I'm in the market for a new LCD TV and was curious if it is worth it to purchase one of the new 120hz models? I primarily run video through my VMC, of course, and didn't want to get the TV if it's going to be a feature I'll shut off or that is going to cause problems. Anyone have a experience? I'm specifically looking at Samsung's Series 5 vs. Series 6. This spec is really the deciding factor as the other specs are very close and the picture, to me, looks almost identical. Any input is appreciated. Thanks!

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System: Vista Ultimate - HP z560, Intel Pentium D 925 Dual Core 3.0ghz, 1GB RAM, 300GB Sata, NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS 2 Analog / 1 HD internal, HD HomeRun, Linksys Extender

I'm not really sure the advantage of 120hz TV.  Currently there are no movies that are encoded for 120hz playback, or any broadcasts that are above 60hz.  I think you would best be served in getting a bigger 60hz TV.   Correct me if I'm wrong?

Makes sense. I guess the TV takes the 60hz input and somehow calculates an frame in between each original. I've heard for sports it looks better than 60hz... but then again every calibration I've seen on the TV has the 120hz turned off so I question the advantage. I'm already looking at a 52" so I probably won't go any larger though.

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System: Vista Ultimate - HP z560, Intel Pentium D 925 Dual Core 3.0ghz, 1GB RAM, 300GB Sata, NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS 2 Analog / 1 HD internal, HD HomeRun, Linksys Extender

I have the Sony Bravia XBR 52" 120hz TV and the 120hz doesn't really do anything for the HTPC side, however if you have a Bluray player it will help significantly. Since Bluray movies are at 24fps, then on a regular 60hz tvs have to enter blank frames in order to fill it in. 60hz is 60fps and is not evenly divisible by 24. 120hz however is divisible evenly by 24 so you don't end up with any blank frames. I have also noticed that I am able to set my HTPC to 24hz if I want so I could technically take advantage of it, but I just choose not to as I'm not so sure there would be any benefit to running the HTPC at that frame rate.

I will say I notice a difference when using 120hz when watching Bluray movies.

The 120HZ  is well worth the money especially in the larger sizes  46" and 52".  Nothing is yet broadcast at 120 Hz but that does not matter. The 120 hz tv's interpolate a frame between the frames being broadcast which transforms into a much smoother looking picture on scenes with camera panning (sports, movies) and much better looking words on channels with tickers (ESPN,CNN).  On a 52" I wouldn't buy a TV without it.  Also what is said about the 24fps is correct.

Do you use a stand alone Blu Ray or one integrated into your HTPC? Does it make a difference either way or does what you say hold true about 120 hz helping Blu ray regardless of whether it's in a PC or not?

Thanks for all the quick feedback, it's been helpful.

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System: Vista Ultimate - HP z560, Intel Pentium D 925 Dual Core 3.0ghz, 1GB RAM, 300GB Sata, NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS 2 Analog / 1 HD internal, HD HomeRun, Linksys Extender

f5snopro:

Do you use a stand alone Blu Ray or one integrated into your HTPC? Does it make a difference either way or does what you say hold true about 120 hz helping Blu ray regardless of whether it's in a PC or not?

Thanks for all the quick feedback, it's been helpful.

I have a PS3 which you can tell it to automatically output in 24hz only when you are watching a Bluray disc (actually a really nice feature). I don't currently have one in my HTPC cause of the headaches it would cause with MC. Not to mention I don't think there is currently a "nice", "non flicker", "automatic" way to change your res in windows to 24hz when and only when playing a bluray disc. I could keep it in 24fps all the time, but don't see the benefit of it at the moment.

If you watch a bluray disc on your HTPC and had the HTPC set to 24hz, you would benefit from it. The whole thing is that it means the TV no lonager has to enter blank frames (or duplicate frames) into the source to account for the lack of frames. 24fps into 60hz means there are 12 frames that are either blank or have more duplicates than the others or are extrapolated from existing frames (this is how I understand it works). With 120hz you always get 5 refreshes for every  frame of the movie.

Definetly by 120hz.  Look at the difference, its like going from standard to HD all over again.  Once you see it, you won't want anything else.  It's so clear with the right source it almost looks fake.  Ridiculous!

I would say the PC is a perfect match for the 120hz TV's. Web pages, Pictures, and everything on the PC looks better on a 120hz panel. A moving image on the screen will ramain sharp ta 120hz, it will appear blurry or ghost on a 60hz panel. somthing as simple as a photo slide show, or a flash animation on your PC will look much better.

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Doug Vanden Berg www.vandenbergstereo.com