New AWA 81cm LCD TV - BigW again!

[Nevyn72]

the aspect ratio is 16:9 - it's just that the pixels are slightly rectangular. At any rate, you face the same problem (and resolution) that all LCD display owners faced until recently..............(you're welcome to prove me wrong on this)...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Actually the screen is 15:9.....

15:9 is a 1.66666666 ratio

Active area is 566.4x339.8mm (I measured it to check) which gives a ratio of 1.6668628

If it was a true 16:9 then the ratio would be 1.777777777

There is no visible distortion on the screen so I assume that it "trims" the image slightly

Cheers,

Peter

[chrissara]

Hahha

Got a callfrom BigW where I know the Manager.

They got one in this afternoon.

Went around and he being a HT buff had it hooked up to a HD-DVD player with DVI and a TEAC 800 also through the DVI.

The PQ was absolutely fantastic and far better than that **** AR I had.

Mind you, I have only seen a few LCD monitors. My favourite has been a Sharp but it was only 23". This screen equals if not surpasses LCD TV's double its price.

[chrissara]

Further testing ahows the component capacity is just as good as a DVI connection. Again this was using a Samsung HD DVD player and a Teac 800 STB.

No visible ghosting. Estimate the panel to be between a true 16ms-20ms.

Sound output is okay - nothing flash.

He actually had one set up out the back with the earlier 66cm model. The panel difference is noticable but you must really look to see it.

[digitaladvisor]

Further testing ahows the component capacity is just as good as a DVI connection.  Again this was using a Samsung HD DVD player and a Teac 800 STB.

No visible ghosting.  Estimate the panel to be between a true 16ms-20ms. 

Sound output is okay - nothing flash.

He actually had one set up out the back with the earlier 66cm model.  The panel difference is noticable but you must really look to see it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This most likely confirms the new second generation interface for video inputs that is in this display. Apparently its passes all video through a SINGLE processor chip and sophisticated firmware support (five times the storage of earlier firmware (software burnt into specialised updatable ROMS in simple terminology). Therefore it has better "detection intelligence" then the first gen. split DVI/RGB and sundary video inputs.

DA

[quietboy]

So after looking at it, can you confirm the price of it?

[my3]

Hi all,

Does anyone know if this new 81cm AWA has twin tuner PIP ?

And are the speakes on the side as the 26" or the bottom ?

Thanks in advance.

[Guest gbm]

Due to the different resolution that does not match the settings for most video card outputs what will this screen look like connected to the pc.

Will it be blurred or just not take up the entire screen ?

Am tempted to buy but am not sure about the higher resolution.

Started off looking at 19 inch screens and now looking at 81 cm, think i am going to need a new house to go with this screen.

As soon as anybody connects one to the PC please advise or if anybody has experience with similar resolution screens.

[digitaladvisor]

Due to the different resolution that does not match the settings for most video card outputs what will this screen look like connected to the pc.

Will it be blurred or just not take up the entire screen ?

Am tempted to buy but am not sure about the higher resolution.

Started off looking at 19 inch screens and now looking at 81 cm, think i am going to need a new house to go with this screen.

As soon as anybody connects one to the PC please advise or if anybody has experience with similar resolution screens.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Understand that standard resolutions as applied to generic Windows resolutions (VESA) standards are a thing of the past. All new generation graphic cards are coming out with high band component connectors in the box and drivers now have custom resolutions features not available in earlier drivers. They are designed for HDTV.

Conditional:

Accurate DVI parsing of information to a good compliant Graphic card + lastest drivers = installed native resolutions.

FYI:

DVI-D compliance in Radeon ATI cards are all accurate BUT with nvidia cards proper DVI compliance was NOT fixed until the 6000 series came out.

Earlier nvidia cards had crippled DVI-D compliance.

The fall back:

If DVI-D parsing fails in plug & play installation to the graphic driver its native resolution - then you go with VGA input as fall back and use custom resolution tools now in ATI drivers and latest nvidia to native match HD displays.

Detailed experience with this type of resolution panel

Please read the following post under comparing a LCD TV to a LCD Computer monitor.

http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtop...ndpost&p=182870

DA

[CVonV]

I don't really think you have much of an argument because it does what it says on the box (unless it has some dead pixels of course)...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

mine still has 15 or so locked pixels AFTER it was sent in for repair... do you think I can get a refund or something so i can upgrade to the 81cm model?

what i'd like to know is if the input switching is a lot faster than the 66cm model.

[andys]

andys, the aspect ratio is 16:9 - it's just that the pixels are slightly rectangular. At any rate, you face the same problem (and resolution) that all LCD display owners faced until recently. I suspect your main motivation is to get the bigger display without having to pay changeover costs, not anything to do with the aspect ratio (you're welcome to prove me wrong on this)...

I think most of us here have faced, at one time or another, the sinking feeling that comes from having something better and cheaper come along. I don't really think you have much of an argument because it does what it says on the box (unless it has some dead pixels of course)...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No, that's not it. I'm more than willing to pay the changeover cost. That's not an issue. From my observation the 66cm AWA actually squeezes the picture in slightly with its 15:9 aspect ratio. It doesn't trim. Most noticeable when cars are on screen, the V8's for example, and the Ten logo, as another example, isn't quite a perfect circle. It is not a 'true' widescreen TV, which I thought I was buying. None of the instore advertising made any reference to the fact that its aspect ratio is actually 15:9. I was mislead.

At the end of the day I'm still very happy with my purchase. It was a great buy, regardless of the aspect ratio issue, though given the opportunity to exchange it for the new model I will. I don't particularly care that the new model has a bigger screen, but it does have a true 16:9 aspect ratio, which I thought I was buying in the first place. That's my point. I never knew that 15:9 even existed.

Andys.

[MadDog1503559593]

So after looking at it, can you confirm the price of it?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

$1998 is the price and on sale from Thursday!

[chrissara]

Will post pics if someone tells me where/how to upload them.

As far as being on sale Thursday - depends on stock. Most stores will be getting them in. Some already have them in. I will actually be getting mine today even though officially the catalogue isn't out. Big W's policy is not to sell them until they are advertised.

Despite this (probably given the cost of the unit) management and staff are likely to sell them earlier.

I'm picking mine up today. Looking at wall mounting it but the weight has me concerned.

[MadDog1503559593]

AndyS wrote:

No, that's not it. I'm more than willing to pay the changeover cost. That's not an issue. From my observation the 66cm AWA actually squeezes the picture in slightly with its 15:9 aspect ratio. It doesn't trim. Most noticeable when cars are on screen, the V8's for example, and the Ten logo, as another example, isn't quite a perfect circle. It is not a 'true' widescreen TV, which I thought I was buying. None of the instore advertising made any reference to the fact that its aspect ratio is actually 15:9. I was mislead.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Mate, unfortunately you may have done your research alittle better, remember, BIG W is a retail department store not a Home Theatre specialist. I don't think any of us in the forum would take the word of a Big W salesperson or advertising to explain the technical aspects or componentry of electrcial equipment.

I think you will be pushing **** up hill to get a refund, as the product work perfectly in accordance with its specifications, and for them to exchange it for another more expensive model and trade ther old one somehow would be unlikely...............

I would suggest doing a Groover and try and sell it privately, it would be easier!

[Notechknowhow]

Hi all,

As my name suggests - I have little tech knowledge. I am however, quite interested in this new product. I just have a few questions in relation to it:

1. Does it have it's own analogue tuner?

2. Will it only be capable of HD through the DVI input? I have noticed that not all HD boxes have a DVI output. What type of resolution in HD will the tv produce? Will it be 576p only?

3. It doesn't appear to have any audio output (apart from speakers and earphone jack). Is one able to run audio out from STB to stereo system instead?

4. Finally, would it be feasible to wall mount the unit at 25 kgs and how can it be done on this model?

That should be enough for now - any help would be appreciated. Great to see the price crash anyway.

[Nevyn72]

Will post pics if someone tells me where/how to upload them.

As far as being on sale Thursday - depends on stock.  Most stores will be getting them in.  Some already have them in.  I will actually be getting mine today even though officially the catalogue isn't out.  Big W's policy is not to sell them until they are advertised.

Despite this (probably given the cost of the unit) management and staff are likely to sell them earlier.

I'm picking mine up today.  Looking at wall mounting it but the weight has me concerned.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Chrissara,

Just a quick question on the remote....

Does it have discrete buttons for each input or do you just cycle through as with the 66cm?

As for the wall mounting question, you can certainly get a mount rated for that weight but you have to make sure there is something strong in the wall you are mounting it to, eg. a stud in a internal wall or ideally a brick wall attached with dynabolts.

Cheers,

Peter

[digitaladvisor]

Notechknowhow,

1. Does it have it's own analogue tuner?

Yes

2. Will it only be capable of HD through the DVI input? I have noticed that not all HD boxes have a DVI output. What type of resolution in HD will the tv produce? Will it be 576p only?

No ! It will scale everything to its native HD panel resolution. In simple understanding the better the input - the better the result on the panel.

It will work with VCR, DVD player component, DVD component progressive, DVI. Computer based VGA STBs, Computer notebook, computer, S-Video inputs and DV cameras etc. All will work but at various levels of quality. Composite being the lowest.

3. It doesn't appear to have any audio output (apart from speakers and earphone jack). Is one able to run audio out from STB to stereo system instead?

It has audio and sound field enhancement.

4. Finally, would it be feasible to wall mount the unit at 25 kgs and how can it be done on this model?

Back bolt inserts on the back - 4 hole bolts inserts. LCD brackets are on market at verious hardware for this purpose.

DA

[Nevyn72]

1. Does it have it's own analogue tuner?

Yes

2. Will it only be capable of HD through the DVI input? I have noticed that not all HD boxes have a DVI output. What type of resolution in HD will the tv produce? Will it be 576p only?

HD via DVI, Dsub and Component inputs in decreasing order of quality. Best to set the box's output to the highest level (usually 1080i) and let the TV's internal scaler convert that to 1366x768 (the TV always actually displays 1366x768). The 66cm's scaler does an outstanding job!

3. It doesn't appear to have any audio output (apart from speakers and earphone jack). Is one able to run audio out from STB to stereo system instead?

Screen has no audio ouputs (not even earphone). Most STBs have multiple audio output options (2xRCA, Coaxial digital, optical). I just output the video to the screen and the audio to the amp for full surround sound.

4. Finally, would it be feasible to wall mount the unit at 25 kgs and how can it be done on this model?

Screen should have standard mounting holes on the back (66cm does), just a matter of finding an appropriate mount with a sufficient weight rating and a strong enough wall to carry it

[Nevyn72]

Ever get that feeling of De Ja Vu?

[mrhatken]

Howdy All,

Although I will probably get a HD STB if I get this LCD TV (for the occasional HD live TV viewing) we watch the large majority (i.e. most) of our TV from a PVR that currently only records SD and outputs on RGB (sync-ed via composite) or composite.

Obviously the picture won't be as good as HD, but it will be widescreen. I am wondering if those people who have the AWA 66cm can tell me whether or not it is worth getting this new screen (assuming it is similar quality) for SD (RGB or composite) output.

Will the scaler do a reasonable job? Would I be better off with a SD widescreen CRT TV or lower resolution plasma? I've seen to remember quite a few bad reviews (with regards to picture quality) of SD picture on HD screens. Or were they relating to analogue tuners?

I don't want to be worse off than we are now (an old small CRT).

Thanks for any comments.

Cheers,

Ashley.

[digitaladvisor]

Howdy All,

Although I will probably get a HD STB if I get this LCD TV (for the occasional HD live TV viewing) we watch the large majority (i.e. most) of our TV from a PVR that currently only records SD and outputs on RGB (sync-ed via composite) or composite.

Obviously the picture won't be as good as HD, but it will be widescreen.  I am wondering if those people who have the AWA 66cm can tell me whether or not it is worth getting this new screen (assuming it is similar quality) for SD (RGB or composite) output. 

Will the scaler do a reasonable job?  Would I be better off with a SD widescreen CRT TV or lower resolution plasma?  I've seen to remember quite a few bad reviews (with regards to picture quality) of SD picture on HD screens.  Or were they relating to analogue tuners?

I don't want to be worse off than we are now (an old small CRT).

Thanks for any comments.

Cheers,

Ashley.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not good. The LCD here is RGB High Sync = WXGA - widescreen high def format or computer driven only and HD STB with VGA out.

Go for Teac non-flat widescreen below $700.

Da

[Nevyn72]

Howdy All,

Although I will probably get a HD STB if I get this LCD TV (for the occasional HD live TV viewing) we watch the large majority (i.e. most) of our TV from a PVR that currently only records SD and outputs on RGB (sync-ed via composite) or composite.

Obviously the picture won't be as good as HD, but it will be widescreen.  I am wondering if those people who have the AWA 66cm can tell me whether or not it is worth getting this new screen (assuming it is similar quality) for SD (RGB or composite) output. 

Will the scaler do a reasonable job?  Would I be better off with a SD widescreen CRT TV or lower resolution plasma?  I've seen to remember quite a few bad reviews (with regards to picture quality) of SD picture on HD screens.  Or were they relating to analogue tuners?

I don't want to be worse off than we are now (an old small CRT).

Thanks for any comments.

Cheers,

Ashley.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not good. The LCD here is RGB High Sync = WXGA - widescreen high def format or computer driven only and HD STB with VGA out.

Go for Teac non-flat widescreen below $700.

Da

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wouldn't go quite that far actually.....

Ashley, I went from a 51cm CRT to the 66cm version and I can't believe the difference! Get the HD STB as the amount of material is steadily increasing.

I find that the DVD SD output (576i only) is absolutely great via the screen's component input on the 66cm. Almost as good as the HD (1080i) output via DVI from the STB.

You say that your PVR outputs SD only in RGB format? There are converters out there that will convert a RGB signal to YUV (component) which the screen will accept (check the toppy threads) or you could search for a RCA/BNC to Dsub15 adapter, as the screen will accept a RGB DTV (Digital television) signal via the Dsub15 port.

I will be picking up my Toppy in the next couple of days and will be trying the component out firstly using the supplied cables and the passthru for the DVD player as the screen has only one component input

(this will be a good comparison between a known good input and the toppy's questionable YUV output)

If this is no good then I will go out and get a scart to Dsub15 converter from Jaycar and try that with the Dsub15 input on the screen.

DA, I hope this will work as the screen has 2 Dsub settings (RGB-PC and RGB-DTV) and the converter can accept both RGB and YUV inputs.

Time will tell and I will keep you all posted on my progress.

Cheers,

Peter

[JimPuchai]

So after looking at it, can you confirm the price of it?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

$1998 is the price and on sale from Thursday!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Three (out of four) available in Ringwood store at 2 PM today.

Luck.

[bigg]

does anyone have any pics?

or does anyone know what ports this LCD has?

i assume this one missed out on the HDMI option

thanks

gw

[Notechknowhow]

Hi again,

Thanks heaps for all those answers. After reading them and the discussion following - I take it that the Opentel twin tuner STB with RGB and Scart outputs will not be able to be hooked into this tv?

Cheers

[Guest gbm]

Had a look at this TV today. Looked very good connected to DVD playing The Incredibles.

Also had a look at the manual and regarding the DVI input for the PC it said to set the output at 1280 x 768 (or somthing similar) not the 1366 x 768 which is the native resolution.

Have seen that my PC card 6600 alows for the resolution to be changed.

However if the ouput is set to the lower resolution will it just take up a small amount of the screen or something else. I guess that it should be OK as it does state it in the manual.

Hopefully they will still be around when i commit to buying one (possibly tomorrow).