pros and cons of flat pannel wide screens TV's.

[DisneyPhD]

Well every man wants a big T.V, every women a big dimond. While we have been married 12 years, I am still waiting for the BIG dimond (mine is, well lets just say modest.) Hubby is thinking it is time for the new big T.V. we have been talking about for a while.

He found a 42 inch that he is strongly considering. I think this is it.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Pana...sem/rpsm/oid/118479/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Besides the drawbacks that we need a new entertainment center. (or find something to do with it, not sure we want to hang it on the wall.) What other drawbacks are there? I am concnerned that normal T.V. will look funny and we are going to need digital cable now. (we just have normal and I am happy with it.) What about it being wide, does it make normal programs look strange? How about things that are already wide screen with the black on the top and bottom, does it still doe that? Seems like a waste of space. I wonder if this new T.V is going to turn into a mess of new things.

We have a 29 inch now, but are thinking of moving that to the bedroom (so I can see it in bed with my glasses off!) and the 42 inch in the living room. Right now the way we have the furniture the 29 inch is rather small from the couch, set far back.

This one is ED not High Def TV, anyone have one and how do you like it.

Now he is going to want a new surround sound sysem down the line too.

Any opinons on this? Anyone get one and regret it or not like it?

Thanks in advance.

 

[RadioFanatic]

don't have an answer - just wanted to say your first sentence is wrong- I'm a woman who would LOVE a big tv and forget the diamond thank you. In fact, my engagement ring is small b/c I didn't want a big diamond - refused it actually. would rather spend my moolah on other things.

 

[DisneyPhD]

don't have an answer - just wanted to say your first sentence is wrong- I'm a woman who would LOVE a big tv and forget the diamond thank you. In fact, my engagement ring is small b/c I didn't want a big diamond - refused it actually. would rather spend my moolah on other things.

Well I get to enjoy it too, so I am going along with it. The thing is DH never buys anything for himself, let along anything big. So I am whole heartedly going along with this. I want him to have it, but he is still unsure.

But yes I get to enjoy it too. hehehehe.

 

[TinkerBellz33]

we have a 42 inch Plasma in the bedroom, and I love it...absolutely no regrets...

 

[JudicialTyranny]

Be careful - you are looking at an EDTV which Circus City/Best Buy like to push, but they are not the same as a HDTV.

I'm not saying EDTV is bad, but it's not HDTV which is the future. My opinion - if you are going to sink money into it, get an HDTV.

Check this link for a simple description or search the web for articles on the difference between EDTV/HDTV. (Basically, EDTV has 480 scan lines where the HDTV standard has 720 minimum - so watching an HDTV signal on EDTV will scale it back to 480.)

If you have cable TV, you will need an HDTV-capable box from your cable company. Check into the costs on that.

And be ready to be slightly disappointed when watching "regular" (non-HD) TV shows - in the store, everything they show on the TV's is in HD, but when you get it home, many things aren't HD. It shouldn't be too bad with a 42". I have a 51" and regular non-HD channels look rather grainy if you watch them expanded to the full size of the screen.

 

[DreadpiratK]

I'll second that! If you can't get a lot of HD, or don't want to pay for it, think twice about getting an HD TV. the HD will look great, but the rest of it will look worse than on a regular SD tv.

I have been selling and installing Sat TV and related products for almost 10 years now, and one thing to consider is the cost of installing your fancy new flat screen. I get a kick out the the commercials where the delivery guys walk in and set on the wall and walk out. The last wall mount we did cost the customer over $800! That's if you want all the wires in the walls and a fancy articulating arm mount, but it can still be pricey. We get quite a few people with sticker shock when they call us to install thier new flat screens. Not as easy as it looks! Free delivery/setup from the retailer generally doesn't include the wall mount of fishing the wires properly either, so check first.

 

[DisneyPhD]

We knew it was ED, I was just wondering if anyone who has one likes it. They have a wall mount for $250, but I think we will put it on a shelf. We would instahl it ourselves, hubby can or has a friend who is good at such things.

 

[CharlesTD]

Do not buy a plasma TV it is throw away technology. If you are looking for a flat panel TV get an LCD. Plasma gas in teh TV degrades over time and every time you turn it on it degrades just a bit more. LCD will not do this and after 3 years your great plasma tv is garbage you can't recharge the gas in it and you just throw it away (recycle it) LCD can be replaced etc so if you are looking for one go with the LCDS over the PLasma.

 

[Charade]

I'll second that! If you can't get a lot of HD, or don't want to pay for it, think twice about getting an HD TV. the HD will look great, but the rest of it will look worse than on a regular SD tv.

From my limited experience, this is not the case. My regular non-HD sat signal and DVDs look better on my 36 inch Sony HDTV than they did on my SD that it replaced. I compared an SD and HD model of Sony TV with the same signal (cable) when I was deciding and the difference to me was quite noticeable. The older SD TVs (especially the bigger screens) are grainy compared to HDTV. When you view a true HD source on an HD TV, the picture is amazing.

 

[Galahad]

We have the Panasonic 37 inch HDTV version. We like it very much. Panasonic consistantly is rated at the top in Plasma and LCD TV's. We don't get much use out of the HD feature yet, but think it was the right thing to do to get it rather than the ED.

 

[DisDuck]

Disney... I have the exact Panasonic Plasma you are looking at. I have digital cable tv and upgraded my cable box to hdtv cable without any charge. In my area there are 18 hdtv channels available and even though the tv is ed when watching shows on the hd channels I can count the facial blemishes in closeups. Picture is amazing. On non-hd channels the picture is still better than what I got on my 27 inch tube tv; however, you get bands on left and right in order as regular channels do not have the 'width' aspect.

As to how long it will last.. The screen is rated for 60,000 hours even if it only lasts 40,000 hours or so that is almost 10 years of viewing unless you happen to watch 24/7. LCD's while good and don't have the 'gas' issue do have a viewing issue particularly at the larger sizes. When viewing from an angle LCD can look distorted.

Until all broadcasting is at hdtv levels some years in the future.. edtv will give a great approximation of hdtv at a much lower cost. LCD for the same size is much more expensive.

I am happy with my purchase.

 

[eclectics]

Not a lot of HD programming yet, but it is expanding every day and will be the norm eventually. I love my Flat Screen 32" Philips HDTV. Not too big, not too small. Yes, non HD programming is slightly grainy but not distracting on my set. Maybe it's worse the larger screen you get. HD dvds are amazing to watch and I just put the sound on Dolby Virtual and enjoy! I would never buy a "regular" non-HD set again.

 

[Micca]

I just wanted to say that you are a wonderful DW to support your DH in the selection of such an important item. Best of luck with your decision.

 

[CharlesTD]

We judt picked up a 60" DLP with built in HD tuner so no need for an HD reciever from the cable company or sat service it is so nice. CSI in HD looks oh so great.

 

[JudicialTyranny]

From my limited experience, this is not the case. My regular non-HD sat signal and DVDs look better on my 36 inch Sony HDTV than they did on my SD that it replaced.

But my point was that as the screen gets larger, the more grainy it will appear. My TV is a Sony 51" rear projection and I don't think the non-HD channels look all that great, unless I change the aspect ratio to SD - but then only part of the screen is being used.

 

[DisneyPhD]

DisDuck and Galahad, thanks for the input, that is just what I was looking for.

We went to Circit city last night too look them over.

Basicly for the same amount of money (around 1700) we can get a 40 inch Plasma ED or a 32 inch LCD HD. Hubby is concenred the 32 inch will be too small for the living room (we have a 29 inch normal there now and I don't like to sit on the couch and wacth it.) The LCD in 42 inch is just under 3,000.

So now we are considering getting the 32 inch and putting it in the new bedroom upstairs and keeping the old T.V just where it is. (that is how this whole thing started, we need a new T.V. for our bedroom, we were going to take the old one and put it there.)

One bonus to that is our front room is rather visable from the street and would screem "come steal me." even though we live in a very safe area, are you ever that safe anymore? The bedroom one would only been seen by us. (and it is a new room with new furnture in it,) That way we could keep it there never even tell either of our parents so they wouldn't have to quesiton our judgment for not putting the money in savings for the kids education.

Still on the fence, most likely will decide this weekend. But with the price of gas, maybe we will just do with what have.

Thanks Micca, but I hardly deserve after all, I do get to bennfit from it too. (but still waiting on the ring. actually I always chose a trip to WDW over a bigger ring, everytime.)

Thanks for the advice everyone.

 

[ToyStory Fan]

Disney... I have the exact Panasonic Plasma you are looking at. I have digital cable tv and upgraded my cable box to hdtv cable without any charge. In my area there are 18 hdtv channels available and even though the tv is ed when watching shows on the hd channels I can count the facial blemishes in closeups. Picture is amazing. On non-hd channels the picture is still better than what I got on my 27 inch tube tv; however, you get bands on left and right in order as regular channels do not have the 'width' aspect.

As to how long it will last.. The screen is rated for 60,000 hours even if it only lasts 40,000 hours or so that is almost 10 years of viewing unless you happen to watch 24/7. LCD's while good and don't have the 'gas' issue do have a viewing issue particularly at the larger sizes. When viewing from an angle LCD can look distorted.

Until all broadcasting is at hdtv levels some years in the future.. edtv will give a great approximation of hdtv at a much lower cost. LCD for the same size is much more expensive.

I am happy with my purchase.

1) Don't buy from as others have referred to them Circus City and Worst Buy, their prices are not that good and their customer service is among the worst.

2) DO NOT waste your money on ED go to www.crutchfield.com and read up on the difference (these guys have amazing customer service and technical expertise) their pricing is also high though.

3) as for the 40k hours vs 60k hours, I have a friend who bought a plasma, and in just 2 years there is definitely a dimmer picture.

4) EDTV will not even come close to giving a representation of HDTV quick lesson:

SDTV (standard definition) is 480i or 480 lines of interlaced resolution, meaning on your set you see 480 lines filled in by row, 1, 3, 5 etc, then 2, 4, 6.

EDTV (enhanced definition) is 480p or 480 lines of progressive scan resolution, meaning the rows are filled in order, only giving a smoother transition of the picture on screen - there is NO OTHER enhancement or improvement to the picture

HDTV is really 2 (soon to be 3 forms) 720p, 1080i and soon 1080p
the line numbers and filling work the same, onviously the more lines the clearer the picture will be...purists believe that 1080i is tru HDTV and that 720p is sort of faking it, but sports viewers will tell you that 720p is better for watching sports due to the smoother picture transitions.

When 1080p hits - hold on to your hats, because it will be like looking out the window.

As for Plasma vs LCD, vs LCD projection (and it's variants) look at the Crutchfield site and use their tv selection tools. As for places to buy - look at www.JR.com - great prices and service.

As for me - I have a direct view tube HDTV - why because I was entertainment center constrained, AND it is hands down the best HD picture around.

 

[Shutterbug]

Starting somtime in 2006(I think) all programing will be digital. Old televisions will have to have a converter box to watch it.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Starting somtime in 2006(I think) all programing will be digital. Old televisions will have to have a converter box to watch it.

That is next year. Less then 6 months away. You are saying that all the millions of T.Vs. out there aren't going to work unless you buy more equipment for them. I don't think so. What about all the ones currently int he stores, but not sold yet. If anything their will be a 6 year transtion period where they run both signals or something like that.

Someday, not that soon.

ToyStory Fan, thanks for taking the time to write that info. I will pass it on to DH. He is considering a rear screen projection LCD currenlty.

He is no longer considering the Plasma. It is between getting the smaller LCD HD for the price we want or shelling out more for the 40 inch LCD. Still on the fence.

 

[Shutterbug]

That is next year. Less then 6 months away. You are saying that all the millions of T.Vs. out there aren't going to work unless you buy more equipment for them. I don't think so. What about all the ones currently int he stores, but not sold yet. If anything their will be a 6 year transtion period where they run both signals or something like that.

Someday, not that soon.

No, actually at the end of 2006 according to FCC:

http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/digitaltv.html

From that article:

When Will the DTV Transition Be Complete?

Television stations serving all markets in the United States are airing digital television programming, although they still must provide analog programming until the target date set by Congress for the completion of the transition to DTV - December 31, 2006. That date may be extended, however, until most homes (85%) in an area are able to watch the DTV programming. At that point, broadcasting on the current (analog) channels will end and that spectrum will be put to other uses.