If you’re searching for the perfect home theater experience, you’ve probably been considering the new 240-Hz high-definition televisions (HDTVs) that are all the rage right now.
240-Hz televisions are claimed to be clearer, crisper, and offer a better overall picture than the more common 60-Hz and 120-Hz HDTVs. But is a 240-Hz HDTV really worth the extra few hundred dollars that you’ll spend? Is the picture really that much better?
Before answering that question, let's understand the difference between a 240-Hz HDTV and a 60-Hz or 120-Hz HDTV. The Hertz rating refers to the number of times per second the pixels used to display an image are refreshed. The pixels on a 60-Hz HDTV refresh 60 times per second, 120-Hz HDTVs refresh 120 times per second, and 240-Hz HDTVs refresh 240 times per second.
The Refreshing Process
But it's not as simple as it sounds. A 60-Hz HDTV actually does refresh each frame of an image 60 times per second. Once you reach true 120-Hz and 240-Hz refresh rates, however, pixels are refreshing using a process known as motion estimation–motion compensation (MEMC). This means for every frame of an image that’s present, an interpolated image—one that’s an approximation of the next logical image in a sequence (based on the image before and the image after the interpolated image)—is inserted between each frame.
For 120-Hz HDTVs, one extra frame is inserted between each true frame. But when you move to the 240-Hz level, three interpolated frames are inserted between each true frame. Keep in mind that these images move very quickly, so it’s not something you’re actually going to see. Instead, it’s more a matter of the impression of movement that you get. The result of the MEMC refreshing process is less blurring during fast-motion scenes, such as those you often see in high-action scenes and video games.
By contrast, some HDTVs use a process called scanning backlight technology to imitate the 240-Hz effect. Instead of inserting interpolated images between real images, this technology uses flashing light to reduce the amount of blur experienced during fast-motion scenes. The process isn’t quite as effective as MEMC (it’s just light that’s displayed rather than actual images). A key drawback of scanning backlight technology is that that the overall image display may be dimmer than the images you’ll see with MEMC technology. You do get a slightly sharper picture during high-motion scenes, but the screen won’t be as bright as it might with MEMC refreshing HDTVs. The difference may not even be noticeable to all consumers.
One more element to consider is the speed at which the images are delivered to your television. Most images are sent at between 30 and 60 frames per second (fps). If your cable or satellite connection or DVD player is only delivering images at 30 fps, then even the 60-Hz HDTVs will have to repeat each frame to reach the 60-Hz speed.
Fortunately, you’re not likely to notice this discrepancy, so it’s not a huge concern. It’s something to keep in mind as you consider the 240-Hz HDTV, however, because if you’re receiving images at a slower speed, upping the speed at which those images are displayed won’t add much in the way of quality.
The 42-inch LG LH90 LCD HDTV
What the Eye Can Detect
The most active debate about the new 240-Hz HDTVs is what amount of anti-blur technology the human eye can detect. The most noticeable difference between 240-Hz HDTVs and those with other refresh rates can be seen using test patterns designed to reveal those differences. Those test patterns, however, aren’t usually what most consumers are watching on their TVs.
The difference between 240-Hz HDTVs and those with lower refresh rates is so minimal that most people don’t notice the difference. Some serious home theater viewers may see it, but most likely only in high-action scenes where the amount of motion displayed on-screen is extreme.
And the Best Choice Is?
If you’re looking for the perfect home theater experience, you may want to invest the extra cash in the new 240-Hz HDTVs. Currently, only two companies are offering “true” 240-Hz HDTVs—those that use MEMC technology: Sony and Samsung.
If you’re a serious action buff, a great 240-Hz HDTV for your home theater is one of the Sony BRAVIAZ-Series liquid crystal display (LCD) HDTVs. The 46" BRAVIA Z Series LCD HDTV is one example of a set that provides a nearly perfect picture for most average room sizes. The clarity and crispness of this 240-Hz model is well suited to those high-action movie and video game lovers who want the very best entertainment experience.
Several manufacturers offer HDTVs that use the 240-Hz effect of scanning backlight technology. LG is one of those vendors, and for a slightly smaller investment, you can purchase a 42" LG LH90 LCD HDTV that creates a high-motion picture that is only slightly less clear than the MEMC TVs.
The 120-Hz HDTV is perfect for those who have a tighter budget but still want a great picture. The 40" Sony BRAVIA W Series LCD HDTV or 52" BRAVIA W Series LCD HDTV will provide a clear, crisp picture that will suit everyday consumers.
52-inch Sony Bravia W Series LCD HDTV
Add High-quality Components
Don’t feel like you’ll be missing out if you choose a 120-Hz HDTV. When paired with high-quality components, the entertainment experience can still be superb. A Sony BPD-S300 HD Blu-Ray player is one such component. High-def Blu-Ray players provide the clearest, highest-definition option for movies on your home theater system. And when paired with the Harman Kardon HKTS-15 5.1 Channel Home Theater Six Speaker System, you not only get a theater-quality experience in your home, but you can take advantage of the MP3 capabilities of the Blu-ray player, as well.
Sony BDP-S300 HD Blu-ray player
You can put together a great theater experience in numerous ways. If you’re a discerning video connoisseur, you may require the small difference detectable between the 120-Hz HDTV and the 240-Hz HDTVs. For the rest of us, a high-quality 120-Hz HDTV with the right components will create a home theater experience that’s simply astounding.
Bringing It Together
When you’re ready to bring together your home theater, Adorama can help. We’ve got the home entertainment equipment you need—from televisions and receivers to speakers and DVD/Blu-ray players. Let the experts help you create your dream movie theater.
