Widescreen/HDTV recommendations
 

"Jay Swartzfeger" wrote in message
...

Since I'm an avid videogamer, I definitely want a TV that supports
480/1080 and also HDTV ready (I can buy HDTV tuner/boxes through my
employer at cost).

Seems like HDTV with built in tuner isn't any cheaper than a Monitor with a
seperate tuner. So you are right, I would rather by a monitor and pick out
a seperate tuner later on.

Anyway, I'm looking for recommendations. After seeing his rear
projection, I'm leary to go with that. I've got a max of $2000 to spend.
Size actually isn't that important to me -- I'd rather have a higher
quality 36" than some 60" monstrosity that looks washed out. Also, for
gaming, component inputs are mandatory, and I'd really like to go
widescreen vs. 4:3 if possible.

Check out the Sony WS510/WT510 and the Toshiba H83 lines. You can get a 51"
for less than $2000. I just bougth a Sony 51WS510. After some basic
calibration with the THX disc that comes with some DVD, DVD picture looks
very good already and my crappy analogue cable actually looks fine.

I've heard that some new digital TVs contain chips/filters that make
regular broadcasts look almost as good as a progressive DVD. Is this
true?

All Sony projection TVs have 3D filtering for analogue signals and their
line doublers double both the horizontal and vertical lines. Regular
analogue broadcasts will never look close to that of a progressive DVD but I
think you'll find them acceptable on this generation of HDTV.

I was in your dilemma last year.

I decided on a Sony 61-HS20. It offers the best of both worlds for both
video games and DVDs.

It has component inputs and supports progressive scan sources like the Xbox
and DVD players.

It is a 61" 4:3 ratio TV, but has an anamorphic squeeze mode for DVDs and
they look incredible.

The Xbox with component cables looks like a VGA monitor on this set. Its
quite impressive. You can find this TV for around $2000 as well!

It has a great line doubler and regular cable TV signals look really good as
well.


"Jay Swartzfeger" wrote in message
...
Hi all,

The wife and I are building a new home and plan on buying a new TV when
we move in.

Since I'm an avid videogamer, I definitely want a TV that supports
480/1080 and also HDTV ready (I can buy HDTV tuner/boxes through my
employer at cost).

Anyway, I'm curious as to what type of TV I should go for. I was
recently at a friend's home who had a 60" rear projection. Progressive
DVDs through his TV looked incredible -- sharp, bright and saturated.
His DirecTV signal, however, looked like absolute garbage -- it looked
like a low-res jpeg/mpeg was being played through his set. My 10 year
old 32" analog maganavox looks 100 times better displaying a regular
cable signal.

Anyway, I'm looking for recommendations. After seeing his rear
projection, I'm leary to go with that. I've got a max of $2000 to spend.
Size actually isn't that important to me -- I'd rather have a higher
quality 36" than some 60" monstrosity that looks washed out. Also, for
gaming, component inputs are mandatory, and I'd really like to go
widescreen vs. 4:3 if possible.

I've heard that some new digital TVs contain chips/filters that make
regular broadcasts look almost as good as a progressive DVD. Is this
true?

Anyway, thanks for listening to my rant. Any input appreciated!


--
Jay Swartzfeger
Scottsdale, AZ

Have you considered a projector? With your budget you can get a Sharp
M20x that has your component inputs, S-video, bright picture.

Heck with a RPTV you are buying a projector anyway, and limiting
yourself to size, and features.

Just a friendly idea :

On Mon, 01 Sep 2003 18:30:47 -0700, Jay Swartzfeger
wrote:

Hi all,

The wife and I are building a new home and plan on buying a new TV when
we move in.

Since I'm an avid videogamer, I definitely want a TV that supports
480/1080 and also HDTV ready (I can buy HDTV tuner/boxes through my
employer at cost).

Anyway, I'm curious as to what type of TV I should go for. I was
recently at a friend's home who had a 60" rear projection. Progressive
DVDs through his TV looked incredible -- sharp, bright and saturated.
His DirecTV signal, however, looked like absolute garbage -- it looked
like a low-res jpeg/mpeg was being played through his set. My 10 year
old 32" analog maganavox looks 100 times better displaying a regular
cable signal.

Anyway, I'm looking for recommendations. After seeing his rear
projection, I'm leary to go with that. I've got a max of $2000 to spend.
Size actually isn't that important to me -- I'd rather have a higher
quality 36" than some 60" monstrosity that looks washed out. Also, for
gaming, component inputs are mandatory, and I'd really like to go
widescreen vs. 4:3 if possible.

I've heard that some new digital TVs contain chips/filters that make
regular broadcasts look almost as good as a progressive DVD. Is this
true?

Anyway, thanks for listening to my rant. Any input appreciated!

"MoLe" wrote in message
...
Have you considered a projector? With your budget you can get a Sharp
M20x that has your component inputs, S-video, bright picture.

Heck with a RPTV you are buying a projector anyway, and limiting
yourself to size, and features.

Just a friendly idea :


I agree, if you can control room lighting, you can go with a projector (some
are less than $1000 now) and get a large picture (even project on the wall)
and be HDTV-ready. I have a Panasonic PT-L300u and it looks awesome - 92"
diagonal and HDTV programming looks beautiful.



Dennis




On Mon, 01 Sep 2003 18:30:47 -0700, Jay Swartzfeger
wrote:

Hi all,

The wife and I are building a new home and plan on buying a new TV when
we move in.

Since I'm an avid videogamer, I definitely want a TV that supports
480/1080 and also HDTV ready (I can buy HDTV tuner/boxes through my
employer at cost).

Anyway, I'm curious as to what type of TV I should go for. I was
recently at a friend's home who had a 60" rear projection. Progressive
DVDs through his TV looked incredible -- sharp, bright and saturated.
His DirecTV signal, however, looked like absolute garbage -- it looked
like a low-res jpeg/mpeg was being played through his set. My 10 year
old 32" analog maganavox looks 100 times better displaying a regular
cable signal.

Anyway, I'm looking for recommendations. After seeing his rear
projection, I'm leary to go with that. I've got a max of $2000 to spend.
Size actually isn't that important to me -- I'd rather have a higher
quality 36" than some 60" monstrosity that looks washed out. Also, for
gaming, component inputs are mandatory, and I'd really like to go
widescreen vs. 4:3 if possible.

I've heard that some new digital TVs contain chips/filters that make
regular broadcasts look almost as good as a progressive DVD. Is this
true?

Anyway, thanks for listening to my rant. Any input appreciated!

On Wed, 03 Sep 2003 12:47:57 -0400, MoLe
wrote:

Have you considered a projector? With your budget you can get a Sharp
M20x that has your component inputs, S-video, bright picture.

Heck with a RPTV you are buying a projector anyway,

If that's true, why do projector bulbs apparently wear out so much
quicker than in a RPTV? Seems like a projector requires a new bulb
every year or so. Never heard of that happening with a RPTV. Am I
wrong?

"BD" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 03 Sep 2003 12:47:57 -0400, MoLe
wrote:

Have you considered a projector? With your budget you can get a Sharp
M20x that has your component inputs, S-video, bright picture.

Heck with a RPTV you are buying a projector anyway,

If that's true, why do projector bulbs apparently wear out so much
quicker than in a RPTV? Seems like a projector requires a new bulb
every year or so. Never heard of that happening with a RPTV. Am I
wrong?


Well, most RPTV's are CRT based which don't have bulbs. CRT's wear out,
albeit taking longer than bulbs, but also cost alot more and there are 3 of
them. RPTV are heavy behemoths, image size is limited (largest is about
70"), impede the imaging and soundstage of your main speakers, have to be
adjusted for convergence, focus, geometry, etc. Downside to fixed
resolution (LCD, DLP, LCoS, DiLA) projectors are bulb life (Panasonic
PT-L300u is rated at 5000 hours), display gets washed out with alot of
ambient room light, some can be a bit noisy (mine is very quiet), etc.
Projectors are portable, screen size can vary if you move them to different
rooms (larger or smaller - your choice), can display up to 130" diagonal,
don't impede imaging and soundstage, etc. CRT's burn in - these projectors
don't, geometry is practically perfect, etc. CRT's do, however, have the
best blacks and shadow detail, but that difference is narrowing. You can
hide a projector and screen (or even use the wall as the "screen"), can't
hide a RPTV so WAF is greater.




Dennis