Picking the right HDTV to purchase is difficult. An important consideration for a potential buyer is knowing how much resolution a particular HDTV extracts from a 1080i high definition signal. The HD Guru (Gary Merson), put 75 2007 HDTVs through a series of test signals to learn how different brands and models really perform. The specific results will appear in the November 2007 issue of Home Theater magazine (on newsstands around 10/7/07). Below is a synopsis of the findings.
Deinterlacing
All LCD flat panels, microdisplay rear projectors and most plasma HDTVs are progressive displays, meaning they (should) process all 1080 lines within a 1080i signal and display it at a set’s native resolution. (1080i is the broadcast standard for most HDTV networks including CBS, NBC, CW and HBO.) This is accomplished by deinterlacing the broadcast signal into progressive one. An HDTV that does not properly deinterlace the signal will only process a single field of 540 lines. Last year I tested 61 2006 models and discovered over half the sets failed to process all 1080 lines within the signal, reducing resolution up to fifty percent (depending on screen’s native resolution). The 2007 sets fared better with slightly over 65 percent passing. This test was conducted using the Silicon Optix HQV HD test disc. (You can purchase this disc in the Blu-ray or HD DVD format, at a 25% discount at hdguru.com/?p=153).
3:2 Tests
Most scripted televisions programs and almost all movies are filmed 24 frames per second. For 1080i broadcasts, the 24 frames must be split into two fields. An HDTV’s ability to restore the split signals in the proper sequence by recombining the 1080i fields into 1080p frames is essential. Failure to do so can produce artifacts or a loss of resolution. This test is also on the Silicon Optix HD HQV test disc. The results of this test were disappointing with only 14 out of 75 sets (just 18.66%) properly handling the signal!
Bandwidth Tests
Can a 1080p HDTV resolve all horizontal detail down to a single pixel (out of 1920 pixels across)? To perform this test, I used a Sencore 403 HDTV signal generator with a pattern that has vertical alternating black and white lines, one pixel wide. If a set passes this test every vertical line should be clearly visible (as black and white). If there is some roll off in bandwidth, the lines appeared as dark gray and light gray and if the set was unable to resolve down to a single pixel the area of the screen would appear blank. Out of the twenty 1080p sets tested, 17 (85%) had full bandwidth, with the remainder exhibiting some signal roll off.
Static and Motion Resolution
A particular HDTV may resolve a stationary test signal at full bandwidth, but what happens when motion is introduced? The answer, the on-screen resolution drops. This can have a significant affect on your viewing experience, especially if you tastes tend toward sports and action. How much resolution loss occurs? To find out I used a new test tool called the FPD Benchmark Software for the Professional. This Blu-ray disc contains a pattern called a monoscope pattern (pictured above) which is made up of a series of four black lines drawn so they gradually come together in a wedge like pattern that appears at the top, bottom and sides. There are numbers adjacent to the lines indicating resolution. One section of the disc has the pattern stationary (static resolution), in the following section, the same “monoscope†pattern moves from left to right (motion resolution). The stationary number where all four lines could be distinguished was recorded and then the test was repeated with the motion pattern with the area where the four lines could still be discerned as separate and not blurred together was noted. These numbers were then compared.
The result, three distinct groups emerged from this test of the twenty 1080p displays. All displays in the top group were plasma HDTVs. They all had a static resolution of 1080 lines and a measured motion resolution of 830-880 lines, depending on the specific display. The next group consisted of microdisplay rear projectors, static measured 1050-1080 (depending on the display) while motion resolution ranged of 610-780 lines. The bottom group were all the LCD flat panels, with a static resolution of 400 (one panel) to 1080 lines and motion rez coming in at 360 lines (one set tested) to 600 lines. Three of the LCDs tested were 120 Hz models (one was the Sony KDL-46XBR4 reviewed here), all 120 Hz models had 600 lines of motion resolution.
The FPD test disc is currently not available to the public. However, the top industry HDTV reviewers have received copies of the disc and I expect this test to be included in reviews by others soon.
Copyright ©2007 Gary Merson/HD Guru™. All rights reserved. The content and photos within may not be distributed electronically or copied mechanically without specific written permission.
Greg Tarr
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The test for static and motion resolution is interesting. Is this result only for 1080i source ?
For example, if i use my KDL40W3000 with a bluray (1080p), i probably have the resolution of 1080p.
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Hello,
The test for static and motion resolution is interesting. Is this result only for 1080i source ?
For example, if i use my KDL40W3000 with a bluray (1080p), i probably have the resolution of 1080p.
Martin
Hello Gary,
Great work. Thanks for all your info to help us make better buying decisions. I have one question. Is it better to select a Plasma TV with better motion resolution or one that properly resolves 3:2? It does not look like you can get both.
Thanks,
Bruce
Hi Gary,
I’m afraid there might be one serious problem in Full-HD bandwidth/motion tests: overscan.
Not sure why, some broadcasters deliver 1080i content with SD-like defects (green/black bars on sides etc). Thus the TV manufacturers decided to implement overscan even in 1080 mode – which effectively means that ~3 % of picture is cropped and afterwards the picture is stretched back to 1920×1080 resolution. Of course this has detrimental effect on resolution, since even on Full-HD TVs, pixels no longer match!
On many TVs there is a special mode called “1:1 Pixel Mapping” or “Underscan” which avoids the above problem.
Now the question is: have you tested the Full-HD TVs in (broken) Overscan mode or in 1:1 Pixel Mapping mode?
M.
Hi Gary,
I have a some questions regarding the fail of 3-2 pulldown test for the Panasonic PZ700/PZ750 series. There is a 3-2 pulldown On/Off function buried in the user menu, did turning 3-2 on and off in the menu have any effect at all on the TV’s performance? And was 3-2 pulldown evaluated for both 480i input as well as 1080i?
In your opinion, would adding/using a DVDO Iscan VP30/50 be worth the investment to get proper 3-2 pulldown?
Thanks, and have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Eric G
Hey Brian,
You might want to go to the library and check their back issues. Or you could call the publisher and order a back issue.
The talk/information about CRT HDTV seems not to be talked a lot about…guess ’cause it isn’t in the main stream of the commercial market. What about flat tube widescreen hdtv’s…. like the 30″ Samsung. Any info would be helpful. Is the general public really beta testings LCD’s, plasma’s, and rear screen TV’s for the manufactures?
Will the table be posted on HTM’s site any time soon? I apparently missed the Nov issue (I just check all over town this morning and everyone has the Dec issue out allready).
Your review looked at tv and video signal.
How does a direct digital input from a computer look? Is it processed in the same manner?
Shouldn’t a high-end graphics card like an nvidia 8800 produce 1920×1080 directly to the display and avoid having to de-interlace and process the signal?
Looking at using a 37-42 for a gaming rig.
Thanks.
Hey Gary,
I went out and bought the latest issue of Home Theater Mag and saw your article had a Sharp Aquos with a model number LC42D63.It was one of the few sets that passed your tests.However that model doesn’t exist.Which one is it?Thanks for your hard work regarding this matter.
Gary,
I noticed in your latest tests that Sharp’s LC37D62
Passes the deinterlace & the 3:2 test with an asterisk. The asterisk involved setting the Shart LCD to “film mode” The previous year Sharp’s 37D90U failed both tests? Was the “film mode” enabled for the 3:2 cadence test on the 37D90U?
Thanks
Joe
Last year all sets tested were in their out of the box “showroom” mode. This year I checked the sets that failed for additional modes in the user menu. It was reported where a change in the user menu would cause a change in the results of the test. ÂÂ
This requirement by set makers for consumers to change certain modes to get proper signal processing is just plan stupid . I have yet to see a set maker explain in an owner’s manual that you must change modes to display all lines of the signal at once.
It also makes the testing far more time consuming.ÂÂ
The HD Guru ÂÂ
Gary,
The chart in the mag has one model that may be a typo: Sharp LC42D63. Searching Google on variants of that model returns no hits; I can’t find it at sharpusa.com; it’s not listed in the Flat Panel TV chart elsewhere in the issue.
There is the LC42D64U, and the LC42D43U. Was it either of these?
Thanks,
Jon
The “3” series of Sharps are called derivative models by the industry and (in this case) are sold through many regional retailers (as opposed to national retailers). They are created from the “2” series i.e 42, 62 etc. BTW set makers often also sell derivatives models to warehouse clubs.
The HD GuruÂÂ
Didn’t take last time I submitted… I notice the magazine does not list the XBR4 that you mentioned above. What gives? In fact, there’s a conspicuous lack of high end Sony models. What don’t you want us to know? Or, is it the other way around… What doesn’t Sony want us to know? ;) Did they ask you not to include the results for the XBR series?
I’m seriously considering a pz700u model, but I was holding off until I could see your test results for the Samsung 81f series and Sony XBR4/5 LCDs. Now, I’m left hanging!
One final question: If you have access to the Sony KD-34XBR960, would you consider running this test on this old favorite? It’s the TV I still prefer because of motion blur in flat panels. I’d love to see hard numbers to back up my personal impression that this model is still the king of moving pictures. (size issues aside!)
Guru why didnt you test the “720p” tvs for band with and motion resolution?
We felt it would be too complicated and confusing for many readers. The native signal on the test disc is 1080. It would have to be downconverted to 720p for display on these sets which will introduce major aliasing artifacts to the test signal. (720p sets only can display 1280 x 720). Many results would have become quite subjective.
For the bandwidth test should a 720p test signal could have been used and create a two-tier test procedure? Should I have used both HD format signals and reported on both?ÂÂ
My Editor and I decided to keep it simple and limit these tests to the 1080p displays
The HD GuruÂÂ
Hi Guru,
Looking for advice regarding a tv purchase. I’m looking to upgrade from a 36″ Sony XBR CRT (great tv ) to either a plasma or lcd .
I’ve been leaning towards the pioneer Elite pdp-950 hd(pdp-4280) and waiting on the Samsung LN-T4681F or the new Panasonic PZ750 series if it comes in a 42″. The largest I can go is 46″ due to cabinet size and viewing distance is roughly 10-12 feet. I realize that resolution is 4th in importance but thats what keeps holding me back from the Pioneer Kuro.
Any Thoughts
Thanks
Raff
Excellent article!
One question though, what is the determining factor for motion resolution? My guess would be response time. If that is the case it would be really interesting to se the results for Philips new Perfect Pixel HD Engine range of televisions that have a response time of 3 ms.
Douglas Skelton, you mentioned you were interested in the XBR5. The XBR5 is the same as the XBR4 (except the XBR5 has a RS-232 port (home automation interface), 6 month longer warranty, and a glossy plastic bezel (XBR4 has a flat black (and interchangeable) bezel).
I just bought the XBR4 (52XBR4), and I love it!
I would like to see the list of TV’s at least. Did you include the Sharp LC-37GP1U in the list? It would be nice that LCD reviews not only include quality test but also some type of benchmark for response time and motion blur especially since manufacturers use very vaugue techniques for marketing their supposed stats that consumers can never validate ahead of purchasing.
Good stuff. I’m waiting for my copy (might take a while to get it in Canada)…
But in the meantime…
Is there any Samsung plasma covered (like ’84 series) ? :)
Thanks,
The issue is on the shelf at Barnes in Noble in CA. Good article, although many recent televisions are not included and not all TV’s are tested for motion.
As explained in the text of the article, I limited the motion tests to the 1080p sets. As far as recent sets not being included in the article, print magazines have long lead times so it was not possible to include the HDTVs that shipped after the deadline. I have new sets scheduled for testing soon, including the Pioneer Kuro.
HD Guru
Thanks for your objective evaluations!
When can readers expect the Pioneer evaluation for the new 1080P sets like the 6010 or 150FD?
Your evaluation for the Panasonic 50″ 750 said it was the best plasma you have evaluated. Does Pioneer top that?
I have a hearing problem so use closed-captioning. To my dismay, NO manufacturers puts CC through HDMI, or so I’m told. You have to use component video cables. HD DVD and BluRay won’t send 1080p through component cables to protect against copying. So I’m stuck. I have no reason to buy a 1080p set and have to settle for 720p. Unless there is some trick I don’t know about. I’m guessing the manufacturers figure if you can’t hear, you probably don’t want to see either! Any help?
This in not correct, according to an on-line pdf from the Consumer Electronics Association at http://www.ce.org/PDF/CEA_Closed_Caption_FAQs_April_2007.pdf
Please check with the customer service provider (you don’t say if it is cable, or satellite) for instructions on activating CC over HDMI. It should work according to the Consumer Electronics Association. (see linked brochure)
However DVDs are a different story. As the on line brochure states, there is no requirement for CC on disc , so you must check with each studio about a given release. Most will have sub-titles though I know they are not the same as CC,
HD Guru
I Love Your Tests On All Hd Out Their, I Am Also A Lover Of Sony I Notis You Only Mention The Sony KDL-46XBR4 Right Now I Am Looking At The XBR5 . Could You Put That One Through The Test. Am Looking
^ all caps is considered SHOUTING
QAM tuners, which most new sets have, will pick up unencrypted cable channels, no set top box needed.
GURU,
I SERIOUSLY NEED YOUR HELP WITH A TV,2008 LG LG37LB4D! NOW I WORK FOR A CABLE COMPANY AND SAW THIS TV WHICH HAD ITS OWN TUNER, BUT THE WEIRD THING IS THAT THE TUNER CAN PICK UP CERTAIN CABLE CHANNELS: YOU NEED A CABLE BOX TO VIEW THESE CHANNELS!!!! HOW AND WHY IS THAT POSSIBLE? ANOTHER QUESTION IS, CAN YOU POST SOMETHING ABOUT THIS TV OR GET INTO MORE DETAIL ON HOW BUILT-IN TUNERS WORK AND THERE FLAWS?!
Thanks so much for doing these tests! I am not able to afford a seperate video processor, so I’m interested in buying an HDTV that processes HD signals correctly, with the end result being a great picture. Wish more reviewers ran these tests.
Did the 120 Hz LCDs you tested include the new Samsung LN-T4681F? Samsung is being coy about how their motion-compensation circuitry works in their “LED Motion Plus” models. Please publish results when you test these–I’m trying to choose between the 46″ Sony anbd Samsung models.
It should be noted that the HQV HD 3:2 test is not always accurate. See http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10818926#post10818926.
Might want to ask at avsforum.com
HD Guru,
I purchased a Mitsubishi 57831 DLP (1.2 HDMI) based on the HD Guru recommendation. It is attached to a Comcast cable/DVR box and HDMI connector. Great picture and good price but the dialogue is not in sync with the picture. If I run the cable signal thru a 1.3 HDMI Blu Ray or HD box, will this correct the problem? If not, is there any other approach?
I guess they want to us to pony up the $8.99 for the HT Magazine 10/07/07? So much for “free” content.
“The specific results will appear in the November 2007 issue of Home Theater magazine (on newsstands around 10/7/07).”
I think we have to wait till then to see all the results.
You know, this has been what my eyes have been seeing for years but I never knew how to put it into words. But this is exactly it: LCDs look like an EDTV plasma during any kind of fast motion, not just onscreen action but camera movement as well (anything where the whole scene moves).
Denny Crane
Posted on 26th September, 2007
So it looks like LCD HDTV’s become EDTV’s during motion.
Guru,
Maybe you are trying to hide something from the public? A list or link of those TV sets reviewed/tested would have been nice and really bring out the truth on those manufacture specs. You only mentioned one TV the Sony KDL-46XBR4- What gives?
oh dude, you can’t give all those stats and then not show the results (the brands, models, and performance numbers.)
come on. throw us a bone.
What is the “motion resolution” and how is it measured?
So it looks like LCD HDTV’s become EDTV’s during motion.
How did modern DLPs fare?
Nice advertisement for your “purchase this disc in the Blu-ray or HD DVD format, at a 25% discount at hdguru.comâ€Â
As clearly stated in the link, the HD Guru generates zero revenue from the sale of the test disc. The discount is simply a savings for any HD Guru readers that would like to perform their own tests.
HD GuruÂÂ
Were you able to test the new Panasonic TH65PZ750U? I just saw this set at my local dealer, and it looked amazing.
Ed
Gary,
Do you have a list of all the TVs you tested and their results?
I’d love to include that in my coverage of this on Engadget HD.
Thanks
Ben
As usual, the manufactuers specifications are rarely accurate. Thanks Guru for the heads up on the upcoming issue of HT. I look forward to the information.