Help please with TV for gaming

MollyJoe

I am looking to purchase a tv for use with the PS3 and xbox.

This one is on offer at M&S at present with 5 years guarantee.

Would anyone have any opinion advice please?

At present I have to swop the xbox and ps3 leads each time my son goes from one to the other this is not ideal, so my question is do I need 2 scart sockets?
What is the HDMI ? this has 3.

Thank you in advance.


http://www.marksandspencer.com/Cello-32-LCD-TV-DVD/dp/B0026NVSSW?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_2&nodeId=198143031&sr=1-2&qid=1318870651&pf_rd_r=0PG8S0FPGPWNNW499FZR&pf_rd_m=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=198143031&pf_rd_p=215570647&pf_rd_s=related-items-3



Brand: Cello
Screen Size: 32 Inch
Television Type: LCD
Screen Resolution: 1366 x 768
Dimensions: W795 x D240 x H590mm
3D TV: No
Frame Rate: 60 Hz
Contrast Ratio: 4000:1
24p Technology: No
Freeview Tuner: Yes
Freeview HD Tuner: No
Freesat HD Tuner: No
Wireless Internet: No
DLNA: No
HDMI Connections: 3
Scart Connetions: 1
Component Video Connection: 1
USB Port: 1
Optical Output: Yes
Memory Card Slot: No
Audio Quality: Unknown
Model Name/No:
Guarantee: Free 5 years M&S guarantee
Speaker Output: 2 x 6W
3D Accessories: No

neilwoods

HDMI is taking over from Scart, scart is analogue, HDMI is digital.

PS3 uses a HDMI, as does XBOX. That TV will work ok with the PS3 and Xbox (unless it is one of the older xbox's, or early xbox 360)

Contrast ratio on the TV is very low though, especially if you use the ps3 as blu ray player. Something with higher contrast ratio be better, something like.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toshiba-32BV501B-32-inch-Ready-LCD/dp/tech-data/B0056Z7700/ref=de_a_smtd

Trollburger

I think a short explanation of contrast ratio may help here. In layman's terms, it's the difference between white and black as shown on your screen. The higher the ratio, the more stark the difference. Whites seem whiter, blacks seem blacker. Simple, yes?

Except now we get to 'dynamic' contrast ratio. This is where the TV itself changes the backlighting on the screen to suit the picture - a dark scene on a film will be made to look darker, a lighter scene will be lit to look a bit lighter. As for the specification (30,000:1, 50,000:1 etc) it's all a bit of a useless selling point really as the two images are on the screen at different times, and the methods used to arrive at these figures are completely unregulated and different for each manufacturer.

A native contrast ratio of 4,000:1 like the M&S tv has is just fine imo and as a rule I'd (virtually) ignore contrast ratio when making a purchasing decision, it's just for aficionados. You will get enjoyable, comfortable viewing on any tv.

I'd also like to extend my apologies to neilwoods for playing devil's advocate.

Norman_Castle

If you are replacing the tv due to the lack of scart sockets one of these may solve the problem. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Scart-Multi-Plug-5-Way-Adapter-/320619248889

Trollburger

Norman_Castle wrote: »

If you are replacing the tv due to the lack of scart sockets one of these may solve the problem. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Scart-Multi-Plug-5-Way-Adapter-/320619248889

I've been using multi scarts for years, they are a great product! As Norman said, if you are looking for a new tv purely to resolve the scart swapping issue you'd save a lot of pennies getting one of these instead.

RGB support is desirable (better depth of colour) in a scart switcher but not essential.

neilwoods

Trollburger wrote: »

I think a short explanation of contrast ratio may help here. In layman's terms, it's the difference between white and black as shown on your screen. The higher the ratio, the more stark the difference. Whites seem whiter, blacks seem blacker. Simple, yes?

Except now we get to 'dynamic' contrast ratio. This is where the TV itself changes the backlighting on the screen to suit the picture - a dark scene on a film will be made to look darker, a lighter scene will be lit to look a bit lighter. As for the specification (30,000:1, 50,000:1 etc) it's all a bit of a useless selling point really as the two images are on the screen at different times, and the methods used to arrive at these figures are completely unregulated and different for each manufacturer.

A native contrast ratio of 4,000:1 like the M&S tv has is just fine imo and as a rule I'd (virtually) ignore contrast ratio when making a purchasing decision, it's just for aficionados. You will get enjoyable, comfortable viewing on any tv.

I'd also like to extend my apologies to neilwoods for playing devil's advocate.

That is what forum is for.

I have had a 6000:1 on a ps3 and the blu ray playback was bad. In a room with no light's on. When it came to really dark scene, could see black patches instead is a smooth picture. Maybe i am a bit too picky, but for me it made a big difference.

Trollburger

neilwoods wrote: »

That is what forum is for.

I have had a 6000:1 on a ps3 and the blu ray playback was bad. In a room with no light's on. When it came to really dark scene, could see black patches instead is a smooth picture. Maybe i am a bit too picky, but for me it made a big difference.

This is exactly the sort of situation where contrast ratio can apply - really dark or really light scenes.

Some food for thought for the OP there

almillar

You can pretty much ignore Contrast ratio specs that manufacturers produce. Although all that is said is true and a good explanation, they don't use one, standard test, so the numbers can be way out. Best way to judge a screen is by looking at it with a high quality source, in the conditions that it'll be viewed in.
Please don't use SCART for PS3 or XBox 360!
You can GENERALLY do better on price than M&S. Richer Sounds for example.

QfanatiQ

almillar wrote: »

You can GENERALLY do better on price than M&S. Richer Sounds for example.

Trollburger, have you purchased your TV yet?
This is not a brand I know and prices continue to fall. I agree with the above quote about doing better.

I and my brothers have the consoles and a decent TV for playing.
I managed to get a great deal on my Sony 32" and have been really pleased with the TV performance. Not 3D but came fully loaded with freeview etc and enough HDMI's and inputs for everything
Bro1 Has an LG 40+", spent the same money as me, has fewer connections, but I must admit I cant draw a line between them
Bro2 Has a samsung, same size as mins, but paid a little more, perhaps because fo the styling.

The PS3 only kicks out a certain number of FPS itself, but do you want a separate and decent BluRay?

I would take the above advice, get along to Richer Sounds and quiz them. They have a no quibble returns policy, I can vouch for that, I have used it twice over the years. THere staff are typically very good and if you are going to buy form them, HAGGLE, they always have room, I have never paid ticket price for anything.

Also, get on some gaming forums and see what set ups other people have. Specifically mention your desired size and budget.

Good luck, enjoy and happy gaming.
Q