma and my viewing distance is 12 feet and I can't really tell much difference between 1080p and 1080i or 720p.

Answer 3

My 40" samsung brodeou has a contrast ratio of 4000:1