BUYER BEWARE!
Be prepared: In the store, what you see is not necessarily what you'll get
December 17, 2009
Maarten Heilbron
SPECIAL TO THE STAR
What makes one HDTV set better than another? Manufacturers promise unbelievable contrast ratios, incredibly deep blacks, super smooth motion and amazing colour reproduction. Unless you're happy buying based on their claims, deciding between two technologies, two brands or two models requires comparing with a keen eye.
I can't compare without knowing what to expect, so when I go shopping I take my own Blu-ray discs containing scenes I've watched over and over. Although there's suitable content on just about any disc, a nearly universal demo selection is Casino Royale.
First, ask to have the TV reset to its factory defaults, select the most neutral setting then skip ahead to the Madagascar chase (chapter 2). You should concentrate on details in the crowd – particularly the waving hands – and in the backgrounds, especially inside James Bond's observation booth. As the chase begins, the panning and tracking shots in the market, through the vegetation and the construction site should be clear and the camera and character motion smooth. Look for vivid colours throughout. If you're comparing with your current set, you should quickly see the differences.
Skip to chapter 9, where Vesper and Bond are changing for dinner (1h02). The detail in their skin on the close-ups should be sharp and the colour natural. Whites should be white and blacks should be black, so observe her white dressing gown, his shirt (its pattern should be distinct, not noisy) and tux. The jacket should be black, but you should still see folds in the fabric.
Although 120Hz (or even 240Hz) primarily improve action scenes, it's easiest to see the difference in the tiny white text in the credits, which start at 2h20. Watching these scenes on several sets should help finalize your choice.
If Bond or action movies aren't to your liking, choose your own favourite. Look for scenes with visual complexity. There should be bright whites, shades of dark, rich colours and detailed textures. There should be action – the camera should move and so should objects in the foreground and background.
Planet Earth is a trove of detailed high-quality footage. In Pole to Pole, the leopard hunting in the snow (chapter 3), and the emperor penguins (chapter 7) provide great opportunities to evaluate detail, contrast ratio and colour. Cirque de Soleil's "Corteo" is full of action, detail and spectacular colour with a wide contrast range, particularly the juggling rings (chapter 12).
Richard Bowden, Bay Bloor Radio's director of sales, recommends concerts to evaluate the full home theatre experience. Elton 60: Live at Madison Square Garden, is first off the shelf. "Levon" (chapter 11) starts with a piano intro – check the shiny surface of the piano and Elton John's black jacket. There's great detail in the wide shots of the crowd and excellent 5.1 sound.
While concert videos challenge the whole system, you may wish to spend a few minutes evaluating audio components separately with a CD or two. Simone Dinnerstein's new recording of Bach's Goldberg Variations is my current choice.
Start with track one, the Aria, and set the volume to recreate the sound of a real piano in the room. The high notes should be sharp but not brittle, the low notes should give the full resonance of the note without being boomy — not all systems are up to this task.
The first variation (5m30) is substantially louder than the Aria. Even at this volume, the full quality of the piano's sound should be maintained – if you sense an edge to the sound, that's distortion. With or without a subwoofer, as Dinnerstein strikes the bass notes, you should hear a solid, satisfying thump.
If you're happy, try a small ensemble. Emilie-Claire Barlow's "So Danço Samba" from the Like a Lover disc provides a chance to evaluate the sound and positioning of a vocalist with instruments.
Then it's back to the full sound of concert videos. At concert volume, the recording of George Martin's 1997 Music for Montserrat (DVD, not yet available on Blu-ray) with Phil Collins on drums, a full choir and orchestra, really shakes the foundation and rattles the timbers. Select the DTS 5.1 audio track for the full effect and play from "Golden Slumbers" (chapter 17).
Maarten replies to emails sent to maarten@heilbron.com with the word Star in the subject.
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