Help on buying a widescreen TV

erknjerk · Dec 20, 2003

I'm looking for a 40" give or take acouple. I'm not looking for HDTV cause I'll mainly be using DVD and videogames. Any opinions are appreciated. Price range is about $1000-$1600

Bowe R1 · Dec 20, 2003

I will sell you my 53" Hitachi wide screen HDTV. Bought in April of 2002 brand new. Do homework, make offer if interested.

skinny_punk · Dec 20, 2003

i've got a sony 43" tv that i have been very happy with, paid $1300. do you want wide screen or regular?

Mr. Wong · Dec 20, 2003

Given the title of the post, I'm guessing he wants a widescreen.

You should be able to easily find a 40" widescreen HDTV (more likely a 51 or so) in the price range you're looking. I got my 65" for 2260 after everything was done.

Jackley · Dec 20, 2003

I have one like this and love it.

$1700ish.
http://www.crazyg.com/hitachi/51uwx20b.htm

Or you could it's little brother for $1500ish.
http://store.yahoo.com/cyberdiscountwarehouse-buys/46f500.html

Seems like you are so close to the price for a real hdtv that I would just go ahead and get one that you'll be happy with for a long time. With component input, dvi (great for hooking your computer up at high res), and wide screen you'll happy. Xbox, looks great at 1080i or even at 480p and I'm sure the next gen consoles will have even more support for high def stuff.

Just my thoughts.

Naries · Dec 20, 2003

hitachi is the way to go.. it may cost you a couple more bucks but the reliability is unsurpassed atleast according to the reviews.

briF4i · Dec 20, 2003

Loewe by far the best pic I have seen on a tv but they are spendy. My step dad bought one and wow is it nice. They can be found at magnolia hi fi

Loewe

erknjerk · Dec 20, 2003

I was told by my buddy who is very into hifi that HDTV is really only for television(you still have to have the right gear and channels). DVD with the right connectors will make it digital with or without HDTV. That's why I don't want it unless it comes at a good deal.

As to you Bowe I will be paying some upfront and no-interest finance the rest. Unless $800 is good enough

Mr. Wong · Dec 20, 2003

erknjerk said:
I was told by my buddy who is very into hifi that HDTV is really only for television(you still have to have the right gear and channels). DVD with the right connectors will make it digital with or without HDTV. That's why I don't want it unless it comes at a good deal.

As to you Bowe I will be paying some upfront and no-interest finance the rest. Unless $800 is good enough

Your buddy may be really into "hi-fi", but he doesn't seem to know what he's talking about. Either that or he's not properly giving you the information you need to make an informed decision.

The ONLY way to get a pure digital path is to have a source with a DVI output connected to a DVI input on the TV. Anything else will be analog. Most new HD sets will have one DVI input. I only know of two DVD players that have DVI outputs.

While I couldn't say for sure, I'm willing to bet that a TV that is widescreen with a DVI input and is not HD capable, doesn't exist. If one did exist, then yes, theoretically you could put together a system that is digital end to end (with DVD at least), but I don't think such a TV exists.

Given that you've thrown out widescreen as the aspect ratio, you'll be hard pressed to find one that isn't HD capable. I've never seen one. If you're mainly using the TV for DVD and video games (Xbox especially) you'll be much happier with an HD capable TV. Or at the very least an EDTV (Enhanced Definition, usually capable of at least 480p). Though again, >40" and widescreen... good luck finding one that isn't HD.

Again, given your price range, you should easily be able to find a good quality HDTV in the 45-51" range. Just go out to the stores, take a look at everything. Write down which models you liked the looks of. Do a little homework and you'll be fine.

erknjerk · Dec 20, 2003

Thanks guys for the info. I'll be looking on Tuesday.

Rez · Dec 20, 2003

I have a JVC i-art 48" HDTV (Widescreen) that I LOVE.

I see them now for $1600-$1800 range (I paid like $2500 for it when I got i :shrug)

Ian · Dec 20, 2003

Personally I would only consider Mitsubishi and Sony for televisions.

For the price range you are at, Sony makes a 34" direct view widescreen that I would love to have if my living room wasn't so big.
http://www.tweeter.com/product/inde...e=2&pageBucket=0&sublevel=2&parentPage=family

Mitsubishi makes awesome RP's... I'm sure you can get into one in your price range.

http://www.tweeter.com/product/inde....1124354.1124426&sublevel=2&parentPage=family
http://www.tweeter.com/product/inde....1124354.1124426&sublevel=2&parentPage=family
http://www.tweeter.com/product/inde....1124354.1124426&sublevel=2&parentPage=family

GixxerPete · Dec 20, 2003

NariesRC said:
hitachi is the way to go.. it may cost you a couple more bucks but the reliability is unsurpassed atleast according to the reviews.

+1

I've got a 53" Hitachi for almost 3 years now and no problems.

I'd say get the biggest/best TV you can afford, it will be worth it in the long run.

Mr. Clean · Dec 20, 2003

Mitsubishi and Hitachi are the best. Period. I have a 55" Mitsubishi that is a great TV. All the talk about digital DVD is wishy washy...As long as you get a progressive scan DVD player and your TV can play 480p (which they all can) then your picture will look great. Get a tv with at least 4 component inputs.

JawKnee · Dec 20, 2003

I would HIGHLY recommend the one I just got, the Sony KV34XBR910, but it's out of your price range. For your price range, you may want to take a look at the Toshiba Cinema Series 34HFX83 -- you can get it for ~$1600 at Video Only.

Hey Faster954, I'm thinking of picking up the Bravo or the Samsung DVD player

Leaning towards the Bravo since you can get it for under $200

JawKnee · Dec 20, 2003

briF4i said:
Loewe by far the best pic I have seen on a tv but they are spendy. My step dad bought one and wow is it nice. They can be found at magnolia hi fi

Loewe

Yes, Loewe offers some damn sweet monitors!

You should check out the Sony KV34XBR910.

mnewell · Dec 20, 2003

Toshiba rocks if you are looking for a non-plasma TV.

Plasma TV? Get a Hitachi.

Mr. Wong · Dec 20, 2003

JawKnee said:
I would HIGHLY recommend the one I just got, the Sony KV34XBR910, but it's out of your price range. For your price range, you may want to take a look at the Toshiba Cinema Series 34HFX83 -- you can get it for ~$1600 at Video Only.

Hey Faster954, I'm thinking of picking up the Bravo or the Samsung DVD player Leaning towards the Bravo since you can get it for under $200

If you get it, let me know how you like it. I'm still debating on whether or not to drop the money on one. I read a review on the Samsung (Home Theater or Sound and Vision, can't remember which one) and they said that while it does technically give you better detail, that the added detail is sometimes distracting. For pure digital transfers (Monsters Inc, Toy Story etc) it was definitely better. For video sources... it could go either way depending on your preference. I haven't seen/heard anything about the Bravo other than that it exists.

skinny_punk · Dec 20, 2003

Faster954 said:
Given the title of the post, I'm guessing he wants a widescreen.

You should be able to easily find a 40" widescreen HDTV (more likely a 51 or so) in the price range you're looking. I got my 65" for 2260 after everything was done.

it would help if i read the title huh!! i am such a dork sometimes!!!

erknjerk · Dec 20, 2003

just sometimes.

Help on buying a widescreen TV

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