Which TV should i get?

[SharpShooter5]

hey, i curently own a JVC 27" 4:3 TV, but i want to upgrade to a 16:9 HDTV ready TV, but i'm having trouble choosing which one. I've narrowed it down to 3, but please feel free to suggest other models (and unfortunetly Plasma is not in my price range of about $1500 - $2000 [Canadian])

Toshiba 30HF83 30" Widescreen TV Info

Toshiba 34HF83 34" Widescreen TV Info

Sony KV-34HS510 34" Widescreen TV Info


they all seem the same to me, but i'm sure one is better then the other's in features (yes i know one is 30", but does 4" difference really make that much of a difference?)

Here's a little info:

the way my room is situated i sit about 6 feet from the TV, so i want to make sure that that is not too close.

My usage of the TV breaks down this way:

65% DVD
30% regular TV (i will eventually get an HD reciever)
5% video games

also, they say that on all 3 "You can choose to display regular non-HDTV signals in a standard 4:3 window with vertical gray bars on the sides, or expand the image to completely fill the screen."

So does this mean that if you choose to expand the image that a 4:3 TV show is "squished" to 16:9 or is a bit of the top and bottom lopped off and the picture presented in a cropped 16:9. format?


my friends/family have me leaning towards the Toshiba 34HF83 34" Widescreen TV , but is that the best choice?

Oh yeah (yes i know its alot of questions ) but do you only need an HD TV reciever to get HDTV signals, or do i have to pay for a service through my cable provider?

Thanks guys, i just figured i'd ask the "experts" before i bought (lord knows the sales guy would probably just sell me the most expensive one )

[I 8 Piglet]

First I would discount the 30" set right away, bigger is better (as long as you can afford it) and 4 inches does make a big difference. You will kick your self a couple months after your purchase if you go small and realize you could have gotten the larger set.

As for Sony vs. Toshiba, the edge probably goes to Sony, but they are so close. If there is a difference in price go for which ever is cheaper (which probably means the Toshiba). I own both a Sony Vega and a Tosh falt tube, both 4:3, and they both preform fabulously.

When you watch 4:3 material in 16:9 mode it will squish the image.

I had thought the Sonys came with onboard tunners, but I guess not. Both links say you need a seperate tuner. But most cable companies, dont charge any more for an HD box than for a regular box (or if they do its nominal) and most dont charge extra for the HD broadcasts, as long as you have digital cable. As for satalite, I think there is a one time fee, but you get to keep the equipment. This will only really stick you if you want to do OTA broadcasts, than you will have to get a seperate HD receiver which runs about $300.

[SharpShooter5]

thanks for the info I 8 Piglet


but i have another question, can i get regularly TV on these TV's? (meaning can i just hook up the cable that comes from the wall and the stations will come in on the TV

I'm just wondering because some say they have a 181 channel tuner and others don't

Maybe i'm an idiot but can you only get anolag TV signals if you have a tuner built into the TV?

thanks

[I 8 Piglet]

yup, you wont have a problem with regular old cable on these sets.

[tomdkat]

Well, I'm not so sure I would pick the Sony over the Toshiba. When you look at the specs of both sets side by side, here are the differences:

Sony:

• 1 additional composite video input
• XDC (I think) data service so you can get channel info for display
• Name recognition

Toshiba:

• Lighted remote
• 1 yr labor warranty
• Cheaper by $200

No big whoop on the lighted remote but the 1 yr (vs 90 day) labor warranty and the $200 price difference might be worth more to you than the channel data service and the additional composite video input.

I don't know what is of most importance to you. I'm willing to speculate both sets will offer about the same quality of video performance. My mom has a 32" Sony Wega analog flatscreen 4:3 TV and the picture is beautiful. With that in mind, I might pick the Toshiba unless you need that extra composite video input.

Good luck!

Peace...

[SharpShooter5]

Originally Posted by I 8 Piglet

yup, you wont have a problem with regular old cable on these sets.

cool, i was worried that these new TV's are so advanced that they won't work with older technology (not that basic analog cable is that old )


i think i might go for the 34"Toshiba


thanks guys