Television sets, what to get

[Egon]

We don't think we have the need to hook up to computer inputs but I should think of the future.

Before you pass on this feature check out some of the stuff available on Youtube.:thumbsup:

YouTube - Deep Sea Biology at the Arctic's Gakkel Ridge

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHKgCGhI1xs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyBO10VhVmc&playnext=1&videos=OS5mBoLG6gs&feature=rec-LGOUT-exp_fresh%2Bdiv-1r-7-HM

 

[/pine]

I have HDMI running everything except the audio...

If you are using an HDMI cable...you should be getting the best audio signal...

I only suggested the fiber optic audio ports for those without HDMI connectivity...

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

We want a pretty big TV as it will hang on the wall at the end of a room. There are TONS of windows in the room so the advice on reflection is very helpful. We don't think we have the need to hook up to computer inputs but I should think of the future.

Ahh, choices! :confused2:

If you have a large room, bigger is usually better. When shopping previously for TV my DW was originally thought a 46" was huge and gave me a hard time when I wanted a 55." We actually set up one of each side by side - same input. It didn't take her long to agree (in the large room) that 55" was minimum size. This time we went 60"

Choosing a set is a bit of a Ford / Chev / Dodge thing. Given our watching environment and preferences we picked the Sony KDL60EX700 as best for us out of the box. As stated in previous post, the speakers are pretty pathetic, but Home Theatre fixes that and the picture is fantastic. Added a Sony PS3 Slim 250 GB for the BluRay player, plus can store a ton of Movies / Home Video / Photos for direct playback on the TV. The PS3 is WiFi capable so with it connected to the home network content can be transferred direct from my computers to the PS3 and then viewed on the TV.

It's always nice to support local independent business, however, places like Future Shop / Best Buy and Costco have a fairly liberal return policy if you buy something and find it is not what you wanted once set up at home.

If I recall Costco doubles the usual 1 year warranty to 2 years - so if they have the model you want, all other things being equal this might be a factor to consider.

 

[jimmyj]

we picked the Sony KDL60EX700

I love the model names for these things! They make military inventions and Nasa look simple. LOL.

 

[jinman]

I love the model names for these things! They make military inventions and Nasa look simple. LOL.

Wait until you discover that what looks like two identical sets when you look at them may actually have different model numbers. You'll drive yourself nuts trying to figure out the differences. I think they must use a slightly different model number for the sets sold at Sam's vs Best Buy or other store so they can identify the source. I read lots of specifications on the outside of lots of boxes before buying our TV. It's not a lot of fun pulling a huge box off the shelf and turning it over so you can read the stuff on the box, but we did it for our Samsung and later for a Sony that we bought for my wife's mom and dad. I hate buying anything that I don't know what is in the box until I get it home.

 

[Aggieville]

I'm a huge fan of the Bravia series, Sony has come down in price on those models pretty extensively as well.

 

[orezok]

That's an interesting question. We used to have both HD and standard TV satellite receivers. If we turned on the std. receiver in a bedroom and tuned the same program as was playing on the HD receiver, the std. sets picture and sound were slightly ahead of the HD set. My guess is that with HD they have more processing to do on the signal; therefore, it is delayed about a second in HD mode. Maybe by delaying the video, the audio and video stay in sync here in the USA. I have no idea if that's true, but your post made me think about the delays we used to hear between std. and HDtv.

We have Dish and when we updated to a HD set, they had to replace the dish with one that receives 3 satellites instead of 2. Most likely HD is broadcast from a different satellite located further away, thus the latency.

 

[/pine]

Yes Direct TV and Dish use different satellites for HD but they are basically in the same orbits aboove the Earth...
the difference between standard and high definition signals is (frequency) bandwidth...
HD takes longer for the reciever to modulate the larger (heavier) signal...

[anecdote]

having a standard reciever/TV in one room and HD in another...if two people are watching 'Jeopardy' (one in each room) the person in the room with the standard setup can holler the "questions" to the person watching in HD and impress them by seemingly to know all the answers (questions)...!

[/anecdote]

 

[sweettractors]

We just bought a 47 inch LED HD capable by Phillips for $749 and free delivery from Walmart (online). The customer feedback was good on the Walmart website and my Son has had one since Christmas and very pleased with his as well. So far ours is doing great. BTW, We went on and subscribed to the HD and Live Digital Record feature from our provider ($15/Month extra) and it will be fun as soon as I figure how to use it? Ken Sweet

 

[jinman]

HD DVR is awesome! I have the half terabyte system that can record up to 350 hours of programs before I have to erase any. This is not a TV issue, but they go hand-in-hand.