Question about refresh rates on HDTVs

[Dave McFly]

I got a 39" Samsung LED 1080p 120hz at Wal Mart on Black Friday. I had it on layaway till last Friday and did not have the time to hook it up till a few days ago. I noticed some light gray almost white blotches on the center of my screen when anything other than a TV or movie picture is displayed. I cannot exchange the TV cause it is a model WM does not carry in stock (it can be ordered online).

now onto the question at hand, I was at Sam's club today and they had a 39" Vizio LED 1080p 60hz TV on display for 12 bucks less than I paid for the Sammy (the model I got sells for 450 to 470 online I got it for 400). from what the guy at the club told me is unless you have a TV 40" or bigger you cannot really notice the difference between 120 and 60hz televisions, is he correct or full of crap? cause I have 2 options, buy the Sammy online and then when I get it take the 'defective' one back to the store, or buy the Vizio, and then return the defective Sammy.

 

[<(o_o)>]

Now if only you were able to have both TV's side by side to compare & contrast the differences for yourself.

 

[PemLam]

The guy is full of crap. You'll definitely see a difference between a 60hz refresh rate and a 120hz refresh rate. He's right in that it's definitely more of an issue on larger tv's but it will also come into play in the quality of the picture. During "action" scenes, sporting events, and other times when there is a significant amount of high speed activity on the screen, you'll notice pixelation with tv's less than 120hz.

 

[the dmg]

Can you do a return? Do you get the white spots from gaming? Is there natural light coming into the room that could cause it to be reflection?

 

[Dave McFly]

I can return it as I have 90 days to do so, the blotches are NOT visible in watching movies, or games (unless there is part of the game where you see a lot of grey in the middle of the screen, It can be seen in loading screens for games like GTA 4). not it is not reflection it is visiible when no lights are on in the room they are not as noticible when the lights are on as the screen is glossy and the lights 'hide it'. I am on the fence about buying the same model on walmart.com and when it comes in take mine back and have the refund go back on my CC. I could go for a bigger set but the way my room is shaped I cannot fit anything wider than a 35/36" tv (width not diagonal) or I would have gotten a 40 or 42". the 39" tv fits between my AV cabinet and my right front speaker just nice, here is a pic of my set up but with my old 27" Toshiba, other than the TV everything else is the same.

 

[Dave McFly]

well I was at 2 stores that sell TV sets (Best Buy and HH Gregg) and I found out that they had my TV (well 99.9999% the same different letter at the end of model number but same TV) and I find that mine (the defective one) is also a 60hz TV. but to be honest after watching a few movies and playing a few games on it I never noticed anything different than the 120hz models other than they are $$$ more (HH Gregg had a 37" 120hz LED for 500 compared to the 400 for a 2 inch bigger but half the hz ). So I am either gonna exchange my Sammy for the Vizio (Wal Mart got em so I do not need to use a family members Sam's membership) or buy the set at HH or BB, and then return my unit to WM.

 

[the dmg]

I meant to get back to you on this after your post, but anyway, I've read that there could be two causes for this.

The first is that it was bumped during delivery, and caused the spot to be there. The second is that it's an effect of the screen lighting itself. Either way those spots will disappear after two weeks of use.

The last is that it's actually a defect of the screen, which is possible. Personally, I would just return/exchange it since you're in the time frame. I wouldn't wait two weeks to see if it's maybe going to go away.

It's hard to gauge with TV's on the showroom floor because they usually don't have the setting adjusted properly, not near windows, bright lights, etc. The main thing is how it looks to you, so if you can't tell the difference between the two rates, then don't spend the extra money.

PS:
I have the same DVD player, and still have it today. t:

 

[Dave McFly]

well I got the same make and model at a different store (same price I paid on BF) so as soon as I have the time (probably tomorrow) I am gonna take the bad one back to wal mart. yeah the 'blotch was not getting any better in fact it was getting more noticeable when I was watching a movie (Final Fantasy The Spirits Within). so I am glad I got a replacement model, best part since it is the same model I do not have to worry about reprogramming my cable box remote for a new TV (silver lining ). sadly I do not have that DVD player anymore I gave it to a buddy of mine as my PS3 is now my Bluy Ray AND DVD player.

 

[Dave McFly]

well I got the new TV hooked up and guess what, it is worse than the other TV so looks like I am just gonna have to return that TV and go back to my trusty old 32" 720p Sony Bravia *sigh*.

 

[Dave McFly]

UPDATE: well I went to the store to return the TV, the guys at HH Gregg were surprised they could not remember the last time they got a returned Samsung LED set. before I went for the refund they took another from the back opened the box and hooked it up and no blotches, clear picture, etc. so I just did an exchange brought it home, hooked it up and all is good in the world .

 

[the dmg]

UPDATE: well I went to the store to return the TV, the guys at HH Gregg were surprised they could not remember the last time they got a returned Samsung LED set. before I went for the refund they took another from the back opened the box and hooked it up and no blotches, clear picture, etc. so I just did an exchange brought it home, hooked it up and all is good in the world .

Good ****.

I'm glad you finally got a good TV!

 

[Dave McFly]

it is freaking beautiful both in looks (love that glossy black frame and stand) and picture, my PS3 games look incredible as do the blu rays even my HDTV broadcasts look stunning, all in all I am VERY happy with this TV, way nicer than my 5 year old Bravia LCD.