Comments solicited by HDTV newbie on these (basic) stats for a TV
 

These are the basic stats for a (budget) TV that I'm considering
buying. Can anyone take the time to comment on their value? If it
helps, this will be my first widescreen, flat panel and/or HD TV, and
I am buying on a budget, so I'm not considering TVs with better stats
but double the price tag. This is for a TV I'm thinking of paying $550
for.

# 32" WXGA LCD (1366 x 768)
# Response Speed 8 [ms]
# Contrast Ratio 1000 : 1
# Brightness 420 [cd/m2]
# Horizontal / Vertical Viewing Angles 170 [°] / 170 [°]
# Built-in ATSC/NTSC Tuner

My thoughts: the stats all seem adequate for my "low-end" usages
(mostly watching SD DVDs, playing SD console games {e.g. the original
XBOX}, and perhaps, eventually, connecting an Apple TV). The one piece
that I'm concerned about is contrast ratio, and that's only because
other TVs in the brick&mortar in which I viewed this had higher ones
at similar pricepoints, and one site that I found in my research (yes
I've done *some* of my own research) called this ratio standard for
cheap LCDs.

What're your thoughts? Many thanks in advance for people's sharing of
their expertise.

-Brendon

Disclosu this is a reformatted repost of an earlier thread that
didn't get much attention for myriad possible reasons. My apologies.
If you want to see that thread or get more info about the specific TV
model for some reason, check he http://tinyurl.com/yr4p3e (google
groups link).

Comments solicited by HDTV newbie on these (basic) stats for a TV
 

On Jun 21, 1:15 pm, Brendon Troy wrote:
These are the basic stats for a (budget) TV that I'm considering
buying. Can anyone take the time to comment on their value? If it
helps, this will be my first widescreen, flat panel and/or HD TV, and
I am buying on a budget, so I'm not considering TVs with better stats
but double the price tag. This is for a TV I'm thinking of paying $550
for.

# 32" WXGA LCD (1366 x 768)
# Response Speed 8 [ms]
# Contrast Ratio 1000 : 1
# Brightness 420 [cd/m2]
# Horizontal / Vertical Viewing Angles 170 [°] / 170 [°]
# Built-in ATSC/NTSC Tuner



I would be concerned by the lack of HDMI inputs.

Comments solicited by HDTV newbie on these (basic) stats for a TV
 

On Jun 21, 1:19 pm, TerryinDTW wrote:
I would be concerned by the lack of HDMI inputs.

Thanks for your reply, Terry. I didn't think to summarize the inputs
(newbie) ... they a

# Video/S-Video, Audio L+R 2 [set]
# Component, Audio L+R 2 [set]
# HDMI, Audio L+R 1 [set]
# RF Input 1 [set]

So it does have HDMI, right? (goes to read up about HDTV inputs ...)

-Brendon

Comments solicited by HDTV newbie on these (basic) stats for a TV
 

"Brendon Troy" wrote in message
oups.com...
On Jun 21, 1:19 pm, TerryinDTW wrote:
I would be concerned by the lack of HDMI inputs.

Thanks for your reply, Terry. I didn't think to summarize the inputs
(newbie) ... they a

# Video/S-Video, Audio L+R 2 [set]
# Component, Audio L+R 2 [set]
# HDMI, Audio L+R 1 [set]
# RF Input 1 [set]

Think of the input this way: You probably have a
VCR
DVD
cable STB
xbox
ps2
computer

How are you going to hook all these up?

Connections are important, and you might as well ignore the s-video and
composite since they look terrible on an HDTV (and pretty bad on SDTV, too).
You can get an AV receiver that will do video switching for you, but that is
an added expense that you may not want. If you can, spend a little more for
more connections.

steveo

Comments solicited by HDTV newbie on these (basic) stats for a TV
 

In article .com, Brendon Troy wrote:
These are the basic stats for a (budget) TV that I'm considering
buying. Can anyone take the time to comment on their value? If it
helps, this will be my first widescreen, flat panel and/or HD TV, and
I am buying on a budget, so I'm not considering TVs with better stats
but double the price tag. This is for a TV I'm thinking of paying $550
for.

# 32" WXGA LCD (1366 x 768)
# Response Speed 8 [ms]
# Contrast Ratio 1000 : 1
# Brightness 420 [cd/m2]
# Horizontal / Vertical Viewing Angles 170 [=B0] / 170 [=B0]
# Built-in ATSC/NTSC Tuner

It's really hard to accurately gauge much from these stats, or
really most any popular stats, though I might be given to pause by
the contrast ratio. I have a 3 yr old rear-proj LCD and yes, I
would prefer a higher contrast ratio than it gives as many dark
scenes on DVD's are muddied and undiscernable.

You might do better to state the model name to solicit direct
feedback on that model and manf. And check avsforum.com as well as
less fanatical sites (epinions, amazon, etc).

Comments solicited by HDTV newbie on these (basic) stats for a TV
 

On Jun 21, 3:04 pm, "steveo" wrote:
"Brendon Troy" wrote in message

oups.com...

On Jun 21, 1:19 pm, TerryinDTW wrote:
I would be concerned by the lack of HDMI inputs.

Thanks for your reply, Terry. I didn't think to summarize the inputs
(newbie) ... they a

# Video/S-Video, Audio L+R 2 [set]
# Component, Audio L+R 2 [set]
# HDMI, Audio L+R 1 [set]
# RF Input 1 [set]

Think of the input this way: You probably have a
VCR
DVD
cable STB
xbox
ps2
computer

How are you going to hook all these up?

Connections are important, and you might as well ignore the s-video and
composite since they look terrible on an HDTV (and pretty bad on SDTV, too).
You can get an AV receiver that will do video switching for you, but that is
an added expense that you may not want. If you can, spend a little more for
more connections.

steveo

Except that he can't ignore the S-video and composite connections if
he has the components you mention. For instance, the VCR will not
output anything higher than S-video if it even has that (some only
have composite and mono audio, like my father-in-law's). The PS2 only
comes with composite as well, you have to buy a separate cable to get
anything higher than that (but he only said he had an xbox). The cable
STB is only going to give you S-video or composite unless he upgrades
to the HD box and service (which he doesn't really intend to do, I
assume). If its only SD content from the cable that's the best you're
going to get anyway.

All you're left with is the xbox, computer, and DVD player. These give
you component (for the DVD player and xbox) and if he wants to hook up
a computer, he can use the HDMI through a DVI connector. I doubt he
will do that though since he mentioned his intended use, and it didn't
include a computer.

My suggestion is go with a Vizio at Wal-mart (it seems to better with
the SD content that gets put on those sets sometimes than the others)
since it is the cheapest of those that they sell. You get a couple of
HDMI ports and a couple of component connections, with enough of the
others for whatever else you have. Also, get a component cable for the
xbox, I got an extra one on ebay for $6 shipped. This will give you HD
out of the xbox (be sure to set it up in the dashboard) and hook up
the DVD player with component also.
Component cables (and HDMI also) are cheap from monoprice.com (decent
quality too, I have a set), don't waste money on expensive cables for
any device.

Comments solicited by HDTV newbie on these (basic) stats for a TV
 

On Jun 22, 9:13 am, Doug wrote:
On Jun 21, 3:04 pm, "steveo" wrote:
Connections are important, and you might as well ignore the s-video and
composite since they look terrible on an HDTV (and pretty bad on SDTV, too).
You can get an AV receiver that will do video switching for you, but that is
an added expense that you may not want. If you can, spend a little more for
more connections.

Except that he can't ignore the S-video and composite connections if
he has the components you mention.
snip

My suggestion is go with a Vizio at Wal-mart (it seems to better with
the SD content that gets put on those sets sometimes than the others)
snip

Wow, thank you both for your advice ... it's correct that (for the
foreseeable future), I'll only have the XBOX (connected via a new
cable that I'll get) and OTA antenna hooked up to this thing, with the
iTV or whatever it's called coming soon enough.

I actually just was looking at the 32" Vizio at WalMart last night.
It's a bit more (and, sadly, a difference of ~75 or 100 bucks really
does matter to me), and I was worried about the brand name, but
perhaps I'll look more into it on your advice. Thanks again, both of
you.

-Brendon

Comments solicited by HDTV newbie on these (basic) stats for a TV
 

On Jun 22, 10:03 am, Brendon Troy wrote:
On Jun 22, 9:13 am, Doug wrote: On Jun 21, 3:04 pm, "steveo" wrote:
Connections are important, and you might as well ignore the s-video and
composite since they look terrible on an HDTV (and pretty bad on SDTV, too).
You can get an AV receiver that will do video switching for you, but that is
an added expense that you may not want. If you can, spend a little more for
more connections.

Except that he can't ignore the S-video and composite connections if
he has the components you mention.
snip

My suggestion is go with a Vizio at Wal-mart (it seems to better with
the SD content that gets put on those sets sometimes than the others)

snip

Wow, thank you both for your advice ... it's correct that (for the
foreseeable future), I'll only have the XBOX (connected via a new
cable that I'll get) and OTA antenna hooked up to this thing, with the
iTV or whatever it's called coming soon enough.

I actually just was looking at the 32" Vizio at WalMart last night.
It's a bit more (and, sadly, a difference of ~75 or 100 bucks really
does matter to me), and I was worried about the brand name, but
perhaps I'll look more into it on your advice. Thanks again, both of
you.

-Brendon

Make sure that the one you get comes with a Digital tuner. I have not
seen many cheaper than the Vizio that do. Check carefully on those at
Big Lots, since they have a tendency to have errors or a lack of
information. If it says HD monitor anywhere on it, it does not have a
digital tuner (or any tuner for that matter). Any 32" that is sold
should (must) have a digital (ATSC) tuner if it has any tuner in it.
I think you will find that the cheaper you go with an LCD, the worse
the SD content looks on it. OTA digital stations will look good, but
analog broadcasts will be really fuzzy.
You mentioned 75 or 100 bucks, but the 32" vizio comes up at $597,
less than $50 more than the $550 you stated. I understand your price
concerns, so I would suggest wait a month or so more for the price to
drop again. Or look for one on clearance at Wal-mart.

Comments solicited by HDTV newbie on these (basic) stats fora TV
 

Doug wrote:

On Jun 22, 10:03 am, Brendon Troy wrote:

On Jun 22, 9:13 am, Doug wrote: On Jun 21, 3:04 pm, "steveo" wrote:

Connections are important, and you might as well ignore the s-video and
composite since they look terrible on an HDTV (and pretty bad on SDTV, too).
You can get an AV receiver that will do video switching for you, but that is
an added expense that you may not want. If you can, spend a little more for
more connections.

Except that he can't ignore the S-video and composite connections if
he has the components you mention.

snip

My suggestion is go with a Vizio at Wal-mart (it seems to better with
the SD content that gets put on those sets sometimes than the others)

snip

Wow, thank you both for your advice ... it's correct that (for the
foreseeable future), I'll only have the XBOX (connected via a new
cable that I'll get) and OTA antenna hooked up to this thing, with the
iTV or whatever it's called coming soon enough.

I actually just was looking at the 32" Vizio at WalMart last night.
It's a bit more (and, sadly, a difference of ~75 or 100 bucks really
does matter to me), and I was worried about the brand name, but
perhaps I'll look more into it on your advice. Thanks again, both of
you.

-Brendon


Make sure that the one you get comes with a Digital tuner. I have not
seen many cheaper than the Vizio that do. Check carefully on those at
Big Lots, since they have a tendency to have errors or a lack of
information. If it says HD monitor anywhere on it, it does not have a
digital tuner (or any tuner for that matter). Any 32" that is sold
should (must) have a digital (ATSC) tuner if it has any tuner in it.
I think you will find that the cheaper you go with an LCD, the worse
the SD content looks on it. OTA digital stations will look good, but
analog broadcasts will be really fuzzy.
You mentioned 75 or 100 bucks, but the 32" vizio comes up at $597,
less than $50 more than the $550 you stated. I understand your price
concerns, so I would suggest wait a month or so more for the price to
drop again. Or look for one on clearance at Wal-mart.


i'll add my vote to the current 32" Vizio LCD

i do NOT understand why people spend hundreds
of dollars more for supposedly "higher end" 32"
flat screen TVs (Sony et al); afaik the real
options seem to show up on the 37" (and larger)
units

fwiw, i suspect that slightly cheaper 32" flat
screens don't have the value that the Vizio does,
but don't know that for sure

to the OP: good luck whatever you do

bill

Comments solicited by HDTV newbie on these (basic) stats for a TV
 

On Jun 22, 10:30 am, Doug wrote:
Make sure that the one you get comes with a Digital tuner.

Point well taken. One slight concern of mine is that the TV I
originally had in mind (which btw is now on sale at BJ's for $500 even
+ tax) has Amazon's "no digital tuner" warning on its page (http://
tinyurl.com/2efh9h), despite it stats there and elsewhere listing dual
(ATSC/NTSC) tuners for it. Think Amazon just goofed? Should I be
concerned?

Thanks for all of your comments, by the way, everyone. I really do
appreciate it. Even though the picture looks good on the Sylvania, and
it's $100 less than the Vizio, I think I'm going to wait a few weeks
and see what crops up at the (presumed) 4th of July sales.

I really appreciate the group's help and will continue to welcome
comments.

-Brendon

Comments solicited by HDTV newbie on these (basic) stats for a TV
 

In article . com, Brendon Troy wrote:
On Jun 22, 10:30 am, Doug wrote:
Make sure that the one you get comes with a Digital tuner.

Point well taken. One slight concern of mine is that the TV I
originally had in mind (which btw is now on sale at BJ's for $500 even
+ tax) has Amazon's "no digital tuner" warning on its page (http://
tinyurl.com/2efh9h), despite it stats there and elsewhere listing dual
(ATSC/NTSC) tuners for it. Think Amazon just goofed? Should I be
concerned?

Could be. Another thing to look for is QAM. That's the digital
transmission std for cable. With it, you can receive digital (HD
and SD) on your cable without a cable box. You'll be limited to
what they don't scramble, usually just the networks, but sometimes a
few others. So, if you want to cheap-out, you can just get basic
"lifeline" cable and still enjoy HD over the cable :-)

Comments solicited by HDTV newbie on these (basic) stats for a TV
 

Fathers Day weekend, I went to Sears and they have a 32" VIZIO LCD
HDTV with built in analog/digital tuner for $569.99, regular $599.99
I purchased it. COSTCO has the same model also for $599.99. These
are the newer model.

I hooked it up, put my regular analog antennae on the input, did an
auto scan, and I was very pleasantly shocked that my regular antennae
picked up every local digital channel. HD is awsome.
2 HDI inputs etc.. see

http://www.vizio.com/products/detail.aspx?pid=18

Great HD for resonable price.
YB

On Jun 22, 1:55 pm, (Dave) wrote:
In article . com, Brendon Troy wrote:

On Jun 22, 10:30 am, Doug wrote:
Make sure that the one you get comes with a Digital tuner.

Point well taken. One slight concern of mine is that the TV I
originally had in mind (which btw is now on sale at BJ's for $500 even
+ tax) has Amazon's "no digital tuner" warning on its page (http://
tinyurl.com/2efh9h), despite it stats there and elsewhere listing dual
(ATSC/NTSC) tuners for it. Think Amazon just goofed? Should I be
concerned?

Could be. Another thing to look for is QAM. That's the digital
transmission std for cable. With it, you can receive digital (HD
and SD) on your cable without a cable box. You'll be limited to
what they don't scramble, usually just the networks, but sometimes a
few others. So, if you want to cheap-out, you can just get basic
"lifeline" cable and still enjoy HD over the cable :-)

Comments solicited by HDTV newbie on these (basic) stats for a TV
 

On Thu, 28 Jun 2007 21:47:02 -0700, Yellowbeard wrote:

I hooked it up, put my regular analog antennae on the input, did an
auto scan, and I was very pleasantly shocked that my regular antennae
picked up every local digital channel. HD is awsome.
2 HDI inputs etc.. see

There's no such thing as an HDTV antenna. ATSC and NTSC both use the same
channel frequencies. Just like marketing BS in computers, it's just
marketing BS. Once one company started using it, others had to follow.

--
Want the ultimate in free OTA SD/HDTV Recorder? http://mythtv.org
http://mysettopbox.tv/knoppmyth.html Usenet alt.video.ptv.mythtv
My server http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/cpu.php
HD Tivo S3 compared http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/mythtivo.htm

Comments solicited by HDTV newbie on these (basic) stats for a TV
 

On Thu, 28 Jun 2007 21:47:02 -0700 Yellowbeard wrote:

| Fathers Day weekend, I went to Sears and they have a 32" VIZIO LCD
| HDTV with built in analog/digital tuner for $569.99, regular $599.99
| I purchased it. COSTCO has the same model also for $599.99. These
| are the newer model.
|
| I hooked it up, put my regular analog antennae on the input, did an
| auto scan, and I was very pleasantly shocked that my regular antennae
| picked up every local digital channel. HD is awsome.
| 2 HDI inputs etc.. see
|
| http://www.vizio.com/products/detail.aspx?pid=18
|
| Great HD for resonable price.

That's great. But I would like to have an _objective_ comparison of
the quality of ATSC/8VSB tuners in a variety of sets to choose from.
This should include things like weak signal performance as well as
interference from reflections, impulse noise, and strong signals just
outside the channel.

All the stores won't even hook up an outside antenna to even see what
the tuner will do. The sales people give some creative excuses for
why. In one store I could not get the sales person to go outside
with me for me to show him that we could visually see the top of the
tower for one local station, after he told me they couldn't get any
TV signals from the roof. I guess I should have mentioned that the
tower was visible only after we went outside. OTOH, it seems they are
way way underpaying sales people in these stores. At least a sales
person with more professional experience could have come up with a
better story.

--
|---------------------------------------/----------------------------------|
| Phil Howard KA9WGN (ka9wgn.ham.org) / Do not send to the address below |
| first name lower case at ipal.net / |
|------------------------------------/-------------------------------------|

Comments solicited by HDTV newbie on these (basic) stats for a TV
 

On Fri, 29 Jun 2007 09:09:30 GMT Wes Newell wrote:
| On Thu, 28 Jun 2007 21:47:02 -0700, Yellowbeard wrote:
|
| I hooked it up, put my regular analog antennae on the input, did an
| auto scan, and I was very pleasantly shocked that my regular antennae
| picked up every local digital channel. HD is awsome.
| 2 HDI inputs etc.. see
|
| There's no such thing as an HDTV antenna. ATSC and NTSC both use the same
| channel frequencies. Just like marketing BS in computers, it's just
| marketing BS. Once one company started using it, others had to follow.

OTOH, when there is a sticker put on an antenna that says "HDTV compatible",
it can help the more illiterate of society (that's most of it) who really
don't know that HDTV is on the same frequencies (although on a station by
station basis, there is some channel jumping).

I'm sure there are a few people asking "Why the hell are you trying to sell
me a UHF antenna to pick up channels 2 and 4? 2 and 4 are VHF low band."

Unfortunately, there is a lot of confusion on BOTH sides.

--
|---------------------------------------/----------------------------------|
| Phil Howard KA9WGN (ka9wgn.ham.org) / Do not send to the address below |
| first name lower case at ipal.net / |
|------------------------------------/-------------------------------------|

Comments solicited by HDTV newbie on these (basic) stats for a TV
 

When I was looking at the VIZIO both at COSTCO and SEARS they both
have the "in house" feed with their ads and demo video.
COSTCO actually had a couple of screens that have like---- HDTV easy
as 1 2 3-
1-buy it 2-subscribe to HD programming 3-enjoy it
I have had Dishnetwork for 8 years. My local current over air HD is
great for now.
If I get the HD package it is an aditional $20 a month for 32 channels
in HD.

I watched the NBC coverage of the golf tournament with my over air
antennae. The 1080i HD was very good. It looked like you could count
the blades of grass, or grains of sand.... I also noticed that it
appeared NBC used analog as well as digital cameras to cover the
course. Some shots out on the course were lower resolution- kind of
out of focus looking and not as clear. While other shots were almost
shockingly clear, crisp and sharp.
YB

On Jun 29, 5:50 am, wrote:
On Fri, 29 Jun 2007 09:09:30 GMT Wes Newell wrote:
| On Thu, 28 Jun 2007 21:47:02 -0700, Yellowbeard wrote:
|
| I hooked it up, put my regular analog antennae on the input, did an
| auto scan, and I was very pleasantly shocked that my regular antennae
| picked up every local digital channel. HD is awsome.
| 2 HDI inputs etc.. see
|
| There's no such thing as an HDTV antenna. ATSC and NTSC both use the same
| channel frequencies. Just like marketing BS in computers, it's just
| marketing BS. Once one company started using it, others had to follow.

OTOH, when there is a sticker put on an antenna that says "HDTV compatible",
it can help the more illiterate of society (that's most of it) who really
don't know that HDTV is on the same frequencies (although on a station by
station basis, there is some channel jumping).

I'm sure there are a few people asking "Why the hell are you trying to sell
me a UHF antenna to pick up channels 2 and 4? 2 and 4 are VHF low band."

Unfortunately, there is a lot of confusion on BOTH sides.

--
|---------------------------------------/----------------------------------*|
| Phil Howard KA9WGN (ka9wgn.ham.org) / Do not send to the address below |
| first name lower case at ipal.net / |
|------------------------------------/-------------------------------------*|

Comments solicited by HDTV newbie on these (basic) stats for a TV
 

I'm curious if these mafia outfits in 2009 will actually degrade the
HDTV channels if you don't pay them $20 a month for receiving HD.

I think I've noticed that a few HD channels are starting to show up
without an extra fee added on for HD, but couldn't guarantee that as
I'm only OTA right now.







On Fri, 29 Jun 2007 09:54:02 -0700, Yellowbeard
wrote:

When I was looking at the VIZIO both at COSTCO and SEARS they both
have the "in house" feed with their ads and demo video.
COSTCO actually had a couple of screens that have like---- HDTV easy
as 1 2 3-
1-buy it 2-subscribe to HD programming 3-enjoy it
I have had Dishnetwork for 8 years. My local current over air HD is
great for now.
If I get the HD package it is an aditional $20 a month for 32 channels
in HD.

I watched the NBC coverage of the golf tournament with my over air
antennae. The 1080i HD was very good. It looked like you could count
the blades of grass, or grains of sand.... I also noticed that it
appeared NBC used analog as well as digital cameras to cover the
course. Some shots out on the course were lower resolution- kind of
out of focus looking and not as clear. While other shots were almost
shockingly clear, crisp and sharp.
YB

On Jun 29, 5:50 am, wrote:
On Fri, 29 Jun 2007 09:09:30 GMT Wes Newell wrote:
| On Thu, 28 Jun 2007 21:47:02 -0700, Yellowbeard wrote:
|
| I hooked it up, put my regular analog antennae on the input, did an
| auto scan, and I was very pleasantly shocked that my regular antennae
| picked up every local digital channel. HD is awsome.
| 2 HDI inputs etc.. see
|
| There's no such thing as an HDTV antenna. ATSC and NTSC both use the same
| channel frequencies. Just like marketing BS in computers, it's just
| marketing BS. Once one company started using it, others had to follow.

OTOH, when there is a sticker put on an antenna that says "HDTV compatible",
it can help the more illiterate of society (that's most of it) who really
don't know that HDTV is on the same frequencies (although on a station by
station basis, there is some channel jumping).

I'm sure there are a few people asking "Why the hell are you trying to sell
me a UHF antenna to pick up channels 2 and 4? 2 and 4 are VHF low band."

Unfortunately, there is a lot of confusion on BOTH sides.

--
|---------------------------------------/----------------------------------*|
| Phil Howard KA9WGN (ka9wgn.ham.org) / Do not send to the address below |
| first name lower case at ipal.net / |
|------------------------------------/-------------------------------------*|