Pick one of these TV's for me ASAP

[TurnedTheCorner]

You're future proofing your TV to a degree if it comes with an HDMI input. The new HD-DVD players an Bluray players will not pass and HD resolution through component connections as it currently stands. You need and HDMI input (something to do with HDCP compliance? Too many damn abbreviations!) to get an HD resolution through those units. Also, HDMI sends video and audio signals through the single connection - my HD PVR from Bell looks great through my HDMI connection.

So if you're planning on using this for new fangled gaming devices or the next gen DVD players in the future, I would steer clear of a TV without HDMI. If this isn't a concern for you though, go for it.

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by Agamemnon

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

Yes it does have one
http://www.sharp.ca/products/index.a...34&mod=specs&f=

I think it is law that all tvs that size have hdmi now.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Thanks for that link nfotiu, the crappy Future Shop specs did not mention HDMI.

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by nfotiu

Yes it does have one
http://www.sharp.ca/products/index.a...34&mod=specs&f=

I think it is law that all tvs that size have hdmi now.

It actually has a builtin atsc/QAM tuner. Which means you can get non-encrypted HD and digital cable channels without a box. This may or may not be useful in Calgary.

[Bobblehead]

nm - nfotiu beat me to it....

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

You're future proofing your TV to a degree if it comes with an HDMI input. The new HD-DVD players an Bluray players will not pass and HD resolution through component connections as it currently stands. You need and HDMI input (something to do with HDCP compliance? Too many damn abbreviations!) to get an HD resolution through those units. Also, HDMI sends video and audio signals through the single connection - my HD PVR from Bell looks great through my HDMI connection.

HDCP = Hi-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection


Actually, there is currently a backroom agreement not to turn on the 'ICT' (Image Constraint Token) until around 2010. So currently HD-DVD or Blu-Ray will output true HD.

But the ICT has been included in both the HD-DVD and Blu-Ray specification, so at any point a movie studio can "turn on" the ability to require an HDMI cable or it will downgrade the signal.

[Regorium]

I have a Toshiba 37" from Bestbuy ($1999, probably less now) and I find it to be an excellent TV. No problems with it yet and the picture is crystal clear. *shrug* just throwing another option out there.

Out of the 3 you posted, I'd suggest the sharp.

[Agamemnon]

I ended up going with the Sharp from Future Shop, they added a Yamaha full surround system w/ receiver for $200.

Of course, the TV broke within 2 days of purchase

[Bobblehead]

And how has Future Shop handled the situation?

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by Agamemnon

I ended up going with the Sharp from Future Shop, they added a Yamaha full surround system w/ receiver for $200.

Of course, the TV broke within 2 days of purchase

Yikes. That sucks. I assume you were able to return it, no problem?

[Claeren]

Originally Posted by Agamemnon

Of course, the TV broke within 2 days of purchase

Seriously?


Crazy....

Claeren.

[ken0042]

I hope you kept your receipt.

[Agamemnon]

Actually, they handled it way better than I thought.

I bought the TV, speakers, XBOX 360 + games, so the total came to around $3k. When I took the stuff home the TV worked great (XBOX Fight Night III is insanely cool).

About 2 days after I bought it I turned it on Sunday morning and there was a bright blue vertical stripe down the middle-right side of the screen. Every channel and every input, it was there... didn't seem like something I could 'turn off'.

I packed it up and brought it back to FS. Of course, minutes away from the store I realize that while I have the receipt, I don't have my wallet, and I forgot to pack the remote back into the box. I anticipated having to retreive these items before making the swap.

Oddly enough (considering my bad history with big box stores/large corporations), because I had just bought it 2 days prior, they just took a look at the receipt and issued me a new TV, no questions asked. I didn't have to use my credit card to refund/re-pay, and they didn't even check for the remote! (which I should probably drive back over there... though now I have 2 working remotes...).

End of story, FS handled me very nicely, which I'd expect given how new the TV was. I didn't opt for the extended warranty ($500!!), so hopefully this doesn't happen again.

Anyone ever seen a blue stripe??

[Agamemnon]

Originally Posted by ken0042

I hope you kept your receipt.

They certainly didn't take any of my info when I made the purchase, so I wouldn't be surprised if they 'couldn't verify' the fact that I'd made the purchases w/out my specific personal info.

If someone has a credit card statement... that should do the trick, but I've never tried returning/exchanging w/ a credit card statement.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by Agamemnon

Anyone ever seen a blue stripe??

I've seen them a bunch on notebook LCDs. It is the line of that grid element has gone bad. When we send in the notebook, the entire screen is replaced.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by ken0042

I hope you kept your receipt.

I forgot about that thread! I wonder how long it took for him to finally get his TV back? I was particularly interested because Future Shop once took 10 weeks to repair my DVD player (and I had the extended warranty!).