Anyone Been TV Shopping Lately?

[Cap'n Carageous]

I need a new TV for my cell. The not-so-old 32" analoge bit the dust and was pronounced DOA at the repair shop.

Which brings us to the current state of affairs. I've read up on the new HDTV's and pretty much figured out that HDTV ready just means you have to spend more money to receive HDTV signals. Terribly misleading if you ask me but as usual, no one did.
Now, I ain't spending $7,000 for a TV. I don't even want to spend $500 but that reduces my options to analoge monitors, which I'm perfectly happy with. I don't care to have enough clarity that I can count someones nose hairs.
The salesmen mantra now seems to be "Don't buy analoge because in one year they won't work anymore". I know about the deadline for broadcasters to provide digital signals by 2006, but I can't possibly believe that all analoge signals will dissappear then. And even if they do, someone will have to make a de-converter to keep all the older sets working. IMHO there are still too many high end analoge sets out there for them to become obsolete. I wouldn't think the public would stand for it.

Anybody know what's going on here?

[mzsmbs]

Anybody know what's going on here?

seems they let in a nutcase... just take some xanex and enjoy the ride cap...

[Cap'n Carageous]

Originally Posted by 123c

I've came across a HDTV with the built in tuner for under $700, it's a 26" Samsung CRT, they also have a model for around $500 that's only HDTV ready. They have an awsome picture for being so cheap...

Do you recall where you saw these?

[G-Benz]

Don't sweat the HDTV issue. When HDTV becomes mainstream, cable companies will offer HD tuners in the same manner that converter boxes are offered.

Analog TVs can play HDTV signals with a tuner...they just can't offer the HD 1080i resolution.

And the price of off-the-shelf tuners will go down dramatically...like DVD players!

Anyone here remember when CDs first came out, and stereo companies boasted "digital-ready" speakers?

[Plantman]

I purchased a 57" Panasonic HDTV ready rig, 2 years ago for 2k.

There is no need to spend a lot, unless you are going with flat screen, then it get's really expensive......

[MTI]

It really depends what the TV's use is going to be. As primary home theatre unit, then I would recommed a 16:9 format HD capapable (1080i) screen sized appropriately for the room. For an office or bedroom, a good old fashioned 4:3 format 20-27" CRT is all you'd probably need.

[waybomb]

I bought a wide screen HDTV at Wal-Mart for something like less than $700.00. I think it is 32" or 36" diagonal I figure it is good enough until the plasma and LCD flatpanel's prices come down to earth.
And HDTV is no fluke - we get Dish HDTV chanels and stuff recorded in HDTV really is crystal clear.

[Cap'n Carageous]

Thanks for the replies and info. My "cell" is a 12' X 16' converted back porch that is pretty much surrounded by glass windows and patio doors. This is our 'view' room and is usually flooded with light. Therefore projection TV is out regardless of the format. Also the only viewing it will get is Speed Channel, occasional golf , football and the history channel. The home theater system is in the living room. So, money would be better spent on tools and cars than on a TV here! I can pick up a 32" replacement analoge for around $300 from Best Buy, Circuit City or Wal Mart. I just want to be sure that 3 years down the road it will still work, and G Benz addressed that concern. Thanks !

[Cap'n Carageous]

Well with Barrett- Jackson coming up tonight and The MAsters next week, I made the sorrid trip to Wal-Mart today. We have a super Wal-Mart opening in a few days so everything at the old one is "rolled bacK' in price. I saw a 32" and a 27" flat screen I liked. I went back a coupla hours later and they were sold out. About all they had left were 3 Sanyo 27" 'True Flatscreen" so I snagged one. $228 sounded reasonable. I got 15 days to decide if I like or or I can return it for full refund. So far I'm not impressed.

[G-Benz]

My preference for the flat panels nowadays is footprint.

My 1984 JCPenney 19" monitor (my first TV) gave up the ghost last year, and I want to replace it with a larger set (family room built-in nook). Anything over 27" and the footprint gets to be a real issue as you know!

Technology is far improved these days. Early plasmas would burn out after a few years...and it wasn't five years ago that you couldn't touch one for less than five figures!!!

[super SEC]

I purchased an Advent 27" HDTV for my son as a Christmas gift. It's a great tv and the picture was as good or better than those that were twice the price. At the time of purchase, it was on sale for less than $380. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=5338208&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat31800050031&id=1051826205151

[Cap'n Carageous]

Until today I didn't realize that Advent still existed! I saw an Advent TV on the KMART website. I remember when Advent (Henry Kloss) invented the projection TV back in the seventies. I still have and use a set of Small Advent speakers.

At any rate, this Sanyo I have is going back. After watching Barrett-Jackson last night I think all those red Corvettes ruined the picture tube! I can't get the color to look anywhere near natural. Watching it tires you out because all the colors and the focus are so exzagerated.

Kmart has a 27" Sylvania for $180 I may try.

[G-Benz]

Originally Posted by Cap'n Carageous

Until today I didn't realize that Advent still existed! I saw an Advent TV on the KMART website. I remember when Advent (Henry Kloss) invented the projection TV back in the seventies. I still have and use a set of Small Advent speakers.

At any rate, this Sanyo I have is going back. After watching Barrett-Jackson last night I think all those red Corvettes ruined the picture tube! I can't get the color to look anywhere near natural. Watching it tires you out because all the colors and the focus are so exzagerated.

Kmart has a 27" Sylvania for $180 I may try.

Next time you purchase, make sure the contrast to the default (50%). It should be when you plug it in, but your contrast setting makes a big difference in the time it takes to burn artifacts on the screen...

[Cap'n Carageous]

Originally Posted by G-Benz

Next time you purchase, make sure the contrast to the default (50%). It should be when you plug it in, but your contrast setting makes a big difference in the time it takes to burn artifacts on the screen...

Do What now???

[G-Benz]

Sorry...grammar police are after me right now...

Make sure the contrast setting is for the midpoint position (50/50).

Stores usually hike theirs up on their TVs to make the pictures appear more brilliant, but it's awfully hard on the screen!

Some TVs take longer to "burn" artifacts than others, but a high contrast setting will certainly do so much sooner. Example: If you watch nothing but TBS all day, the little trademark on the bottom right will leave a permanent "imprint".