HDTV What do I need

[fish-fighting-illini]

Will be looking for my first HDTV and need to know what is good to have and what I don't need.

I have quite a few cable channels but won't be having an HDTV package.

I've heard that 720p is fine and that 1080pixels is overkill

What do I need LCD, DLP? How many inputs?

It will be going into a basement that is half above ground so has wall with sunlight. Average room probably going with min46"

Thanks in advance.

[burleytog]

Without the HD package, you're wasting your time and money.

Decently informative...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-definition_television

And while the 720 or 1080 does refer to the number of vertical pixels native to the set, the p does not refer to pixels.  The p = progressive.  What that means is that every line of pixels is refreshed per frame whereas i=interlaced means that the lines are refreshed in passes.

[Dan:]

Without the HD package, you're wasting your time and money.

x2. I think it would be a complete waste to get an HD tv unless you have or are planning to get the HD channels. It's nice for movies, but still not worth it.

To answer your question though, I would go with at least 1080i. My dad has a 1080p and it is ridiculous, but the 1080i would do very well also. The 720s look good, but with a purchase like that, might as well spend a little extra and not regret it later.

You will also need HDMI cables. Something to look for on TVs is how many HDMI inputs they have. Ours has 2, one for cable and one for the HD dvd player. If you plan on having more than one HD input like that, you need a tv with the ability to have them both plugged in, otherwise its a hassle. HDMI cables are expensive, but don't buy them at the store, you can find them MUCH cheaper online. (they often run around $100 in store but can be found for as little as $40 online from what I've found)

[burleytog]

If you pay more than $10 for an HDMI cable, you have more money than brains.

http://www.monoprice.com

FWIW, HDMI isn't a necessity.  For my money, component video looks just as good.

If I were buying again, I would probably buy a Samsung 56" DLP.  Just because a set's native resolution is 1080p does not mean it will not display resolutions of 720i, 720p, or 1080i.  In fact, other than BluRay, you will be hard pressed to find any input that IS 1080p.

[Bassn Blvd]

I have the 56" Samsung LCD and all I can say is "AWESOME"

[Dan:]

If you pay more than $10 for an HDMI cable, you have more money than brains.

http://www.monoprice.com

FWIW, HDMI isn't a necessity. For my money, component video looks just as good.

True, but then again, if you can pay $10 for a cable, why not? It will give you better picture on your high resolution devices.

If I were buying again, I would probably buy a Samsung 56" DLP. Just because a set's native resolution is 1080p does not mean it will not display resolutions of 720i, 720p, or 1080i. In fact, other than BluRay, you will be hard pressed to find any input that IS 1080p.

True, but like I said, if you are spending that much on a set, might as well spend a little extra for the 1080p so you have the ability to see the best picture available. Even if most inputs aren't 1080p, I have a feeling as more people get HDTVs, there will be more inputs that have 1080p resolutions in the near future.

[daviscw]

In January my dad bought a 73" 1080p. We have the HDMI cable, Blu Ray, etc.... You can definitely tell a difference in the picture between Blu Ray and DVD, but I haven't noticed a difference in sound.

[burleytog]

True, but then again, if you can pay $10 for a cable, why not? It will give you better picture on your high resolution devices.

 

It's digital.  A 1 or a 0.  On or off.  There isn't much signal to degrade.  And if you're worrying about signal degradation over a 3' cable... :-X

$100 or even $50 cables are useful for only one thing.  Making money for those who market them.

[Dan:]

There is a DEFINITE difference between HDMI and component on my TV.

[FishTank]

Here is my $.02 on HD TVs....

About 7 years ago I use to sell TV's , audio, and such, part time. I am a little out of touch on some of the technology so take my opinion for what it's worth.

I would pass on a 720p tv of any kind and I never cared for the plasma tvs (to much color shift over time). As far as brand goes, I like Sony. I have had mine for 4 years and have had one repair that was under warranty. Other than the one repair, my kids cause just about as much damage as you can get to this TV and looks as good as the day I bought it.

You might check out the KDL-46XBR5 it looks amazing and a Sony Playstation 3. You can get the amazing blue-ray movies, games, store pictures, ect. on this thing. You can often find combos on sale that will save you a few bucks (Sony Playstation and a Sony TV).

My neighbor fixes tv for a living and I asked what brands to avoid. He said to stay away from Vizio, Panasonic, Philips, HP, Dell and any off brand like Dynex or Insignia.

As far as the HDMI cable goes, is there a difference between them?> Absolutely.... But the highest cost one is not always the best. I have been through 6 of them with my AT&T U-Verse box. It has do with the box itself not the cable just in case (compatability issue) but you can tell a difference between one cable to the next. AT&T reimbursed me for each cable. So I tried Monster Cables top of the line>no good, Dynex and Rocketfish both no good. I ended up using a Pure AV from Sams Club. It worked great and also looked the best. I have since used the other cables for other toys but the Pure AV still works the best. So much for that $150 Monster Cable.

I do recommend the Monster Cable surge protectors though.

As far as audio equipment to goes with the TV. It is up to your ears and don't the sales guys tell you any different. Everybody hears things differently. The best bang for the buck, IMHO, is the Onkyo HT-S990THX system. It is the best "All in one box" system I have heard yet. Also, what you here at the store is not what you will here at home and one brand I have always held in contempt is Bose.  They are way over priced for what you get.

Just my thoughts but I hope you enjoy whatever you get......

[daviscw]

Our 73" is a Mitsubishi, and the surround sound is PolkAudio.

You should really look into everything you buy for your TV. I'm pretty sure we got ripped on our Blu ray disc player. Not that it's cheap, but that its so nice we don't even know how to use half its features; all we do is watch a movie now and then.

Your TV and speaker system is a HUGE investment IMHO, and should be thought out and shopped for very well.

But as I always say, it doesn't matter what you end up with as long as you're satisfied.  

[fish-fighting-illini]

Hey thanks everyone some great info

Burley good catch on the I vs P    I was totaly ignoring that

OK some conclusions waste of money not without HD package as it is just time to replace a tv. Tubes for all intents and purposes no longer exist.

LCD & Plasma's both have better regular picture than a Tube I believe so their is some value there.

I'm not going to buy high end as that is not where I'mat right now.

I'm not going to buy a cable tv HD package as those a-holes get way too much of my money as is

I will go with a dual input of some sort and if not included with my cable package I will use an HD antenna to get local stations in HD

I assume in 2009 all will be free anyway as HD required?

My brother and sister in-law do the antenna deal out in the remote sticks. Due to the nature of digital they get crystal clear ( and I mean beautiful digital reception ). I might or might not with being in the city, we'll have to see. I might add that their analog reception via antenna was previously worthless

LBH might have the fishing frugality market tittle but he's got nothing on FFI for the over all frugality title

At the risk of getting on my soapbox America gets in way over their heads financialy on everything from cars to, cell phones to electronics etc ets thus all of the credit card debt etc. I'm no saint in this regard either. This would have to be a whole thread of its own.

Sorry for the ramble

[Aaron]

I have a Vizio 42"  HDTV that I really like.  I don't have HD cable or satellite but I do have one of the HD antennas, and I can get the networks in HD (1080i, which is the best my TV will do) and I live in an apartment complex in the suburbs of Minneapolis.

I have had my Vizio since Christmas and have had no complaints.

[fish-fighting-illini]

Aaron,

Do you have cable just not HD?

or no cable at all?

just curious

[Aaron]

I have regular cable not HD cable, but I get ABC,NBC,FOX, and CBS in HD. The networks may be a local thing because back home in KY I did not get any HD with my basic cable, but here I have both regular and HD in the networks.

[burleytog]

I assume in 2009 all will be free anyway as HD required?

The analog to digital conversion in 2/09 has nothing to do with HD programming.  

http://www.dtvanswers.com/

Digital =/= High Definition

[daviscw]

We have neither cable nor satellite. We just use our antenna to pick up the digital signals. (Which are free by the way.) There is a night and day difference between digital and analog. Another cool thing, for each analog channel you have, there are usually between 1 and 5 more digital channels for that same station. During March Madness CBS ran 5 basketball games at the same time. It was pretty sweet...

[fish-fighting-illini]

I assume in 2009 all will be free anyway as HD required?

The analog to digital conversion in 2/09 has nothing to do with HD programming.

http://www.dtvanswers.com/

Digital =/= High Definition

Burley you are a wealth of information thanks for taking the time to post

I had no idea that digital and HDTV were not one in the same. I had no need so never thought about it.

I understand it now and read your link but your equation seems contridictory  The equation might best be HDTV =digital * (X)

here's another link that kind of explains more for others

http://www.oceanic.com/OceanicWebApps/Television/HD/hd_learn_digitalvsHD.html

FFi - AKA Matt Crum

[Dan:]

his "equation" means HD is not equal to digital. The mathematical symbol is an equals sign with a dash through it, which does not exist on a keyboard. (It is generally written != on the computer)

[bass slayer 17]

tell the salesman at circuit city or best buy you want the best hdtv they have and im sure he will help you out..lol

[Pencil Pusher]

I assume in 2009 all will be free anyway as HD required?

The analog to digital conversion in 2/09 has nothing to do with HD programming.

http://www.dtvanswers.com/

Digital =/= High Definition

While this is true, most stations will be broadcasting in HD when the digital conversion takes place in Feb. 2009. The reason being that the cost of converting from analog to digital is very expensive and the difference between HD and SD spread over the estimated life of the equipment is not that great. I have not been involved with the technical aspects of cable only networks, so I can't make any positive statements about what the smaller ones will do after conversion. It is also unlikely that there will be any large standard digitial TV sets available, only HD.

[fish-fighting-illini]

tell the salesman at circuit city or best buy you want the best hdtv they have and im sure he will help you out..lol

LOL I'll do that.

He'll want to know who did such a good job of recommending to me. Thus I will need your credit card as ID to show him

I'm almost ready to buy so send your numbers to my house LOL

[RobbyZ5001]

I work at Circuit City, and personally my favorite TV by FAR is the Sony xbr series. They are pricey, but the picture is ridiculously good. I also suggest a monster power cleaner. I have also heard no complaints about the cables either, but you have some good info on the cables so go with that.

[fish-fighting-illini]

I work at Circuit City, and personally my favorite TV by FAR is the Sony xbr series. They are pricey, but the picture is ridiculously good. I also suggest a monster power cleaner. I have also heard no complaints about the cables either, but you have some good info on the cables so go with that.

What the heck is a monstor power cleaner?

What is its function

[burleytog]

A way to con you out of money.