Anyone wanna give input on a Wide Screen HDTV?

[maddmaxx]

I want to get a wide screen HDTV. I've been looking around and have seen some that I like, but I would like to get the opinion of some of you Anandtecher's. Size is not as important as quality (I could be getting myself in trouble with statement). I would like to stay around the $2,500 price range. Any input is greatly appreciated!

peace

 

[maddmaxx]

Come on...I can't believe there's nobody out there who wants to help me pick out a wide screen HDTV.......does anybody own one???

peace

 

[aphex]

Im buying a 32" Sony HDTV tomm, the new wega style but not widescreen...

Its gonna be about $1430 +tax with a free stand (which were using until the wall unit gets delivered on 8/15)

 

[maddmaxx]

I've seen the WEGA name...but I'm not sure what it is! Care to elaborate on it??? Thanks!

peace

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: maddmaxx
I've seen the WEGA name...but I'm not sure what it is! Care to elaborate on it??? Thanks!

peace

WEGA is sonys flat screen line. Freakin Beautiful Tv's. A step up from the regular WEGA line is the XBR's. Even more impressive.

THIS is the HDTV im buying tommorow...

Sony's 34" widescreen HDTV will run ya about 4k right now. You could always do a 36" Sony (non-widescreen) HDTV for about 2k.

The best value for your money in a widescreen hdtv would be on a Samsung unit. THIS 30" Samsung Widescreen HDTV runs $1199. Dosent look as good as Sony's IMO, but its a good price.

 

[maddmaxx]

How does the projection screens compare to these? Is the picture not as good on the projection tv's??

Thanks for the input!

peace

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: maddmaxx
How does the projection screens compare to these? I was looking at THIS. Is the picture not as good on the projection tv's??

Thanks for the input!

peace

HDTV Projection screens look fantastic when viewing HDTV (720 & 1080) signals, but seem to be lacking while watching regular cable and satellite. I dunno, we looked at both last week and i wasnt very impressed when it was showing a non-hdtv signal. To each his own though. IMO, a direct view still looks better.

 

[kami]

I always liked the picture of Toshiba 16:9 HDTVs. IMO it's not very smart to buy a 4:3 HDTV, go with widescreen...eventually broadcasts will all be in widescreen and a 16:9 TV is soooooooo much better for DVDs.

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: kami
I always liked the picture of Toshiba 16:9 HDTVs. IMO it's not very smart to buy a 4:3 HDTV, go with widescreen...eventually broadcasts will all be in widescreen and a 16:9 TV is soooooooo much better for DVDs.

Eventually HDTV sets will also be $600

The thing is, we want it now

 

[brisco]

Widescreen is the way to go. I've been shopping for a few weeks now for one in the same price range. Saw a Sony 51" for $2100 at Sears that was pretty dang nice.

 

[TNTrulez]

Originally posted by: brisco
Widescreen is the way to go. I've been shopping for a few weeks now for one in the same price range. Saw a Sony 61" for $2500 at Sears that was pretty dang nice.

HDTV is good also.

 

[GoSharks]

Originally posted by: aphexII

HDTV Projection screens look fantastic when viewing HDTV (720 & 1080) signals, but seem to be lacking while watching regular cable and satellite. I dunno, we looked at both last week and i wasnt very impressed when it was showing a non-hdtv signal. To each his own though. IMO, a direct view still looks better.

doesnt look very good with non hdtv/dvd signals becuase it is capable of actually showing the full quality of a regular tv/vhs signal.

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: GOSHARKS

Originally posted by: aphexII

HDTV Projection screens look fantastic when viewing HDTV (720 & 1080) signals, but seem to be lacking while watching regular cable and satellite. I dunno, we looked at both last week and i wasnt very impressed when it was showing a non-hdtv signal. To each his own though. IMO, a direct view still looks better.

doesnt look very good with non hdtv/dvd signals becuase it is capable of actually showing the full quality of a regular tv/vhs signal.

And a direct view HDTV wouldnt??

<-- confused

 

[bUnMaNGo]

I really like the quality of the direct view HDTV sets, but they tend to be really expensive... plus the biggest they get is a little over 40" I think. Personally I have an RPTV (rear projection tv) because they were cheaper... a Toshiba 42H81 to be exact. We have regular cable with Adelphia and the picture isn't bad at all. No STB (set top box) for HD signals or anything. However I've seen regular signals on some HDTVs and they seem really crappy. I said this before and will say it again- check out the HomeTheaterSpot forums for more info. Good luck on your shopping.

 

[maddmaxx]

thanks all!!!

peace

 

[GoSharks]

Originally posted by: aphexII
And a direct view HDTV wouldnt??

<-- confused

well actually a direct view would look better just becuase it would likely be smaller than a projection screen and basically less magnified.

 

[LotusNotesGuy]

The TV you want is direct view. Its the Toshiba 34hf81a. It can currently be had from the Yahoo shopping network from a merchant called continental with free shipping at 2089$.

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/continentaltrading/tos3434infla.html

34 inch wide format tube, meaning rectangular for the movie formats 16:9 or whatever.

I got one and love it. Better than the panasonic equivalent, better than the Sony in my opinion and thousands cheapers depending on the model.

Its an actual widescreen glass tube. I have seen them all, best quality direct view except for maybe the newest most expensive sony's.

I spent 2 months looking, acutally may buy a second for another room.

This set rocks, check out audioreview.com for reviews on it and other sets.

It has ALL the info you will need.

btw, I have seen this thing next to a plasma, its NOT better but IT does come very close in some respects. Cant say that about alot of sets.

 

[arod]

Check my sig to see what I got . I agree with the Direct view TV's. I would add the RCA F38310 to the list, it runs for 2499 at Circuit City.

 

[coolred]

Forgive me for being stupid, but how is a regualr 4:3 TV show produced on a 16:9 widescreen TV? Does it add black bars to the sides of the image, or does it stretch to fit or what?

 

[arod]

Originally posted by: coolred
Forgive me for being stupid, but how is a regualr 4:3 TV show produced on a 16:9 widescreen TV? Does it add black bars to the sides of the image, or does it stretch to fit or what?

black bars

 

[John]

Originally posted by: coolred
Forgive me for being stupid, but how is a regualr 4:3 TV show produced on a 16:9 widescreen TV? Does it add black bars to the sides of the image, or does it stretch to fit or what?

Yes, the TV has a fill mode that will stretch it horizontally a bit. I perfer to watch 4:3 material w/ black bars since the image quality is a bit better on my 53" 16:9 Hitachi HDTV.

 

[John]

Originally posted by: arod

Originally posted by: coolred
Forgive me for being stupid, but how is a regualr 4:3 TV show produced on a 16:9 widescreen TV? Does it add black bars to the sides of the image, or does it stretch to fit or what?

black bars

Don't forget about the stretch modes on the 16:9 tv's.

 

[Maverick]

If you're a big movie fan and you want the best picture for DVDs, get a projection widescreen TV (I have the Sony 51 inch without the HDTV tuner) Picked it up for $2100. I find that I don't mind the crappy regular TV picture and eventually when everything goes HDTV I'll have a nice big screen to watch it on. Movies are my main reason for the set so I didn't want to pay the same price and only get 34 inches out of it. Sure the quality isn't that great on regular TV broadcasts (you have to sit farther away than you do for DVDs) but its more than bearable.

DVDs on the other hand are GORGEOUS. With a nice progressive scan DVD player and a superbit DVD your money will be well spent.

Just figure out what you'll be watching more of before you decide on how to spend your $2500 bucks.

 

[Ameesh]

Pioneer makes the best rear projection hdtvs hands down. get one, costco has a 64" on sale for $2700 its a steal in my opinion, my roomate just bought one today.

 

[rh71]

We're getting the 57" Sony widescreen for $2000 thru an employee discount... I'm sure that'll be in your price range.