HDTV advice needed

T

The Bandit

100+ Posts
I'm interested in buying a new tv, but I'm not completely familiar with the new technology. I'd like to pay around 2K, maybe a little more for a 45-50" hdtv. Saving space is not a necessity so a rear projection would work good. My current setup is a non-hdtv directv with an old 36" tube tv. I don't plan to buy a new hdtv directvreceiver since the cost is high now, so I'd like a tv that has good analog quality.

If I bought an hdtv would the analog broadcasts show up in 4:3 format on a widescreen tv?

Any ideas on what to look for and buy?
 
AVS forum is definitely the place for HDTV info.

However, I will add that if you are not planning on getting a new HDTV directv receiver, then do yourself a favor and get and HDTV with a built in over the air tuner. You will be cheating yourself otherwise. Watching football in HDTV is the way God meant for it to be.
 
Ok here is my input, best value for dollar really is in the new Sony LCD rear projector. It has a built in HD tuner and it does great with non-hd material which is the most important thing to consider. You can get a 42 for around 2300.00 and a 50 for 2700. Let me know if you are in Austin and I can help you out as I work for a local Austin home theater store.
 
I am also in the market for a new TV.

hlaustin, what has been your experience with DLP? I've looked at the Sony LCD's, but the DLPs get a sweet picture too.
 
DLPs are the best value unless you have space constraints, which you don't.

You should by all means either invest in a cheap HDTV receiver or get a TV that will accept a coaxial feed of off-air HDTV (e.g. the free local signals you can pull in with any decent antenna). This will get you roughly 50% of the HDTV programming that is currently available for a very small investment.

Make sure your TV has a DVI input and will accept 480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i. Most of the new ones have plenty of inputs. Nobody seems to know whether 720p or 1080i will be the Beta or the VHS, so get both.

Yes, analog will be shown as a 4:3. However, most of the newer 16:9 tvs have integrated software that allows you to use the full screen and doesn't distort the middle of the picture. The sides are spread to fill it out, but the middle looks normal. I personally just let it gray out the outside when I watch analog, but to each his own.

Once you watch an NFL game on HDTV you will never be able to go back.
 
Yes DLP does look very good, but once again as I have stated numerous times look at them side by side and judge for yourself, make sure you use both a HD signal and a analog signal as well. My preference is still to the Sony LCD as it is much more accurate with earth tones such as browns and greens, where DLP always seems to suffer from what is known as a green push.
 
Keep in mind a CRT tube is still the best value and best picture. Yes, they do weigh as much as Mangino, but you can get a nice 34" for about $1,110.00.
 
Get a JVC HD-ILA Micro-display Television.......you'll never want anything else.
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I have one and watching a FB game in HD is like having a minature diorama with little men running around. Cool.
 
i'm in much teh same boat as many others. so many different things, i just don't know what to do with them all. a few of my questions have been answered, but i have more:

i know the difference between having an integrated hd tuner and just being "hd ready", but is it necessary to have the integrated tuner? if so, why?

also, with unlimited money i'd get the best set available, but i don't really want to spend more than about 3500 and i want something 50" or larger - so what are my best options in that range?
 
Scanned Circuit City's website out of curiosity:

Samsung 61" DLP™ HDTV Monitor (HL-P6163W) $3,343.99
Sony 60" HDTV (KDF-60XS955) $3,607.99
Sony 55" HDTV (KDF-55XS955) $3,255.99

The above are CC's 'Web Specials', and are the lowest I've seen anywhere locally. I don't know if these are the prices you'd see in the stores (Best Buy's site had them all much higher), but either way, I'm sure hlaustin could match them at his little store for you. Heck, I'll bet he could get you that 60" Sony for $3500.
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These are the best bang for the buck vs. size TV's, IMO. I'd include the Hitachi 50VS810 or the Sammy pedestal model, both of which are probably better quality, but they're both 50" and around the same price as the above.

Having a built-in ATSC tuner is helpful if you'll be getting your HD over the air. If you'll be using cable or a dish, you won't use it. It may help the resale value if you ever want to dump the TV later on.
 
what do you guys think about the Toshiba DLPs? i have a Toshiba TV right now and have never had problems with it. I like their new Cinema Series HDTV DLP models but they are expensive, especially with the built in HD tuner which it sounds like I won't really use.
 
You should have no trouble getting a TV for under 3500 even if you want to go up to a 60".
There are a few different types of TVs
HD ready which will except and HD signal from an outside tuner box supplied by either your cable provider or purchased from your sat. provider
HD which mean it has a HD tuner built in for over the air HD signals for only your local channels. If you are on cable and want things like ESPN and HBO still means you have to get a cable box.
and last
HD with Cable Card with the new cable card being on something like Time Warner it knocks out having a cable box. Instead you get a access card from TW that slides in the back of the set to pick up HD programming. The only things that you can not get with Cable Card are Pay per view, on demand, DVR and no on screen guide. In the next year there will be a new card that will allow two-way communication so the guide and pay perview will be allowed.
As far as Toshiba Cinema series go, they do make great sets, but comparing DLP to some of the other stuff such as JVC and Sony I would lean to these two guys first.
 
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