First TIme To Buy HDTV

Sorry if this seems irrelevant here, but i am starting to get comfy on this forum, so i would just like to ask this question.

I am looking into a small hdtv for the room as a first time buy.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how / what to look for before i go off and get one?

Looking for something that can work well with normal cable television.
HD Connection is out of the question for my pay at the moment, but i will look for something better to accommodate that when i get a good paying job.

Spending Limitations: $300.00 - $1000.00
Want at least 1080i
16:9 ratio

and thats all i know about lcd tv.

Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 2:41 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

What are the environmental conditions of your room? Is it naturally lit by sunlight? Do you use flourecent light bulbs? Conventional light bulbs? Do you plan on watching TV with the lights off? How far away will you be from the TV set when you watch it? Even though you won't be subscribing to HDTV service, do you own a HDMI-based DVD player? Do you own a Playstation 3 or XBox?

If glare off the TV surface is not a huge problem for you, I personally recommend plasma displays over LCD. Little more expensive. Many of the new plasma sets are getting better - as they're coming out with better filters to get rid of the glare. Plasma also produces better black than LCD, which is important if the shows you watch contain a lot of dark scenes, such as horror films, live music concerts, etc. And, seeing your budget is under $1000, more likely you'd be getting something smaller than 42-inch, which is where plasma has its advantages.

--- groink

Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 4:01 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

we'll be 6-8 ft away from the t.v, normally no sunlight hits the room since we never open the blinds. But the fact still remains that the t.v will be facing the window.

Don't plan on watching t.v with light on, and even if we did, we use the low energy bulbs which is only 40W. Not very bright at all.

I don't have a ps3, XBox, or any HDMI based dvd player; i do plan to get some like that sooner or later though; not going to be used for this little t.v. I just want a small 19-22" t.v for the room. Nothing fancy.

I just want to get one so we can save space in the room and give the old crt to my son who is turning 5 in September and will want to be playing his v-smile.

I won't be thinking about a large quality flat HDTV for quite some time.

Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 4:15 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

You dont need to subscribe to anything, unless you want all that HD junk. Don't buy into any offers, Just tell them you want a you HD TV. Also be careful some TVs say HD-compatible, STAY AWAY FROM THOSE. Get a brand thats HD-Ready. Go with a Samsung HDTV 23inch or 32inch. They are respectively range from $400 to $900 at most. Its 720P which is the mainstream standard digital broadcasting format. Also by the looks of it you reside in the US, and I hear they are switching to HD broadcasting on FEB 17 2008. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

I got myself a Samsung HDTV 1080P 42inch TV and never looked back. I also got a PS3 so I def needed the upgrade. I had the HDTV for about almost a year i think and probably is one of the best purchases i made.

Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 5:26 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

how does a 720p look with Normal Cable and HD Compared?
Also when you say

Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 5:46 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

*holds breath*

Actually the US government will start mailing out digital -> analog signal converters on Feb 17 2008 for those who applied - all digital television broadcasting will start in Feb 17 2009.
It does not mean that all broadcasts wil be in HD, just digital. Having regular digital television (@ 480i) looks like crap on a HDTV, if that's what youre asking

HD broadcasting is nice, but there is still only a few channels that actually broadcast in HD
HD broadcast consists of either 720p or 1080i

Most (if not all) HDTVs will do 1080i - 1920 x 1080 @ 30hz
But the main difference people go for is either 720p (1280x720 @ 60hz) or 1080p (1920 x 1080 @ 60hz)

Also, most (if not all) HDTVs you buy today will have ATSC (meaning you can get HD OTA (over the air/antenna) - you don't even have to buy a special antenna, even the old school bunny ears will work (although it probably is recommended you get a decent one))

What do you plan to do with your HDTV?
Do you plan to:
- watch HD content (720p/1080i/1080p)
- hook up a computer to it (via VGA/DVI/HDMI)

*exhales* lol that's all i can think of for now Smile

Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 6:08 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

None of those.
I only plan to have that little 19 or 22" as a regular cable t.v. Nothing more than that. It is only for the bedroom, so no need for it to get fancy. I will get a better one when i have the money for the main entertainment in the living room with 7.1 sound. Buying this little one will give me a heads up on how to look for a good entertainment system for the living room.

Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 6:24 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

ahhh oops forgot to ask about size Tongue

it kind of seems like a waste to just get regular television fed into an HDTV, but i actually do the same thing :\ (mainly because i hardly watch TV anymore, so SDTV is fine with me) - it will look like crap (all blocky n such)

i dunno how you feel about lesser known/generic brands, but in general, i'd say just get any basic HDTV with at least 1 (one should be good for beginner) HDMI input so you can experiment with it as needed (w/ cheap HDMI dvd player or using HDMI->DVI converter for experimental computer hookup)

generally, i'd say this is about the price range for these types of generic TVs (mostly 720p)

26" - ~$350-$400
32" - ~$450-$550
37" - ~$600-$700
42" - ~$800-$900

brands (in no particular order, but grouped in popularity (quality?))
Vizio, Olevia, Emprex, AOC, Westinghouse, Magnavox
LG, Viewsonic, Philips, Hitatchi
Sony, Panasonic, Sharp, Mitsubishi, Samsung

add +/- ~$100/$300 for well known brands and higher quality stuff (such as 1080p or 120hz)

<- owns Panasonic 42" Plasma 720p (purchased 1.5 yrs ago)

Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 6:29 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 6:49 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Yea how does one apply for it?
Also i don't think it is really a waste to get a cheapy hd t.v for sdtv cable. It saves space and replaced an old crt which i will be giving to my 5 year old to play with. At least if and when we do get digital t.v, then it should get better?

Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 6:54 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

yeah its not exactly a waste, especially when you factor other things like weight and electricity (and its definitely easier on the eyes Big Smile

)

this is what i found:

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon/

actually, this is getting to be a bigger deal once the time gets closer; maybe d-a will join in on the awareness? Mr. Green

Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 7:16 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

thats a rather interesting video there. I kind of don't understand tho.
Is it that without that box they are trying to get out, a house will have no way to keep using satellite / cable analog?
Will it be that the HD Service will be downgraded through the box for cheaper services?
i only got half way through it and turned it off because i couldn't hear anything over my 4 month old baby crying and whining.

Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 3:17 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 12:49 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Well, quick questions to help you out more:

1. If you have cable service, whose service you currently have?
... more for later.

Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 1:47 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

In one of my response i have said i am currently using Comcast and possibly will still be with comcast later still.