Input Lag?? Whats this??

[Miggs]

I have been asking a few question lately about new TV's that need to be good with gaming (using PS3). Do I buy LCD or Plasma, no one still give reason as to why I should choose one or the other yet. Now something else has come into the equation. Input Lag.

WHAT THE HELL IS INPUT LAG.

What is this and how does it affect TV's when used for gaming? What do I look for when choosing? The choice of our new telly is getting more confusing by the day.

Miggs.

 

[ElectroMan]

Basically it means the delay before the TV displays the picture, mainly because of the processing a set does. As an extreme example, if a TV had a second's input lag, you would only see the results of your actions on screen a second after pressing a button on your joypad.

A lot of TV's have a 'game mode', which turns off most of the processing (which can usually be done manually anyway - things like noise reduction).

I think lag is more of a problem if you play online - an opponent who's set has no or lower lag, which react quicker, for example he'll see and shoot you before you even notice they're there!

There's at least one TV test site that specifically checks for input lag (try searching for hdtv test input lag as WHF won't allow direct links to the site).

This Wikipedia page gives an explanation.

And I fully agree with your comments about how confusing it all is!