HD TV WORTH the $

firstdown · 03-14-2006, 01:40 PM

My TV went out the other week so its time for a new one. First let me say that I'm not one of those tech guys. I do like the 30 to 36 inch flat screens but I'm just not sold on the HD thing. The prices for the HD is tripple that of a regular TV so I was leaning toward a regular TV. I just can't justify the cost difference but if anyone has any ideas that would be great and if I don't go HD what fetures should I get.

EEich · 03-14-2006, 01:43 PM

I work with a 50 inch HD above my desk, tuned to SportsCenter (or the Tourney) all day.
Now, when I go home and look at my 32 inch Trinitron, I'm absolutely depressed.

FRPLG · 03-14-2006, 02:37 PM

The saying that "once you go HD you never go back" is absolutly true. If you can swing the extra go HD and you'll be happy. I have never heard anyone who switched say "Man this HD stuff sucks. It is a total sham." It is just better. Also it is the future. In 5 years analog TVs will have gone the way of the dinosaur in terms of productions. In 10 most analogs will be gone from homes.

As for analog TVs. They have features? What features?

PWNED · 03-14-2006, 02:39 PM

also remember though that most broadcasts are filmed in analog and then reconverted back into digital. if you see a TRUE digital HD channel (which there are only a handful of) it looks AMAZING. its a good investment for the future.

onlydarksets · 03-14-2006, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EEich

I work with a 50 inch HD above my desk, tuned to SportsCenter (or the Tourney) all day.
Now, when I go home and look at my 32 inch Trinitron, I'm absolutely depressed.

um...are you hiring?

onlydarksets · 03-14-2006, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firstdown

My TV went out the other week so its time for a new one. First let me say that I'm not one of those tech guys. I do like the 30 to 36 inch flat screens but I'm just not sold on the HD thing. The prices for the HD is tripple that of a regular TV so I was leaning toward a regular TV. I just can't justify the cost difference but if anyone has any ideas that would be great and if I don't go HD what fetures should I get.

Totally worth it. Check out Costco - I just got a plasma from there for under $2000. If you aren't a videophile, you will do fine with something in that range.

firstdown · 03-14-2006, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FRPLG

The saying that "once you go HD you never go back" is absolutly true. If you can swing the extra go HD and you'll be happy. I have never heard anyone who switched say "Man this HD stuff sucks. It is a total sham." It is just better. Also it is the future. In 5 years analog TVs will have gone the way of the dinosaur in terms of productions. In 10 most analogs will be gone from homes.

As for analog TVs. They have features? What features?

Some of the analog TV's have different audio out put for surround sound. From what I'm hearing in four to five years might be the time to go with HD and by then the prices will have droped. It's not that I can't afford the HD TV's its just spending that much money for TV.

EEich · 03-14-2006, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onlydarksets

um...are you hiring?

Unbelievable, huh? I was very lucky to get my dream job here in Bristol, CT.

BDBohnzie · 03-14-2006, 04:10 PM

http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/le...r/home/tv.html

If you're buying a new TV, why not get what you want on it? A main TV is an investment. Or, if you're not ready...they do have HD Ready Tube TVs that are less than a grand.

HD will blow your mind...if you have Comcast, I highly recommend an HDTV ready TV and their DVR/HD box.

firstdown · 03-14-2006, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BDBohnzie

http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/le...r/home/tv.html

If you're buying a new TV, why not get what you want on it? A main TV is an investment. Or, if you're not ready...they do have HD Ready Tube TVs that are less than a grand.

HD will blow your mind...if you have Comcast, I highly recommend an HDTV ready TV and their DVR/HD box.

I also have an older TV in our bedroom that might last a couple of more years if I'm lucky. My thought was to buy a none HD TV now and in a couple of years when the other needs replacing buy the HD TV move the other to the bed room. My thought is that the prices will have come way down and more shows in HDtv.

onlydarksets · 03-14-2006, 04:40 PM

Believe it or not, but prices have come down. 42" plasmas used to be $6k. Now you can get them for well under $2k. CRTs are well under $1000. Of course, standard definition TVs have gotten cheaper as well. 36" TVs used to cost ~$1000, but now are around $500.

So, if you spent on an HD TV now what you would have had to spend on a SD TV then, it isn't all that much different!

MTK · 03-14-2006, 04:42 PM

I'm hoping by next Christmas the prices will be much lower

onlydarksets · 03-14-2006, 04:53 PM

They probably will be. Unfortunately, patience is not my strong suit.

skinsfanthru&thru · 03-14-2006, 08:08 PM

If u and your family watch a lot of non-sports tv or non discovery channels, be prepared for the rest of your channels to look like absolute ass. I had the same dilema a few monthes ago and went with a cheap nice tv with the plans to get an hd tv later this year or next when they really go down in prices thanks to the new technology coming out. But if u mainly r gonna be using this tv for movies, sports, and games go for it, otherwise u might want to go to a circuit city or something and ask to see what non-hd channels will look like on an HD tv and then go from there.

jamf · 03-15-2006, 04:08 AM

High def is worth it.
If you do get one, do lots of research.
Research:
Different types of tv's( plasma, dlp, lcd...)
Different types of high def (720p,1080I, and 1080p)
there are some tvs that are listed as high def but they dont display the whole picture. The minimum resolution for high def is 1,280x720. I have a friend who just got a dell plasma. it says high def but only displays 1080x720(or something like that). the picture is cut off! you cant see the score icon on the top right of the screen for football games. it really sucks. get 1080p if you can, its highest definition available.

also, make sure what HDTV source you are going to use. if you are going to use comcast, you have to upgrade the cable box. make sure your tv is cable ready.
if you are getting hd over the air, make sure your tv has a hdtuner built in

there are a lot of things to consider, do the research.
the tv is worth it!
here is a nice site to help.
http://www.cnet.com/4520-7874_1-5108580-3.html

Most importantly: go to the store and look at the tv's side by side. go to several differnt stores. take your time and pick which you like most, then go online and research the pros and cons of the model.

good luck

03-14-2006, 01:40 PM	#1
firstdown Living Legend Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: chesapeake, va Age: 60 Posts: 15,817	HD TV WORTH the $ My TV went out the other week so its time for a new one. First let me say that I'm not one of those tech guys. I do like the 30 to 36 inch flat screens but I'm just not sold on the HD thing. The prices for the HD is tripple that of a regular TV so I was leaning toward a regular TV. I just can't justify the cost difference but if anyone has any ideas that would be great and if I don't go HD what fetures should I get.

03-14-2006, 01:43 PM	#2
EEich The Starter Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bristol, CT Age: 60 Posts: 1,001	Re: HD TV WORTH the $ I work with a 50 inch HD above my desk, tuned to SportsCenter (or the Tourney) all day. Now, when I go home and look at my 32 inch Trinitron, I'm absolutely depressed.

03-14-2006, 02:37 PM	#3
FRPLG MVP Join Date: May 2004 Age: 46 Posts: 10,164	Re: HD TV WORTH the $ The saying that "once you go HD you never go back" is absolutly true. If you can swing the extra go HD and you'll be happy. I have never heard anyone who switched say "Man this HD stuff sucks. It is a total sham." It is just better. Also it is the future. In 5 years analog TVs will have gone the way of the dinosaur in terms of productions. In 10 most analogs will be gone from homes. As for analog TVs. They have features? What features?

03-14-2006, 02:39 PM	#4
PWNED The Starter Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: ZOMGZZZ!!111 Age: 32 Posts: 1,160	Re: HD TV WORTH the $ also remember though that most broadcasts are filmed in analog and then reconverted back into digital. if you see a TRUE digital HD channel (which there are only a handful of) it looks AMAZING. its a good investment for the future. __________________ 143 lbs of twisted steel and sex appeal.

03-14-2006, 04:10 PM	#9
BDBohnzie Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Frederick, MD Age: 45 Posts: 4,628	Re: HD TV WORTH the $ http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/le...r/home/tv.html If you're buying a new TV, why not get what you want on it? A main TV is an investment. Or, if you're not ready...they do have HD Ready Tube TVs that are less than a grand. HD will blow your mind...if you have Comcast, I highly recommend an HDTV ready TV and their DVR/HD box. __________________ Bad Things man, I mean bad things... “WE TOOK HIM IN THE SIXTH ROUND SO WE'RE NOT SMART EITHER.” - Shanny on what the Skins saw in Alfred Morris

03-14-2006, 04:40 PM	#11
onlydarksets Playmaker Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: all up in your business Posts: 2,693	Re: HD TV WORTH the $ Believe it or not, but prices have come down. 42" plasmas used to be $6k. Now you can get them for well under $2k. CRTs are well under $1000. Of course, standard definition TVs have gotten cheaper as well. 36" TVs used to cost ~$1000, but now are around $500. So, if you spent on an HD TV now what you would have had to spend on a SD TV then, it isn't all that much different! __________________ Stop reading my signature.

03-14-2006, 04:42 PM	#12
MTK \m/ Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: NY Age: 52 Posts: 99,464	Re: HD TV WORTH the $ I'm hoping by next Christmas the prices will be much lower __________________ Support The Warpath! \| Warpath Shop

03-14-2006, 04:53 PM	#13
onlydarksets Playmaker Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: all up in your business Posts: 2,693	Re: HD TV WORTH the $ They probably will be. Unfortunately, patience is not my strong suit. __________________ Stop reading my signature.

03-14-2006, 08:08 PM	#14
skinsfanthru&thru Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Age: 44 Posts: 3,813	Re: HD TV WORTH the $ If u and your family watch a lot of non-sports tv or non discovery channels, be prepared for the rest of your channels to look like absolute ass. I had the same dilema a few monthes ago and went with a cheap nice tv with the plans to get an hd tv later this year or next when they really go down in prices thanks to the new technology coming out. But if u mainly r gonna be using this tv for movies, sports, and games go for it, otherwise u might want to go to a circuit city or something and ask to see what non-hd channels will look like on an HD tv and then go from there. __________________ "Ahhh, so you're stupid in 3 languages?"

03-15-2006, 04:08 AM	#15
jamf Pro Bowl Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: San Diego Ca Posts: 5,296	Re: HD TV WORTH the $ High def is worth it. If you do get one, do lots of research. Research: Different types of tv's( plasma, dlp, lcd...) Different types of high def (720p,1080I, and 1080p) there are some tvs that are listed as high def but they dont display the whole picture. The minimum resolution for high def is 1,280x720. I have a friend who just got a dell plasma. it says high def but only displays 1080x720(or something like that). the picture is cut off! you cant see the score icon on the top right of the screen for football games. it really sucks. get 1080p if you can, its highest definition available. also, make sure what HDTV source you are going to use. if you are going to use comcast, you have to upgrade the cable box. make sure your tv is cable ready. if you are getting hd over the air, make sure your tv has a hdtuner built in there are a lot of things to consider, do the research. the tv is worth it! here is a nice site to help. http://www.cnet.com/4520-7874_1-5108580-3.html Most importantly: go to the store and look at the tv's side by side. go to several differnt stores. take your time and pick which you like most, then go online and research the pros and cons of the model. good luck

HD TV WORTH the $

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