Is HDTV worth the price?
 

How are the HDTV's? I heard that sometimes the basic channels are less
clear than a regular TV. I've even heard that a regular TV is actually the
best buy (over HDTV's). Is this true? Also, I heard the installation costs
are extremely high. About how much is that?

A magazine (Consumer Reports?) gave a pretty bad review on them. Basically
I'm wondering whether the HDTV's are worth buying right now, or would it be
better to wait?


Thanks, Brad

On Sat, 27 Nov 2004 20:57:13 GMT, "Bradley Burton"
wrote:

How are the HDTV's? I heard that sometimes the basic channels are less
clear than a regular TV. I've even heard that a regular TV is actually the
best buy (over HDTV's). Is this true? Also, I heard the installation costs
are extremely high. About how much is that?

A magazine (Consumer Reports?) gave a pretty bad review on them. Basically
I'm wondering whether the HDTV's are worth buying right now, or would it be
better to wait?


Wait for what? This isn't a dress rehearsal.
Thumper

Thanks, Brad


To reply drop XYZ in address

Brynk wrote:
Depends on the price probably

I got a 56" DLP HDTV for $2000. If I had to spend $7-9000 for a
Plasma, it wouldn't be worth it.

I won't have an HDTV signal til DirecTV HDTVTivo box comes down in
price ($999 - anyone know why it's so high?)

Because people like me are gladly handing over the cash to own one. It's
probably the best part of my home theater. I got mine for $980, but probably
would have paid twice that to get a hold of one.

It's also priced like that because of everything it does. OTA HDTV receiver
with two tuners, HDTV satellite receiver with two tuners, and PVR
functionality. Try building a computer that can record two separate HD
feeds, play back a third, and comes with a remote control. You'll pay a hell
of a lot more than $999.

snip

--
tooloud
Remove nothing to reply...

From what you say it's reasonable and not likely to come down

I heard something about .......a licensing dispute or something that runs
til next April...prices could then drop
However this is hardly a reliable story

I can live w/out the HDTV signal, but would not want to be w/out Tivo.

Barry


"tooloud" wrote in message
...
Brynk wrote:
Depends on the price probably

I got a 56" DLP HDTV for $2000. If I had to spend $7-9000 for a
Plasma, it wouldn't be worth it.

I won't have an HDTV signal til DirecTV HDTVTivo box comes down in
price ($999 - anyone know why it's so high?)

Because people like me are gladly handing over the cash to own one. It's
probably the best part of my home theater. I got mine for $980, but
probably would have paid twice that to get a hold of one.

It's also priced like that because of everything it does. OTA HDTV
receiver with two tuners, HDTV satellite receiver with two tuners, and PVR
functionality. Try building a computer that can record two separate HD
feeds, play back a third, and comes with a remote control. You'll pay a
hell of a lot more than $999.

snip

--
tooloud
Remove nothing to reply...

Bradley Burton wrote:

How are the HDTV's?

If you like live Professional Sports or Stunning Nature shows,
Getting a HDTV now, even for the timid, is OK IF
you live in a locale which offers HD Programming & you have
a $1000 bucks to spend...



I heard that sometimes the basic channels are less
clear than a regular TV.

When you pass a grainy or Poor Analog signal thru a
Digital HDTV you will get a worst picture.. true...

When you pass a nice clear Analog signal thru a
Digital HDTV with 'Good Guts' your picture will be
very good! A poor Analog Signal thru Good HD guts
still makes for a poor resulting picture...


I've even heard that a regular TV is actually the
best buy (over HDTV's). Is this true?

IF you wish to miss all the Current HDTV Programming today,
yes, you can save money by sticking to a 4:3 Analog TV....



Also, I heard the installation costs
are extremely high. About how much is that?

In many cases a delivery cost of a 'heavier HD set) is $50...
And you may have to pay for Digital Tuner ($200), UHF
antenna ($25), OR added HD Cable Service ($20 per mo), OR
Dish / Satellite Service ($50/mo)....



A magazine (Consumer Reports?) gave a pretty bad review on them. Basically
I'm wondering whether the HDTV's are worth buying right now, or would it be
better to wait?

I read/receive Consumers Report.... I think they (CR) scare
more potential HDTV owners who are uninformed into
taking a wait & see buy situation... THey don't give
a fully complete story on the state of HDTV... It has
been in transition for 5.5 years now.... and IF
live in a Community that has either Local or Cable
HD on 4 or more networks, BUY...... THere are
basically 7 HD National Networks plus 10 or more
HD independently run channels....



Thanks, Brad

On Sat, 27 Nov 2004, Bradley Burton wrote:
How are the HDTV's? I heard that sometimes the basic channels are less
clear than a regular TV. I've even heard that a regular TV is actually the
best buy (over HDTV's). Is this true? Also, I heard the installation costs
are extremely high. About how much is that?

A magazine (Consumer Reports?) gave a pretty bad review on them. Basically
I'm wondering whether the HDTV's are worth buying right now, or would it be
better to wait?

I was coming from poor analog reception about 40-50 miles out with
interference, if not snow on every channel (cable got too expensive for me
in 1995, when I figured DVD rentals were cheaper). So I got an OTA
digital set top box first to make sure I could get reception. Even
digitally broadcast SD channels were much better than analog (no snow or
interference), but widescreen broadcasts were scrunched on a 4:3 screen.

Many of the CRT TVs do not seem sharp enough and/or have screen
reflections (no anti-glare coating). While window shopping for TVs
costing thousands of dollars, I jumped on a 27" LCD for under $1200.
Maybe not optimum for a large family, but larger vertically than my old
20" 4:3 CRT TV and much wider. I would have liked a 42-43" LCD RPTV, but
those were at least double the money. When I can afford something bigger
(or prices come down), the LCD can become a bedroom TV (or PC monitor).
I also got an up converting DVD player and at 720p on DVI, it is
noticeably sharper with more uniform colors than progressive 480p on
component cables (maybe because optimized for my 1280x720 LCD).

If you need a TV there are many bargains on 4:3 TVs. And you can get an
over the air digital tuner that can display on any TV better than many
people with poor reception can imagine. But that will just make you long
for the widescreen you wish you had.

On Sat, 27 Nov 2004 21:20:04 GMT, "Phil Ross"
wrote:

This is a very subjective topic. I sunk 8 grand into a plasma HDTV, which I
use strictly for OTA viewing (and for DVDs, which aren't HD), and it is
worth it to me. Some folks would consider me crazy, but it was my money, and
I ain't complaining.

Look around and see what is out there, and if it is worth it to you, you
will know when to make your move. Otherwise, wait until it is.

Phil


If I had the 8 grand, I'd buy one too ;)

however....

Harri85274 wrote in message ...
Once your eyes get use to watching hdtv, it looks just like digital which is
pretty good in itself. To me its not worth the money. Wait until 2006 when the
country is suppose to stop transmitting analog and go full speed ahead with
hdtv.


Yours is a common misunderstanding.

The FCC has not mandated HDTV.

The FCC has mandated Digital TV,
which includes Standard Definition TV.

There is NO entitlement to HDTV.

"Bradley Burton" wrote in message news:[email protected]_s03...
Thank you for the responses. I have one more question if you don't mind.
Will TIVO record TV programs that are broadcast in HDTV (I know they can't
record them in HDTV format, but can TIVO record them at all?) Basically,
I'm wondering if TIVO is defunct when it comes to HD broadcasts.

Thank you,
Brad


Brad,

No TiVO can not record HD. There's really no way to downgrade an HD
sig to SD without getting some strange screen artifacts... There are
HD DVR products on the market now, they are rather expensive to own.