First time HDTV buyer confused and needs help

"deadendDan" wrote in message
.. .

"Robert A. Cunningham" wrote in message
...

"newshead" wrote in message
news:[email protected]

wrote in message
...
Hi All,

I thought I knew what I wanted. Now I am not so sure.

Currently I have a 27" Magnovox as my main TV(It seems big enough for
my wife's and my needs), but since we got a Wii and prices have
started coming down I am becoming more interested in purchasing an
HDTV.

I have $1000 to spend(maybe a little more).

Here are my questions

Should I go with plasma(saw a panasonic 40" for $900), or LCD?
I definitely know I don't know 1080p
and finally 37" vs 40". Having a 27", 37" will probably seem like a
huge upgrade and it's far less expensive. But, if 40" is that much
more I wouldn't mind spending a $100 on that.

Thanks

CRT is still the best for speed and color and image quality.
Plasma and DLP-Projector is second best for speed and color and image
quality.
LCD is the worst for color and speed and image quality.
Don't buy Sony TV's


Obviously, you must not think much of Consumer Reports, since they rated
Sony as number one in 52" and 46-47" LCDs, number one and two in 32"
LCDS, and number two in 40-42" LCD TVs. Only one make of TV that has a
lower repair rate than Sony (Panasonic has a repair rate of 2% vs Sony's
3%). In addition, Consumer Reports has ratings on eight of Sony's models.
All eight Sonys received excellent ratings for both HD and SD picture
quality, and seven of the eight models received an excellent rating for
DVD picture quality (KDL-46s3000 only received a very good rating).
Finally, in regard to your statement that "LCD is the worst for color and
speed and image quality," even the lowest rated Sony (of the 8 Sony
models listed) received a higher overall score than 16 of the 29 Plasma
TVs that were tested in the March 08 issue of Consumer Reports.

So, your disdain for Sony is not shared by Consumer Reports, an
organization that has been objectively testing and reporting on consumer
products since 1936.


You know, I appreciate where you are coming from. I too like to peruse
reviews and consumer ratings and reports etc. But to be honest, I go to
the store and my 'visual' experience does not always jive with what I
read. One thing about HDTV is that one has to consider the source input
and I understand that. But when all the TV's in the store are showing the
same thing, no matter how it is canned....my eyes just can't tell much
difference...nothing like the articles seem to imply...they ALL look
great!!! SHEESE!!! I mean I never had such a hard decision to make. As
soon as I make up my mind...here comes another expert opinion to tell me
how I"m so 'wrong'. Sony's sure look good on paper and in the reviews.
But I have to admit, that gray plastic isn't as rad as the spiffy new
shiny black ones [hehe].

Someone...pleeeeeze..help me. I have 2 grand burning a hole in my pocket.





Do some more homework and talk to people who have actually used the
products. Some good places to get advice are forums like Home Theater Shack.
Spend some time learning how to get the most out of your set, whatever you
get. Buy a calibration DVD and get what you can out of it and if you want
more get a professional to calibrate it.

Leonard

On Sat, 09 Feb 2008 08:42:29 +0000, blank wrote:

"Agent_C" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 08 Feb 2008 18:01:10 GMT, "newshead" wrote:

LCD is the worst for color and speed and image quality. Don't buy Sony
TV's

You have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.

A_C

CRT is still the best.

While I might tend to agree with you, I've give up the minor improvements
for the much cheaper electric bills and the ability to actually lift the
TV and place it in a location much smaller than the CRT TV. One person
wouldn't be able to lift and move a 37" CRT TV. I can do that easily with
an LCD 37" HDTV.



--
Want the ultimate in free OTA SD/HDTV Recorder? http://mythtv.org
My Tivo Experience http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/tivo.htm
Tivo HD/S3 compared http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/mythtivo.htm
AMD cpu help http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/cpu.php

On Sat, 09 Feb 2008 07:48:53 -0500, deadendDan wrote:

I am about to buy a Sony TV. Why should I not?

Because they are overpriced, but mainly because they are a company that
cannot be trusted. They support DRM to the max. Overall I'd say their
TV's are as good as anyone elses. Of course I'd say the same about any TV.

One guy told me to stay away from Westinghouse. Another RCA. Fella at
work swears LG is junk.
I was thinking Hitachi until someone told me to beware. Samsung has halo
problems. Panasonics have best and worst syndrome [one model
stinks...so why shouldn't they all?]. I think I'm just going to slit my
wrists and say **** it [probably not in that order].

With any major brand, you pay a lot extra for advertising. And that's not
limited to the actual ads. You're also paying for all their celebrity
sponsors and spokes people. Generic brands don't have megamillions in
that kind of overhead and can pass the savings to you. My opinion is that
one TV is as good as another and you should base your choice on features
and price period. As long as it's got a 1 year warranty (wouldn't buy one
with less) it should serve you well. Of course there's going to be some
lemmons in everyones basket. Just hope you don't get one.:-)


Google sony sponsors for a partial list of what you are paying for when
you buy a sony product.

--
Want the ultimate in free OTA SD/HDTV Recorder? http://mythtv.org
My Tivo Experience http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/tivo.htm
Tivo HD/S3 compared http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/mythtivo.htm
AMD cpu help http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/cpu.php

"deadendDan" wrote in message
.. .

"Robert A. Cunningham" wrote in message
...

"newshead" wrote in message
news:[email protected]

wrote in message
...
Hi All,

I thought I knew what I wanted. Now I am not so sure.

Currently I have a 27" Magnovox as my main TV(It seems big enough for
my wife's and my needs), but since we got a Wii and prices have
started coming down I am becoming more interested in purchasing an
HDTV.

I have $1000 to spend(maybe a little more).

Here are my questions

Should I go with plasma(saw a panasonic 40" for $900), or LCD?
I definitely know I don't know 1080p
and finally 37" vs 40". Having a 27", 37" will probably seem like a
huge upgrade and it's far less expensive. But, if 40" is that much
more I wouldn't mind spending a $100 on that.

Thanks

CRT is still the best for speed and color and image quality.
Plasma and DLP-Projector is second best for speed and color and image
quality.
LCD is the worst for color and speed and image quality.
Don't buy Sony TV's


Obviously, you must not think much of Consumer Reports, since they rated
Sony as number one in 52" and 46-47" LCDs, number one and two in 32"
LCDS, and number two in 40-42" LCD TVs. Only one make of TV that has a
lower repair rate than Sony (Panasonic has a repair rate of 2% vs Sony's
3%). In addition, Consumer Reports has ratings on eight of Sony's models.
All eight Sonys received excellent ratings for both HD and SD picture
quality, and seven of the eight models received an excellent rating for
DVD picture quality (KDL-46s3000 only received a very good rating).
Finally, in regard to your statement that "LCD is the worst for color and
speed and image quality," even the lowest rated Sony (of the 8 Sony
models listed) received a higher overall score than 16 of the 29 Plasma
TVs that were tested in the March 08 issue of Consumer Reports.

So, your disdain for Sony is not shared by Consumer Reports, an
organization that has been objectively testing and reporting on consumer
products since 1936.


You know, I appreciate where you are coming from. I too like to peruse
reviews and consumer ratings and reports etc. But to be honest, I go to
the store and my 'visual' experience does not always jive with what I
read. One thing about HDTV is that one has to consider the source input
and I understand that. But when all the TV's in the store are showing the
same thing, no matter how it is canned....my eyes just can't tell much
difference...nothing like the articles seem to imply...they ALL look
great!!! SHEESE!!! I mean I never had such a hard decision to make. As
soon as I make up my mind...here comes another expert opinion to tell me
how I"m so 'wrong'. Sony's sure look good on paper and in the reviews.
But I have to admit, that gray plastic isn't as rad as the spiffy new
shiny black ones [hehe].

Someone...pleeeeeze..help me. I have 2 grand burning a hole in my pocket.



Well, I have the KDL46XBR2, which has "that gray plastic," and you're
correct, in saying that "isn't as rad" the the black ones. However, I could
not justify spending an extra $300 for the black bezel, no matter how much
better it looked. My main concern was how the picture looked, and on that
subject, I could not be more pleased. The TV has performed flawlessly since
day 1 (May 07), and I have never regretted spending the extra money over the
other brands.

Now, as far as your statement, "my eyes just can't tell much difference..."
I would suggest when you go to your local TV store you just compare the
specific Sony model you are interested in to the nearest TV to it. Take
five minutes or so, get up close to the TV's and just pick the same subject
on each TV, something relatively small, but full of detail, and then just
glance back and forth at the two pictures, looking for any differences. I
have done that many times, including yesterday at Best Buy (I went there to
buy a new mouse) and IMHO, the Sony always comes out on top.

Robert A. Cunningham

On Sat, 9 Feb 2008 08:14:03 -0800, "Robert A. Cunningham"
wrote:
"deadendDan" wrote in message
....
But I have to admit, that gray plastic isn't as rad as the spiffy new
shiny black ones [hehe].
....
Well, I have the KDL46XBR2, which has "that gray plastic," and you're
correct, in saying that "isn't as rad" the the black ones.
....

I have actually improved the ergonomics of my "spiffy shiny black"
frame by fabricating my own grey frame in non-reflective material and
put it in front of the original.
Goodbye to the reflections
/Jan

"Wes Newell" wrote in message
news:[email protected]
On Sat, 09 Feb 2008 07:48:53 -0500, deadendDan wrote:

I am about to buy a Sony TV. Why should I not?

Because they are overpriced, but mainly because they are a company that
cannot be trusted. They support DRM to the max. Overall I'd say their
TV's are as good as anyone elses. Of course I'd say the same about any TV.

One guy told me to stay away from Westinghouse. Another RCA. Fella at
work swears LG is junk.
I was thinking Hitachi until someone told me to beware. Samsung has halo
problems. Panasonics have best and worst syndrome [one model
stinks...so why shouldn't they all?]. I think I'm just going to slit my
wrists and say **** it [probably not in that order].

With any major brand, you pay a lot extra for advertising. And that's not
limited to the actual ads. You're also paying for all their celebrity
sponsors and spokes people. Generic brands don't have megamillions in
that kind of overhead and can pass the savings to you. My opinion is that
one TV is as good as another and you should base your choice on features
and price period. As long as it's got a 1 year warranty (wouldn't buy one
with less) it should serve you well. Of course there's going to be some
lemmons in everyones basket. Just hope you don't get one.:-)


Google sony sponsors for a partial list of what you are paying for when
you buy a sony product.

Now this is down to earth good common sense I think. Wes Newell...that name
rings a bell. I remember someone by that name helping newbie knotheads like
myself in other technology NGs over the years.

I'm agonizing over this decision 'cuz it's a lot of money for me. Yet, I
realize that once in the house and setup, all the bells and whistles will
dissolve into watching the nightly news night after night. I used to play
with my surround sound system for example...but all the tweaking and
twiddling got old and I realized I was just as happy with 5.1 speaker
'stereo', ha; so that's pretty much how it stays now. Simple ain't always
better....but it remains 'simple'. The one thing that I think WILL make a
difference however is size [my wife keeps telling me that anyway, ha (sic)].

This is ridiculous. My brain just flipflopped again. I 'had' decided to
buy Sony...but they're so out of stock. So now I'm convinced Samsung is the
way to go [but halos are already playing around my head]. Three days ago, I
had 'decided' a smaller plasma was the way to go. Every day now, I 'decide'
again. This is the way I am...research and study and research and study
until I get into this stupor...and then I end up just playing 'eenie,
meenie, minnie, moe'.

"deadendDan" wrote in message
.. .

"Robert A. Cunningham" wrote in message
...

"newshead" wrote in message
news:[email protected]

wrote in message
...
Hi All,

I thought I knew what I wanted. Now I am not so sure.

Currently I have a 27" Magnovox as my main TV(It seems big enough for
my wife's and my needs), but since we got a Wii and prices have
started coming down I am becoming more interested in purchasing an
HDTV.

I have $1000 to spend(maybe a little more).

Here are my questions

Should I go with plasma(saw a panasonic 40" for $900), or LCD?
I definitely know I don't know 1080p
and finally 37" vs 40". Having a 27", 37" will probably seem like a
huge upgrade and it's far less expensive. But, if 40" is that much
more I wouldn't mind spending a $100 on that.

Thanks

CRT is still the best for speed and color and image quality.
Plasma and DLP-Projector is second best for speed and color and image
quality.
LCD is the worst for color and speed and image quality.
Don't buy Sony TV's


Obviously, you must not think much of Consumer Reports, since they rated
Sony as number one in 52" and 46-47" LCDs, number one and two in 32"
LCDS, and number two in 40-42" LCD TVs. Only one make of TV that has a
lower repair rate than Sony (Panasonic has a repair rate of 2% vs Sony's
3%). In addition, Consumer Reports has ratings on eight of Sony's models.
All eight Sonys received excellent ratings for both HD and SD picture
quality, and seven of the eight models received an excellent rating for
DVD picture quality (KDL-46s3000 only received a very good rating).
Finally, in regard to your statement that "LCD is the worst for color and
speed and image quality," even the lowest rated Sony (of the 8 Sony
models listed) received a higher overall score than 16 of the 29 Plasma
TVs that were tested in the March 08 issue of Consumer Reports.

So, your disdain for Sony is not shared by Consumer Reports, an
organization that has been objectively testing and reporting on consumer
products since 1936.


You know, I appreciate where you are coming from. I too like to peruse
reviews and consumer ratings and reports etc. But to be honest, I go to
the store and my 'visual' experience does not always jive with what I
read. One thing about HDTV is that one has to consider the source input
and I understand that. But when all the TV's in the store are showing the
same thing, no matter how it is canned....my eyes just can't tell much
difference...nothing like the articles seem to imply...they ALL look
great!!! SHEESE!!! I mean I never had such a hard decision to make. As
soon as I make up my mind...here comes another expert opinion to tell me
how I"m so 'wrong'. Sony's sure look good on paper and in the reviews.
But I have to admit, that gray plastic isn't as rad as the spiffy new
shiny black ones [hehe].

Someone...pleeeeeze..help me. I have 2 grand burning a hole in my pocket.


They will all look the same so long as the whole scene is evenly
illuminated. Look for a scene where some of it is in the shade. I found that
on the better sets you can still see the detail, whereas on the cheaper sets
there is nothing discernable in the dark portions. Also, look for diagonal
lines and text. You do not want to see jagged edges on either one.

Tam

"deadendDan" wrote in message
. ..

"newshead" wrote in message
news:[email protected]

wrote in message
...
Hi All,

I thought I knew what I wanted. Now I am not so sure.

Currently I have a 27" Magnovox as my main TV(It seems big enough for
my wife's and my needs), but since we got a Wii and prices have
started coming down I am becoming more interested in purchasing an
HDTV.

I have $1000 to spend(maybe a little more).

Here are my questions

Should I go with plasma(saw a panasonic 40" for $900), or LCD?
I definitely know I don't know 1080p
and finally 37" vs 40". Having a 27", 37" will probably seem like a
huge upgrade and it's far less expensive. But, if 40" is that much
more I wouldn't mind spending a $100 on that.

Thanks

CRT is still the best for speed and color and image quality.
Plasma and DLP-Projector is second best for speed and color and image
quality.
LCD is the worst for color and speed and image quality.
Don't buy Sony TV's



I am about to buy a Sony TV. Why should I not?
One guy told me to stay away from Westinghouse. Another RCA. Fella at
work swears LG is junk. I was thinking Hitachi until someone told me to
beware. Samsung has halo problems. Panasonics have best and worst
syndrome [one model stinks...so why shouldn't they all?]. I think I'm
just going to slit my wrists and say **** it [probably not in that order].

Ha...all jest aside though...what have you heard about Sony that's so bad?
Save me from my purchase.



Conventional wisdom is to stick with the three Ss, Samsung, Sharp, Sony. I
have, however, seen low end Samsungs that suck.

Tam

"Roy Starrin" wrote

http://www.hdtvprimer.com/
http://hdguru.com/
http://www.hdtvsolutions.com/
http://www.consumersearch.com/www/el...dtv/index.html
http://www.cnet.com/hdtv-world/?tag=dir

Thanks for the links. I'm going to be buying soon and those sites are
great resources.

My 2 cents: Go with Sony. I've owned many, many electronic products,
gizmos and gadgets over the years and I've never been disappointed in
Sony. Heck, my 25 year old SuperBeta VCR still works as does my 24 year
old Sony stereo receiver/amp setup.

Sony is an innovator, others are followers, copy cats. Sony invented the
aperture grill CRT tube (Trinitron) videotaping (Betamax), CD's, the
Walkman, etc. Innovators typically lead the industry and are ahead of
the technology curve; other companies license out their patented
technology. While Sony may have had a leadership lull from the mid-90's
until recently, from what I've read they are the leaders in LCD TVs.

"Euphoric Orgasm" wrote in message
. ..
"Roy Starrin" wrote

http://www.hdtvprimer.com/
http://hdguru.com/
http://www.hdtvsolutions.com/
http://www.consumersearch.com/www/el...dtv/index.html
http://www.cnet.com/hdtv-world/?tag=dir

Thanks for the links. I'm going to be buying soon and those sites are
great resources.

My 2 cents: Go with Sony. I've owned many, many electronic products,
gizmos and gadgets over the years and I've never been disappointed in
Sony. Heck, my 25 year old SuperBeta VCR still works as does my 24 year
old Sony stereo receiver/amp setup.

Sony is an innovator, others are followers, copy cats. Sony invented the
aperture grill CRT tube (Trinitron) videotaping (Betamax), CD's, the
Walkman, etc. Innovators typically lead the industry and are ahead of the
technology curve; other companies license out their patented technology.
While Sony may have had a leadership lull from the mid-90's until
recently, from what I've read they are the leaders in LCD TVs.


IMO, this is really silly reasoning. First, Sony is not the same company
that it once was. Second, everyone makes dogs. Sony has. The reason to
get a Sony is if the product is a god value in the current market and has
proven to be solid with respect to repairs. Sony merits consideration like
everything else does. Just buying based on the impression of the comany can
be as big a mistake as using dice. Sony has some fine products. Buy them
for that reason but don't assume that just because it has the Sony name on
it you are getting something special.

Leonard