OmSigDAVID wrote:I thought thay LIKED to make profits.
When margins are slim profit is made through quantity. A dollar a unit doesn't sound like much, but if you sell 10 million of them...
For items like TV's where competition is fierce, profit comes mostly from accessories or services sold along with the product, or from simply getting people into the store (or onto the web site) where they will buy smaller items at a much higher profit margin.
Large chain stores make profit due to volume and sloppy purchases from customers moving through the store. Smaller specialty stores must offer something special which they charge more for. These are becoming rare in the high end electronic market where most devices are self contained and turnkey (simple package comparison resulting in price compression). I believe Tweeter Etc recently filed for chapter 11 closure.
It's easy to make revenue, but it's not easy to make profit.
Tweeter began with miniature equipment like the Walkman, boom boxes, speakers and car stereos with installation. They then expanded into plasma and LCD flatscreens because the expensive price did relinquish a fairly good profit, and also tried to get into custom design and installation.
Two things basically happened to Tweeter. The prices of Plasmas, LCDs, and the new rear projection technologies suddenly began to go South. It was spurred by Dell introducing their lines of flatscreens at really cheap prices by selling them direct and having them manufactured at newly tooled-up factories in the PRC. The major manufacturers have followed, except for manufacturing in the PRC, and as a result, more people can afford to upgrade to a state-of-the-art flat screen (or a mediocre flatscreen, whichever is preferred). The Dell 23" I happened to purchase about 1-1/2 years ago for a bedroom had a complete main frame failure and they sent me a refurbished replacement (with luck, it failed about two months before the end of the one year warrantee). With the profit margin shrinking, one could make money by increasing volume. But this is very competitive so if an operation has no design, engineering and installation, and sales support to sell complete packages including high-end speakers which is the best profit margin of all home electronics equipment, they can't survive on the slim profit margin (often as low as 10 percent) of the displays. It's like the loss leader of an entire installation. Finally, Tweeter was really unable to pay to get the most competent designers (they actually don't like working for chains), technicians and installers and, quite frankly, in our area resorted to hiring illegal alliens to mount your new flatscreen, wire into the wall into the cable box, DVD player, computer hard drive, etc. You can image what that relinquished.
Costco and other warehouse and chain stores make enough on volume off new off-brands and discontinued models. They, of course, don't tell you they are selling a set that is "until supplies last," and that you're buying last year's technology. Earlier last year that meant many plasmas were purchased that still could only state the life span to half-brightness at 40,000 hrs., ate up a great deal more energy while running very hot (they were like little space heaters), still had that annoying screendoor effect when viewed closer than recommended, and would burn in images. Front projector's prices haven't been effected to any degree as the volume is much smaller and there's always race to put the latest and most expensive technology into those devices (they can still cost as much as $ 10,000 and more). Not many have a room they can devote to a front projector, very large screen system as ambient light washes out the picture just like in a movie theater. There are new hi-def screens that have erased most of that problem but they are expensive.
Some manufacturers like Fujitsu have stuck to their guns and not allowed their sets to be marketed by warehouse stores, wanting to deal more with specialized dealers in commercial and consumer home entertainment design and installation. Panasonic generally doesn't sell the pro-monitor to warehouse stores, either, but they were dumping the 9 series 42" at Costco. It didn't hurt our sales as we included the calibration and we did at one time get a backorder from the warehouse and bought one from Dell for an install project.
Actually the classic retail marketing mistake by Tweeter was the name of the stores.
On a slightly different track...
I have a Mitsubishi HD Projection screen TV which I bought from Tweeter back in 2003.
It continues to have a very nice HD picture which I am not complaining about, but it has developed two discolored 'bands' on the right and left side of the screen (it looks like 'burn-in'). These bands coincide with the width of a non-16x9 picture when displayed on the TV.
I didn't think a projection screen could 'burn-in' like that. I thought it was only CRT's which experienced burn-in.
What is causing those two bands and is there a way to fix them?
Thanks,
A 2003 Mitsubishi would be a CRT light source projector. You have burn in and it can't be repaired without replacing the three color guns. About $ 800.00. New LCD and DLP projectors will not burn in. Watching 4:3 ratio TV with the side black or even grey bands many hours will burn in the image. Doesn't matter if it is rear projection or front projection.
Lightwizard wrote:A 2003 Mitsubishi would be a CRT light source projector. You have burn in and it can't be repaired without replacing the three color guns. About $ 800.00. New LCD and DLP projectors will not burn in. Watching 4:3 ratio TV with the side black or even grey bands many hours will burn in the image. Doesn't matter if it is rear projection or front projection.
Ah, I see. So it's not the screen that is burned-in, it's the CRT guns which are affected. That makes sense.
Maybe it's time for a new TV.
The DLP models seem to be inexpensive, relatively thin, and have a nice picture. Maybe I'll get one of those.
Thanks,
It's not the screen but the guns in the projector. I'd wait for the DLP LED or Laser light source so there's no conventional light bulb or color wheel to replace.
Lightwizard wrote:It's not the screen but the guns in the projector. I'd wait for the DLP LED or Laser light source so there's no conventional light bulb or color wheel to replace.
Yeh, that's what I said, the guns in the projector
Ok. I'll wait for the DLP LED or Laser models. Next year maybe?
There are now LED projectors arriving at under $ 1,000 (finally, some price decreases in the front projector devices). The 3 LED projectors in 1080p would be already available or very soon. Here's a lower priced Sony 3 LCD in 1080i. Since most movies are really not any better resolution than 420p, spending a lot of extra dough (up to $9,000) on a 1080p now is probably not going to give you that much better an image. We have a Sharp DLP with a 92" screen and on HD broadcast like Discovery, it's amazing. HD broadcast movies, not as impressive. but still quite good -- Jackson's "King Kong" was on a few months back and it looked really good. Standard DVD's look almost exactly like most theater projection.
I'd say if you don't want to wait, this SONY is 3 LCD but does have a lamp:
SONY 3 LCD Front Projector
I never considered an actual 'front projector' before.
My video room has a cathedral ceiling, so I would probably have to put a projector on a table or something. Is there a way to compensate for the distortion of the image which would come from displaying it on a flat surface from a lower position?
Also, I guess I would need to get a screen to show it on, or paint the walls a flat white or something.
I don't know why I assume you had front projection instead of rear projection. The burn in can be at least minimal if you always stretch the standard 4:3 ratio broacasts, otherwise it will get worse and in snow scenes on Discovery, it's rather distracting. You have to have a light controlled room for front projection and the new hi-def screens that will give an acceptable image in a moderately bright room are really pricey.
I'd wait for the laser source rear projection DLP's if you aren't anxious to have a wall mounted screen. The chassis are now really slim, down to 12." Sony's 3 LCD SXRD technology is also a great choice. The Canon SED, or flat screen CRT, is due out next years sometime. It will blow the Plasma and LED out of the water on depth of black but not on color range or accuracy.
In your opinion,
in a choice between HD DVD or Blu Ray Disk,
which will give a clearer, more distinct picture ?
They are virtually identical. Except the the capacity on a Blu-Ray disc will hold much longer full 1080p digital movies with full PCM sound in 9 channels without any compression. The DTS and Dolby full PCM would have to be compressed on HD DVD discs with a supermap bit digitial image. This all depends on the master that is used. They are still limited by the quality of the negative, if's it has or hasn't been restruck in 70mm and newly transferred with all the latest digital restoration software processing the analog image to digital. The first one likely to have a recordable disc is Blu-Ray.
Lightwizard wrote:They are virtually identical. Except the the capacity on a Blu-Ray disc will hold much longer full 1080p digital movies with full PCM sound in 9 channels without any compression. The DTS and Dolby full PCM would have to be compressed on HD DVD discs with a supermap bit digitial image. This all depends on the master that is used. They are still limited by the quality of the negative, if's it has or hasn't been restruck in 70mm and newly transferred with all the latest digital restoration software processing the analog image to digital.
The first one likely to have a recordable disc is Blu-Ray.
Thank u.
I am thinking of getting Blu Ray.
What is PCM sound ?
How can I know whether my HD TV is employing 9 sound channels ?
My inquiry into available programing for Blu Ray
has revealed entertainment dating back to the 1940s.
How can I know whether this is of a quality
that is worthy of use with a Blu Ray player ?
or a waste of my time and cash ?
PCM is uncompressed digital sound up to 24 bit recording. DTS was the only theater sound offering this quality but Dolby has delivered their own equipment.
The sets themselves with built-in speakers do not have 9.1, nor even 7.l , nor 6.l , nor even 5.l. The rear channel effect is electronically simulated. Only the Yamaha Sound Projectors beam a left and right rear channel from a single sound system away from being heard loudly from the front, but bouncing the sound off the side walls. 9.1 not only has side and rear surround speakers but two presence (Cinema DSP) speakers mounted above the left and right and, ideally behind. They provide depth behind the screen or the wall the display is mounted on.
Old films will not reveal any more resolution. Close up on a large screen, 40" through a front projection of over 100', and Panasonic produces a 93" plasma as well, the only advantage is the picture will have less ID of pixels, smoother and more film-like on an older movie. There actually are no films except IMAX and Discovery programming that can approach the detail possible with 1080p It would have to be shot with a digital 1080p camera with not processing other than the digital data transferred to a disc. 1080i down-scaled will also look smoother but no added detail.
I can't pronounce that it's a waste of cash -- there are Blu-Ray players with 7.1 discrete channels, so one has to also invest in a 7.1 of 9.1 AV receiver and provide the 7 speakers around the room. If your screen is overlarge in the room, it will relinquish a somewhat better picture. A 1080i which has been fully calibrated and viewed from the normal distance will look as good. There are 1080i sets that will accept 1080p signals and downscale them.
Lightwizard wrote:PCM is uncompressed digital sound up to 24 bit recording. DTS was the only theater sound offering this quality but Dolby has delivered their own equipment.
The sets themselves with built-in speakers do not have 9.1, nor even 7.l , nor 6.l , nor even 5.l. The rear channel effect is electronically simulated. Only the Yamaha Sound Projectors beam a left and right rear channel from a single sound system away from being heard loudly from the front, but bouncing the sound off the side walls. 9.1 not only has side and rear surround speakers but two presence (Cinema DSP) speakers mounted above the left and right and, ideally behind. They provide depth behind the screen or the wall the display is mounted on.
Old films will not reveal any more resolution. Close up on a large screen, 40" through a front projection of over 100', and Panasonic produces a 93" plasma as well, the only advantage is the picture will have less ID of pixels, smoother and more film-like on an older movie. There actually are no films except IMAX and Discovery programming that can approach the detail possible with 1080p It would have to be shot with a digital 1080p camera with not processing other than the digital data transferred to a disc. 1080i down-scaled will also look smoother but no added detail.
I can't pronounce that it's a waste of cash -- there are Blu-Ray players with 7.1 discrete channels, so one has to also invest in a 7.1 of 9.1 AV receiver and provide the 7 speakers around the room. If your screen is overlarge in the room, it will relinquish a somewhat better picture. A 1080i which has been fully calibrated and viewed from the normal distance will look as good. There are 1080i sets that will accept 1080p signals and downscale them.
My Samsung has:
Diagonal Size 61 in
Technology DLP, Projection
Projection Display Technology DLP
Resolution
1920 x 1080
Display Format
1080p (FullHD)
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9
Image Contrast Ratio 5000:1
Comb Filter 3-line digital
Additional Features On-screen menu,
3:2 pulldown compensation,
DNIe (Digital Natural Image engine)
So I see that I need to be careful what kind
of Blu Ray movies I buy: only Discovery or IMAX.
When will I be able to get the benefit of my 1920 x 1080 resolution pixels ?
You'll see more of a difference from recent films that were shot in 70mm and have new digital masters from the re-photographing of the analog image. Two of the few films simultaneously shot in digital format are the last two Star Wars movies. I've never researched much or found any information as to their being shot comparable to 1080i or 1080p. The standard DVD of both movies is, of course, from the digital master.
A 61" screen is ideally viewed from 16' to 20' If your seating is closer, you won't be able to detect any of the pixel matrix unless extremely close and with DLP, they are very muted. I haven't seen the new DLP that use LED's or Lasers as the light source instead of the lamp and color wheel. If there were any at CES Las Vegas, I missed them.
The full benefit of owning 1080p now won't be here for years. Broadcast, cable and satellite simply don't have the bandwidth. Towards the end of this year or the beginning of 2008, all HBO channels will be going to HD.
Lightwizard wrote:You'll see more of a difference from recent films that were shot in 70mm and have new digital masters from the re-photographing of the analog image. Two of the few films simultaneously shot in digital format are the last two Star Wars movies. I've never researched much or found any information as to their being shot comparable to 1080i or 1080p. The standard DVD of both movies is, of course, from the digital master.
A 61" screen is ideally viewed from 16' to 20'
If your seating is closer, you won't be able to detect any of the pixel matrix
unless extremely close and with DLP, they are very muted.
I haven't seen the new DLP that use LED's or Lasers as the light source
instead of the lamp and color wheel.
If there were any at CES Las Vegas, I missed them.
The full benefit of owning 1080p now won't be here for years.
Broadcast, cable and satellite simply don't have the bandwidth.
Towards the end of this year or the beginning of 2008, all HBO channels will be going to HD.
Thank you.
Is all HD broadcast in 1080i ?
What are:
LEDs ?
CES ?
Will lasers as the light source
instead of the lamp and color wheel
give a clearer picture ?
How can I best enjoy my 1920 x 1080 ?
Most HD on cable and satellite as well as over the air (of course, picked up by both cable and satellite) are 1080i. Some of PBS and TBS shows are digital wide screen at 720i or 420p, comparable to standard DVD. The program guide will almost always have the HDTV symbol in a rectangle behind the program info.
LED stands for light emitting diode, so there are 3 in the new DLP's, red, blue and green, the three primary colors for making up all colors of the spectrum in light. The flat screens are made with LCD, or Light Canceling Diode, which utilize rows of red, blue and green lenses with a flat fluorescent light source behind them. The diodes simply "open and close," allowing or blocking the light, to create the image in color. The DLP, digital light processing, does it with millions of tiny mirrors that open and close, reflecting the color light source to project on the screen. This is now done with a conventional high energy discharge lamp and a color wheel and has up to six colors to achieve more accurate color imaging. Samsung has 5 colors if purchased in the last year (approximately as models can be discontinued and replaced any month of a year). The main advantage of the LED and laser light sources are the longevity. The lamps can fail in 3,000 - 6,000 hours. An LED or laser probably won't fail until after we inhabit Mars.
CES stands for Consumer Electronics Show.
The best way to enjoy a 1080p image? On nearly any media input, the picture is very smooth and pixels are not identified on a big screen such as yours even if you are four feet away (of course, way too close to a 61"). I'd rent HD movies, not buy them yet. NetFlix has them. Anything that's been actually photographed with 1080p digital camers will be the finest quality. Discovery generally has the best, with Planet Earth being absolutely stunning. Whether shot in full 1080p or not, I'm not sure, but Discovery's signal is 1080i. The broadcasters simply don't have enough bandwidth to even go all HD, let alone sandwich in any 1080p with double the pixels, and the February 2008 mandate by the FCC is only that everything has to be digital, not necessarily HD or wide screen.
One thing for sure, if you have a DLP with a lamp assembly, buy a back-up ASAP. It could go out at the crucial time, like in the middle of a Super Bowl.
