Television Buying Advice

[rdln]

Dont buy a remote that has printing on the buttons themselves, they will wear off quiker.

Your directv reciever doesn't have component outputs but does have s-video, so make sure the tv has s-video inputs, dont use the RCA conectors for video.

 

[ducati996]

If you are looking to learn as much as you can tolerate regrding HDTV or home theater I would look at the best site on the web for it....

Good luck with filtering thorough everything...you will get all types of suggestions which is fine. Just dont listen to a sales rep and ask them for advice. Know what you are looking for first....

www.avsforum.com

AVS Forum

Ducati

 

[dummy]

You might want to look here also DTV.gov for some usable info.

Digital Television Facts At A Glance

Analog
Broadcasts at least through 2006, and most likely longer.

Consumers will always be able to connect an inexpensive receiver, a set top box, to their existing analog TV to decode DTV broadcast signals.

Set top boxes will not convert your analog TV to high-definition.

Analog TVs will continue to work with cable, satellite, VCRs, DVD players, camcorders, video games consoles and other devices for many years.
Digital cable or digital satellite does not mean a program is in high-definition.


Digital pictures will be free from the "ghosts" and "snow" that can affect analog transmissions.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Almost exactly a year ago I bought myself a new TV and did a lot of looking, listening and learning in the process. When all was said and done, I ended up with a Samsung digital light projection (DLP) and couldn't be happier with it.

Mine is a 51" wide screen. When watching something not in the widescreen format the picture is roughly a 43". The set is less than 18" deep and a tabletop style. Check out DLP before you buy anything. I think you'll like what you see.

 

[ShaleniFarm]

Has anyone bought a big screen over the internet? (Notwithstanding the other threads......)

Just curious.

Happy holidays,
Neil.

 

[gsxr1100]

yes, and both times my 60" came with MAJOR damage. So on #3 I went to my local store and bought it.

 

[KubotaSteve]

My brother is a big sports nut, so he went to Sears and got the 36" Sony flat screen with the Bose sound system. He also has Direct TV with the NFL ticket. He even watches the entire 2 day NFL draft. He has had the TV for about 2 years and likes it a lot. I go over and watch the games with him. The Bose sound system has awesome sound for only two speakers and the TV has a great picture. The only downside is the weight. I never realized how heavy that TV was until we had to pick it up to put it on the stand. That thing was a monster, plus it doesn't really have anywhere to grab it. He is ready for a plasma which is much lighter and clearer but considerable $$$$. He got the Sony TV and the Bose system for right around $2,500 two years ago.
As far as internet places, the only place I would get it from online would be Crutchfield and I believe they include set-up with some of their tv's.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

<font color="blue"> 'Has anyone bought a big screen over the internet?" </font>

Mine is a 51" wide screen Samsung DLP that I bought online. It couldn't have worked out better. The local cartage company called to let me know when they had it, arranged a time to deliver it and were there on time and made sure I had it inside and upstairs, OK.

I tried to buy it locally but neither local store would even come close on pricing. I was willing to spend a couple hundred more to buy locally but that didn't even get me close. All in all, with shipping on the online purchase and taxes on the local price I saved well over $1,000 by buying online.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Gary, just out of curiosity, what about repairs?

I'm THINKING of upgrading substantially from the rabbit ears era of old time TV and making the giant leap to HDTV and one of the concerns I have is cost, which leads to shopping on the internet to concerns about service. I'm like you, I'm willing to pay extra to get local service, but I did a search on dealers in my area for the TV I wanted, there is no dealer within 45 miles that has what I want in stock except a national chain store that has one at one of their stores and they are the hightest price I found!

Also, did you buy the "extended warrenty" with your set? Is it needed?

 

[ShaleniFarm]

Thanks Gary & Mike,

I'm undecided about buying over the net. It will be a pain to return in either case - whether I have to ship it or drag it back to the store.

Also, did either of you bother to calibrate the set? (Or just use it out of the box?) Also, as Bob said, what are your thoughts on the extended warrenty?

Thanks for the help,
Neil.