The big "How do I choose an HDTV?" thread.

Mmm burritos wrote:

I chose a HDTV monitor over an HDTV with a built in tuner.

Built-in tuners are overrated. Many of them suck, external tuner boxes can be had for under $150, and HD cable and satellite doesn't use the tuner anyway (and some satellite boxes include a tuner themselves for OTA reception of local channels that the sat provider doesn't beam yet).

You mention DirecTV and Sunday Ticket, are you not using HD for those?

WSeda95 wrote:

Hey legion explain to me what digital optical output is?

The bottom line is that it's the preferred method of delivering digital audio from a source to a receiver. If you buy a surround sound system, you'll want one with at least 2 optical inputs, to receive audio from your Xbox and whatever else you hook up. TOSLINK is the name of the specific connection/cables used, but very often you'll see things labeled simply "optical".

And if you or anyone have any suggestions about an inexpensive surround sound that would be great.

Can't help you there, I have a pair of systems I got a few years ago that are worth less than $100 now. A decent, inexpensive 5.1 system is not hard to come by.

Add 5.1 surround to your brand spankin' new TV and you'll be an awfully happy boy. Now get Gears and get on Live and join us.

*Legion* wrote:

You mention DirecTV and Sunday Ticket, are you not using HD for those?

Once I get DTV, I will be.

Until that point, I think it will be more cost efficient (and fun) to do the Media Center thing... yanno, after Christmas, when I can go back to telling everyone I'm poor while buying newer and prettier things for myself.

Mmm burritos wrote:
*Legion* wrote:

You mention DirecTV and Sunday Ticket, are you not using HD for those?

Once I get DTV, I will be.

OK. You mentioned that you only really watch football on TV and then you mentioned Sunday Ticket, didn't pick up on the fact that you are currently watching football without Sunday Ticket.

Where I'm moving, DirecTV doesn't carry the networks in HD, but Comcast does. So I'm probably going to get Comcast's basic cable, which can be upgraded to HD and a DVR can be leased too, and then DirecTV for everything else. It's a bit extra per month (not as much as it could be, because having TV service knocks a bit off the cable modem cost) but the only way I'll get the networks in HD.

Plus, lord knows when I'll be able to get an HD DVR for DirecTV, they don't have enough to go 'round, certainly not to anyone that wants to lease instead of buy.

Don't have Media Center but I'm getting an upscaling DVD player that plays Divx/Xvid off a CD-R or DVD-R, will get some use out of that while I'm without a DirecTV DVR.

I'm done with standard definition, it's over. HD networks on the cable box and HD movies, Discovery, and SPORTS on the satellite.

Already got the wife-to-be used to the idea of having to switch between two boxes, better now than later.

OK, how about this: HDTV owners! Are you getting broadcast TV in HD, and if so, through what (cable, sat, OTA, etc)? How do you like it?

I use Comcast and I'm happy. As you've mentioned, the only way to get all of the networks in HD seems to be thru cable right now. I'm thinking of switching to DTV for the Sunday Ticket next August, though, since all I really watch these days is football and a few other cable channels that are all in SD anyway.

One other annoying thing about Comcast is that they only broadcast the NFL Network in HD for the games, everything else is SD.

Minase wrote:

I use Comcast and I'm happy. As you've mentioned, the only way to get all of the networks in HD seems to be thru cable right now.

Ironically, all of the local stations here in Fresno are available in high definition over DirecTV (too bad I'm not staying here). They really don't have local Seattle networks in HD? Unsanity!

I want this.

Are there any adequate HD DVRs other than the Tivo series 3? Do any of the various satellite TV providers have good HD PVR solutions? I'd love a new TV, but I have a series 2 Tivo and I'm not willing to spend $600 in order to buy a series 3.

DirecTV has one but they are on back order. They run about $300.

Edwin wrote:

DirecTV has one but they are on back order. They run about $300.

Are they any good? I keep hearing that non-Tivo PVRs are hopelessly user-hostile.

Here are three sets I'm currently debating over:

Samsung LN-S4692D - 46" -$2300, 720p, Size I'd like, bit pricey
Sony KDL40V2500 - 40" - $2050, 1080p, Great picture, has 1080p
Vizio GV42L - 42" $1300, 720p, Great price, unknown brand (Costco)

Thoughts? Which of these would you choose and why?

Just as a quick note - Vizio is becoming known as a very competitive brand. Great picture quality for a very good price.

RichyRambo wrote:

Here are three sets I'm currently debating over:

Sony for the 1080p?

I personally do not think 1080p is worth the extra cash on a 40" or smaller set -- unless you're going to use it as a computer monitor for a good chunk of time, in which case it would be well worth it.

Just a heads up, the DirecTV h20 HD receiver is having issues with the HDMI/HDCP handshaking making it incompatible with certain sets, namely my Westinghouse LTV-32w6. My HP DLP works just fine. DirecTV knows about it and is working on a software update. Apparently the PS3 is having the same exact issue.

RichyRambo wrote:

Vizio GV42L - 42" $1300, 720p, Great price, unknown brand (Costco)

As someone else said, Vizio is no unknown. They're just new.

Let's put it this way - after much research and comparison shopping, and looking at a LOT of displays, I have decided to buy the Vizio. The only display in the same price ballpark I would consider is the 1080p Westinghouse.

Edwin wrote:

Just a heads up, the DirecTV h20 HD receiver is having issues with the HDMI/HDCP handshaking making it incompatible with certain sets, namely my Westinghouse LTV-32w6. My HP DLP works just fine. DirecTV knows about it and is working on a software update. Apparently the PS3 is having the same exact issue.

Check to make sure your Westy firmware is the latest too. I've read about people fixing such problems by updating their sets.

One way or another, a fix will come.

*Legion* wrote:
RichyRambo wrote:

Vizio GV42L - 42" $1300, 720p, Great price, unknown brand (Costco)

As someone else said, Vizio is no unknown. They're just new.

Let's put it this way - after much research and comparison shopping, and looking at a LOT of displays, I have decided to buy the Vizio. The only display in the same price ballpark I would consider is the 1080p Westinghouse.

Which Westinghouse have you been looking at, the 47" LVM-47W1 1080P?

Saw this one at Best Buy and at first glance was Wow, nice size and price. But after staring at it and the surrounding sets (the Sony most notably) the picture felt a bit muddy and soft focused.

*Legion* wrote:
Edwin wrote:

Just a heads up, the DirecTV h20 HD receiver is having issues with the HDMI/HDCP handshaking making it incompatible with certain sets, namely my Westinghouse LTV-32w6. My HP DLP works just fine. DirecTV knows about it and is working on a software update. Apparently the PS3 is having the same exact issue.

Check to make sure your Westy firmware is the latest too. I've read about people fixing such problems by updating their sets.

One way or another, a fix will come. :)

There is but the CSR's at Westinghouse won't admit it and won't provide it for me. Google also fails me in finding it. I run 3.02 and there are reports of 5.00 being available. Either way DirecTV gave me 4 months of free HDTV service.

RichyRambo wrote:

Which Westinghouse have you been looking at, the 47" LVM-47W1 1080P?

Saw this one at Best Buy and at first glance was Wow, nice size and price. But after staring at it and the surrounding sets (the Sony most notably) the picture felt a bit muddy and soft focused.

47" is out of my range, the 42" was going to be what I went for.

Best Buy is apparently getting rid of all the Westy 1080p displays, at least the smaller ones. The 42" ones have been replaced by a supposed Best Buy exclusive Westy 42", the W4207, which is only a 720p panel.

The 42" 1080p displays were available as open box models at my BB these past couple of weeks, but I won't have the cash to get my new TV until after Christ's birth.

Edwin wrote:

There is but the CSR's at Westinghouse won't admit it and won't provide it for me. Google also fails me in finding it. I run 3.02 and there are reports of 5.00 being available. Either way DirecTV gave me 4 months of free HDTV service.

I would post in the applicable Westy thread at the AVS forums, wouldn't be surprised in the least if someone could hook you up.

I did several days ago and so far no one has replied.

Ah Vizio, at it again with the low-cost offerings (which Sony doesn't appreciate very much). While we're sure more than a few folks are kicking back and gazing at their recently-purchased $1,000 42-inch PDP, the firm has divulged that come next February, we can all expect a 47-inch LCD HDTV to hit Sam's Club, Costco, and potentially other big box retailers for "less than $2,000." Oh, and it sports 1080p, too. The firm's CEO declared that current 1080p sets in the $3,000+ range simply "aren't affordable," and is hoping the Super Bowl rush to pick up an HDTV before the big game will boost sales of its undercutting set. An analyst noted that Vizio's offerings didn't "have all the extra features" that other manufactures typically include, and that it didn't feature "the best picture quality," but admitted that it was a bargain and "a good value" nonetheless. So if you know that aging set will need replacing come Super Bowl Sunday, and you've only got about two large to throw down, Vizio should be able to fit the bill quite nicely.

Yeah, I saw that on Engadget HD. Just out of my price range but an exciting looking product.

I wonder if we'll see any price cuts for their existing 720p displays. Can't imagine the prices get much lower, but it would be great if the GV42L would get down to $1199 (like their almost-identical L42).

And I wonder when we'll see a 42" 1080p display.

Richy, I like the Westinghouse Good size, and you'll get the 1080p.

If 1080p really isn't a big thing for you than get as big a screen as you can afford to $ and space wise. Then get a 360!

My Best Buy received 100 DirecTV HD DVR's and I just walked out with the very last one. I'll hook it up after dinner and let you know how it works.

Edwin wrote:

My Best Buy received 100 DirecTV HD DVR's and I just walked out with the very last one. I'll hook it up after dinner and let you know how it works.

Oh man. I'm hoping someone hooks me up with one for Christmas but I'm not betting on it.

Looking forward to your impressions. I know the DirecTV DVRs aren't quite as happy super go-go user friendly like TiVO (Logan has an SD DirecTV DVR), but I'm interested in how it is once all the quirks have been figured out and committed to memory.

The interface is identical to the SD DVR (HR10). I have a HR20-700s. So far I am not as impressed with the picture quality as the H20 (non-DVR receiver).

SwampYankee wrote:

Richy, I like the Westinghouse Good size, and you'll get the 1080p.

If 1080p really isn't a big thing for you than get as big a screen as you can afford to $ and space wise. Then get a 360!

Yeah but the Westy picture did not impress at all in comparison to the other sets, It was just not crisp, kinda of soft focused. As of this morining I'm leaning toward the Vizio from Costco. Give it a try and if I ain't happy its going back and then I might jump on the Samsung or a plasma from Panasonic.

(I have two confessions to make. First, I am an HDTV n00b. Second, I'm a filthy skimmer.)

Hijack!

Given the choice between 720p and 1080i right now, which do you choose? I thought I heard that there isn't a lot of 1080 content out there just yet, and I vaguely remember a conversation about this where someone said that interlaced resolutions aren't all they're cracked up to be. All the 1080p sets I've seen are a little outside my price range for the time being; is it better to "settle" (I'm coming up from a seven-year-old 19" CRT anyway) for 720p and grab a 1080p set in a few years when the content's more available?