Question about HDTV

[Wasabiak]

I used to be on top of A/V stuff in my younger years, but have become pretty oblivious to it the last few years. So i've been very interested in purchasing a new tv, and an Xbox 360. I'd like a flat tv, one of the thin ones. I've heard terms like "plasma" and "lcd". I have yet to start my research on any of this (except reading a previous post about the Sony vs. Samsung tvs), but wanted to get user opinions, and also to ask this.....If you buy a tv that is "HDTV ready", does that mean that you just screw the cable tv into it and the HD broadcasting is there? Or is HD an extra package that you have to have the cable co. hook up and have to pay for?

Also, it you have any recommendations in the 42" size category, please share.

[Greyroofoo]

there is generally an extra package for HDTV from your cable company I believe.

[John Galt]

LCD gives you better accuracy. Plasma gives brightness and "punch," but adds some mosquito noise (which is kind of blocky color splotches).

If you do a forum search, you will find several posts by Bee and I (and probably others as well) arguing for the value of HD projectors (cheaper, bigger, better quality image, etc.) if you are interested in going that route.

[saldana]

i have a 32" sharp aquos LCD and love it if that helps

[MizzouRah]

For satellite, you have to have a HD receiver and then get the HD package, which I think is like 24 channels for Dish Network, I would assume cable is similar.

[Eaglesfan27]

i have a 32" sharp aquos LCD and love it if that helps

We have this in our living room, and I think it is a great TV as well. Did a lot of research and this TV had very high marks for it's size class.

[Terps]

Anyone have any suggestions on a HD set no larger than 32"? I'll spend about $1,000, which is what I spent on a TV and 3 year warranty the other day.

I got the 30" Samsung Slimfit HD CRT the other day and hate it so I'm going to return it to Circuit City. It has geometry problems on the bottom of the screen, and in the top left part of the screen the text is very blurry and gets a red hue behind it.

[ISiddiqui]

Well, I LOVE my Sony HD CRT. Mine is a 30'', but you can probably get a 34'' one for about a grand these days. Just get them to deliever it. Those things weigh a ton ;).

[Ragone]

I wanna jump in on this thread.. i had planned on getting a 42inch dlp samsung, but the salesman told me it lags quite a bit with video gaming..

Anyone know anything about that? and could recomend something in the 42-50 inch range for video gaming+movie watching/home theater

[primelord]

I absolutely love my 62" Mitsibushi DLP. I haven't had any problems with lag when gaming on it. To be fair though I haven't done a ton of gaming on it. For the home theater though it is the nuts.

[moriarty]

I wanna jump in on this thread.. i had planned on getting a 42inch dlp samsung, but the salesman told me it lags quite a bit with video gaming..


Never had a problem on my 50" Samsung DLP running Xbox. Is this an XBOX360 related issue? Never heard of it before.

As far as the plasma vs. LCD debate at the 43" size it really comes down IMO to the "do you want to pay extra for a tv you can hang on the wall or not".

I personally would save money and go with the LCD and get just as good (in some opinions better picture). But if you want the cool/slim hang on the wall look, pay extra for the plasma.

[KWhit]

I absolutely love my 62" Mitsibushi DLP. I haven't had any problems with lag when gaming on it. To be fair though I haven't done a ton of gaming on it. For the home theater though it is the nuts.

Which model did you get? I saw one the other day that I liked the look of.

[CraigSca]

Never had a problem on my 50" Samsung DLP running Xbox. Is this an XBOX360 related issue? Never heard of it before.

As far as the plasma vs. LCD debate at the 43" size it really comes down IMO to the "do you want to pay extra for a tv you can hang on the wall or not".

I personally would save money and go with the LCD and get just as good (in some opinions better picture). But if you want the cool/slim hang on the wall look, pay extra for the plasma.

I have a 56" Samsung DLP and run my XBOX360 fine on it. Not sure what the guy at the store is talking about.

[moriarty]

If you buy a tv that is "HDTV ready", does that mean that you just screw the cable tv into it and the HD broadcasting is there? Or is HD an extra package that you have to have the cable co. hook up and have to pay for?

Most major cable companies (and sattelite companies) add a charge for HD. However, if you live near a major metropolitan center you can get HD local signals (Fox/ABC/NBC/CBS) for free with an Over the Air (OTA) antenna - basically the old '70's style antennas.

"HD ready" just means the set doesn't have a built in HD tuner and typically sells for a bit less than ones with the HD tuner. If you plan to watch HD through a major cable/satellite provider (or if you want HD cable channels like ESPN) most services require you to user their tuner/box anyways - so you won't need a built in tuner and you can get the "HD ready" set. If you're not sure, call your local provider and ask if they require you to use their set top box for HD programming. If they do, no need to pay for a tV with a built in tuner ... unless of course you want one.

[Gallifrey]

32" Sony LCD. Great TV. We tested four different models etc...this one is a winner.

Oh yeah...we do not have HDTV. We get HD quality straight from cable. Only one person who has seen a TV show or game on it could tell, and he has the big plasma HD driven set.

[Bee]

LCD gives you better accuracy. Plasma gives brightness and "punch," but adds some mosquito noise (which is kind of blocky color splotches).

If you do a forum search, you will find several posts by Bee and I (and probably others as well) arguing for the value of HD projectors (cheaper, bigger, better quality image, etc.) if you are interested in going that route.

Yep, I'm a big fan of the HD projectors if you have the appropriate space/setup. I know it's not for everyone but my two projectors are probably the best purchases I've ever made for home entertainment.

[Terps]

Well, I LOVE my Sony HD CRT. Mine is a 30'', but you can probably get a 34'' one for about a grand these days. Just get them to deliever it. Those things weigh a ton ;).

I ended up ordering the Sony KD-34XBR970 just a few minutes ago.


http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?ProductSKU=KD34XBR970&DCMP=Google_TV&HQS=KD-34XBR970

[ISiddiqui]

Sweet :D.

Its an updated model of the one I have in a 30''. I enjoy mine very much (and I don't particular need anything much bigger than 30'' since I live in an apartment).