Home audio & video: Help please! Buying new HDTV television and quite confused!
Help please! Buying new HDTV television and quite confused!
by foodfiend - 12/28/05 8:39 PMI would appreciate any help with this, as I'm fairly certain that I will soon be ready to crawl under the sofa and never watch television again... 
We want a new tv. We've found out about HDTV and, after finally locating someone (at Circuit City!) who filled us in, we've decided that we need an integrated HDTV set, between 30 and 34", maybe a wide screen. Very importantly-- we do not have cable or satellite, and do not see that happening any time in the future. We are happy with what we receive using our attic-mounted antenna.
Another factor is our tv cabinet. We have an interior limit of 41" wide and do not want to buy another tv stand.
We realize that big-tube tv's are going the way of the dinosaur, but we are seriously considering this type because of price.
What we would like is a basic, integrated HDTV set.
We have found 2 options-- a Philips flat-screen 32pt9100d at Sam's for $597 and a Sony wide-screen KD34XBR960 at Cricuit City for $1,440 (open box, discounted a bit). Of course, I am leaning toward the Philips mostly because of cost. Any thoughts/ recommendations? Or any other model suggestions? Thanks!!! This is a LOT more difficult than I had ever anticipated...
couple of things
by masterying01 - 12/29/05 2:24 AM In reply to: Help please! Buying new HDTV television and quite confused! by foodfiendthe 34xbr tube (the display you saw at circuit city) is a really really rally really heavy tv. but it has a very good picture compare to most other tv's rather its flat-panel, projo, or crt.
if you want to jump onto the HDTV boat...there are some things you should consider. first thing, you've already decided on the matter of a BUILT-IN hd tuner or not so i wont get into it.
second (the difference between the 2 tv's you listed), one is wide screen (16 by 9 ratio) and the other is full screen (4 by 3 ratio). hdtv is broadcasted in widescreen and most movies are naturally filmed in some version of a widescreen picture. so i'd definitely recommend looking into a widescreen tv.
for your needs, there are a lot more tv's out there including Sony, Samsung, LG, and a few others. look around.
I agree with Masterying
by spork141 - 12/29/05 4:34 AM In reply to: couple of things by masterying01Even so so tube HDTVs will still get you an awsome picture when compared to flat panel. Dont limit yourself on SONY the most expensive brand and a Phillips....theres plenty of other companies out there like Samsung and JVC that will prob sell you good quality tvs for cheaper....if your gonna get a tube TV at least invest in the widecreen....you might need to shave off a few inches to keep the price low but at least itll be "future" proof or at least more future proof!
LOOK TO THE FUTURE
by stewart norrie - 12/29/05 4:41 PM In reply to: Help please! Buying new HDTV television and quite confused! by foodfiendBest bet is the tube type rear project wide screen t.v. with built in hi-def over the air tuner, Problem is once you see how beautiful hi-def looks , Your going to spend all your hard earned money on a 5.1. sound system and a hi-def cable or satellite system. I have Dish network and Iam in hi-def heaven Discovery channel hi-def movies t.n.t. e.s.p.n etc + all your local channels in hi-def awsome in closing I really recomond buying a dish hi-def satellite system They will install it for $45.00 and give you $45.00 credit on your billing FREE the dish system also has an awsome over the air hi-def tuner so You can save money on your t.v. because you wont need the build in tuner happy new year stewart norrie
I appreciate the advice...
by foodfiend - 12/30/05 1:45 PM In reply to: LOOK TO THE FUTURE by stewart norrieThanks to all who have taken the time to reply! I guess that this is a decision which will take a lot more time to make than I had originally anticipated.
We are fairly certain that we will never have (need!) cable or satellite, and having an integrated HD tuner in the television is a primary feature for us (to use our indoor antenna or rabbit ears), so at least THAT is making the selection a little easier.
Does anyone know of any sites which would contain customer reviews? We have recent Consumer Reports reviews, but they don't make many tube tv recommendations. We don't watch telvision enough to make the best use of a plasma, LCD, or projection display.
Thanks again!
If its consumer opinions you want, look no further than....
by Riverledge - 1/1/06 2:20 PM In reply to: I appreciate the advice... by foodfiendC-Net is your answer. Beware of Sony bashers though.
I believe this SONY is very highly praised by not only C-Net itself; but many consumers as well.
Check it out.
another suggestion
by masterying01 - 1/1/06 9:14 PM In reply to: I appreciate the advice... by foodfiendi know the internet is full of useful and quite a bit of useless information...but i'd suggest this.
actually go to a few stores. rather its a big chain like circuit city and best buy..or privately owned like abt or the little guys electronics...see what they have to offer. only look at tv's with features that you already KNOW you need (widescreen, HD tuner built in). put down a few model numbers and prices (prices actually differ quite a bit a lot of times). then when you get home, go online, do a little research either on cnet or googling "modelnumber reveiws". see what you get. the point, is to actually see the tv in person first...cause you're spending quite a bit of money on something thats going inside YOUR house....you can't base your decision only on other people's opinions.
lastly, kindly ask to see the remote. a lot of times, employees will give you attitude or make up some bs about not keeping remotes just cause they need to make money too and can't spend so much time looking for a remote. if the employee is kind enough to get you the remote and is actually knowledgable, you'll know who to go back to to get a tv when you make up your mind. the remote is what you will be using MOST Of the itme, so make sure its comfortable to use. (i HATE rca remotes cause they feel like kids toys in my hands..whereas the new samsung, lg, sony remotes are a nice fit). little things like that will make the difference for ya.
HDTV takes a bit research.
by Riverledge - 1/1/06 1:43 PM In reply to: Help please! Buying new HDTV television and quite confused! by foodfiendAt this point in time, I'd go with the SONY. The CRT is a tried and true technology. Okey, so it's large and bulky, about 200lbs. But comes cable-card ready. If you need to ever replace it, all the kinks should be worked out of other types of HDTV.
Sony KD-34XBR960N should more than satisfy your needs for to years to come.
Best wishes, Happy New Year.
(NT) Did you ever choose a set???
by Riverledge - 1/11/06 11:54 PM In reply to: Help please! Buying new HDTV television and quite confused! by foodfiendnoooo
by foodfiend - 1/12/06 5:59 PM In reply to: (NT) Did you ever choose a set??? by RiverledgeWe seem to have a problem with over-researching (I went without a vacuum cleaner, using a 2-gallon shopvac, for 3 months before I found the perfect vac!!!).
Thanks for the suggestions (your next reply), but we definitely need an integrated HDTV tuner because we do not have any cable/ satellite hookups and don't want to have to buy a monitor in addition to the television. We are hoping that, after the Electronics Show in Vegas last week, some of the manufacturers will want to start to push out their CRT televisions to make way for the plasma/LCD's. We're trying to get a HD-integrated CRT, either 34" widescreen or 36" square, for around $1,000- $1,200. Sooooo, what do you think our chances are?!
foodfiend a little advice
by stewart norrie - 1/12/06 6:26 PM In reply to: noooo by foodfiendI was just like you , I really didn't watch that much t.v. cause there really wasn.t that much to watch on over the air t.v. Ok I bought my hi-def t.v. and switched on the tonight show,Ya thats when I went nuts, Took back my puny t.v. and bought a huge 65" sony , hi-def satellite system 7.1. souround system and a qualiuty d.v.d. player YESS ADITAVE. now when I switch on the t.v. its like the best movie theater in town, SO YES get your 34" tube t.v. and I bet after you see the 70mm quality picture , you will probably spent all your hard erned money and turn your house into a movie palace and dont forget the snack bar ha ha. in closing dont be so cheap at least get a hi-def cable or satillate system The hi-def channels are awsome just wait until you see hi-def Discovery channel and all the other hi-def channels are really worth a few bucks more good luck stewart norrie
OTHER SETS TO CONSIDER......
by Riverledge - 1/12/06 3:12 PM In reply to: Help please! Buying new HDTV television and quite confused! by foodfiendTwo come to mind, PANASONIC CT-34WX15 and the
TOSHIBA 34-HF85. Both are widescreen (16:9 ratio)
however each requires either an HDTV-tuner
or a digital cable-box.
Got it!
by foodfiend - 1/13/06 6:14 PM In reply to: Help please! Buying new HDTV television and quite confused! by foodfiendThis afternoon, while at Barnes & Noble looking for this weekend's reading, my husband walked over to Circuit City and talked to the salesperson (who, by now could almost be considered a friend...). As a result, we now have a Sony KD34XBR960 in the car awaiting to be brought into the house and set up tomorrow! So thanks, all, for your input and recommendations.
Having seen 3 movies (in a theatre) in the past 22 years, we aren't going to suddenly turn around and turn our living room into a "home theatre". No interest at all in that (same as our attitude toward cable...)! But maybe some enhanced sound via extra speakers may happen in the future.
Still some future thoughts
by Jakesty - 1/13/06 8:47 PM In reply to: Got it! by foodfiendGlad to hear you got your TV. I'm considering going down that process as well, but will most likely be looking into projection/projector type of tv.
If I remember correctly, analog signals will be dropped from broadcast starting in 2008 I believe.
Your HD television requires a different antennae than your regular channels. Although it doesn't sound like you watch much television, an inexpensive dish/digital type of hook up will give you the most options to view HD tv on.
Good luck...Jake
(NT) CONGRATULATIONS. You made a good decision.
by Riverledge - 1/14/06 1:04 PM In reply to: Got it! by foodfiend
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