Need a TV recomendation... - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

ShaneMcFarland · 11-04-2001, 12:04 AM

I'm lookint to drop up to $2,000 on a new TV. I'm not really sure if I should get a HDTV or just a good regular one.

I want a 34" or 36". Mostly this will be for DVD, so 16:9 would be nice. I'm just wondering, would HDTV be the way to go if I'm only watching DVD (no HDTV signals here)?

I've looked at the Toshiba 34" 4:3 HDTV. But a widescreen application would be enjoyable; however, I don't even know if I can find a good one for <$2000. Any thoughts would be appreciated. I'm not to knowledgeable in the HDTV area... Thanks a lot.

Joe Michaels · 11-04-2001, 12:12 AM

I like the 36" Wega. I don't know that you can find it for 2 grand yet.........

tomdkat · 11-04-2001, 05:45 AM

I would recommend the Toshiba 42H81:
http://www.toshiba.com/tacp/tv/42H81.html

You can probably find one online for less than $2,000.

In fact, OneCall is selling this 16:9 HDTV for $1799.

The strecth modes on the H81 and HX81 sets are GREAT on 4:3 material. You can get owner feedback at the Home Theater SPot.

I recently bough the 57HX81 and I LOVE it!!!!

Good luck!

Peace....

***1138*** · 11-04-2001, 06:30 AM

Couple questions:

Do you watch much 4x3 TV?

What kind of lighting in the room?

------------------
1138 - DVD File Forum Greeter/Moderator
It's not that I'm lazy, it's that I just don't care.

ShaneMcFarland · 11-04-2001, 06:46 AM

Thanks for the ideas...keep them coming.

I am against the Wega. No offense, but I hate Sonys. If you knew the trouble I have gone through with my Sony products (Receiver, DVD, etc.) you would understand.

I'll take a look at the Toshiba. I would say that I watch 2x as many movies as I do 4:3. Mostly its news, ESPN and TechTV for me if I don't have DVD playing. The lighting is mostly natural. I'm in a high rise with vertical blinds all around me. Essentially, I have no need for other lighting.

How bad of a problem is burn in (or reverse burn-in) on these TV's. For example, during the fall I will watch NFL for several hours at a time. Is it necessary to turn off the TV from time to time, or what?

ShaneMcFarland · 11-04-2001, 06:55 AM

Another quick question: For just DVD, is it a good idea to go the HDTV way?

I don't think the 43" will fit where I need it, I was looking for something in the 36" area. Then again, if its widescreen...

Also, was there a reason you chose to recommend a projection TV? For HDTV purposes is that a good way to go, b/c in the past I have looked at the tubes.

ShaneMcFarland · 11-04-2001, 07:14 AM

And why the price difference when going from this: http://sql.onecall.com/PID_12484.htm

to this? http://sql.onecall.com/PID_12502.htm

Jellodyne · 11-04-2001, 06:42 PM

Shane, One of those is rear projection and one is direct view (ie more traditional tube style). The rear projection sets bigger and cheaper but have traditionally suffered from various problems like burn in and lower brightness and contrast than a tube tv. Also if you look at the cabinet size, the direct view cabinet is pretty much behind the screen, whereas the rear projection cabinet goes all the way to the ground, and thus needs a bigger space to live.

- Jellodyne

------------------
Where my money went

ShaneMcFarland · 11-04-2001, 07:42 PM

Well it looks like the 34" direct view might be the way to go. The TV needs to fit inside a cabinet, and with the extra footing required for the rear projection, this poses a problem. Are there are 40" direct view 16:9 HDTV's? Or at least anything larger than 34" that I might want to consider?

ShaneMcFarland · 11-05-2001, 08:35 PM

Any other opinions? I am still undecided but may be leaning toward getting rid of the entertainment center and going for the 42". However I had a question. How much better will the direct view picture look, and how much easier will the rear proj. wash out with ambient sunlight that might peek into the room?

Thanks a lot...

***Wirehed*** · 11-05-2001, 10:34 PM

I prefer the look from a properly calibrated rear projection TV. It's much more film like.

But it does tend to wash out in a bright room. you can't have it next to a window with direct sunlight on it or anything. Drapes work well for this.

dvds'r'us · 11-08-2001, 01:09 PM

i just purchased a very nice and inexpensive Toshiba 19" Color TV (works really really nice)(i can alwayz go downstairs and watch my movies on my 27" tv which is a sharp), I suggest buying either Toshiba Or Phillips. I also have a very nice Samsung dvd player I just got for $110. and it's working great. Now i'm gonna go invest in the sound system.

------------------
I bought a pack of gum yesterday - Bubblicious - Watermelon. I know everyone's saying "Hold off, there's gonna be a special edition with remastered flavor and at least it won't be in that awful paper wrapper." But you know what, I figured it's worth it. I mean if it's not that good, I can always auction off the rest of the pack on eBay. And then if Bubblicious revisits the Watermelon gum, I can use the money to re-purchase the upgrade.

My DVD Site!

11-04-2001, 12:04 AM	#1 (permalink)
ShaneMcFarland Actor Join Date: Oct 2001	Need a TV recomendation... I'm lookint to drop up to $2,000 on a new TV. I'm not really sure if I should get a HDTV or just a good regular one. I want a 34" or 36". Mostly this will be for DVD, so 16:9 would be nice. I'm just wondering, would HDTV be the way to go if I'm only watching DVD (no HDTV signals here)? I've looked at the Toshiba 34" 4:3 HDTV. But a widescreen application would be enjoyable; however, I don't even know if I can find a good one for <$2000. Any thoughts would be appreciated. I'm not to knowledgeable in the HDTV area... Thanks a lot.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

11-04-2001, 12:12 AM	#2 (permalink)
Joe Michaels Join Date: Jun 2000	I like the 36" Wega. I don't know that you can find it for 2 grand yet.........

11-04-2001, 05:45 AM	#3 (permalink)
tomdkat Official Forum Warmonger "Dial Tone" Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Hayward, CA, USA	I would recommend the Toshiba 42H81: http://www.toshiba.com/tacp/tv/42H81.html You can probably find one online for less than $2,000. In fact, OneCall is selling this 16:9 HDTV for $1799. The strecth modes on the H81 and HX81 sets are GREAT on 4:3 material. You can get owner feedback at the Home Theater SPot. I recently bough the 57HX81 and I LOVE it!!!! Good luck! Peace....

11-04-2001, 06:30 AM	#4 (permalink)
*1138* Producer/Admin Careful, or I'll ban myself... Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: San Jose, CA	Couple questions: Do you watch much 4x3 TV? What kind of lighting in the room? ------------------ 1138 - DVD File Forum Greeter/Moderator It's not that I'm lazy, it's that I just don't care.

11-04-2001, 06:46 AM	#5 (permalink)
ShaneMcFarland Actor Join Date: Oct 2001	Thanks for the ideas...keep them coming. I am against the Wega. No offense, but I hate Sonys. If you knew the trouble I have gone through with my Sony products (Receiver, DVD, etc.) you would understand. I'll take a look at the Toshiba. I would say that I watch 2x as many movies as I do 4:3. Mostly its news, ESPN and TechTV for me if I don't have DVD playing. The lighting is mostly natural. I'm in a high rise with vertical blinds all around me. Essentially, I have no need for other lighting. How bad of a problem is burn in (or reverse burn-in) on these TV's. For example, during the fall I will watch NFL for several hours at a time. Is it necessary to turn off the TV from time to time, or what?

11-04-2001, 06:55 AM	#6 (permalink)
ShaneMcFarland Actor Join Date: Oct 2001	Another quick question: For just DVD, is it a good idea to go the HDTV way? I don't think the 43" will fit where I need it, I was looking for something in the 36" area. Then again, if its widescreen... Also, was there a reason you chose to recommend a projection TV? For HDTV purposes is that a good way to go, b/c in the past I have looked at the tubes.

11-04-2001, 07:14 AM	#7 (permalink)
ShaneMcFarland Actor Join Date: Oct 2001	And why the price difference when going from this: http://sql.onecall.com/PID_12484.htm to this? http://sql.onecall.com/PID_12502.htm

11-04-2001, 06:42 PM	#8 (permalink)
Jellodyne Actor Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Minneapolis, MN, US	Shane, One of those is rear projection and one is direct view (ie more traditional tube style). The rear projection sets bigger and cheaper but have traditionally suffered from various problems like burn in and lower brightness and contrast than a tube tv. Also if you look at the cabinet size, the direct view cabinet is pretty much behind the screen, whereas the rear projection cabinet goes all the way to the ground, and thus needs a bigger space to live. - Jellodyne ------------------ Where my money went

11-04-2001, 07:42 PM	#9 (permalink)
ShaneMcFarland Actor Join Date: Oct 2001	Well it looks like the 34" direct view might be the way to go. The TV needs to fit inside a cabinet, and with the extra footing required for the rear projection, this poses a problem. Are there are 40" direct view 16:9 HDTV's? Or at least anything larger than 34" that I might want to consider?

11-05-2001, 08:35 PM	#10 (permalink)
ShaneMcFarland Actor Join Date: Oct 2001	Any other opinions? I am still undecided but may be leaning toward getting rid of the entertainment center and going for the 42". However I had a question. How much better will the direct view picture look, and how much easier will the rear proj. wash out with ambient sunlight that might peek into the room? Thanks a lot...

11-05-2001, 10:34 PM	#11 (permalink)
*Wirehed* Producer/Admin NSFW Off 'the list' Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Sacto, Ca --Near Galt, home of LeVar Burton	I prefer the look from a properly calibrated rear projection TV. It's much more film like. But it does tend to wash out in a bright room. you can't have it next to a window with direct sunlight on it or anything. Drapes work well for this.

11-08-2001, 01:09 PM	#12 (permalink)
dvds'r'us Actor Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: St. Louis Area	i just purchased a very nice and inexpensive Toshiba 19" Color TV (works really really nice)(i can alwayz go downstairs and watch my movies on my 27" tv which is a sharp), I suggest buying either Toshiba Or Phillips. I also have a very nice Samsung dvd player I just got for $110. and it's working great. Now i'm gonna go invest in the sound system. ------------------ I bought a pack of gum yesterday - Bubblicious - Watermelon. I know everyone's saying "Hold off, there's gonna be a special edition with remastered flavor and at least it won't be in that awful paper wrapper." But you know what, I figured it's worth it. I mean if it's not that good, I can always auction off the rest of the pack on eBay. And then if Bubblicious revisits the Watermelon gum, I can use the money to re-purchase the upgrade. My DVD Site!