JVC HD-ILA 56" HDTV $1750

[coaster831]

This seems like a good price, especially since they throw in the stand:

Link to ad; go to page 7

Direct product link

nputs: 2 S-video (1 side, 1 rear), 2 component video, 3 composite video (1 side, 2 rear), 1 PC, 2 HDMI, 4 audio (1 side, 2 rear, 1 center), 2 RF

Outputs: 1 digital audio, 1 analog audio

 

[arcas]

The *FN97 sets are pretty nice. One thing to make note of is the PC input is limited to something on the order of 1024x768. If you want to attach a PC, you'll likely want to attach your computer to an HDMI port (via a DVI<->HDMI cable).

The prices on the FN97 sets have been dropping because JVC is releasing new thinner models. This month they're making available a 58" model that's about 11 inches thick. A couple months from now they'll release a 65" version.

 

[MacAttack]

The reason for the price drops is that the TV buying season ends in 3 weeks. They want to move as much inventory as possible. Also, the HDTV market is in for a revolution in the next 8-12 months. The LED tvs are coming out and should have a very lucrative pricing structure. If you aren't buying a TV for the SuperBowl, hold off until November. Another thing to consider, is return policy on HDTVs at this time. Many companies do not allow returns because people rent them for the SuperBowl. If they do accept returns, they will charge a high restock fee for "damage". They will consider smudge marks, scratches, etc as damage from the consumer.

 

[scootermaster]

Originally posted by: MacAttack
The reason for the price drops is that the TV buying season ends in 3 weeks. They want to move as much inventory as possible. Also, the HDTV market is in for a revolution in the next 8-12 months. The LED tvs are coming out and should have a very lucrative pricing structure. If you aren't buying a TV for the SuperBowl, hold off until November. Another thing to consider, is return policy on HDTVs at this time. Many companies do not allow returns because people rent them for the SuperBowl. If they do accept returns, they will charge a high restock fee for "damage". They will consider smudge marks, scratches, etc as damage from the consumer.

I'm not really in the market for a new HDTV, but I just wanted to say thank you. I already knew this sort of info, but it's possible many people do not and you make some very good points that people should be aware of.

+500 Hot Deals Points to you!

 

[slayer202]

I believe TigerDirect has the 70" version of this tv also for sale. Might be worth checking out also

 

[araczynski]

Originally posted by: MacAttack
Also, the HDTV market is in for a revolution in the next 8-12 months. The LED tvs are coming out and should have a very lucrative pricing structure. If you aren't buying a TV for the SuperBowl, hold off until November.

I haven't been following the OLED tv news for a while, i take it they finally got around the very short life span of the light hurdle? I remember back a few years ago they only could get about 1000 hours of life out of them, then recently i read they got they to 5000 hours, there's been noise of a more respectable 20,000 hours, so perhaps i'm answering my own question.... maybe by the end of the year the 20,000 will be standard on them...

i think i'll definitely hold off on an hdtv purchase until i see what the OLED's have to offer come next xmas.

it sounds like these OLED tv's will make the current LCD/Plasma/etc look like their old CRT counterparts...

 

[arcas]

Sony demonstrated a 27" OLED TV at CES last week but would not let anybody get up close to examine it. Sony claims a 1 million:1 contrast ratio. Since this set probably represents the best Sony can do at the moment (if they were able to make a bigger panel, surely they would have shown it), it would appear that large, mass-produced OLED displays are still a good ways off. Don't hold your breath if you're hoping to snap up a 60" OLED television.

Also at CES, Panasonic announced a new type of projector lamp that they claim should last the life of the TV (whatever that means). No word on pricing but I'd expect to first see it used in front projectors where the profit margins are much higher.

Not only are we starting to see LED-based rear projectors, there were at least a couple LED-backlit LCD televisions that were very impressive. By dynamically adjusting the brightness of the LED backlight to match the scene, Sharp claims to have achieved a 100,000:1 contrast ratio which, if true, solves one of the biggest complaints about LCDs. For comparison, a typical plasma TV today has around 8,000:1 contrast ratio.

There are some nice sets on the horizon. Later this month, we should see a 60" 720p Plasma hit the market for $2500. At the high end, 1080p-capable plasmas started becoming available last year. Expect more players in that market this year driving down prices (Philips website mentioned an upcoming 63" 1080p plasma with MSRP of $3500 though that's almost certainly a misprint) . I've already mentioned in an earlier post the new thin-profile JVC HD-ILA units that'll hit the market this winter. In addition to a new line of LED-based rear projectors (2006's 5679 model was a sort of test), Samsung will have some similarly-thin DLP units on the market probably by mid-year. Mitsubishi claims to have a laser-based rear projector in the works though I don't know when it'll hit the market...maybe next year?

Decisions, decisions....

 

[huggiebear]

Interesting to hear other people waiting.

I will buy a 42" plasma when:

-SDTV looks good, not like pixelated crap
-When a 42 inch 720p plasma matches the full 720p HDTV specification and not this 1024 x 768 manufactured by old dies that require retooling
-PC Hardware is available that can easily capture unencrypted QAM broadcasts and compress on the fly so a disk drive can record it for MythTV
-The 100 hour burn-in, cough, cough, cough goes away, too many stories of the logo burned in
-When Image Retention is not an issue
-Half life 60000 hours is proven
-Kid proof the panel like a CRT is

It just seems like the technology is still to new and marketing hype, lots of production, and keeping up with the Jone's is what's selling these things. Ha Ha, I just bough a 24" SDTV round tube TV for $119. I watch 99% SDTV broadcast through Myth TV. Couldn't justify the $1500 for something that just isn't there yet.

 

[rahvin]

There is one maxim of technology. Don't wait for the next best thing or you will keep waiting your entire life.

The JVC sets are NICE, IMO the picture is better than Sony's LCoS (XBR). The FN also allows you to use the speakers on the TV as the center speaker using a receiver and has a RS-232 port for control for those of you that are into home automation. I purchased the FC version of the same TV from Costco for about the same price that included a stand 2 months ago. Best TV prices are right before the superbowl, many retailers discount heavily. Also, if you buy somewhere without a good return policy you need to buy the extended warranty. HDTV's cost way to much (and new enough to break frequently) to live with the manufacturers 1 year warranty.