HDTV recommendations

[adichappo]

we're looking to get a new TV before the end of the year. We want either a 32 or 37 inch flatscreen and we have a budget of $1000 (hopefully to get a surond sound as well, but not manditory). I was considering a Magnovox (got 2nd highest rating in Consumer Report) 37' 1080i at Target that was a decent price. I also like the Panosonic and Philips ones. Does anyone have any recommendations, advice or other words of wisdom? My one big question is there much differance between at 720 or 1080 (is it worth spending extra $ on the latter) and what do the letters after them mean - like 1080i? thanks :)

[Tajtan]

This is what Best Buy told me. A 720p is the same as a 1080i. 1080p is the best out right now I think.

[MizRobyn]

Go for a Samsung DLP. It's the best tv out there!!! I've had mine, both of them, for a while now. The picture blows plasma right out of the water. :D As for LCD, I used to work at Sears for over 3 years. The advantage to that is- I know what people called to have fixed, or returned. LCD's look great, but seem to have issues. I'm not a techie, but I LOVE DLP!!

[LKK6144]

what do the letters after them mean - like 1080i? thanks :)
The letters after the numbers indicate how the resolution lines are drawn on your screen. p stands for Progressive scan while i stands for Interlaced (or maybe Interleaved, I don't remember which word exactly). What's the effective difference between the two, you ask? One format is better for drawing images that don't change a lot (like images with large beautiful landscapes in the background) while the other format is better for drawing images that change often (like sports games such as football or soccer).

For a while, 780p and 1080i were the best HDTV formats available. According to the industry standards, 780p and 1080i are considered to be equivalents. Both qualify as HD images. 1080p has recently come onto the market and is supposed to be a better image than either 780p or 1080i. My understanding is that if you want to invest in a Blu-Ray or a HD-DVD player, you will need a 1080p TV to get the full effect those players can offer. (Don't quote me on that though.)

Whether to buy a 780p or a 1080i or a 1080p depends on several factors. Some you might not even think of immediately. For example, my local cable company offers HDTV channels but only in 1080i format. If I had purchased a 780p, I would not be able to watch the cable HDTV. Bottom line, do some careful research before purchasing.

[JimDeVico]

720p and 1080i are not equal. Some would argue that 720p is superior (http://www.alvyray.com/DigitalTV/Naming_Proposal.htm).

At the size screen you're looking to buy 720p will probably be fine for you depending on how far you sit from the set. Check out this calculator (http://www.myhometheater.homestead.com/viewingdistancecalculator.html)

In my opinion the quality of HDTV formats is as follows:


Front Projection
CRT (largest size here is 36" I think but the sets are prohibitively heavy)
LCD (beats Plasma based on cost and 1080p options)
Plasma (very close behind LCD but no reasonable 1080p options here. Plasma is also the highest user of electricty and looses points for lack of greenness)
Rear projection (LCD beats DLP for me here since I see rainbows when viewing DLP. Not everyone sees the rainbow effect but this is something you should consider. One last thing here, these type of sets use bulbs that after a few years, burn out as does front projection and these bulbs usually run for a few hundred dollars)


You also need to consider what your viewing angles will be. Plasma and front projection can be seen from almost any angle. LCD not so much and rear projection just doesn't cut it IMO from the sides.

Also when doing research into HDTV check out http://www.avsforum.com. This is THE best place on the Internets to learn about HDTV.

[LKK6144]

rear projection just doesn't cut it IMO from the sides.
I second your opinion on side-viewing of rear projection HDTVs. My husband doesn't seem to mind watching our rear projection HDTV from the side. But I avoid it whenever possible. The image is too dark for my tastes.

[adichappo]

Whether to buy a 780p or a 1080i or a 1080p depends on several factors. Some you might not even think of immediately. For example, my local cable company offers HDTV channels but only in 1080i format. If I had purchased a 780p, I would not be able to watch the cable HDTV. Bottom line, do some careful research before purchasing.

thanks! right now we don't have cable of any sort (i know, stone age right? ;) ) and we really don't have any plans to get it anytime in the future. I'd just be happy to get the extra HD channels that are offered through basic channesl - like our PBS "Create" channel. Mainly we'll be watching DVDs and hopfully getting a Wii at some point. Like I said before, aside from a new TV we want a decent surround sound system to go with it. I don't think the 720/1080 differance would affect the sound quality, would it?

[JimDeVico]

I don't think the 720/1080 differance would affect the sound quality, would it?

No the sound is no different whether you use 720p, 1080i or 1080p. The question with sound is how many speakers do you want to have. The HD standard is 5.1 (5 speakers and one subwoofer) but there are setups that use 6 (called 6.1) and 7 (called 7.1) speakers.

I don't know if you can tell but I did A LOT of research into HDTV before taking the plunge. :D

[adichappo]

I don't know if you can tell but I did A LOT of research into HDTV before taking the plunge. :D
My husband is the one thats good at doing research (and he knows a hell of alot more about all the technical things). I do more of the ask advice from as many people as I can. I know everyone has their own opinion as to whats good or not, but I try to pick up on over all themes - i.e 720 vs 1080, LCD vs plasma or DLP...that kinda thing.

[Tajtan]

I got a plasma this summer because of the viewing from wherever you sat (also paid extra so if anything happens to it, even a power surge, they'll replace it for free). If you sit off to the side, the picture is still great. Not so IMO with LCD and DLP. As far as viewing, my list would be plasma, LCD, then DLP.

Also, if you're getting cable, just know that the 1080 is what you'll see with blu-ray, etc. HD cable is not transmitting at 1080 and only at 720 or whatever. But maybe that depends by area? Not sure. And not sure when cable will transmit in 1080, but you won't get a 1080 pic with HD cable right now. At least in IL.

[Rossignol]

Someone advertised a magnavox 37" lcd for sumtin like $800. Oh hey, its Target.

[adichappo]

Someone advertised a magnavox 37" lcd for sumtin like $800. Oh hey, its Target.
yup...and we went out and got it :D after much talk and reseach..we figure for the money it really was a pretty good deal. And we love it!! We can see the pic clear from both the couch and the love seat (that to the right of the telly). Pic is beautiful and now I can watch WXXI Create to my heart's content. We even had enough left to get a Philips 5.1 surround sound system to go with. Yippee!!! :D :D

[JimDeVico]

yup...and we went out and got it :D after much talk and reseach..we figure for the money it really was a pretty good deal. And we love it!! We can see the pic clear from both the couch and the love seat (that to the right of the telly). Pic is beautiful and now I can watch WXXI Create to my heart's content. We even had enough left to get a Philips 5.1 surround sound system to go with. Yippee!!! :D :D

Congratulations and enjoy. Once you go HD it's hard to watch SD again.

[Tajtan]

Once you go HD it's hard to watch SD again.This sort of reminds me of a different saying. :rolleyes: Bo, can you help me out here? :cool:

Congrats Adi! Enjoy becoming a couch potato!!! :biglaugh:

[TheBohemian]

This sort of reminds me of a different saying. :rolleyes: Bo, can you help me out here? :cool:


LOL! I know what you're thinking, and it actually is true. ;)

[Tajtan]

LOL! I know what you're thinking, and it actually is true. ;)Heh. I thought so. :devil: And......I hope you don't always know what I'm thinking. :eek:

Back on topic: Now I'm thinking an LCD is the way to go for a new bedroom TV.