Pick one of these TV's for me ASAP - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Agamemnon · 07-13-2006, 12:11 PM

Hey all,

All of these are LCD HDTVs, 37".

Acer AT3705-DTV - $1959.95 (Memory Express)
http://www.memoryexpress.com/index.p...uctID=8145&SID=

Phillips 37PF9631D - $2299.95 (Memory Express)
http://www.memoryexpress.com/index.p...uctID=8545&SID=

Sharp LC37SH20U - $1999.99 (Future Shop - on $500 sale!)
http://www.memoryexpress.com/index.p...uctID=8545&SID=

Or anything comparable, preferably from FS/MemEx, under $2300, 37"

The sale on the Sharp ends today, and right now I'm leaning towards picking one of them up after work. Comments/advice? Please? (and yes, I know people can wait for sales to get better deals, ignore this fact for now)

Eagle Eye · 07-13-2006, 12:20 PM

I am reading correctly that the Sharp and the Phillips only have 4 inputs? I think that it says that they only have 1 component input each and HDMI input.

I know sometimes it doesnt seem like you need all the inputs but it is nice when you have a few things that you want to plug in at the same time (X-box, DVD, HD TV, etc)

On my TV I have 3 Component, 1 HDMI, 1 DVI, 1 PC, and 3 A/V inputs, I use all three of my component inputs (HD box, DVD recorder and DVD player/reciever)

edit, but I wouldn't know any thing about Acers quality on TVs to make a recomendation to buy that one

photon · 07-13-2006, 12:21 PM

Sharp used to have the best LCDs, but I've heard recently their quality has gone down (though no evidence for that).

Digital Home Canada might be a good place to post this.

EDIT: And the one from FS is returnable, so you could get it and if you don't like it return it and get one of the other ones.

Agamemnon · 07-13-2006, 12:25 PM

Cool, good advice... keep it coming!

Inputs and technical gadgetry analysis is really what I need. All's I know is I want it to be 37" and cost less than $2500... other than that, I'm a bit clueless. I probably won't be setting up a full deluxe home theater system or anything, so it doesn't necessarily have to be top-end for inputs. Maybe Xbox360, DVD player... thats about it... maybe hook up some speakers in the future.

underGRADFlame · 07-13-2006, 12:34 PM

By looking at the specs, The Acer one looks nice because it has true HD resolution (1920x1080) so the picture will be sharper than the other two (although the other two will look great in there own right). Normaly i would say go for the Sharp, but the Acer looks like a great model, the True HD would be the selling point for me.

Eagle Eye · 07-13-2006, 12:37 PM

Well 720p is actually considered by some to be better then 1080i, I think that it depends what type of TV you watch. 720p is better for sports and faster moving shows.

There is a TV at Costco (sharp) that is 1080p, although it is $15000

nfotiu · 07-13-2006, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagle Eye

Well 720p is actually considered by some to be better then 1080i, I think that it depends what type of TV you watch. 720p is better for sports and faster moving shows.

There is a TV at Costco (sharp) that is 1080p, although it is $15000

LCDs by their nature are pro-scan, so that one would be 1080p as well. Whether or not it accepts a 1080p signal is another question though.

I'd put response rate and black levels/shadow detail ahead of resolution though when comparing LCDs. Unfortunately those numbers aren't very standard and you'd have to watch the tvs to see the difference.

If you are going to be able to see all these tvs, look for motion blurring to judge response rate when some moves quickly across the screen it will show a trail if response rate is too slow. Very annoying when watching hockey, for instance.

Also compare dark scenes and look to see if the dark portions all blend into a black blob, or if you can see nice detail. Also look for which tv's blacks look black and not brown or grey. These will all provide for more satisfactory movie viewing once you have the tv home.

Knowing nothign about these models, I'd vote for the Sharp. They have a decent reputation for LCDs. Also it is the nicest looking of them. The acer is pretty ugly, IMO.

PS 720P and 1080i are true HDTV as well.

Eagle Eye · 07-13-2006, 12:53 PM

Just noticed that the Acer has a digital tuner (ATSC HD for OTA), do many TVs come with that? Does that mean if there where any HD transmitters in the area that you would be able to pick them up with out an HD box?

nfotiu · 07-13-2006, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagle Eye

Just noticed that the Acer has a digital tuner (ATSC HD for OTA), do many TVs come with that? Does that mean if there where any HD transmitters in the area that you would be able to pick them up with out an HD box?

Yes, but I don't believe there are any in Calgary. It doesn't help with Cable or Satellite.

Eagle Eye · 07-13-2006, 01:01 PM

Oh I realize that there are not any current HD transmissions in Calgary but you never know in the next few years

nfotiu · 07-13-2006, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagle Eye

Oh I realize that there are not any current HD transmissions in Calgary but you never know in the next few years

From my experience, it is no where near worth the hassle! I've wasted a lot of hours of my life trying to find a place I could put an antenna and get all the channels, and not have them being messed up when the wind blows trees etc. I imagine Calgary would be worse with all the hills and valleys than places I've tried. ATSC is unwatchable if you don't have a perfect signal.

ken0042 · 07-13-2006, 01:28 PM

As of yesterday I am now the proud owner of a Dell 37" LCD TV.

Apparently it will be shipped to me by next week, so I can't tell you yet how good it is.

List price shows as $2000, so it is in your price range. I happened to win it for free as a door prize yesterday, so it was definitely in my price range!

Agamemnon · 07-13-2006, 04:00 PM

I think right now I'm leaning towards the Sharp. I'll let you guys know how it all works out in the end.

Last call for any anti-Sharp nay-sayers.

Agamemnon · 07-13-2006, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fotze

Don't be suprised if the ****show that is futureshop will have you leaving the store in anger with no TV, cause they can't find it in the computer or something stupid like that.

Yeah... I called ahead to make sure they had the model in the location I'm going to, and the guy claimed they did... But I'm sure the big-box stores are certain to provide a lower level of service than Memory Express, unfortunately. I'd almost consider buying one of the other two just because I'm more confident in MemEx's willingness to help me if something goes wrong.

TurnedTheCorner · 07-13-2006, 04:41 PM

I would stay away from Acer, I've nver heard anything positive about the brand. Sharp has had very good LCDs in the past, but mostly for the Aquous line. But your link for the Sharp TV is the sames as the Phillips one from Memory Express? Is this the one?

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...gon=&langid=EN

I don't see that this one has an HDMI input?

Bobblehead · 07-13-2006, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agamemnon

Yeah... I called ahead to make sure they had the model in the location I'm going to, and the guy claimed they did... But I'm sure the big-box stores are certain to provide a lower level of service than Memory Express, unfortunately. I'd almost consider buying one of the other two just because I'm more confident in MemEx's willingness to help me if something goes wrong.

I'm not sure if they are a lot better, but could you call Visions, or someplace you would be more comfortable with, and ask if they have the same model? Perhaps they would price-match?

I've had the experience where I called ahead to make sure what I was looking for was in stock, then when I arrived they were mistaken, but they would be willing to give me a good deal on something 'just as good'

habernac · 07-13-2006, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fotze

Don't be suprised if the ****show that is futureshop will have you leaving the store in anger with no TV, cause they can't find it in the computer or something stupid like that.

they are an interesting bunch, aren't they? I bought a 50" from them a month or so ago, had it set up so they'd also deliver a surround sound system as well. Of course that didn't happen. Went back to the store, took about 30 minutes but they finally found it. All were scratching their heads as to why the salesperson said they would deliver the surround sound system with the TV as they came from different places. Oh well...

Agamemnon · 07-13-2006, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

I would stay away from Acer, I've nver heard anything positive about the brand. Sharp has had very good LCDs in the past, but mostly for the Aquous line. But your link for the Sharp TV is the sames as the Phillips one from Memory Express? Is this the one?

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...gon=&langid=EN

I don't see that this one has an HDMI input?

Oops, yeah, thats the one. What do I do w/ the HDMI input?

ken0042 · 07-13-2006, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agamemnon

What do I do w/ the HDMI input?

Plug your external HD receiver into it. Yes, you can use component, but HDMI is better.

Agamemnon · 07-13-2006, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

Plug your external HD receiver into it. Yes, you can use component, but HDMI is better.

Sooo... Sharp is out because it doesn't have HDMI? This is something I definitely want?