I need HD-TV help!!!

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by skinsguy

Good read! I have read something before about getting a tv with progressive scan is better for fast action tv as opposed to interlaced. I had just about made my mind up on that fact. Of course, I'm still trying to decide on the 1080p vs 720p argument. It is true that not every station even has quality 720p equipment...let alone 1080p equipment. I think right now, the only thing that is in 1080p are HD-DVDs or Blu ray discs.

One thing that was mentioned was buying a TV with a better scaler. I assume this has to do with how well a regular broadcast picture looks on an HD-TV. Some of the channels on my friend's TV looks like crap.

Yeah, that's the key. In Circuit City and Best Buy, all of their TVs are running Hi Def stuff -- but what does it look like with regular broadcasts? There are only a few stations that even offer HD, so you'd have to see what it looks like for 80% of your TV watching. And that's something the TV stores conveniently neglect to show us.

[MTK]

Just a side note, you should always adjust the color and brightness settings when you get the TV home. In the stores they have them cranked to the max to overcome the crappy store fluorescent lighting. There are websites out there with good suggestions for proper settings for your TV.

[skinsguy]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Just a side note, you should always adjust the color and brightness settings when you get the TV home. In the stores they have them cranked to the max to overcome the crappy store fluorescent lighting. There are websites out there with good suggestions for proper settings for your TV.

Good call Matty!

[dall-assblows]

i love TV and i thought this would be a great place to let it alll out.


I AM IN LOVE WITH TV and my GF of course.

haha i hope that helps you ever needed TV advice.

[Redskin]

Someone missed their lesson on needs and wants in grade school, see you want the HD TV but you need that cold beer to survive see the difference?

Anyways I have always been in the impression that samsung is the best when it comes to LCD, thats what I found when doing research on LCDs. What you might want to think about though is weather you really need an LCD. LCD seems to have really only one key advantage over plasma, which is it doesnt really show glare. So if you have a birght room witha lot of windows in it i would go with an LCD but if you are in a hole in the basement I would recomend the Plasma and save a few hundred and possible upgrade to a bigger size.

Just remember the special electrical requirements these TV's take to intall and the super breakers you are going to want to put in, almost an extra $500 witht he cables, monster box, and plugs. Dont want to scare you out of it its just some of the things you might want to consider.

[Beemnseven]

Well, I finally did it.

I took advantage of the "no sales tax" weekend here in Virginia and I got the Samsung 50" 1080p plasma (model no. 5084). Getting it installed sometime this week. Just in time for football!

[mredskins]

Just remember the special electrical requirements these TV's take to intall and the super breakers you are going to want to put in, almost an extra $500 witht he cables, monster box, and plugs. Dont want to scare you out of it its just some of the things you might want to consider.

dude what are talking about? Please don't buy accesiores from best buy and BTW Monster means rip off in Japanese. you can get HDMI cables for like 15 bucks on line. Just ensure they have the HDMI logo on it. As far as elecrity I have not had to upgrade any power in my house. Just plugged it into a $7 surge protector.

[mredskins]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

Well, I finally did it.

I took advantage of the "no sales tax" weekend here in Virginia and I got the Samsung 50" 1080i plasma (model no. 5084). Getting it installed sometime this week. Just in time for football!

CONGRADS!!!! You are going to love it. BTW- I thought it was no sales tax on anything under $100 for that weekend. Basically just helping parents with back-to-school stuff.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by mredskins

Just remember the special electrical requirements these TV's take to intall and the super breakers you are going to want to put in, almost an extra $500 witht he cables, monster box, and plugs. Dont want to scare you out of it its just some of the things you might want to consider.

dude what are talking about? Please don't buy accesiores from best buy and BTW Monster means rip off in Japanese. you can get HDMI cables for like 15 bucks on line. Just ensure they have the HDMI logo on it. As far as elecrity I have not had to upgrade any power in my house. Just plugged it into a $7 surge protector.

I agree, I used to work for one of the major electronics stores and believe me the monster cables aren't worth the extra money. These stores have special deals with Monster and force these things on customers like crazy. You don't need a $100 cable. The $20 one works just fine.

[BDBohnzie]

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[Beemnseven]

OK, I screwed up -- I got the 1080p not the 1080i. Small detail there ... to the tune of about $1200 difference.

And yes, you will wind up spending much more -- the mounting bracket for the wall was $250, I bought the 4 year protection plan for another $400, then, (and this is where I really think I got snookered) -- the "Panamax Home Theater Power Conditioner". That was another $549. I called some people on that one -- my dad just has your basic surge protector, but my brother has the Monster Box. I bit. I figured I can take it back if I decide it's not worth it. I haven't installed anything yet. It's still in the box.

So what's the opinion here on "power cleaners" or "power conditioners" ?? Will a surge protector do basically the same thing, or is there truly some big advantage to the extra 5 bills I just plunked down?

[MTK]

Sorry but the protection plan is just a ripoff. The stores love to push that crap since it's almost pure profit for them. They don't much very much off the TV itself.

What Consumers Should Know About Extended Warranties and Performance Service Plans for Electronics - Associated Content

[DynamiteRave]

I'm also trying to get a LCD HDTV but unlike all you ritzy guys here, I'm a poor college student making a little more than minimum wage and I'm not trying to get a big-screen. Just something to fit in my room something between 30-40in. And I'm not looking to pay more than $700-$800. Just something I can play my video games and watch the Skins on.

My grandmother only has basic Cable which is basically broadcast stations and your other regular standbys, (USA, TNT, etc). Would I be able to get the regular over the air HD programming like prime time TV, sporting events and my video games with a TV that has HD already built in? Or do I have to do something special?

[Redskin]

I dont think the power box is a ripoff, I had nuetral wire go bad which cuased a power surge, and those nice cheap surge protectors exploaded and almost burned the house down, not to mention ruined almost every electronic devise plugged in (including cheap surge protectors) in the house.

[724Skinsfan]

Originally Posted by DynamiteRave

I'm also trying to get a LCD HDTV but unlike all you ritzy guys here, I'm a poor college student making a little more than minimum wage and I'm not trying to get a big-screen. Just something to fit in my room something between 30-40in. And I'm not looking to pay more than $700-$800. Just something I can play my video games and watch the Skins on.

My grandmother only has basic Cable which is basically broadcast stations and your other regular standbys, (USA, TNT, etc). Would I be able to get the regular over the air HD programming like prime time TV, sporting events and my video games with a TV that has HD already built in? Or do I have to do something special?

As long as the TV you buy has a digital tuner. I just bought a Sony Wega 34" HDTV (200lb monster) and it tuned in 23 digital channels.

By the way, if anyone can deal with the size and weight don't discount CRT tv's just yet, I put my 42" LCD next to my 34" tube tv and put them both on FoxHD (baseball game), the tube still looks better. Not to mention it was half the price. Viva la CRT!!!