I,Docker, need help on buying a tv

[Docker2.0]

I'm in the process of trying to upgrade my tv to a HDTV but I'm having a problem. I see the 1080p is the most expensive and I know that once everything goes digital cable that 720p will have to be upgraded. Does anyone know how much this upgrade will cost? With the knowledge of next year, everything becoming cable would you say the 720p is a waste of time to get? Help me out peeps.

 

[Docker2.0]

What's the difference between LCD and plasma tvs? Aren't LCD tvs HDTV also?

 

[Wilhelm-Scream]

LCD is better if you play video games on it and images that are onscreen for a long period of time can burn in to a plasma screen.
My LCD is full HD.

I got a 40 inch Sony Bravia and I must say, if you're going to spend a bunch of money on a TV, you can have the TV for years...meaning that even a huge price isn't really that much considering the time you can happily enjoy using it, and also, the fact that you could never re-sell it for anywhere near what you paid for it.

With big long term purchases, you should just wait and save and then go all out and get the best possible, because it sucks to spend "sort of" a large amount on something you know isn't that great...and THEN later, spend a huge amount on something better.

The longer you save up money, the worst that could happen is that the price would go down or there will be an awesome sale.

 

[Docker2.0]

Well, see there's the dilemna........or however you spell it. I really wanted a LCD tv but I' hearing that next year you have to have a 1080p or get some kind of upgrade in order to keep the tv you have. Will the LCD tv be compatible with the digital cable upgrade that the USA will have next year?

 

[Wilhelm-Scream]

Well, see there's the dilemna........or however you spell it. I really wanted a LCD tv but I' hearing that next year you have to have a 1080p or get some kind of upgrade in order to keep the tv you have. Will the LCD tv be compatible with the digital cable upgrade that the USA will have next year?

The change is just from analog "over the air with rabbit ears", to digital.
Any HDTV is digital, LCD or Plasma.

1080p is just the top-of-the-line resolution, the better picture.
They'd never make all TV owners have to have the top-of-the-line resolution to watch any TV at all.


It's just a change to digital broadcast.

 

[Docker2.0]

Ah man! Thanks WH! So I will be getting a LCD tv then! I just always wondered becuase if you go into any store, 1080p seem to be twice the price of other tvs and I keep hearing about you have to have it next year or something.

 

[Colossal Spoons]

Aw, it's TV buying season. Got mine last Sat :heart:

 

[jaguarr]

LCD is the way to go if you have a burning need to hang your TV on your wall or have a ***** for the ultra-thin form-factor. Otherwise, DLP projection sets offer superior picture, true black and fewer motion trail artifacts. :heart:

jag

 

[Colossal Spoons]

I wish they didn't raise the temp of the room they're in by 60 degrees lol. I also wonder how much energy they waste when they're "off".

 

[Dark Donnie]

LCD is the way to go. As far as 1080p vs 720p you can only see the difference on screen sizes over 50 inches. I jus tbought a Samsung, they make pretty high quality screens, same goes for Sony, Panasonic, and Toshiba.

Repair and Reliablily from Consumer Reports:

Spoiler

 

[Docker2.0]

Isn't Dell the most expensive but yet it has the most repairs. I honestly was leaning towards Panasonic or Sharp anyway. This just confirms it.

 

[Dark Donnie]

Isn't Dell the most expensive but yet it has the most repairs. I honestly was leaning towards Panasonic or Sharp anyway. This just confirms it.

I've heard a few people complain about Dell.

Personally if I had to choose between Panasonic and Sharp I would go Panasonic. I looked for like 2 months and Panasonic always got great reviews.


Is there a certain size your looking at?

 

[Docker2.0]

well honestly? I didn't want to spend over $500 for one. I want something to play my PS3 that I will soon get. That way I can use the blu-ray player to watch movies on it. They play regularly dvds also right?

 

[Captain Planet!]

I've had my TV since 1995.

 

[jaguarr]

I wouldn't buy anything from Dell. Ever. Samsung makes excellent systems and they also manufacture their own screens, which most makers do not (a lot of them get them FROM Samsung, actually).

jag

 

[Wilhelm-Scream]

They play regularly dvds also right?

The PS3 plays blu-ray and normal dvds.

I hate Blu-Ray movies so far.
I bought one because a review in a magazine said that this movie was perfect for showing off what HD can do to present a mind blowing picture.

The picture was fine, but didn't blow my mind as much as some episodes of Nature that I've seen on PBS HD.
And on every Blu-Ray movie that I own, for some reason, EVERY menu button makes the loudest, most irritating noise...like every release is trying to be "eXtreme" and "intenZ", even in the menus

And furthermore, with a normal DVD, you can just use the PS3 controller as a remote, easily fast-forwarding or rewinding or freezing right there onscreen...but when you watch a Blu-Ray movie, the controls are all different and you have to go to an overlayed menu just to rewind.
Lame-O.

 

[Dark Donnie]

well honestly? I didn't want to spend over $500 for one. I want something to play my PS3 that I will soon get. That way I can use the blu-ray player to watch movies on it. They play regularly dvds also right?

From Consumer Reports:

Major-brand LCD HDTVs typically cost $700 to $1,000 for a 32-inch set, about $1,000 for a 37-inch set, and $1,200 to $3,000 for a 40- to 46-inch set. 1080p sets typically cost a few hundred dollars more than a comparable 720p model. Prices in larger sizes continue to drop. In all size categories, you'll see less-established brands selling for hundreds less.

I wouldn't buy anything from Dell. Ever. Samsung makes excellent systems and they also manufacture their own screens, which most makers do not (a lot of them get them FROM Samsung, actually).

jag

My Samsung ships on Thursday, I bought the new 5 Series it looked amazing in Best Buy, and the price was pretty good. I read that about Samsung building other screens, someone said Sharp was at least one company that buys from them.

 

[jaguarr]

I have a Samsung 46" DLP projection set that's a couple of years old and it still has a picture that's light years ahead of 3/4's of the crap I see on the floor at places like Best Buy and Circuit City. It's only 720p, but that's it's only drawback. It's run fantastic for me and never given me a lick of trouble. One of the better, more quality pieces of electronics I've ever bought and I'm now a big Samsung fan.

jag

 

[Dark Donnie]

I have a Samsung 46" DLP projection set that's a couple of years old and it still has a picture that's light years ahead of 3/4's of the crap I see on the floor at places like Best Buy and Circuit City. It's only 720p, but that's it's only drawback. It's run fantastic for me and never given me a lick of trouble. One of the better, more quality pieces of electronics I've ever bought and I'm now a big Samsung fan.

jag

Yeah, I had a Samsung 46'' Projection that I bought about 5 years ago and it still looks awesome, im only getting a new one to cut down on space. They really do make a good product, I only had one problem with my TV in 5 years.

 

[knowsbleed]

Go Vizio... they are cheap and great quality. They are getting great ratings from CNET.com and are outselling Sony and Samsung. If I could go back and save almost a grand, I'd have gotten a Vizio instead of my Sony... though I love the hell out of my Bravia.

In the basement, I have a DLP projector (Optoma HD80) with a 100" custom made screen. It was cheaper than most larger flat panel TVs ($2100) and its native resolution is 1080p. I can't complain.

 

[Figs]

LCD is the way to go if you have a burning need to hang your TV on your wall or have a ***** for the ultra-thin form-factor. Otherwise, DLP projection sets offer superior picture, true black and fewer motion trail artifacts. :heart:

jag

What exactly is DLP?

I also see talk of 1080p, my HD TV that I bought about 3-4 years ago says 1080i. What's the difference?

 

[jaguarr]

What exactly is DLP?

http://www.dlp.com/

I also see talk of 1080p, my HD TV that I bought about 3-4 years ago says 1080i. What's the difference?

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6449_7-6361600-1.html

jag

 

[knowsbleed]

What exactly is DLP?

lots of mirrors http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DLP

I also see talk of 1080p, my HD TV that I bought about 3-4 years ago says 1080i. What's the difference?

1080i "paints" the lines on your tv every other line, then it goes back and fills in the rest. 1080p is a progressive scan format in that it "paints" all the lines in a single pass. Honestly... the difference is not that discernible.

 

[Wilhelm-Scream]

It's weird when Hype users seem to forget that Google exists.
I didn't know anything about HDTVs either...so, before spending a crapload of money, I googled and found many technology/entertaiment sites, and read a bunch of articles explaining what acronyms stand for, and outlining things to look for, especially for a TV to be used in conjunction with a PS3...and a bunch of reviews of the different brands, to compare them all.
Google = Awesome.

Why just last week, IN a thread about HDTVs, a marine said that his roommate "PCSed" and left him a TV...so I googled PCS, and found out that it means, "Permanent Change of Station", without asking him a single question.

At this time, I also learned about:

Physical Coding Sublayers

the Polish Council of State

and the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan.

 

[Colossal Spoons]

Go Vizio... they are cheap and great quality. They are getting great ratings from CNET.com and are outselling Sony and Samsung. If I could go back and save almost a grand, I'd have gotten a Vizio instead of my Sony... though I love the hell out of my Bravia.

In the basement, I have a DLP projector (Optoma HD80) with a 100" custom made screen. It was cheaper than most larger flat panel TVs ($2100) and its native resolution is 1080p. I can't complain.

Hooray Vizio lol