Televisions?

[Gatita]

We have a Mitsu 60" HDTV w/ a Bose system for several years now. We haven't had any problems with it and get to enjoy some games on ESPN's HD channel. Over all I would highly recommend it for the price.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Oh, and stay away from the EDtvs. They are basically 'near HD'. They were cost effective solutions about this time a year ago, but prices have dropped so much due to compe ion and production capabilities that they're not worth it.

They have the screen door effect going on (where when you get closer than 6-7 feet from the TV it looks like you're watching through a screen door). It looks like ass, basically.

Be sure you get one that has HDMI connections (two should be what you should shoot for), CableCard (basically a card that lets you pull down digital cable, etc., as opposed to having the cable co's, external tuner box), and is HD-ready.

Other than that, the best thing that you can do is go to the stores and look at them with your own eyes. One nugget: get ahold of the remote and change the settings to more of a middle of the road (50% settings on everything). Best Buy, Circuit, etc. all have their TVs set up to torch mode right out of the box so they stand out in the store next to all the other tvs and under the fluorescent lighting.

No one watches TV in torch mode, well I should say no one who wants to make sure they don't have burnin (plasma) or burn out their bulbs in record time (LCD).

[ZStomp]

Thanks for that info Aggie.

This is not an easy decision as I thought it would be.

Too much info to take in... I'm not sure if I want to buy one now.

[Slomo]

Okay, a question Slomo. I see all these advertisments for x number of
HD stuff. My question. Do you have to buy a tuner seperate from the
display or does it comes like the TV's we now have, tuner/screen all
in on unit. I know some will laugh at this, but even when you
go into stores some of the "salespeople" don't seem to know how to
answer the question. How many system type do they have anyway?
How do you know what questions to ask? I have seen some great
pictures, especially Sony HD sets, that were on display. The clarity of
the picture was something to behold. In regards to the first question
about tuner seperate from display would this be the way to go, or
just buy the unit where you plug it in and hook up a cable and sit
back and relax. I really don't know. And sticker shock.....holy molly....
like taking out a new home mortgage. Next to a house and car it
will be the next most expensive thing you will "invest" in.

I can help with an opinion regarding screens, but not too much about tuners in the US. The situation I deal with on a daily base here in Europe is totally different than what you guys have - so I really don't know what your options are regarding tuners and other sources of TV signals.

[jaffies]

For comparison sake, LCD bulbs typically last on the order of 5,000 hours. By the time my TV gets 'half as bright', I would have had to buy 6 new bulbs for an LCD at $300-400 a pop, adding approximately another $2000 to the cost of ownership. No thanks.

What?

I think you are refering to projection LCDs, same goes for anything with rear projection. Most projection DLP's or LCD's bulb half-life can range from 1,500 hours (for your low-end brands like AKIA) up to 8,000 hours (for Sony, or LG). Those TV's bulbs do need to be replaced and will cost at the least $200 and can increase to $550.

However...flat panel LCDs have an average lamp life of 60,000 hours. Basically ALL Sharp Aquos flat panel LCDs have a lifespan of 60k, as do the Sony Bravias. Most of the current plasmas have a half-life of 60k also.

But with the rate at which technology is zooming, in 15 - 20 years (60,000 viewing hours), the bigger and badder TV will have been out for a while, so lamp life should not be a deciding factor in plasma vs. lcd, unless you wanna buy a projection lcd to same up-front money.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Basically ALL Sharp Aquos flat panel LCDs have a lifespan of 60k,

Well yeah, the Aquos models are in their own class. I didn't see anywhere the OP was ready to front the kind of jack it takes to buy one of those.

[spurs=bling]

DLP
this is our TV

[ZStomp]

Nice...how many inches is that Blingy?

[spurs=bling]

Nice...how many inches is that Blingy?

60

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

Distance is imporant in choosing the right TV for you. Bigger isn't necessarily better.

HDMI isn't necessarily better than component. You have to use your own eyes to judge which looks better to you in your house.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Um, HDMI is the future. And as a fully digital connection is superior to component.

Why buy a new TV that's already obsolete? Any quality TV that is sold today will have two HDMI connections.

[Slydragon]

What ever you get make sure it will do true 1080p and not just 1080i

[jcrod]

I'm with you Z, I was going to buy one and went looking. Just said, F it, I'll wait another yr and get a better understanding. The prices will drop yearly also.

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

Um, HDMI is the future. And as a fully digital connection is superior to component.

Why buy a new TV that's already obsolete? Any quality TV that is sold today will have two HDMI connections.

HDMI is the future, but that doesn't mean that the PQ will automatically look better if you go HDMI rather than component.

The best advice is try them both and see what looks better to you, in your set-up, with your eyes...

[NZHayden]

panasonic 22" flat screen, i'm a poor student, my tv sucks, but at least it works, good clear picture, not complaining

[T Park]

What Blingy has is what I have.

Sports and any show thats in HD, is just plain awesome........

Sony 61 inch, HDTV.

Just awesome.

The soundsystem on it with the big speakers on the side rock also.

[spurs=bling]

^what my dad has^

[Old School Chic]

Bump

[spurs=bling]

its highjacking time!!!!

[Old School Chic]

Thanks for that info Aggie.

This is not an easy decision as I thought it would be.

Too much info to take in... I'm not sure if I want to buy one now.

Then why open a thread if you are not going to buy one... Chingado

[spurs=bling]

Then why open a thread if you are not going to buy one... Chingado

hes culo with his money

[Silver21_Black20]

I want a new tv?

Any suggestions?

[spurs=bling]

[Old School Chic]

[Silver21_Black20]

I wonder what kind of television I could buy with my vBookie.