need advice on new TV

[ryan hickey]

my old TV quit working and i've been itching to get one them new HD models. can anybody here give me any advice or maybe direct me to a website where i can narrow down what i'm looking for. i know that lcd means liquid crystal display but i have no idea why lcd would be any better than dlp or projection tv for that matter. any help is appreciated.


yeah art, i wanna watch da cats lose in hi-def!!!;) :D

[Art]

I don't know much about TV's but I hear that HDTV is worthless unless you have a dish or something that provides HD channels. In otherwords, lots of people think they have HD because their TV is but they don't actually get the channels in HD from their provider.

It's been a good while since I've checked out TV's but the last time I did I remember thinking that HD was overrated and too expensive. That may have all changed by now though.

[PhilpotHunter]

HD is overated and it is to expensive.
With that being said, if you don't want to buy a converter or a new TV in 09 you might as well go ahead and spring for the HDTV, since all signals in 09 will be HDTV and the old TV's won't work (this date has been moved 4 times so who knows if they will move it again)

Make sure it is an HD ready TV. If you look closely at some of them they are HD adabtable, meaning later on you can buy a converter for your tv.


Most cable and satellite providers have already switched over to HDTV, as have all the major over the air channels (ABC, NBC, Fox, CBS, etc). They are just brobcasting two signals, one old analog signal, and one new HDTV signal.
The days of watching a fuzzy picture are gone with HDTV. If your signal is to weak it will just not show up anything. Effectivly they are forcing most rural area TV watching people that just use bunny ears (like myself) to start getting a provider because as of right now the whole over the air quality of HDTV is a weak signal (atleast it is in Philpot).

[ryan hickey]

well, our cable provider has several hd channels already - i use them sometimes on my regular tv and the picture is actually a WHOLE lot better than the regular signal.

i just figure it won't be too long til this hd thing is gonna be pretty big, and i don't really want to buy a new tv and it be obsolete in 6 months. guess i could always buy another cheap one - SOMEBODY out there help a fella out!!:) :)

[AteUp]

We're also in the market for a new one and I have been perusing the sunday ads with much confusion. TV buying has become way too complicated.

-HDTV; ready or capable
-EDTV
-Digital card built in
-LCD or LCD projection
-plasma
-Flat screen tube or regular tube
-What's this DLP?
-WEGA or Grand Wega
-HD ILA
-720P??

It's hard to compare 2 different brand TV's because they all are different. How do you find 2 alike to compare. I think they are purposely trying to confuse us. (Art, I need to borrow your tin-foil hat):D

[ryan hickey]

HD is overated and it is to expensive.
With that being said, if you don't want to buy a converter or a new TV in 09 you might as well go ahead and spring for the HDTV, since all signals in 09 will be HDTV and the old TV's won't work (this date has been moved 4 times so who knows if they will move it again)

Make sure it is an HD ready TV. If you look closely at some of them they are HD adabtable, meaning later on you can buy a converter for your tv.


Most cable and satellite providers have already switched over to HDTV, as have all the major over the air channels (ABC, NBC, Fox, CBS, etc). They are just brobcasting two signals, one old analog signal, and one new HDTV signal.
The days of watching a fuzzy picture are gone with HDTV. If your signal is to weak it will just not show up anything. Effectivly they are forcing most rural area TV watching people that just use bunny ears (like myself) to start getting a provider because as of right now the whole over the air quality of HDTV is a weak signal (atleast it is in Philpot).


so u say its over-rated and too expensive - then say that i will have to have it by '09 or my tv won't work? not trying to be a smart ass just not sure i understood what u were tryin to say there :confused: .

[B.G.O. of Kentucky]

I have HD on a 42" Plasma and a 56" DLP and I have to say, there is no way in the world I would ever say it is over rated. When I had my superbowl party, people were commenting on how it looked. I would swap between Lo-Def and High Def, it is sick looking compared to HD. HD is flippin sweet! CSI is amazing looking.

[ryan hickey]

ate-up, dlp stands for digital light projection - the only reason i know that is because they sponsor a nascar (the #96 i think?). just don't ask me what it means :confused: :o

[slickhead slayer]

You guys that say the HD is overrated, have you seen it?

I don't have it, but have seen it at several buddies houses, its like you are there in person. Any sporting event in HD is phenomenal.

There is an issue with how many channels and shows come in HD, it is limited. But the picture quality is unbelievable.

[AteUp]

Yeah, I've never met anyone that had it that wasn't very happy with it.

[Art]

Hell, I've just got a 36" Sony Wega flat screen and digital cable. I've never had a bit of trouble with not being able to see the detail. Never had any complaints either. I've seen HD plenty of times and I'd be willing to bet that most could not tell the difference in picture between HD and a real good conventional tv.

Philpot, post a link to that crap about 09. That would be like all new cars will be hydrogen powered in 3 years and the old ones won't work anymore. I don't see it happening.

[GSP]

I will give you one word of advice,
do NOT buy the built in Digital Cable Card option (if TV is capable, don't use it) You are asking for a MAJOR DAILY/WEEKLY headache. Most issues of this will be the consant software upgrades required by the manufactor. Our company installs these cards and the issues run around 40%!


The one bit of advice I give on TV's is let your eyes and wallet determine what you get. Prices have dropped a lot in the past 2-3 years and should drop a lot more in the next 2-3.

[AteUp]

I will give you one word of advice,
do NOT buy the built in Digital Cable Card option (if TV is capable, don't use it) You are asking for a MAJOR DAILY/WEEKLY headache. Most issues of this will be the consant software upgrades required by the manufactor. Our company installs these cards and the issues run around 40%!


The one bit of advice I give on TV's is let your eyes and wallet determine what you get. Prices have dropped a lot in the past 2-3 years and should drop a lot more in the next 2-3.

Thanks for the warning.

[PhilpotHunter]

so u say its over-rated and too expensive - then say that i will have to have it by '09 or my tv won't work? not trying to be a smart ass just not sure i understood what u were tryin to say there :confused: .

It is too expensive and it is over rated like I said, but the feds are mandating that ALL TV signals be broadcast in HDTV by 2009

[ryan hickey]

I have HD on a 42" Plasma and a 56" DLP and I have to say, there is no way in the world I would ever say it is over rated. When I had my superbowl party, people were commenting on how it looked. I would swap between Lo-Def and High Def, it is sick looking compared to HD. HD is flippin sweet! CSI is amazing looking.

can u tell me what u liked the most about dlp - and why u chose it over lcd and lcd projection? can u tell me the difference between lcd and lcd projection? pretty sure i don't NEED a plasma, i like 'em but not sure i wanna pay the extra money. any facts about the differences between them would be greatly appreciated thanks, ryan

[B.G.O. of Kentucky]

Ryan, I would stay away from the Plasma, sure it looks good on the wall, but my DLP looks better overall. Only 18" deep, 56" big though. In optimal settings, the DLP looks better. The LCD's are pretty nice too, when I bought mine, LCD's were way more expensive. My buddy just got a 52" Mitsubishi DLP and he was totally against HD. He came over and saw what mine looks like and he now has it and swears by it. He spend about $2k on his TV and it is a pretty nice one.

Plasma's eventually burn out, well, the phosphorus loses its charge so to speak. DLP's have a lens like a slide projector that needs replacing about ever 5k hours. Usually run between $250 and $400 per. But 5k hours is a ton of watching, let me tell you.

Best thing, go to Bestbuy, they will have them all running the same HD looped demo, and look at the detail. Pay particular attention to words and logo's. See which one is clearest to you. Lower cased e's not looking like o's and such.

[PhilpotHunter]

http://www.azstarnet.com/business/122745



It is just like when everyone got pissed because they had to go buy new COLOR TV's, they didn't want to spend the extra money.

And yes, I have seen the difference in the picture quality, but I'm not speaking as a consumer here, I'm talking from inside the industry. If you think it is more expensive for you to buy a new HDTV go check out the prices for new HD Studio cameras that all the station are going to need, or new editing equipment, and transmitters, etc. We aren't talking thousands here, we are talking millions.
Then think about how in America there seems to be an attitude that it is a God given right to be able to watch TV, so when the forced switch does happen, the goverment will be buying low income families converters for there TV's....let me re-phrase that. WE WILL BE BUYING LOW INCOME FAMILIES NEW TV'S so that they can get a clearer picture.

I just happen to be one of those rare few who thinks that money could be used better somewhere else.:rolleyes:

[WBBP]

Hickey, I would save your dollars and just buy a cheap color TV. Put that money in an account toward buying land, besides as bad as the Cats play, why would you want to see them any better? :eek:

On second thought, if you can see them better, maybe you will jump ont he bandwagon with me and Art.......

[Art]

http://www.azstarnet.com/business/122745



It is just like when everyone got pissed because they had to go buy new COLOR TV's, they didn't want to spend the extra money.

And yes, I have seen the difference in the picture quality, but I'm not speaking as a consumer here, I'm talking from inside the industry. If you think it is more expensive for you to buy a new HDTV go check out the prices for new HD Studio cameras that all the station are going to need, or new editing equipment, and transmitters, etc. We aren't talking thousands here, we are talking millions.
Then think about how in America there seems to be an attitude that it is a God given right to be able to watch TV, so when the forced switch does happen, the goverment will be buying low income families converters for there TV's....let me re-phrase that. WE WILL BE BUYING LOW INCOME FAMILIES NEW TV'S so that they can get a clearer picture.

I just happen to be one of those rare few who thinks that money could be used better somewhere else.:rolleyes:

I get it, I think... You will not need a new TV unless you have a REAL old one. As long as it hooks up to cable then you will be fine right? Just no more rabbit ears... I guess I better sell my Sony watchman before 2009!:D

[ryan hickey]

Hickey, I would save your dollars and just buy a cheap color TV. Put that money in an account toward buying land, besides as bad as the Cats play, why would you want to see them any better? :eek:

On second thought, if you can see them better, maybe you will jump ont he bandwagon with me and Art.......


good one k!!

[GSP]

That really is not bad advice. TVs are disposable items. You can buy a 27" analog for less than $300. It will do you good for 4-5 years at least.
Digital TV prices will drop in 4 years also. Analog to Digital converters will not be that big of a deal or if you have cable/dish you will not need one.

[john4]

Digital is awesome, but for me I cant see spending the extra money for one right now. I remember back when they were saying we were going to be all HD by 2004, well, it came and past. I do believe it will finally become mandatory, I also believe prices will drop dramitically as the change-over approaches. Think back when VCR's first came out, over a grand for a huge VCR, now they are $40.
Dont get me wrong, if I didnt have so much stuff on my wish list, I would be watching all the games in HD. It is absolutely great for sports.

Good Luck in your search

[PhilpotHunter]

I get it, I think... You will not need a new TV unless you have a REAL old one. As long as it hooks up to cable then you will be fine right? Just no more rabbit ears... I guess I better sell my Sony watchman before 2009!:D

nope, in 2009 the only signal coming out of any broadcasting means will be digital, meaning you will have to have an HDTV or an HD converter for your old tv