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AR15.COM
10/1/2005 6:53:44 AM EDT
I'm looking to get a new TV-- I'm looking at some LCD stuff, but I'm probably more likely to get a tube HDTV.  This TV will be used for a little regular TV, some DVDs, and lots of gaming.  I'm looking at the following options, for now:

Toshiba 34" $999

Samsung 30" $999

LG 30" $899

Philips 30" $799

My biggest question is why the Toshiba and Philips seem to be less expensive than the other two at the sizes they're at. I see that the Toshiba doesn't have a built in tuner.  Do I only need this for over the air programming?  It was my understanding that I'd need a box or something anyway for cable, right.

What am I giving up by going with the Philips or Toshiba, verses Samsung or LG?  What would you all pick?

10/1/2005 7:02:04 AM EDT
[#1]

Quoted:
I'm looking to get a new TV-- I'm looking at some LCD stuff, but I'm probably more likely to get a tube HDTV.  This TV will be used for a little regular TV, some DVDs, and lots of gaming.  I'm looking at the following options, for now:

Toshiba 34" $999

Samsung 30" $999

LG 30" $999

Philips 30" $799

My biggest question is why the Toshiba and Philips seem to be less expensive than the other two at the sizes they're at. I see that the Toshiba doesn't have a built in tuner.  Do I only need this for over the air programming?  It was my understanding that I'd need a box or something anyway for cable, right.

What am I giving up by going with the Philips or Toshiba, verses Samsung or LG?  What would you all pick?




Out of those, the tosh is the best, the other three are garbage.

But get a sony, they make the best direct view sets. I'm not a huge fan of sony, but no one comes close in the CRT direct view market, period.


http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6494162&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat31800050030&id=1077628886036
Or without the tuner:
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Sony-30-HDTV-Monitor-KV-30HS420-/sem/rpsm/oid/93014/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

If you want the absolute best get the XBR model though:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6718572&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat31800050030&id=1117178041171

10/1/2005 9:04:07 AM EDT
[#2]
Why are Sony CRTs better options?  What would the difference be between it and one of the ones I listed?
10/1/2005 10:12:14 AM EDT
[#3]
Sony's CRTs have set the standard for the world for over 20 years.  They are used in every professional TV studio, movie set, and editing room.

The major reason for this is the patented Trinitron tube design, which allows for a flatter picture tube with less edge distortion, a different kind of "mask" to fire the electrons through that allows more accurate color, and finer pixels for more precise lines and text.

Anyway, it is true that you only need a tuner built-in to receive over-the-air broadcasts OR unscrambled analog cable TV, and only the former will be an HD signal.  All other methods of getting programming, especially HD programming, use an external box and will not utilize the built-in tuner anyway.

For example, a DirecTV HD receiver or TiVo will come with a number of outputs to connect to your TV:

- HDMI
- HDMI to DVI (if the only digital input on your TV is DVI)
- analog component video (red/green/blue)
- analog S-Video
- analog composite video

"Digital Cable" decoder boxes are similar, as are current "up-converting" DVD players and future Blu-Ray HD DVD players.

I wouldn't spend extra to get an internal tuner myself, but most HDTVs will have them anyway.

-Troy
10/1/2005 10:22:07 AM EDT
[#4]
Just to throw this in. I have had two Up-converting DVD players, and they were both crap.  My $39 RCA progressive scan looks better than both on my HDTV.  I would save my money and get hd-dvd or blu-ray when they come out.
10/1/2005 10:42:21 AM EDT
[#5]
Go HERE and read . . .
10/1/2005 12:17:33 PM EDT
[#6]

Quoted:
Go HERE and read . . .



Damn you ShortyAK!  hehttp:\\AVSForum.com on the HDTV threads.  If I don't have this what do I have in my empty, lonely life?




Oh yeah, ARs, a 56" HDTV and beer!

Never mind!  
10/1/2005 12:24:55 PM EDT
[#7]
here is another forum to get info.
www.hdtvoice.com/voice/index.php?s=
10/1/2005 12:42:13 PM EDT
[#8]
Sonys are the best, no doubt. But they cost twice as much. (or more). Of those listed, the Toshiba is the best. I have a Philips 34" widescreen HDTV. It looks decent, and it impresses my friends who don't know what to look for in TVs, but there are far better. I have it because the price was right:

34" Philips for $695, shipping included

30" Philips for $499, shipping included