I heard that "Philips" intended to make a color television system that used 4 colors (red, green, yellow, blue) in stad of 3 as normal. True?

I don't know why since red light and green light make yellow light.

The closest thing I've seen are some DLP sets that have light shades of red green and blue on the color wheel.

There were some very early color TV experiments that used two colors.

is anachronistic to speak System 4 colours today!

I don't know about Philips, but Zenith worked on the idea of a 4-color display (I think the 4th color was white). This has been adopted in some DLP and LCD displays or proposals for displays today. There have also been proposals for LCDs with additional colors to expand the color gamut.

One of my chief complaints about plasma sets is the absence of white. The best you can get is a pearlescent silver, similar to what you get for white on a very weak CRT playing a VHS tape on a 2-head cheapie VCR.

I'd say that if they can make a plasma set with a fourth color (white), they'd solve a big shortfall.

Charles

kx250, all the plasmas I've seen looked that way....colors were too saturated and the white and black points were wrong. Some sets actually make the digital pixelation look way worse, too.

Even if they solved this issue with plasma, I would still opt for crt or lcd since they are power hogs and also generate stupid amounts of heat....

Interesting comments on plasma displays. They generally are factory-set-up too saturated for my taste. Also, they may reduce the brightness when there is a large amount of bright area in the scene, in order to limit the maximum power. However, I never saw it as a "pearlescent silver."

Even if they solved this issue with plasma, I would still opt for crt or lcd since they are power hogs and also generate stupid amounts of heat....

I agree. I can't believe how popular the plasma sets are now, in a time when (supposedly) the American public is getting conscious of conservation. And also, the cost of a plasma just doesn't pencil out. The way I see it, the only purpose in having one is to avoid laughter for being behind-the-times at the country club, if you're in that crowd. I'm not, thankfully. It does cause "interest" among my wife's family when they come in from Dallas, and they see a 27-year-old Sony KX-1901 as our main TV in the kitchen while Kay could "afford" any set she wants. Her family has to keep up with the Jones', and they all have plasma TVs, and the newest Mercedes with the best golf clubs in the trunk. (We have wisely-purchased used cars, and no golf clubs... Her family hates my influence on her :) )

Charles

I agree. I can't believe how popular the plasma sets are now, in a time when (supposedly) the American public is getting conscious of conservation. And also, the cost of a plasma just doesn't pencil out. The way I see it, the only purpose in having one is to avoid laughter for being behind-the-times at the country club, if you're in that crowd. I'm not, thankfully. It does cause "interest" among my wife's family when they come in from Dallas, and they see a 27-year-old Sony KX-1901 as our main TV in the kitchen while Kay could "afford" any set she wants. Her family has to keep up with the Jones', and they all have plasma TVs, and the newest Mercedes with the best golf clubs in the trunk. (We have wisely-purchased used cars, and no golf clubs... Her family hates my influence on her :) )

Charles

they may hate your influence but i bet you got more money than most of her family members and not near as stressed out. i dont keep up with the jones either and couldnt care less if they have the newest things. steve

As I've said many times in the past, I don't care about having all the newest toys. Not being in debt up to my eyeballs and being able to pay my bills is more important to me than blowing $ on modern electronics, etc. It's much more cost effective for me to keep bringing home all this "old junk" that nobody else wants.

I am in the minority around my end of town. Most (if not every) household around here is in fierce competition to 'outdo' the neighbors. We can afford to compete, but just aren't like that (thankfully, too!)

As a young guy, I use my hardearned cash to buy exotic audio gear like headphones and TT cartridges, and I watch 30 year old TVs. My WEGA from my parents crapped out after 4 years. :thumbsdn:

It'll be a long time before I buy any new TVs the way things are going.

And I'm thinking of ditching cable, since my DTV converters work fine, and are free.

Hows that for 'stickin it to the man'-- free digital broadcasts? Why not?