Westinghouse 42" 1080p LCD + free HTIB $1599 BestBuy

[halik]

Originally posted by: kki000

if it's not 1080p, you might as well save 1/2 the cost and buy an emprexx from outpost

Oh man...
This panel has a native 1920x1080 pixel grid. The problem is only with 1080p based inputs.
1080p input is unecessary and generally meaningless with regards to even real 1080p content, which is hd dvd and bd.

please read this -
projector central hd dvd and br article.

What they fail to mention is that it makes absolutely no difference which transmission format you use?feeding 1080i or 1080p into your projector or HDTV will give you the exact same picture. Why? Both disc formats encode film material in progressive scan 1080p at 24 frames per second. It does not matter whether you output this data in 1080i or 1080p since all 1080 lines of information on the disc are fed into your video display either way. The only difference is the order in which they are transmitted. If they are fed in progressive order (1080p), the video display will process them in that order. If they are fed in interlaced format (1080i), the video display simply reassembles them into their original progressive scan order. Either way all 1080 lines per frame that are on the disc make it into the projector or TV. The fact is, if you happen to have the Samsung Blu-ray player and a video display that takes both 1080i and 1080p, you can switch the player back and forth between 1080i and 1080p output and see absolutely no difference in the picture. So this notion that the Blu-ray player is worth more money due to 1080p output is nonsense.

So for all intents and purposes, the problems with the 1080p INPUT on this tv is just as moot as the 1080p output on the new br players. Just use 1080i, the tv will correctly assemble the 1080i into 1080p with no loss of resolution.

That's exactly my point - the emprex tv doesn't actually accept 1080p signal (only 1080i), but it does have the proper resolution (1920x1080) to display the right picture.

 

[Lark888]

I had a CRT (Phillips) HDTV that was pretty bad with SDTV so it went back. I'm using this monitor with my ReplayTV S-Video output and it does a fine job of displaying SDTV. Only at this price point could I afford to buy a 42" HDTV LCD so it was a hot deal back in June 06 and I've been pleased with it ever since.

AVSForums has reported that only the DVI2 input will truely accept a 1080p input and that the HDMI and DVI1 are 1080i. I havn't had a valid 1080p on HDMI to input so it hasn't made any difference at this point. My PC output on DVI at 1080p in Battlefield 2 was outstanding.

Since I never watch liveTV anymore, the lack of a built-in tuner was not a problem. Once I get around to it, I'll be using a cable or DirectTV box for HD so the tuner is not helpful yet.

 

[Snakexor]

just because i work at bestbuy, it does not throw my credibility out the window. if you come in i can talk your ear off about pretty much anything we sell (including how LCoS, DLP, Plasma, LCD, CRT, BLAH BLAH BLAH work down to a t, and i mean more than anyone even needs to know) except appliances and cell phones. my store in particular (583 in mount laurel, NJ) pride ourselves on have the highest in product knowledge; so please, do not use that as a crutch for your arguement.

I NEVER SAID THIS WASNT A GOOD DEAL, but what i did say was that the tv (monitor whatever, what are you gonna use it for primarily? thats right, watching HD TV) does not stack up to the other brands. sure it is great for the price, but so is a hyndai or a suzuki automobile. personally if i am going to keep a tv 10 years, which for a 1080p tv is a reasonable length, then what is an extra hundred dollars a year for the better set with a better name brand backing it?

 

[iseestars]

While I thought that other sets I saw at BB were better than the Westinghouse and while I think you have a point on spending more for a 10 year purchase,
I wouldn't say that Westinghouse is unreliable.

Take a look at their site here

Did you know that they are a very well known, famous power company that's been around ages, and make nuclear power generators?
I think 10 years down the line they'll still be in business and considering that they haven't caused any nuclear explosions or meltdowns
lately, I would say they are pretty reliable... but that's just me.

 

[Todd33]

Originally posted by: scootermaster

Originally posted by: Todd33

Originally posted by: mshan
I read over AVS Forum that Westinghouse is just a brand name and that they have other companies design and build their tvs and lcds, so there probably isn't any consistency over the whole brand.

The 37w3 is supposed to be superb, but some have apparently had problems with the 42 inch model.

More FUD. Please link your source. I have read all 117 pages of the 42" thread and never seen this claim.

Known problems with the 42" according to the thread:
1. Power lockups, older firmwares will have to be unplugged and plugged back in to respond to remote. It is semi-rare and Westinghouse claims they are going to do field firmware fixes.

2. Banding, all LCDs have this issues. You have 30 days to replace it, buy and try.

3. Sparkles on HDMI in 1080P. It was found that the HDMI chip is 1080i not 1080P. No fix yet, but 1080P is claimed in the literature, so they should have to fix it. Buy the extended warranty and have them buy you a new model in the future is my advice. Though 1080i deinterlaced to 1080P looks the same by many people's accounts.

Now I don't want to thread crap because a). I've seen this monitor, and it's pretty darn good, and b). the price is great, buuuuuuuuut....

This is a huge issue, man. The biggest selling point of this (other than the price) is the 1080p, and now supposedly it's not 1080p? I just don't understand the "hope they do right by you" mentality of buying something this expensive, and hoping they'll fix it later.

Now perhaps I'm reading this wrong or something, but if the darn thing isn't 1080p, I don't see how you can pull the trigger.

But, for those of you on the fence, just look at it this way: There's a guy over on AVS forum who has a home theater set up -- like a real theater. I think he said it was over a quarter mil. And what does he have in his bedroom (if I remember correctly?): This panel.

Just thought you might wanna know.

It's the HDMI, DVI via a PC works fine at 1080P. A HDMI->DVI cable into the DVI input should also work. It's a serious bug in the set if it's true, but it's not a deal breaker to most. The output is always 1080P, it's just whether the input can be taken via HDMI in 1080P.

 

[Zap]

Snakexor, you're trying to make an analogy by using Hyundai and Suzuki in place of Westinghouse, but you're off a bit on scale. Consider Westinghouse to be a mid-sized family car, whether Camry, Accord, 500, whatever. These vehicles move you places and are roomy and comfortable. What you are saying is for everyone considering a Camry to instead get a BMW 7 series or Mercedes S Class because the 3x they spend will be totally worth it over the 10 years they own the vehicle and these vehicles are just so much better. Are they better cars? Very possible. Does that mean someone buying a lesser car is making a bad choice? .....

The problem is that paying extra may not be an option. For instance, I can afford $1500-2000 for a bigscreen. I cannot afford $3000-4000 for a bigscreen. My option is to get this $1599 plus tax screen (or others in the price range) or not get one at all. Are you telling me to not get one at all? Buddy, if you really work in retail and you were telling me that in the store, you just lost yourself a sale. People can be talked up a few dollars, but there's a world of difference (plus a mortgage, two kids and a few tax brackets) between a $1600 screen and a $3000 screen. Reminds me of the last time I was in a store to purchase home stereo equipment. I had my budget (around $300) and knew what features I wanted in a receiver. The salesdroid was giving me hell over my choice of a consumer level Sony receiver and telling me that there was a world of difference between it and this totally awesome Denon receiver, mine for the low price of $600, and that he could not in good concience sell me a Sony receiver. I basically told him that he was going to lose his concience or lose his sale.

I don't think the people who really can easily afford the more expensive screens are trolling the hot deals forums to save a few bucks. Rich people tend to have more important things to do with their time, plus they tend to spend way too much on stuff like... Bose speakers.

You may as well take up a new hobby like telling people to stop shopping at Walmart because other stores have just so much better quality.

 

[TrixAreForKids]

Originally posted by: Zap
Snakexor, you're trying to make an analogy by using Hyundai and Suzuki in place of Westinghouse, but you're off a bit on scale. Consider Westinghouse to be a mid-sized family car, whether Camry, Accord, 500, whatever. These vehicles move you places and are roomy and comfortable. What you are saying is for everyone considering a Camry to instead get a BMW 7 series or Mercedes S Class because the 3x they spend will be totally worth it over the 10 years they own the vehicle and these vehicles are just so much better. Are they better cars? Very possible. Does that mean someone buying a lesser car is making a bad choice? .....

The problem is that paying extra may not be an option. For instance, I can afford $1500-2000 for a bigscreen. I cannot afford $3000-4000 for a bigscreen. My option is to get this $1599 plus tax screen (or others in the price range) or not get one at all. Are you telling me to not get one at all? Buddy, if you really work in retail and you were telling me that in the store, you just lost yourself a sale. People can be talked up a few dollars, but there's a world of difference (plus a mortgage, two kids and a few tax brackets) between a $1600 screen and a $3000 screen. Reminds me of the last time I was in a store to purchase home stereo equipment. I had my budget (around $300) and knew what features I wanted in a receiver. The salesdroid was giving me hell over my choice of a consumer level Sony receiver and telling me that there was a world of difference between it and this totally awesome Denon receiver, mine for the low price of $600, and that he could not in good concience sell me a Sony receiver. I basically told him that he was going to lose his concience or lose his sale.

I don't think the people who really can easily afford the more expensive screens are trolling the hot deals forums to save a few bucks. Rich people tend to have more important things to do with their time, plus they tend to spend way too much on stuff like... Bose speakers.

Excellent post.

 

[Snakexor]

Originally posted by: TrixAreForKids

Originally posted by: Zap
Snakexor, you're trying to make an analogy by using Hyundai and Suzuki in place of Westinghouse, but you're off a bit on scale. Consider Westinghouse to be a mid-sized family car, whether Camry, Accord, 500, whatever. These vehicles move you places and are roomy and comfortable. What you are saying is for everyone considering a Camry to instead get a BMW 7 series or Mercedes S Class because the 3x they spend will be totally worth it over the 10 years they own the vehicle and these vehicles are just so much better. Are they better cars? Very possible. Does that mean someone buying a lesser car is making a bad choice? .....

The problem is that paying extra may not be an option. For instance, I can afford $1500-2000 for a bigscreen. I cannot afford $3000-4000 for a bigscreen. My option is to get this $1599 plus tax screen (or others in the price range) or not get one at all. Are you telling me to not get one at all? Buddy, if you really work in retail and you were telling me that in the store, you just lost yourself a sale. People can be talked up a few dollars, but there's a world of difference (plus a mortgage, two kids and a few tax brackets) between a $1600 screen and a $3000 screen. Reminds me of the last time I was in a store to purchase home stereo equipment. I had my budget (around $300) and knew what features I wanted in a receiver. The salesdroid was giving me hell over my choice of a consumer level Sony receiver and telling me that there was a world of difference between it and this totally awesome Denon receiver, mine for the low price of $600, and that he could not in good concience sell me a Sony receiver. I basically told him that he was going to lose his concience or lose his sale.

I don't think the people who really can easily afford the more expensive screens are trolling the hot deals forums to save a few bucks. Rich people tend to have more important things to do with their time, plus they tend to spend way too much on stuff like... Bose speakers.

Excellent post.

i agree, great post, but i feel if you want a big screen tv with 1080p check out some projectection tvs as they will fit your price range better and give you, once again, better picture quality and reliability.

EDIT: noone ever set a price limit on how much you guys wanted to spend . thats the first thing i ask my customers, or one of the first things.

 

[Abel007]

Once again, the bottom line is this is a wonderful monitor and the price makes it a mistake if you don't purchase one!

DVI1 and DVI2 on this monitor will do 1080p and I am unusre about the HDMI. My only complaint is that I didn't get a free 5.1 system with my purchase earlier this year!

 

[TonyD7736]

Alright, I've been browsing this forum for a couple years now, and finally decided to join to clear somethings up about this set. I've owned one for about a month now, and wanted to give my two cents. First off, this set CAN and WILL accept 1080P signals, and of course, output it as well. I honestly have zero complaints about this tv. I've tried to identify banding, to no avail. I can't see ANY, so if you do get a set with significant banding, you may want to try another set. Running a computer through this set at 1920x1080 looks beautiful. My laptop runs natively at 1920x1200, but pales in comparison to this.

From reading the AVS forums (both before and after my purchase), it seems that the issues with 1080P not working occur on the HDMI input and DVI2 input. DVI1 has not had any reported problems, and vga of course works fine at 1080P. I've also read that the component inputs will also accept 1080P, although I have no attempted this yet and it isn't documented in the manual (from my understanding, I'd have to check to make sure). The only issue with HDMI and DVI2 is that SOME sets experience 'sparklies' when running at 1080P; however, there have been several users that say they haven't seen them.

Also, comparing this set to other sets in store is meaningless. I know while in store, the samsungs looked really amazing compared to this. However, I went with my gut and bought this TV and haven't looked back. It should be noted that you can access the service menu and further adjust the color settings, so unless you do this in store, you're never going to be able to fully adjust the settings for a good comparison.

Don't buy the BS that Best Buy employees try to sell you saying this TV sucks or whatever. They almost convinced me not to get it, but my thorough research and good reviews on this set made me take the dive.

 

[Zendeath]

I have the32" Westinghouse and it is one of the best purchases that I have ever made. Very pleased.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: Snakexor
i agree, great post, but i feel if you want a big screen tv with 1080p check out some projectection tvs as they will fit your price range better and give you, once again, better picture quality and reliability.

That's a very good suggestion. The picture quality of rear projection TVs have been pretty good and you can get a huge screen for cheaper than LCD or plasma. Unfortunately they aren't as sexy.

 

[chr6]

will this fit on a jerker

nice display

 

[Zap]

I have no idea what a jerker is.

Picture of my Westinghouse 42" that was delivered today. All I can say is...

#1 I'm reasonably happy with the purchase.

#2 I now need to upgrade the video card in my HTPC. Used to only playback videos and audio, now tempted to use it for gaming and the 6200TC won't suffice.

 

[mrizvi66]

i love mine....the only thing it produces so much heat!!!...it kills me sometimes....but awesome TV...best TV i've ever had...

 

[Todd33]

BTW the reports from AVS is the 1.00 FW supports 1080P via HDMI, so it seems they have fixed it and should replace the older ones under warranty.

 

[TechnoKid]

Originally posted by: Snakexor

Originally posted by: TrixAreForKids

Originally posted by: Zap
Snakexor, you're trying to make an analogy by using Hyundai and Suzuki in place of Westinghouse, but you're off a bit on scale. Consider Westinghouse to be a mid-sized family car, whether Camry, Accord, 500, whatever. These vehicles move you places and are roomy and comfortable. What you are saying is for everyone considering a Camry to instead get a BMW 7 series or Mercedes S Class because the 3x they spend will be totally worth it over the 10 years they own the vehicle and these vehicles are just so much better. Are they better cars? Very possible. Does that mean someone buying a lesser car is making a bad choice? .....

The problem is that paying extra may not be an option. For instance, I can afford $1500-2000 for a bigscreen. I cannot afford $3000-4000 for a bigscreen. My option is to get this $1599 plus tax screen (or others in the price range) or not get one at all. Are you telling me to not get one at all? Buddy, if you really work in retail and you were telling me that in the store, you just lost yourself a sale. People can be talked up a few dollars, but there's a world of difference (plus a mortgage, two kids and a few tax brackets) between a $1600 screen and a $3000 screen. Reminds me of the last time I was in a store to purchase home stereo equipment. I had my budget (around $300) and knew what features I wanted in a receiver. The salesdroid was giving me hell over my choice of a consumer level Sony receiver and telling me that there was a world of difference between it and this totally awesome Denon receiver, mine for the low price of $600, and that he could not in good concience sell me a Sony receiver. I basically told him that he was going to lose his concience or lose his sale.

I don't think the people who really can easily afford the more expensive screens are trolling the hot deals forums to save a few bucks. Rich people tend to have more important things to do with their time, plus they tend to spend way too much on stuff like... Bose speakers.

Excellent post.

i agree, great post, but i feel if you want a big screen tv with 1080p check out some projectection tvs as they will fit your price range better and give you, once again, better picture quality and reliability.

EDIT: noone ever set a price limit on how much you guys wanted to spend . thats the first thing i ask my customers, or one of the first things.

i'm in the nature of business and sales, and i suppose you've never heard of Friedman. Asking price right off the bat is a bad idea, the customer usually always lowballs (its a natural reaction part of the defensive shield we put up when shopping), and bam that instantly limits what you could have shown them. Sell on features, advantage of feature, and the bennifit to the consumer; keeping within the needs of the customer. But thats what probing is for, you ask questions to find out what theyre looking for and sell based on what they say not what you think they want. I dont go shopping for cars based on 'i want to shop for a $10,000 car today.'
Handle price as an objection to not buying, not the mission.

 

[bigpow]

This is a HOT DEAL!
I got mine $100 less but without the free Philips HTIB, so this deal is better.

Ignore Snakexor & other Westinghouse haters, especially if they don't own one.

If I hadn't bought mine 2 months ago, I'd buy this one for sure! Absolutely no regret getting this.
I laugh at those fools who still say projection tv is better! And pity for those who mock this 1080p LCD but never seen or own one!
Plasma? Hmm, Panasonic 1080p plasma will be better than this, if you can get your parents to buy it for you...
Other 1080p LCD like Samsung & Sony? I now they're more expensive, but I've never own one so I wouldn't comment on how good they are compared to my Westy 42".

BTW, this is a TRUE 1080p LCD.
I'm using my 7800GT DVI to drive it, absolutely gorgeous - zero issue!
NVIDIA driver recognized the LCD right away and I didn't have any problem setting the resolution to 1920x1080 60Hz or 59Hz.
Watching regular DVD with WM10 + Nvidia PureVideo at 1080p = AMAZING!!!
Plus, there's a way to enter the Service Menu - to further calibrate the color profiles, can't ask for more goodness..

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
westinghouse makes nuclear reactors. sony can't even make a battery properly.

/thread

:laugh:

 

[coolred]

Dang I want one of these so bad, but the wife isn't too keen on the idea since I just bought an Infocus SP4805 about a year ago.

 

[iseestars]

Originally posted by: bigpow
This is a HOT DEAL!
I got mine $100 less but without the free Philips HTIB, so this deal is better.

Ignore Snakexor & other Westinghouse haters, especially if they don't own one.

If I hadn't bought mine 2 months ago, I'd buy this one for sure! Absolutely no regret getting this.
I laugh at those fools who still say projection tv is better! And pity for those who mock this 1080p LCD but never seen or own one!
Plasma? Hmm, Panasonic 1080p plasma will be better than this, if you can get your parents to buy it for you...
Other 1080p LCD like Samsung & Sony? I now they're more expensive, but I've never own one so I wouldn't comment on how good they are compared to my Westy 42".

BTW, this is a TRUE 1080p LCD.
I'm using my 7800GT DVI to drive it, absolutely gorgeous - zero issue!
NVIDIA driver recognized the LCD right away and I didn't have any problem setting the resolution to 1920x1080 60Hz or 59Hz.
Watching regular DVD with WM10 + Nvidia PureVideo at 1080p = AMAZING!!!
Plus, there's a way to enter the Service Menu - to further calibrate the color profiles, can't ask for more goodness..

Actually it's not hating. Some people may genuinly be interested in a comparison of this versus slightly more expensive 1080p models (namely if there's a difference). While it's good to know you've had a positive experience with your Westinghouse, self-admittedly you haven't done or seen a good comparison of these, so why would you make that claim? If you're having your parents buy you things that's great, but some are considering buying this with their own money.

It seemed to me that even with tweaking the Samsung looked significantly better. Could that be aided by the Service Menu and differences in how they calibrated it on the two models in-store? Yes. Can someone point me in the direction of a more accurate comparison of the two? No. So far all people have done is dismiss any of us who are comfortable with DLP black levels and contrast as haters. I'd really like to see a reasonable, professional comparison of these two.

Why because I'm considering both of them and if there's insignificant differences then obviously I will get the Westinghouse, as it's over $1k cheaper. However, if what I saw in-store and the adjustments available from the base menus without any fancy chicanery are ultimately accurate despite any tweaking... I will probably be more interested in teh Samsung 40" as it has better contrast and color.

 

[ActuaryTm]

Really, really looking for a reason not to purchase this.

The only reason to surface thus far is I'd much rather put this toward one of the number of LCoS diplays.

 

[coolred]

One of the amazon review mentioned this


- NO DISCRETE remote codes. Anyone own a universal remote and use macros to control your system? Forget about it. You can't tell it anything but toggle on/off and it toggles through DVI1, DVI2, HDMI so you can't choose your source twice in a row without it switching to the wrong source.
- Terrible remote; trust me, you'll want to use a universal remote (irony?)

Is this true, will this TV not work with a universal remote?

 

[imported_Crusader]

Originally posted by: coolred
One of the amazon review mentioned this


- NO DISCRETE remote codes. Anyone own a universal remote and use macros to control your system? Forget about it. You can't tell it anything but toggle on/off and it toggles through DVI1, DVI2, HDMI so you can't choose your source twice in a row without it switching to the wrong source.
- Terrible remote; trust me, you'll want to use a universal remote (irony?)

Is this true, will this TV not work with a universal remote?

That guy prob didnt have the right universal remote, or one updated enough.

 

[extrapickles]

I picked one up at BestBuy this week and couldn't be happier. Newest firmware, no dead pixels, no issues at all for me. Using the OnAir HDTV GT for a TV tuner and 7800GT vid card and it's all good. HD picture is so good you can count the zits on your favorite star's faces. FPS games have taken on new life.

From what I've read Sony codes work to control it with a universal remote but I haven't tried that out yet, waiting on a hot deal

-pickles