Author Topic: Need some help picking out a new TV, please. (Read 439 times)

DiabloTX · « **on:** July 02, 2006, 02:12:39 AM »

I have been shopping for a new tv for the last few days and the more I look the less sure I am of what to buy. I know to avoid the lesser known manufacturers so I am not really looking at those models. I know that HDTV is all the rage but I have no use for it, at least not right now or in the foreseeable future. Of the big three technologies (DLP, Plasma, and LCD) I don't know which one would fit my use best. I do know DLP is the less expensive of the three but is also bigger. Plasma has it's pro's and con's as does LCD although I think each one cancels the other out as being better than the other save for maybe LCD is still a bit more expensive.

I have analog cable and have no interest in paying more for dish or digital cable. I watch mostly DVD's. I'd like something in the 40" - 43" range at around $2000.

Given that info what TV('s) would you consider?

Much thanks in advance!

Debonair · « **Reply #1 on:** July 02, 2006, 03:07:28 AM »

sorry dude i cant help u
thats just not how i roll

beet1e · « **Reply #2 on:** July 02, 2006, 05:10:27 AM »

Can you get Panasonic in the US? That's what I have and it's good. Alternatively the Jap brands - I had Hitachi products for a long time and was delighted. I'd avoid Sony, as their handsets have meaningless icons to indicate what the buttons do, whereas Panasonic etc. use english words like PLAY, STOP, PAUSE, HOLD etc.

OOZ662 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 02, 2006, 05:17:22 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by beet1e
I'd avoid Sony, as their handsets have meaningless icons to indicate what the buttons do, whereas Panasonic etc. use english words like PLAY, STOP, PAUSE, HOLD etc.

Just about every TV I've ever seen uses icons like the triangles an || for pase...I think I've seen one that had words on the remote.

DiabloTX · « **Reply #4 on:** July 02, 2006, 05:30:27 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by beet1e
Can you get Panasonic in the US? That's what I have and it's good. Alternatively the Jap brands - I had Hitachi products for a long time and was delighted. I'd avoid Sony, as their handsets have meaningless icons to indicate what the buttons do, whereas Panasonic etc. use english words like PLAY, STOP, PAUSE, HOLD etc.

Yes, I am actually looking at one Panasonic 42" Plasma EDTV (TH-42PD60U). It's resolution is only 480p but the price is $1709.99.

As for Sony, I've been avoiding them for over 10 years now. They ruled the 80's but the are pretty below average quality now IMHO.

PS - I looked at a 55" Hitachi plasma the other day...I sat down and ooooh'd and awwwww'd at it for about 15 mins. But at 4 grand it's a wee bit out of my price range!

beet1e · « **Reply #5 on:** July 02, 2006, 05:31:43 AM »

OOZ, you're right, and my handsets have those symbols - but they have the words as well...

Eagler · « **Reply #6 on:** July 02, 2006, 08:05:33 AM »

Samsung 42" Plasma EDTV (SPS4243)

this one is pc compatible and more inputs than the Panasonic you are looking at. And has better sound plus a ped stand vs tabletop

DREDIOCK · « **Reply #7 on:** July 02, 2006, 08:38:34 AM »

EDTV is NOT HD

ED stands for "Extra Definition"
Not "High Definition"

And not as good as HD either

Out of curiousity I asked what the difference was at a store not a week ago

so if you want true HD
Dont get an ED Tv

DiabloTX · « **Reply #8 on:** July 02, 2006, 12:33:35 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by DREDIOCK
EDTV is NOT HD

ED stands for "Extra Definition"
Not "High Definition"

And not as good as HD either

Out of curiousity I asked what the difference was at a store not a week ago

so if you want true HD
Dont get an ED Tv

Thanks Dred but if you read my initial post you'll see I have no need for HD and am only interested in EDTV.

Gonna go look at that Samsung in a little while, thanks for the heads up Eagler!

Waffle · « **Reply #9 on:** July 02, 2006, 01:43:49 PM »

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=326443&pCatg=5879

Some Australian Company makes these. Bang for the Buck I guess...lol

Maverick · « **Reply #10 on:** July 02, 2006, 04:11:55 PM »

From what I was told, plasma TV's have a short lifespan in use, are very heavy and high heat output. Given the high price with all of thet I'd be looking for another alternative especially if HDTV isn't in the near future for you.

Rolex · « **Reply #11 on:** July 02, 2006, 05:37:22 PM »

Only the first generation of consumer plasma TVs had life span problems, Mav. It's not an issue anymore.

There is a lot of marketing 'trick language' and proprietery acronyms going on in the TV business right now. The picture quality is heavily dependent on the manufacturers circuitry quality - design, parts tolerances and PCB fabrication.

All TVs are PC compatible, it just depends on what cabling you use. The DAC of the manufacturer will be more of a consideration of quality than the type of wire used for the input. A signal is a signal. How you convert it is important.

You've made the (wrong-headed

) decision that HDTV is not a consideration, so I would suggest the simplest method of choosing a TV: buy the model with the picture you like the best.

DiabloTX · « **Reply #12 on:** July 02, 2006, 09:57:07 PM »

Ok, so I have a question about the Samsung. With a resolution of 480 will the HDMI interface even be useful? Would it give a picture noticibly better than the component interface?

Rolex · « **Reply #13 on:** July 03, 2006, 12:40:04 AM »

Not really. While you have digital-digital, it doesn't mean everything is error free. There is no error correction because any data lost is data lost for good.

While there is no conversion, there is still signal processing because of the encoding used by the signal source, the decoding by the receiving device, scaling of the image and preparing it for display. How all your devices encode and decode makes a difference.

So, unless your eyes are oscilloscopes, you won't see any difference if all cable distances are short.

It still comes down to how the processed signals present colors and contrast that suit your taste of what constitutes a good image.

DiabloTX · « **Reply #14 on:** July 03, 2006, 12:45:45 AM »

Ummm...ok...so I guess what you are saying is there is little to no benefit to using a HDMI connection versus the component connections (red, blue, and green connectors), right?