OT: LCD/HDTV which one to buy?

[kowalchicky]

I wanted to buy my husband a 19" flat screen tv. I thought it would be easy but not knowing all the techno terms...I'm lost.

I found one online at sams club for $289.53 it is the 19" magnavox LCD 720p HDTV ( it sells for $399.99 at best buy )

Then...

I was in target today and seen a Magnavox 19" 1080i LCD HDTV on sale for $249.99

The one at sams club says High definition LCD WXGA+display 1440x900p

the one at target says displays resolutions up to 1080i

What is the difference?????

someone please help me I want it to be a surprise so I dont want to end up having to ask my husband

 

[juliana_sd]

I am far from an expert but from what I've seen & read, the difference won't matter on a set that small. "p" is supposedly better for sports... and since the Sams Club one retails for more, it's likely a better tv.

And I think it's cute that you said HGTV (I assume you mean HDTV, but if not, it will be just as good for the gardening and interior decorating shows )

 

[Elmo888]

I think that you mean plasma vs. LCD. I found a really good article when I was researching them a few months ago, but I can't find it.

This might help...

http://www.lcdtvbuyingguide.com/lcdtv-plasmavslcd.shtml

http://www.pcworld.com/ic/hdtv/#

I learned about the i's and the p's, but now I can't remember! Higher numbers mean a better pic, but tv stations have a limit to what they transmit. There was some number that you needed only if you have HD DVD player.

Good luck!

 

[kowalchicky]

I can't believe I did that...well actually I can..
I hope I can edit it...

I am far from an expert but from what I've seen & read, the difference won't matter on a set that small. "p" is supposedly better for sports... and since the Sams Club one retails for more, it's likely a better tv.

And I think it's cute that you said HGTV (I assume you mean HDTV, but if not, it will be just as good for the gardening and interior decorating shows )

 

[Wendybird55]

Hight Definition broadcasts in 2 different types of signals.

One is 720p and the other 1080i
The "P" stands for progressive scanning and the "i" stands for interlace scanning.
720 is for 720 lines of resolution and 1080 is for 1,080 lines of resolution.
Depending on the channel you watch some programs are broadcasted in 720p and some in 10801.

Now, progressive scanning is better than interlace scanning, but 1,080 lines is more and better resolution than 720.

1080i is the agreed upon better resolution by most people.
Mnay sports broadcasts are in 720p (ESPN airs all it's HD ins 720p).

That being said there is even a better resolution for HDTVS now - 1080p - nothing broadcasts in 1080p, but for larger screen LCD or Plasma TVS - 1080p is a better picture.


All this being said - with a 19" screen it really won't matter if it's 720p or 1080i simply because the smaller the screen size the better the resolution and chances are you won't see much of a difference between 1080I and 720p on a
19" LCD.

If your husband plays video games and has an XBOX or PS3 with HD then get the 1080i. If not, go with the better price.

I worked in professional broadcasting for many years and launched HD networks - I also sold HD tvs. Magnavox is an pretty good brand. For a 19" you will get a nice picture.
But you may want to check the audio quality. A year or 2 back I remember the audio for the Magnavox being very low -even when you put the volume all the way up. The new models now may be better. Also depending upon the usage of the TV you may want to make sureit has an HDMI input.

If you give me the model #'s of the TV's you're thinking of getting I can look up the specs and see if there's a big difference.

 

[kowalchicky]

I dont really think I have to worry to much about the sound because I'm getting the 19" screen because it's going in the bar area of our basement just so we could have the game on and sit at the bar otherwise our backs would be towards the main tv in the room...
I appreciate all the help...thank you!