Looking for a new TV: Calpuck Help! - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Agamemnon · 02-23-2006, 09:42 AM

Hey Gang,

I've decided to dig up and beat the heck out of this dead horse. I'm sure someone has asked this a month or two ago... but you know how times/prices change so much!

What I want: An HD TV, preferably larger than 32", the best I can get for under $2000 (ideally $1400-$1800).

I don't really know/care about LCD/Plasma/Projection etc. I don't really mind plasma, because if it wonks out after 4-5 years I'll probably be in a good place to buy a new tv at that point anyway.

So CalPuck electronics geeks, fly! Fly to the best TV at the lowest price!!! Recommendations of retail outlets would also be appreciated, I've no idea what to buy, nor where to buy it. Doing research seemed like a hassle, and I know you guys love to do this stuff...

Thanks!

Incogneto · 02-23-2006, 09:48 AM

I bought a Hitachi 2 years ago, and I am VERY PLEASED with it. At that time, all my research said that Hitachi made the best guns for HD-Bigscreens.

Fozzie_DeBear · 02-23-2006, 10:01 AM

A quick and dirty way to check the quality of the TV (not sure if this is technique is obsolete with HDTV).
1-Pick a couple of TVs you like
2-Put them on the cable channel with all the news text that is scrolling by (the blue one).
3-Then look at the places where a dark line/box meets a lighter line/box (Hope that this makes sense)
4-On the crappier TVs the lines between the areas will be blurry...on the better TVs the lines will be crisp.

Also...get the model number and Google model number+brand+"review" ie "hd-876 Sony review"
________
Latinhard

ken0042 · 02-23-2006, 10:13 AM

A few things to ask yourself:

- Do you have an HD box from your TV service provider? If not then when are you getting one?
- What types of programs are you watching? Prime time stuff, or is it soaps and DejaVu all day?
- How far away are you planning on sitting from the TV? You say "larger than 32 inch", but a 42 inch is almost double the size of a 32 inch.
- Is size more important than picture? For example a 57" CRT projection can be bought for about the same money as a nice 32" LCD.

Oh, and forget plasma for $2000. At that price all you are going to see is EDTV. And be careful of the EDTV's; I have seen some advertised as having 720p and 1080i inputs, but it still means the TV downconverts to 480p.

Edit- if I had to make a choice for you this second, I would go with a 52" Toshiba DLP; wait for it to go on sale for ~$2000.

Agamemnon · 02-23-2006, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

A few things to ask yourself:

- Do you have an HD box from your TV service provider? If not then when are you getting one?

No

I assume I'll have to pick one up from Shaw or something. I'd be getting it shortly after the TV arrives.

Quote:

- What types of programs are you watching? Prime time stuff, or is it soaps and DejaVu all day?

Hockey mostly. Various reality shows/comedies is about it.

Quote:

- How far away are you planning on sitting from the TV? You say "larger than 32 inch", but a 42 inch is almost double the size of a 32 inch.

Not too far away... probably 10 feet max. I was thinking 36" or 42"... because they're big.

Quote:

- Is size more important than picture? For example a 57" CRT projection can be bought for about the same money as a nice 32" LCD.

Size isn't really that important... but I don't really want an amazing quality 27" TV... I want something with some size to it. For the right price/quality, I could probably be convinced to do 32".

Quote:

Oh, and forget plasma for $2000. At that price all you are going to see is EDTV. And be careful of the EDTV's; I have seen some advertised as having 720p and 1080i inputs, but it still means the TV downconverts to 480p.

Do they say "EDTV" in the descriptions?

Quote:

Edit- if I had to make a choice for you this second, I would go with a 52" Toshiba DLP; wait for it to go on sale for ~$2000.

Probably too big... and I don't want to wait, this money is burning a hole in my pocket! Plus $2000 is my very upper limit.. it'd have to be a crazy deal on an awsome tv for me to do it.. and even then, throw in cables/receiver, and we're pushing way over $2000...

Agamemnon · 02-23-2006, 10:48 AM

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...10061673&catid=

What about this one guys? Samsung 42" Widescreen DLP Projection HDTV (HLR4264) $1799

WebID:10061673Mfr. Part Number:HL-R4264WX/XAC480i/480p 540p/960i 720p/1080i Capability YesAspect Ratio 16:9Built-In Protective Screen Shield YesCenter Channel Input NoChannel Labeling YesComb Filter YesCommercial Skip NoComponent Video Inputs 2 RearDigital Focus YesDisplay Type 720pDolby Digital Surround Sound NoFine Pitch Screen YesFirst Surface Mirror NoFront A/V Inputs/Outputs YesFront S-Video Inputs/Outputs YesHDTV Compatible YesHeadphone Jack Info Not AvailableIncluded In Box Remote, Manual, "AA" BatteriesInvar Shadow Mask Info Not AvailableLanguage Options English, French, SpanishLenticular Screen YesMulti Sync Multi Source Info Not AvailableParental Control YesPicture-In-Picture YesProduct Dimensions 108.8(W) x 81.4(H) x 34.2(D) cmProduct Warranty 1 Year Parts & LabourProduct Weight 30.3 kgProgressive Scanning YesRear A/V Inputs/Outputs YesRear S-Video Inputs/Outputs YesRemote Control Type MultiRF Inputs 2Scan Velocity Modulation NoScreen Size 42"Sleep/Alarm Timer YesSound Logic Audio Leveler YesSpeaker Output Jacks NoSpeed Channel Surf YesSurround Sound StereoTV Guide Plus NoUpconversion Technology YesVariable Audio Output Info Not AvailableVertical Compression Info Not AvailableVGA/SVGA Inputs YesVideo Input Labeling YesWatts Per Channel 15 Watts x 2Wide Band Video Amplifier Yes

Bill Bumface · 02-23-2006, 10:55 AM

Before you buy a DLP try watching hockey on one. To me whites look like absolute speckled crap on DLP's. Every single one I've ever seen (Probably 3 or 4).

If I was going for a non-flat panel TV, I'd recomend an LCD projection TV. When I was shopping 2 years ago Sony Grand Vegas kicked ass. Very clear picture.

ken0042 · 02-23-2006, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

Before you buy a DLP try watching hockey on one. To me whites look like absolute speckled crap on DLP's. Every single one I've ever seen (Probably 3 or 4).

Yes, good point. And if you see it on one, you will see it on every DLP. I think it's 10% of the population will see the rainbow effect.

Agamemnon- that TV looks good. Make sure you have a good look at it as Hulkrogan said. I'm going to keep looking too, now that I know what you are looking for.

As for EDTV- most say it, but be very careful as I mentioned before. Look for the output- as the 42" Samsung says- "Display type 720p" That means true HD.

Agamemnon · 02-23-2006, 11:19 AM

Or this one...

Samsung 32" Widescreen LCD HDTV** (LN-R3255) $1499

WebID:10068942Mfr.
Part Number:LNR3255WX/XAC480i/480p 540p/960i 720p/1080i Capability 480i/480p, 540p/960i, 720p/1080i
Aspect Ratio 16:9Built-In
Protective Screen Shield No
Center Channel Input No
Channel Labeling Yes
Comb Filter Digital 4H
Commercial Skip No
Component Video Inputs 2
EADigital Focus DynamicDisplay Type LCD
Dolby Digital Surround Sound No
Fine Pitch Screen No
First Surface Mirror No
Front A/V Inputs/Outputs 2 EAFront S-Video Inputs/Outputs 1
EAHDTV Compatible Yes
Headphone Jack Yes
Included In Box Remote, Batteries, Manual, Cables
Invar Shadow Mask No
Language Options English, French, Spanish, Portugal
Lenticular Screen No
Multi Sync Multi Source No
Parental Control Yes
Picture-In-Picture Yes
Product Dimensions 91.4(W) x 59.1(H) x 24.9(D) cm
Product Warranty 1 Year Parts & Labour
Product Weight 17.7 kg
Progressive Scanning Yes
Rear A/V Inputs/Outputs 2 EARear S-Video Inputs/Outputs 1 EARemote Control Type UniversalRF Inputs 1 EAScan Velocity Modulation Yes
Screen Size 32"
Sleep/Alarm Timer Yes
Sound Logic Audio Leveler Yes
Speaker Output Jacks NoSpeed Channel Surf YesSurround Sound NoTV Guide Plus NoUpconversion Technology YesVariable Audio Output NoVertical Compression NoVGA/SVGA Inputs 1Video Input Labeling YesWatts Per Channel 7.5 Watts x 2Wide Band Video Amplifier Yes

HelloHockeyFans · 02-23-2006, 11:21 AM

I remember Bertuzzied had a thread on this in the summer which had a lot of responses. If you don't get enough responses here, you might want to do a search for it....

hehehehe

Agamemnon · 02-23-2006, 11:28 AM

Or this one... what the heck is 'HD ready'? Does that mean HD, or not?

36" FD Trinitron® WEGA® Hi-Scan™ HD Ready TV
39 (W) X 25 (D) X 31 (H) inches

$1398

http://www.thebrick.com/Application/...2D220D4557F86B

Agamemnon · 02-23-2006, 11:39 AM

Or...

Digimate 37" Widescreen LCD HDTV** (DGL3704) $1799

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...10068972&catid=

Eagle Eye · 02-23-2006, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agamemnon

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...10061673&catid=

What about this one guys? Samsung 42" Widescreen DLP Projection HDTV (HLR4264) $1799

I have the 46 inch version of this TV and it has been great. HD looks great on it and even analog cable looks pretty decent as well (analog straight from the wall and not throught the Shaw HD box).

Has a tonne of inputs (S-Video, 2 component, HDMI, etc)

I would highly recomend this TV

ken0042 · 02-23-2006, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agamemnon

Or this one... what the heck is 'HD ready'?

HD ready means it is missing one of the main requirements of an HDTV. In this case; it isn't widescreen.

Agamemnon · 02-23-2006, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagle Eye

I have the 46 inch version of this TV and it has been great. HD looks great on it and even analog cable looks pretty decent as well (analog straight from the wall and not throught the Shaw HD box).

Has a tonne of inputs (S-Video, 2 component, HDMI, etc)

I would highly recomend this TV

Yeah, so far this is the front-runner. Seems to be the biggest, 'best' i can get for $1800.

Agamemnon · 02-23-2006, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagle Eye

I have the 46 inch version of this TV and it has been great. HD looks great on it and even analog cable looks pretty decent as well (analog straight from the wall and not throught the Shaw HD box).

Has a tonne of inputs (S-Video, 2 component, HDMI, etc)

I would highly recomend this TV

On the FS website it says it only does "720p". Is that a problem??

ken0042 · 02-23-2006, 12:01 PM

720p is fine. There's a difference of opinion as which is better; 1080i or 720p. But IMHO having a TV with 720p as the native resolution is better than having one with 1080i.

Eagle Eye · 02-23-2006, 12:12 PM

Some people say that 720p is better than 1080i (I guess that the progressive scan in the 720p is better for sports and other fast moving pictures)

There is some info here

http://www.cnet.com/4520-7874_1-5107912-1.html

Eagle Eye · 02-23-2006, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agamemnon

Yeah, so far this is the front-runner. Seems to be the biggest, 'best' i can get for $1800.

You should be able to get it for cheaper than that. I bought my 46 for $1850.00

Agamemnon · 02-23-2006, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagle Eye

You should be able to get it for cheaper than that. I bought my 46 for $1850.00

Where'd you get it?

So far my main retailers that I've looked at are Futureshop, Bestbuy (I know, same thing), The Source, Sears, The Brick, etc. I'm sort of stumped as to a good place to actually buy the friggin thing at.