Pics at the bottom. Respective models are: W4207 (720p/1080i) and 42w2 (1080p). One on the floor is 1080p, one on the stand is 720p.
Got the 1080p set today. Came home and went at it doing very small "tests", which weren't much more than image tests, options comparisons and the basics.
Connected them both to my PC and set them at native resolutions and I must say that 1080p for gaming or media centers is awesome. Right away I felt MUCH BETTER about the resolutions I could choose when shoving the image through DVI outputs. Running both at 1080i (W4207) and the 1080p at 1080, CS:Sourcec is blurry (naturally) on most motion but not enough to really make ya sick. 1080p was Crisp, clear motion. Running everything on high settings is pretty nice, especially at 42".
Here's a breakdown of what I like and dislike about both sets:
Bezel Colors:
W4207 Owns the 42w2. I love the flat black bezel on the W4207 display, and it seemed like Westinghouse is trying to pull a fast one on my eyes with the silver/grey bezel. Fair enough, it's just a bezel and I'm sure I'll get over it. I would've rather had the black.
Remote Controls:
W4207 is better here as well. I know, it's JUST a remote. But, the little fat remote that came with the 42w2 versus the thin, sleek and gunmetal remote of the W4207 is just... wow can I keep this other remote? I would change em out, but some of the buttons refuse to operate.
Options Menu:
W4207 wins again. I dunno WHAT Westinghouse tried to do with this silly, clunky looking OSD Options Menu but man is it ugly. The W4207's is perdier and less preschool.
Connections:
42w2 Wins with ONE MORE DVI connection. For a total of three digital connections: 1 HDMI 2 DVI. Perfecto for me, as I have a thing about DVI connections in the first place. However, just ONE extra port is only ONE extra port. Can't get TOO excited about this.
Based on these things, the 720p/1080i W4207 looks BETTER in my room. And the price of the 1080p set can't be justified by the extra DVI input. HOWEVER!!!--
Gaming:
Can't beat 1080p, what can I say? Running CS:S at 720p versus 1080p is an obvious. Can't wait to play Crysis on this sum-um-a-bish, and get scared out of my mind playing Left 4 Dead on all 42 inches of real-estate. Mmmmmn. Even though the 1080i CAN BE DISPLAYED ON THE 720p... YES IT CAN!!! It's just not as good as 1080p. You'll get blur and smearing when you aren't playing at native res or at least 720p.
For reference, you can play a clean game at 1366x768. Which looks just freakin' FINE. Can't beat 1080, but it looks good for the price.
Hi-Def Cable:
The 1080p set wins here as well. Regardless of if all broadcast is either 720p or 1080i? 1080p LCD's convet i to p, displaying the content in progressive frames as opposed to interlaced. I don't like having to switch my tuner back and forth between 1080i and 720p just to make sure I have it on the right display setting for each channel. It's a pain. So, the 1080p set wins it out. And of course I'm ready for a Blu Ray player and it's yummy 1080pness. Errr... yeah.
My Hi-Def HVX200 Video Camera:
Looks good on both sets. Of course when I shoot 1080p 24p, 30p, 60p it looks better on the 1080p set, otherwise 720p slow-mo, over,undercrank yadda yadda looks terribly nice. Which I hadn't been expecting!!!
Conclusion to mini/tiny review:
I know I'm one to say you don't need 1080p. HOWEVER!!! If you can AFFORD it? Why not? Resell value, clarity, futureproofin'... you get it all. If you can't afford it? The W4207 set is more than adequate. In fact, I've just added Westinghouse to my top three recommendations list. In order: Samsung, Westinghouse, Sony. Cause Sony's pricing is just crazy sometimes.
Pics suck, I forgot to grab my Nikon DSLR and Lenses from work, had to use girlfriends little camera. Will take pictures of the menus and remotes soon as well.
Happy campin'!
Got the 1080p set today. Came home and went at it doing very small "tests", which weren't much more than image tests, options comparisons and the basics.
Connected them both to my PC and set them at native resolutions and I must say that 1080p for gaming or media centers is awesome. Right away I felt MUCH BETTER about the resolutions I could choose when shoving the image through DVI outputs. Running both at 1080i (W4207) and the 1080p at 1080, CS:Sourcec is blurry (naturally) on most motion but not enough to really make ya sick. 1080p was Crisp, clear motion. Running everything on high settings is pretty nice, especially at 42".
Here's a breakdown of what I like and dislike about both sets:
Bezel Colors:
W4207 Owns the 42w2. I love the flat black bezel on the W4207 display, and it seemed like Westinghouse is trying to pull a fast one on my eyes with the silver/grey bezel. Fair enough, it's just a bezel and I'm sure I'll get over it. I would've rather had the black.
Remote Controls:
W4207 is better here as well. I know, it's JUST a remote. But, the little fat remote that came with the 42w2 versus the thin, sleek and gunmetal remote of the W4207 is just... wow can I keep this other remote? I would change em out, but some of the buttons refuse to operate.
Options Menu:
W4207 wins again. I dunno WHAT Westinghouse tried to do with this silly, clunky looking OSD Options Menu but man is it ugly. The W4207's is perdier and less preschool.
Connections:
42w2 Wins with ONE MORE DVI connection. For a total of three digital connections: 1 HDMI 2 DVI. Perfecto for me, as I have a thing about DVI connections in the first place. However, just ONE extra port is only ONE extra port. Can't get TOO excited about this.
Based on these things, the 720p/1080i W4207 looks BETTER in my room. And the price of the 1080p set can't be justified by the extra DVI input. HOWEVER!!!--
Gaming:
Can't beat 1080p, what can I say? Running CS:S at 720p versus 1080p is an obvious. Can't wait to play Crysis on this sum-um-a-bish, and get scared out of my mind playing Left 4 Dead on all 42 inches of real-estate. Mmmmmn. Even though the 1080i CAN BE DISPLAYED ON THE 720p... YES IT CAN!!! It's just not as good as 1080p. You'll get blur and smearing when you aren't playing at native res or at least 720p.
For reference, you can play a clean game at 1366x768. Which looks just freakin' FINE. Can't beat 1080, but it looks good for the price.
Hi-Def Cable:
The 1080p set wins here as well. Regardless of if all broadcast is either 720p or 1080i? 1080p LCD's convet i to p, displaying the content in progressive frames as opposed to interlaced. I don't like having to switch my tuner back and forth between 1080i and 720p just to make sure I have it on the right display setting for each channel. It's a pain. So, the 1080p set wins it out. And of course I'm ready for a Blu Ray player and it's yummy 1080pness. Errr... yeah.
My Hi-Def HVX200 Video Camera:
Looks good on both sets. Of course when I shoot 1080p 24p, 30p, 60p it looks better on the 1080p set, otherwise 720p slow-mo, over,undercrank yadda yadda looks terribly nice. Which I hadn't been expecting!!!
Conclusion to mini/tiny review:
I know I'm one to say you don't need 1080p. HOWEVER!!! If you can AFFORD it? Why not? Resell value, clarity, futureproofin'... you get it all. If you can't afford it? The W4207 set is more than adequate. In fact, I've just added Westinghouse to my top three recommendations list. In order: Samsung, Westinghouse, Sony. Cause Sony's pricing is just crazy sometimes.
Pics suck, I forgot to grab my Nikon DSLR and Lenses from work, had to use girlfriends little camera. Will take pictures of the menus and remotes soon as well.
Happy campin'!
