Question about HDTV's

[Justorq]

I`m looking for a 16:9 HDTV. But I`m a bit at a loss as to what to get... My bugget is 3000$ canadian. Should I get a rear projection tv, or a normal crt tv? How big? I know I`m sitting 12' away from the tv and I`m in a basement. What brands are good? Which should I stear clear from? What are the pros and cons for each model? Any info and wisdom you can share will be greatly apreciated. Thanks a million in advance.

 

[MasterHoss]

Canadian pricing... I have no idea.

When you're thinking HDTV/HDTV monitor (aka "ready), you should only consider 16:9s so good call there.

You looking for a large screen? Projection is basically your only choice (you could get the 16:9 direct view Sony XBR (KV34XBR800) --> "normal" (non-projection) but you're paying the SONY $$$$ for that thing).

In general, the projection HDTV monitors are the best bang for the buck. Brands... subjective here but I say: Mitsubishi, Hitachi SWX series or XWX series, Sony KPxxWVxxx series, Pioneer Elite.

Also, I highly recommend that you go to a HT specialty store and NOT to your local Best Buy or Circuit City!! (Of course, buy at the retail store after looking at the TV at the HT specialty store).

 

[ssmithBH]

Also there are any number of good home theater forums to check out. Try www.soundandvisionmag.com (click on "forums" on the left) and www.avsforum.com. You must register to post to either of these forums, but there is lots of good information available. Good luck!

 

[Justorq]

bump for more help
thx guys

 

[Cadaver]

The forums at AVSForum.com is the place to get HDTV and RPTV info.

 

[madthumbs]

Rear Projection often need convergence adjustment. Don't count on the warranty to be "much" help here. Had a guy come and "supposedly" fix it. Ended up going online for a few hours to find instructions, had to open the tv up to hit a reset button because the service guy didn't close out the convergence setup properly, took 2 hours getting familiar with it and adjusting it. Now it looks excellent. RP is probably the way to go, just keep this in mind as it needs this adjustment about 1x a year, and if you move it. Most setups I've seen in the store have the convergence way off.

 

[MasterHoss]

Convergence... if you have a decent projection, the limited adjustment you'll have to do can be achieved using the TV's pre-programmed converience correction button. I helped my friend move a 57" widescreen Sony from an apartment on the 3rd floor to a Ryder truck... traveling to another city and unload it into his new house. There was no issues with focusing or moved guns.

If you really want someone to come to you once a year to check for convergence problems, go with Hitachi and get THEIR extended warranty--they'll come to your residence to do it. OR, go online and find the service manual for your TV and do it yourself.

 

[corkyg]

So far, I do not see enough HDTV programming available to justify the cost of the monitor. But the Sony XBR projection HDTV is the nicest picture I have seen in that department. Comes in 40 and 50 inch sizes.

 

[AnMig]

Beware though rear projection TV's needs to be in fairly low light environment.

I am currently watching Andy Roddick gets his ass kicked by Federrer on a Sony KP-57WS500

He has light tan colored blinds and he needs to replace them with darker colored blinds to be able to watch durring the day time

 

[LikeLinus]

Originally posted by: corky-g
So far, I do not see enough HDTV programming available to justify the cost of the monitor. But the Sony XBR projection HDTV is the nicest picture I have seen in that department. Comes in 40 and 50 inch sizes.

DTV LIST
________________
ESPN HD
Discovery HD
HBO HD
Showtime HD
HDNET
HDNET Movies
PPV HD

Regular TV List
______________________

Monday - Friday there are loads of shows on Regular TV that are in HD

Tonight Show
George Lopez
Yes Dear
Everybody Loves Raymond
King of Queens
CSI
Everwood
8 Simple Rules
Live with Bonnie
According to Jim
Less than perfect
NYPD Blue
Judging Amy
Smallville
My wife and kids
Drew Carey
Law and Order
Without a trace
Fraiser
ER
Dragnet
The District
The Agency
Alias
The Practice
Wonderufl world of Disney

Also not to mention the World Series, NBA Playoffs, SuperBowl, Probowl/allstart game, NHL Playoffs, the Masters, NBA TV.

www.TitanTV.com has a list of all the HD broadcast of every day of the week. It's always up to date and shows you the HD shows and movies on. ESPN and HDNET Movies isn't on there yet, and neither is PPV HD, so you have to check your own guides for that.

By 2006 all programing has to be in HD. So only 2 1/2 more years to go!!!

 

[Mutilator]

See if you can find the Canadian price for this TV. Link
Hitachi 51SWX20B

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: LikeLinus

Originally posted by: corky-g
So far, I do not see enough HDTV programming available to justify the cost of the monitor. But the Sony XBR projection HDTV is the nicest picture I have seen in that department. Comes in 40 and 50 inch sizes.

DTV LIST
________________
ESPN HD
Discovery HD
HBO HD
Showtime HD
HDNET
HDNET Movies
PPV HD

Regular TV List
______________________

Monday - Friday there are loads of shows on Regular TV that are in HD

Tonight Show
George Lopez
Yes Dear
Everybody Loves Raymond
King of Queens
CSI
Everwood
8 Simple Rules
Live with Bonnie
According to Jim
Less than perfect
NYPD Blue
Judging Amy
Smallville
My wife and kids
Drew Carey
Law and Order
Without a trace
Fraiser
ER
Dragnet
The District
The Agency
Alias
The Practice
Wonderufl world of Disney

Also not to mention the World Series, NBA Playoffs, SuperBowl, Probowl/allstart game, NHL Playoffs, the Masters, NBA TV.

www.TitanTV.com has a list of all the HD broadcast of every day of the week. It's always up to date and shows you the HD shows and movies on. ESPN and HDNET Movies isn't on there yet, and neither is PPV HD, so you have to check your own guides for that.

By 2006 all programing has to be in HD. So only 2 1/2 more years to go!!!

yup, many things actually worth watching are hd

 

[SpeedFreak03]

I have a Mitsubishi 48'' HDTV monitor 16:9 TV in my basement, hooked up to a Hughes Satilite reciver (not HDTV though). The picture is good, and when I had HDTV digital cable it was unbelivable on the 3-4 stations that get HDTV. I think that satilite and regular cable look better on my 3 year old 53'' Hitachi (4:9) though. Also, DVD's and having a computer hooked up (HTPC) look great with S-Video, and my DVD player isn't Progressive scan. Just my $0.02.

 

[madthumbs]

If you really want someone to come to you once a year to check for convergence problems, go with Hitachi and get THEIR extended warranty--they'll come to your residence to do it. OR, go online and find the service manual for your TV and do it yourself.

-First, you'd have to be crazy to pay >1/4 the price of the tv for warranty when the most common repairs are cheaper. Second, it was Hitachi's warranty service that made mine worse than it originally was. Trust me, it's rewarding enough to fix it yourself.

Beware though rear projection TV's needs to be in fairly low light environment.

-I have no clue where you got this from. People may prefer rearranging the lighting because they tend to have glossy screen covers that reflect things, so you'd want the lights behind the screen ideally. You can also restack the screen panels, but a very few would say that it can cause light to get inside the housing and cause picture quality loss.

So far, I do not see enough HDTV programming available to justify the cost of the monitor. But the Sony XBR projection HDTV is the nicest picture I have seen in that department. Comes in 40 and 50 inch sizes.

-You mean that so far there is not enough HDTV programming available to justify the cost of cable or satellite! I use mine for PC, Xbox, DVD and only just recently HD cable, but soon to be dropped unless it gets better all of the sudden. A non HDTV is not worth the money imho.

Also, DVD's and having a computer hooked up (HTPC) look great with S-Video, and my DVD player isn't Progressive scan. Just my $0.02.

-S-video is fine for any non HDTV tv, but component makes a world of difference on HDTV! If this weren't true, I wouldn't be looking to upgrade my reciever at a cost of over $400 just to get component switching.

 

[MasterHoss]

Originally posted by: madthumbs

If you really want someone to come to you once a year to check for convergence problems, go with Hitachi and get THEIR extended warranty--they'll come to your residence to do it. OR, go online and find the service manual for your TV and do it yourself.

-First, you'd have to be crazy to pay >1/4 the price of the tv for warranty when the most common repairs are cheaper. Second, it was Hitachi's warranty service that made mine worse than it originally was. Trust me, it's rewarding enough to fix it yourself.
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True, that's exactly why I said that you should just do a little searching and find the SERVICE MANUAL for your respective HDTV/HDTV monitor and do it yourself. HOWEVER, once you do this, you really shouldn't need to do it again unless you bought yourself that nice cheapo TV. :beer:

 

[tweeve]

we have a 65" hitachi wide screen HDTV and it is so awsome. Low or lots of light isnt a problem now days asa it use to be and some of the new sets have an auto conergence so all you do is have to press the button and it will fix it for a while, it wont stop the repait guy form comming out to realign the projectiopn but it will delay for a while. we have a our for a year and it still is running just like we got it. 4 player Halo NO PROBLEM

 

[Cadaver]

I've got a 42" hi-def plasma, and it's got no problem in the bright daylight. Granted, they are about twice as expensive as a comparable size RPTV.