HDTV? Help!

Posted on Thu, May 1st, 2008 by boverman

Dear Avons Laker site readers,

I’m slowing dipping into the HDTV market and I am completely overwhelmed.  There are so many TVs, and even more reviews for each.  The only probablem is that they are reviews by people that I don’t know and each TV has great reviews and horrible reviews, so I have no clue what to believe.  I have made a few trips to some local stores, but that still hasn’t sealed the deal.  I hadn’t seen Blue Ray on a 1080P TV until last weekend, and I was completely blown away (it’s probably worth writing an entire post about).  I was leaning towards only getting a 720P initially, but after what I saw on Saturday I’m thinking that I will go the 1080P route.  I’m looking for a 40-46 inch TV with 1080P Full HDTV.  What is my best bet?  All you tech guys help me out.  My budget is in the $1000-1500 range, and I want something that will last.  Help!

*Edit* What brands should I go with, or avoid?  What TVs do you have and how happy are you with them?

Sincerely,

Terrified in TV Land

Filed under: Informational

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12 Responses to “HDTV? Help!”

  1. Gary Deters, on May 1st, 2008 at 6:33 PM Said:

    Full 1080p TV with an High-Def DVD player is the bomb!!! I would go the 1080p route all the way, the reason I say that is after you have the 720p you will know what you’ll be missing out on…this is all budgets aside :) Also, nothing better than watching hd-tv!!!

  2. boverman, on May 1st, 2008 at 6:48 PM Said:

    Any specific brands that I should go for, or avoid? I’m pretty set on the 1080P, but now I’m trying to figure out which brand to go with.

  3. Gary Deters, on May 1st, 2008 at 9:05 PM Said:

    I’ve got a Samsung, but that’s the only kind I ever wanted or thought of buying so I didn’t do any research on anything else.

  4. Dave Kalthoff, on May 1st, 2008 at 9:32 PM Said:

    I like Samsung. Make sure it is a LCD or Plasma. Don’t go projection.

    I got an el cheap-o Westinghouse 37″. HD Picture is amazing. But if I had to do it again I’d spend the extra money for a Samsung. Its just better overall quality.

  5. Vonner, on May 4th, 2008 at 8:28 AM Said:

    First of all you have statement at the end of your post that is going to cause trouble in any recommendation that anyone makes, “I want something that will last”. HDTVs are more an dmore like computers everyday. That means that you can buy the top of the line model now with every conceivable option and in 6-months to a year it will be out of date. Unfortunately, technology improves at a rate faster than it’s life cycle.

    With that said, I can make a few general recommendations. I’d favor LCD over Plasma if those are your only two options you’re looking at. There are still a few drawbacks to plasma that I just don’t like. Although, admittedly, they have improved in the last few years (there’s technology for you again).

    As for brands, I prefer Toshiba, and the Toshiba Cinema Series is a very good choice, or the REGZA. That might not fit your price range though. If you want to go with one of the best out there I think that would be the Pioneer Elite series, but again you get what you pay for. Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve never been a big Samsung, or Sony fan.

    A few things to keep in mind when looking at inputs. In order to attempt to future proof yourself as best you can be sure to get as many HDMI inputs as you can. HDMI 1.3 is preferable. Also, an Ethernet port would be a good idea as well for potential firmware upgrades. For a true movie experience be sure that it can output at 120Hz and 24fps.

    HDTVs are great, good luck in your search.

  6. boverman, on May 5th, 2008 at 1:54 PM Said:

    Thanks for all of the info. My quest continues, but I feel more prepared now. My next step is to convice Lisa that $2500 isn’t too much for a TV…wish me luck!

  7. Dave Kalthoff, on May 6th, 2008 at 12:07 PM Said:

    The good news is we are reaching a price point that is comparable to tube TV’s. 10 years ago I bought a 36″ tube for $900. Today for a 37″ HDTV the average price point is about the same if not less.

    I tried to stay as basic as possible when I jumped in. I got a low end 37″ and I didn’t want to add a cable box to my setup.

    The sweet thing about picking up an HD ready TV is that even with a basic cable package you’ll get all the local channels in HD. This is called QAM. All service providers must carry the digital local channels in the clear(unencrypted) because the FCC says so.

    So you don’t need a cable box from your provider to watch your local channels in HD. You can go straight from your wall to your HDTV to, at a minimum, view local channels in HD. Here is a site to checkout what clear QAM local HD channels are available in your area for your HDTV to pick up.

    Sure, it’s only 5-6 local channels but you don’t have to take the big leap into the HD world. I don’t watch that much TV so this is fine for now. There is a big misconception that you need to drop 3+ grand in order to get into the HD game.

    I will admit I watched Grey’s Anatomy (terrible show with terrible actors and a terrible storyline) the other night only because it was HD quality. I also caught the Indians/Yankees Saturday afternoon game a couple weeks ago on local Fox HD - unreal experience!!

  8. tbone18, on May 6th, 2008 at 12:31 PM Said:

    Dave you watch Grey’s, isn’t that a chick show? I guess that just shows us who wears the pants (and controls the remote) in the Kalthoff residence :-)

  9. Gary Deters, on May 6th, 2008 at 9:59 PM Said:

    Dave has really got us fooled. Well, not me, but everyone else. Ma has her degree in the same field as Dave and I’m pretty damn sure it’s her that started the Lakers website and talks about all the computer technology and Dave just steals it for his own.

  10. Dave Kalthoff, on May 7th, 2008 at 2:30 PM Said:

    Glitz, no brain no headache

  11. MA, on May 8th, 2008 at 5:49 PM Said:

    thanks a lot Dets, that was supposed to be ‘our little secret’….now people are going to be asking me to do all sorts of stuff for them!! JK

  12. BO, on May 9th, 2008 at 10:50 AM Said:

    Dear MA!

    Since you are so techno savvy I have another HD question for you. I’ve heard you will only notice the true effects of 1080P on a 46-50+ inch TV, is this true? If I get a 40″ TV can I get away with only 720P?

    Help!

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