LCD - 60Hz, 120Hz, 240Hz Refresh Rate and Dynamic Contrast Ratio

The old debate was about LCD and Plasma, the new debate is about LCD refresh rate.


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Walmart - Sanyo LCD 47"
120MHz, with Wi-Fi Internet
$450 (refurb) 2012.May.18










In the past the plasma tv set offers higher dynamic contrast ratio, even at 720p, the plasma TV looked fantastic playing the DVD movies.

Will I buy another plasma TV? I think I will if I plan to watch movies most of time.  What I want to see is the 1080P feature where I can plug in a computer to use the TV as a computer monitor.  Oh, the lighter weight of LCD over the plasma is always nice.

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At least, the 600Hz plasma TVs don't have this kind of "refresh" problem. So for the LCD monitors, - where is the beef? -

It's about programming signal frame rate and tv display frame not in sync, causing jitters across the screen.  The problem is more visible when viewing sports/actions show. One will assume the higher refresh rate (more computing power on the TV set, or faster update speed) will make it look as good as a plasma TV.

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How are these TV set priced at WalMart?
$499 Panasonic 42" 720p 600Hz Plasma HDTV, TC-P42C2, 2,000,000:1 dynamic ratio

$548 Vizio 42" Class LCD 1080p 60Hz HDTV, E420VO 100,000:1 dynamic ratio

$648 Vizio 42" Class 1080p/120Hz LCD HDTV, E420VL 100,000:1 dynamic ratio

$698 Panasonic 42" 1080p 600Hz Plasma HDTV, TC-P42S2 2,000,000:1 dynamic ratio

I will go for the 50" Plasma Panasonic 720P at Costco - which runs for $620.

photos: 2010 Poland Krakow Old Town