HDTV shopping

[jAQUAN]

nice chart.
will one of you be my friend?

[PAlexC]

Just to comment on what's been mentioned:

• Sony Bravia's have the best picture I've seen on LCD's, but they're very expensive.
  
• Don't compromise on HDMI inputs, make sure you have at least 3. (Console, DVD player, Cable/Dish Box.) I have 2, and it aggravates me.
  
• DLP has great color and motion, but it is still rear-projection, and thus suffers from all the other shortcomings of rear-projection TV's: vertical viewing angle, ambient light, etc. They also only come in big sizes.
  
• Poke around in the menus and features on each set. For example, my Aquos won't adjust the aspect ratio on any HDMI input. I have to adjust the display mode (pillar box, side stretch, crop) using my DirectTV box, so I can't use the TV's side-stretch feature on 4:3 content that I get through the DirectTV box.
  
• 37" is a really good size for an apartment, not too big, not too small.
  
• LCD's do well with ambient light, Plasma's tend to glare.

That said, if you're on a budget, I would look at Vizio's. My ex had one and it was great.

[PAlexC]

Oh, and if you're in/near NY/NJ, you can always haggle at PC Richard's.

[hanratty21]

All good points, though I think he is in DC/Virginia.

One other point - garbage in/garbage out. Getting an HDTV set and feeding it a crappy signal will result in a crappy picture. Giving it a nice HD source signal will give your best results. Keep in mind that most Cable companies charge a little more for HD boxes. One of the things that separates the better brand TVs from the WalMart versions is the ability of the set to display lesser signals with a better picture. All TV is not yet in HD, so you will still get many channels in Standard Def. That being the case, a higher end television will yield a better picture with a lesser signal. So, spending money on a better set rather than a bigger screen/set is also highly advisable.

[jAQUAN]

I've already checked with Cox and an HD-DVR box is only $5 more a month.

[PAlexC]

One other point - garbage in/garbage out. Getting an HDTV set and feeding it a crappy signal will result in a crappy picture.

Very true. DirecTV's standard signals are crap, and their HD signals leave a lot to be desired as well. But, I split it with my landlord so it's cheap.

[jAQUAN]

looking at this guy atm
http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-t...?tag=mncol;lst

[hanratty21]

Not sure about the non-XBR Bravia's. Go see them in a store to judge. This one also doesn't have 120 hz (motion blur protection).

If you want Sony, get Sony, but as I said...getting a 'bargain' Sony means you are getting something thats not 'best of breed.' As I said, until you see the pictures in the store, there's no way to really compare them. The Sony's that I've seen that are knock-your-socks-off perfect are usually the XBR models.

Samsung, Toshiba, Panasonic and a few others all make very comparable sets.

For Sony, I'd look to the higher quality version, like this:
http://www.jr.com/kdl40xbr4-40--brav...SON_KDL40XBR4/
A little more money, but much more forward compatible.

[lefteyewilly]

hanrats, where have you gotten all your expertiese from in the HDTV realm? I've always wanted to ask.

[hanratty21]

Educated consumer -- thats all. I've been in HD land for several years now and have owned and sold quite a few of them already. It's a hefty investment and I like to make sure I am getting what I want and deserve for my hard earned money. Most people in the LCD/Plasma market are first time buyers...it's nice to hear from a vet to give you the warm and fuzzies. I have a 46 inch Sharp in the living room right now and a 19" Toshiba in the bedroom. Probably wont be upgrading anytime soon, but it's nice to keep up on the tech in case I find a need to upgrade!

[jAQUAN]

don't worry, I'll definitely be checking mine out in person before I buy. They just have really good deals for military personnel at aafes. I couldn't like to the page since it requires login.

[jAQUAN]

rant:
Seriously, how the fk is the average smart shopper supposed to decide without a doctorate on the subject? You can't compare two brands because no two spec lists are alike. Each brand has 6 made up technologies that don't tell you jack about it. TruVision up your ass. x, v and Color? Where do I sign? There are no sites that I can find that just lists everything in an intelligent table. All the hdtv guides for newbs and hdtv 101 articles in the world are worthless if you can't take what you've learned and actually apply to the gibberish buzz word features each maker is obviously trying to dazzle you with. How is going to the store going to help if you have no idea if you're looking at a crap brand or a tv that's been on 12hrs a day for 6 months?
/

[silverx2]

http://lifechangingbox.com/popup/comm_lcd.html

[jAQUAN]

Ok amazon seems to get it. Very nice search options here

I need to get up close to one of these.

[hanratty21]

Beautiful set - friend of mine just got the 52 inch version. If you are looking to mount it, make sure you get the right size mount plate, as the holes on this one look wider than usual.

[jAQUAN]

Looks like if I get that one it has to be an "S" brand screen. Not "B" or "C".