LCD Flat Screen TV - Is getting a 120Hz LCD
Flat Screen TV Worth The Extra
Cost?
If you have been considering buying an LCD
flat screen tv lately, you have probably read
about the 120Hz models and are wondering if
they are worth the extra cost. The value of the
120hz feature has been widely debated. There
are a number of things to consider before
making your decision.
In the early days of the LCD vs Plasma tv
wars, one of the biggest drawbacks to
purchasing an LCD tv was that they were prone
to a choppy picture and motion blur, especially
during fast action such as sports or in movie
scenes such as car chases. Although there has
been a great deal of improvement over the years
in the tvs ability to handle fast motion, LCD
is still battling the stigma of not having as
smooth of a picture as plasmas.
As a direct response to these concerns LCD
manufacturers have incorporated 120Hz tvs into
their newest tv models. These tvs have refresh
rates that are twice as fast as the "standard"
60Hz models.
Those who are supporters of the 120Hz
technology claim that the picture is noticeably
smoother with crystal clear clarity, especially
during fast action scenes or sports. Another
benefit is the ability to produce an almost
3D-like picture.
On the other hand, others say that they
can't notice a difference when comparing side
to side with the "standard" 60Hz models. They
feel that the 120Hz models are simply marketing
gimmicks to sell higher priced tv.
Motion enhancement
So who is right? As usual there is a middle
ground. A 120Hz tv will take a standard 60Hz
signal and simply replicate it twice which by
itself does little to enhance the picture
quality. The real difference is made when
applying a video processing feature for motion
enhancement. Each company has there own name
for this process. Samsung's feature is called
AMP for Auto Motion Plus. This feature takes
the screen and interpolates the image to
provide a smoother picture to reduce
judder.
Does the motion enhancement provide a more
satisfactory picture? Again this is open to
debate. Motion enhancement at its best provides
a noticeably smoother, stable picture, free of
jutter, motion blur and ghosting. Some people
like how it can make sports and movies look 3D
like, and others describe gaming in 120Hz as
making a 30 frames per second game look like a
60 frames per second game.
Motion enhancement at its worst can
introduce split second glitches in the picture
called artifacts which can obviously be
distracting. Another complaint by some has been
that while documentary type shows like Planet
Earth can provide stunning stable live action
shots, the motion enhancement takes away from
the cinematic feel of movies by providing an
almost too realistic, live tv or soap opera
feel instead of a cinematic experience.
If you prefer to watch a movie without
motion enhancement, tv manufacturers have made
it so that you can simply turn that feature
off.
Conclusion
For the time being the choice to go with a
120Hz LCD flat screen tv is purely one of
personal choice and budget. Keep in mind that
this is a very new technology and as with all
new technologies there are still some things
that need to be perfected. There is little
debate that 120Hz is the wave of the future and
that technology will only improve over
time.
If price is a primary factor and you are
working on a limited budget then one of the
standard models would be a fine choice until
the 120Hz models are perfected.
If price is not of primary concern or if you
can spare the extra dollars in an attempt to
future proof your tv purchase then it would
seem to make perfect sense to go with the
additional features and benefits that a 120Hz
LCD flat screen tv can offer.
Either way the continued technological
advancements that companies are making will
only benefit the consumers in the long run.
|
