Need a new TV

[Riprorin]

For conventional TV's, I'm looking at a 32" or 36" Toshiba (FST Black 32A43, FST Black 364A43). For HDTV's, I'm looking at a 32" Sanyo (DS3283OH) or a 42" Samsung Rear projection TV (#HCN4226W).

Toshiba's are about $410, $600.

Sanyo is about $700 and the Samsung is about $999.

Any advice?

 

[jjones]

I was wondering about this same question as I'm looking at buying a new TV right now also. HDTV technology has been around for a while now but I'm so out of the loop, I don't know if it's worthwhile to spend the extra money.

 

[Koing]

Do you intend on paying for HDTV services or using it as a monitor if gaming every so often if it has the needed inputs? If yes I would go that way.

If not I would go conventional.

How likely are you to upgrade to a newer tv? If not then I'd probably go HDTV so you don't have to pay for one when you do decide to pay for HDTV services. This is unless the price of big screen HDTV get REAL cheap which I doubt.

Koing

 

[brigden]

I just compared a Sony HDTV to a conventional Sony model side-by-side, both using a standard cable feed. The HDTV was noticibly better.

 

[AgentOrange]

I would and have gone HDTV. Try the service for one month and i bet you keep it.

 

[Kremlar]

Definitely go HDTV-ready.

 

[Turkish]

HDTV if you can afford it. Image quality is significantly better. Of course this is assuming you are going to get HDTV services or you are a movie lover like me

 

[EarthwormJim]

Originally posted by: brigden
I just compared a Sony HDTV to a conventional Sony model side-by-side, both using a standard cable feed. The HDTV was noticibly better.

Really? I've usually heard and seen that HDTV's often display analogue signals worse than conventional TV's. Unless you're a serious DVD freak, or plan on getting HDTV service it may be wise to save your money and go with a standard conventional TV.

 

[Kremlar]

Really? I've usually heard and seen that HDTV's often display analogue signals worse than conventional TV's.

I think it would depend on the size TV and the source quality. The line doubler on HDTVs really help out when you reach a certain size screen.

 

[jjones]

Well, I don't know if you guys have helped Riprorin or not, but you've helped make my decision on going for the conventional TV. I only use it to watch football and then a movie rental about twice a month, and the chances of me getting HDTV services are zero.

 

[Comp625]

I'm out of the loop too...but I remember reading somewhere that at the end of 2006 or something, the FCC is requiring everyone to have a digital HDTV signal or something along those lines?

 

[Kremlar]

Well, I don't know if you guys have helped Riprorin or not, but you've helped make my decision on going for the conventional TV. I only use it to watch football and then a movie rental about twice a month, and the chances of me getting HDTV services are zero.

If you won't use it, don't get it. But make sure you know for certain you won't get it.

It costs me $3 extra per month for HDTV cable where I live - just the extra cost to rent the higher-end box. For $3 extra, I get about a dozen or so HDTV channels - one of which is ESPN. Football games in HDTV look OUTRAGEOUS.

If you watch a lot of football, are shopping for a new TV, and can get HDTV cable for not much more $ per month, it'd be silly not to go with HDTV if you can afford the TV.

EDIT:

Ahh, maybe because you're in Cancun? If so, ditch the TV and kick it on the beach. I wish I was back in Cancun right now...

 

[Riprorin]

Thanks for the replies. I'm going to check tomorrow how much extra it costs to get a HDTV signal from my cable company.

 

[BlueIce]

Originally posted by: Kremlar

Well, I don't know if you guys have helped Riprorin or not, but you've helped make my decision on going for the conventional TV. I only use it to watch football and then a movie rental about twice a month, and the chances of me getting HDTV services are zero.

If you won't use it, don't get it. But make sure you know for certain you won't get it.

It costs me $3 extra per month for HDTV cable where I live - just the extra cost to rent the higher-end box. For $3 extra, I get about a dozen or so HDTV channels - one of which is ESPN. Football games in HDTV look OUTRAGEOUS.

If you watch a lot of football, are shopping for a new TV, and can get HDTV cable for not much more $ per month, it'd be silly not to go with HDTV if you can afford the TV.

EDIT:

Ahh, maybe because you're in Cancun? If so, ditch the TV and kick it on the beach. I wish I was back in Cancun right now...

Whoa, 12 HDTV channels for $3 more!?!

 

[Riprorin]

Oh, one more question. Woukd you go with a 16:9 or a 4:3 model?

 

[Redviffer]

HDTV is the future, and you can actually pick up HDTV signal for free from the air:

AntennaWeb

Of course, you won't get everything that way, so getting cable to satellite would be recommened.

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: Riprorin
Oh, one more question. Woukd you go with a 16:9 or a 4:3 model?

16:9 for sure.

 

[ndee]

Originally posted by: Nebor

Originally posted by: Riprorin
Oh, one more question. Woukd you go with a 16:9 or a 4:3 model?

16:9 for sure.

Why with 16:9? I can change the aspect ratio on my 4:3 TV so I get about the same viewable area like my parents with a 16:9 + the normal shows are also not strechted.

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: ndee

Originally posted by: Nebor

Originally posted by: Riprorin
Oh, one more question. Woukd you go with a 16:9 or a 4:3 model?

16:9 for sure.

Why with 16:9? I can change the aspect ratio on my 4:3 TV so I get about the same viewable area like my parents with a 16:9 + the normal shows are also not strechted.

You can do the same thing with a 16:9 TV, and more content will be 16:9 in the future.

 

[ndee]

Originally posted by: Nebor

Originally posted by: ndee

Originally posted by: Nebor

Originally posted by: Riprorin
Oh, one more question. Woukd you go with a 16:9 or a 4:3 model?

16:9 for sure.

Why with 16:9? I can change the aspect ratio on my 4:3 TV so I get about the same viewable area like my parents with a 16:9 + the normal shows are also not strechted.

You can do the same thing with a 16:9 TV, and more content will be 16:9 in the future.

But viewable area for a 4:3 TV is cheaper. And I prefer black bars on the bottom and on top than on the side.

Just my $0.02

 

[spidey07]

If you watch DVDs, play video games and want a smooth (no visible scanlines) picture then get a HDTV.

If you just need a TV, then SD is fine.

 

[bandana163]

Originally posted by: ndee

Originally posted by: Nebor

Originally posted by: Riprorin
Oh, one more question. Woukd you go with a 16:9 or a 4:3 model?

16:9 for sure.

Why with 16:9? I can change the aspect ratio on my 4:3 TV so I get about the same viewable area like my parents with a 16:9 + the normal shows are also not strechted.

You live in Europe (like myself).
HD is generally widescreen, anyway.

By the way, I saw an EDTV (850x480) plasma for 4400$ today. Now that's a rip-off!