HDTV purchases over the Christmas holidays, please share your comments (VANITY)

31Jan06 | Self

[Las Vegas Dave]

Some of you may have purchased HDTV's over the Christmas break.

Please share your comments on your quest for HDTV.

[Las Vegas Dave]

I purchased a JVC 40X887 LCD yesterday December 30, it will be delivered today, News Year eve, between 3 and 5 PM.

I was very interested in the Panny 42in plasma, but deceided on the LCD.

[Las Vegas Dave]

Pinging the list.
Happy New Year!

Interested in HDTV?
Please FReepmail me if you would like your name added to the HDTV ping list.

The pinged subjects will be those of HDTV technology, satellite/cable HD, OTA (over the air with standard UHF/VHF,yagi, and UHF antennas) HD reception. Broadcast specials and any and all subjects relating to HD

Lasvegasdave

[Scotty]

I bought a 32" LCD-HDTV (ILO) and had to upgrade my DirecTV receiver and dish. The Receiver was an additional $100. but the dish was free. However, contrary to what the sales clerk said, there will be a $10.00 per month additional charge to DirecTV (the first four months are free). The receiver comes with the basic setup - but suggest that in order to obtain optimum reception you should purchase an HDMI cable. There are only a few HDTV stations available. More to come in a few months.

After hooking up the HDMI cable, I found it made a buzzing sound every time I changed channels. I called tech support at DT and they said that there is a glitch in the compatibility of some new TV's and new receivers (now they tell me after I spent $31. on the HDMI cable) ~ and that there is very little perceptible difference between "component" reception at highest resolution and HDMI reception. (More info they failed to know about when I purchased HDTV).

Bottom line, the picture is a big improvement over the old analog TV and there is a difference between true HD broadcast and analog. I'm not sorry I bought it, but it was more involved than I thought it would be.

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

I have done some research on the Plasma vs. LCD big screen choice. The LCD has a better picture in a fully lighted room and a much longer picture lifetime, from what I have been told. LCD's started out with much smaller screens but are now being made in much larger sizes. I think the LCD's will capture most of the future market.

There are two standard resolutions of high definition - 720 and 1080. The 1080 is a higher resolution by about 15 - 20% but most live sports events are shot in 720. Most people will not notice much difference between 720 and 1080 at the normal distances they will sit away from the TV.

Another choice to make is whether to buy an HD-DVD player or a Sony "Blu-Ray" disc player. Movies are now being manufactured as high definition discs in both formats but the two formats are not compatible. Both players will play standard DVD's you already have.

In many ways, this is the same kind of format battle we saw between VHS and Beta Max that took place at the beginning of video cassettes. Somebody is going to win. Right now, the HD-DVD players are about half the price of a Sony player. There are also some feature differences.

[Vinnie]

I was very interested in the Panny 42in plasma, but deceided on the LCD.

I think you made a wise choice.
I like the picture on the LCDs better than the plasmas. IMHO it's sharper. Maybe not quite as bright but sharper, easier on the eyes.

[sportutegrl]

10 Years ago I bought a Toshiba 36" CRT with 800 lines of resolution that upconverts signals using artificial intelligence, or so I remember from Best Buy. ($2000) Anyway, this picture is glorious and everything I watch is like HDTV 720p. I use digital cable, but not the extra HDTV service. DVDs look good, too. Should I upgrade?

[Just mythoughts]

Congratulations! Nice looking set. Keep us posted on what you think about it. Are you wall mounting? Happy New Year.

[Las Vegas Dave]

Are you wall mounting?

No. the TV must fit in the $3.5k entertaimment center's maximum opening of 40.5 inches (with doors removed).

[Glenn]

I'm still shopping. I really like the picture on the Sony Bravia XBR (40"), but I hate the bright frame. Anything more than 40" is a waste in my space (I have a TV room). I have a large Sony CRT TV that is 12 years old and working fine. I am reluctant to pull the trigger on the Bravia because I just know 12 more months will bring improvements in price and functionality of HD.

But I really would like HD now.

[DB]

There's also DLP (in addition to Plasma and LCD).

[Las Vegas Dave]

Should I upgrade?

HDTV is great. Bigger is better (IMO), depends on how much one wants to spend on a new TV. All broadcast TV will be digital in 2009, so you have some time to make a deceision.

Digital signals are very good, no snow, no ghosting, either you receive the signal or you don't. Fringe area reception will need a larger outdoor antenna if for OTA reception.
(antennaweb.org will show you what OverTheAir TV signals are available in your area.)

[Keith in Iowa]

>>>There's also DLP (in addition to Plasma and LCD).

DLP exhibits trailing of high motion elements in a scene - kinf of like having "mouse trails" activated on your computer.

[Drango]

Did you get a WiFi? So you can sit on your couch with your laptop, play 'puter games on the TV, and beam your digital photos to the TV screen. All in my dreams when I win the lottery.

[Las Vegas Dave]

SONY's are great but consider looking at the online reviews and also Consumer Reports before making your purchase;

http://www.lcdtvbuyingguide.com/

http://www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com/

[Broadside Joe]

Very good info here..

www.hdguru.com

[Rome2000]

The 787 received high marks from Consumer Reports, a 63 out of 44-77 spread with the lowest TV getting a 44 and the highest (JVC LT-40FN97)a 77.

[Gay State Conservative]

I bought a Sony CRT in '04...and I love it.But there's not much decent programming to be found.Discovery HD can be good and National Geographic HD can be good when they not showing stuff about dogs.Other than those channels,PBS (sometimes) and the NFL (my Patriots look great in HD) it a vast wasteland,IMO.....(network sitcoms,reality shows,dramas are cr*p).

[100-Fold_Return]

Forget LCD, projection, and plasma GET A PROJECTOR FOR WIDE-SCREEN a dozen feet or more across--Optoma. [buy the extended warranty as those are cheaper than the light bulbs!]

[DB]

"Mouse trails" are more common on LCD displays, especially older ones. It was a serious problem for game play on computers.

Both LCD and DLP displays have their advantages and disadvantages.

http://chooseyourtv.com/projectordlpvslcd.html

[sure_fine]

thanks for the ping