I need a new TV

[spirited]

Hello all,

I haven't been on here for awhile, and it's good to be back. I need a new TV badly. My set is 22 years old. I just started a new job about a month ago, and I'll finally be able to buy a new TV and DVD,

The Panasonic TV I've had my eye on is no longer being made (FLAT CRT 34" HDTV ready). Therefore, here are my requirements and budget:

Good quality (not made in China or Mexico)
Size between 27 and 40"
HDTV ready
Good color and sound
Adequate for the room (sunlight comes in)
Composite Video (optional)

Budget is around $2500

Hopefully you can all help me, and a special thanks to Jason for helping me post this thread,

Larry

[aud19]

With that budget and that you want to view it in daylight, I probably wouldn't recommend CRT, so you're looking at LCD, DLP or SXRD RPTV's or on the smaller side, LCD and plasma direct view sets. I say smaller as a good 42" plasma will still cost you around $3k-$3500 in Canada.

Your best bet for plasma is probably the Panasonic TH-37PHD8UK 37" HD Plasma Display, MSRP: $3,060.00 (should be able to get it less than that in store )

The next problem is RPTV's start above 40" and go up from there. Sony's SXRD for example is only available in a 50"+ size and even the 50" is closer to $3500-$4k and likely beyond your budget.

The new Samsung 1080p DLP's only start at 56" though they do have some 720p models at 42" and 46" and they will fit easily in to your budget you could even include an ISF calibration with that budget.

Sony and Sharp both have good quality direct view LCD's in the 32"-40" sizes in your price range.

Other than that, you might be able to find a 34" direct view CRT on closeout somewhere and there are a couple companies still making them, I believe Samsung is one and I thought Panasonic might still be but it seems not!

Hope that's some help :T

[spirited]

Thanks Jason,

I just came back from future shop, and I couldn't believe my eyes. The difference in price from a 32 to a 40" is over $1000. At first glance the Sharp Aquos picture is unbelievable. The salesman also showed me Samsung, and Sony. Which model is better built?

[aud19]

As I mentioned, for my money it would be the Sharp or Sony. Between those two the PQ and build are both quite good so it would be whiver GUI , remote, price etc you prefer See if the Sharp has discrete input buttons on the remote (I don't believe Sony does for any of their TV's :rant: )

[spirited]

Keep im mind Jason, I'm back to being a rookie. What are discrete input buttons? BTW is the Bravia bette than the other Sony Model? Is the 37" Sharp just a cash grab?

Thank you all for your help

Larry

[David Meek]

Larry, did you mean component video?

Jason, why is a CRT set out of the question? They play well in a sunlit room and he can get the 16:9 34" Sony WEGA® HDTV KD-34XS955N for $1,699 from SonyStyle.com.

[spirited]

Yes David I meant component video sorry. Most CRTs that are left are all rear projection, and most of them are too big for the room I'm in.

[aud19]

As Larry mentioned David, most direct view CRT's are gone or going. It's getting less and less likely one will be available when he goes to buy. Also as much as I love CRT's (best PQ around still baby!) they can't compete with the light output of most digital displays in a bright room.

Larry discrete input buttons are just that, an individual, discrete button for each video input. Lot's of companies (including Sony) simply have one button that scrolls through the inputs (or some variation of that) which can cause problems when trying to set up macros with universal remotes etc.

As for Bravia, it seems that simply describes any of their LCD sets above 23" in size, the higher quality Bravia sets include XBR in their names

I'm not sure what you men by Sharp being a cash grab? :scratchhead:

[David Meek]

Okay, let's be clear here because I must be missing something.

First, you are saying that a standard single-tube-type HD TV isn't available for purchase? The link I sent you is Sony's online outlet that has the very set mentioned. Second, Jason you're saying the light output of an LCD is greater than a single-tube-type CRT TV? Not the "spec" output, but the actual in-room useable output?

[spirited]

What I meant by a cash grab Jason is they (Futureshop) are charging over 1K for 5-8 more inches. Is it wroth the money?

David, I've seen CRTs that are HDTV. However, they are huge, and IMHO not worth the money.

[dyazdani]

David, I've seen CRTs that are HDTV. However, they are huge, and IMHO not worth the money.

Now I'm confused too...

The link David provided seems to be what you are referring to - they are not huge or overly expensive. There are quite a few models to choose from. Are you confusing a single tube with a 3 gun RPTV maybe? :huh:

[autio]

Well I am not sure exactly what type of television you are looking for (except hdtv), but if price is an important try http://www.outlet.philips.com/b2c_re...72&shop=OUTLET

[aud19]

David yes, DLP, LCD etc tend to perform better in bright environements compared to CRT's. CRT's have better contrast due to their excellent black levels but most digital displays have higher peak light output which can compete better with a bright room.

Larry is the extra size worth the extra money? Only you can decide that There are plenty of excellent options in RPTV's for bigger size for the money.....

[David Meek]

Jason, I think we're still in a semantic snarl here. The TV's I'm talking about aren't RPTVs with multiple guns. It's an ATSC 16:9 high-definition set that has one tube just like the old 4:3 TVs we've been watching for 60 years.

[aud19]

Jason, I think we're still in a semantic snarl here. The TV's I'm talking about aren't RPTVs with multiple guns. It's an ATSC 16:9 high-definition set that has one tube just like the old 4:3 TVs we've been watching for 60 years.

Yup and they can't compete with sunlight as well as bright digital monitors. CRT RPTV's are even worse in this regard (though soooo good in many others :P ) If daytime viewing in a bright room wasn't a major consideration I'd wholeheartily endorse CRT of either type. Other than being a bit bulky they still offer the best PQ around in a properly lit environment (ie little or no direct light towards the screen)

[spirited]

David, that's what I said at the begining. The Panasonic single tube HDTV, that I wanted is not being made anymore. The other ones left are the huge 3 gun CRTs. That's why I'm looking for another alternative. LCD and plasma seem to be my only options. The question is which one?

[aud19]

There are still a couple models (for now) that are the same display type as the Panasonic. The sony David mentioned, plus I believe Samsung is still making one etc... You'll probably have to look harder though to find one and as I mentioned if you plan to do a lot of daytime viewing in a bright room, CRT may not be the best candidate. (Though that's a bit like complaining about a sports cars off road performance IMO :lol: )

[aud19]

Larry, how much of your viewing is actually going to be in a bright room? I ask because in order for you to get a good daytime picture you generally have to give up on image quality elsewhere and generally I do most of my critical viewing in a darkish room. When I'm watching garbage afternoon TV I could almost care less what the PQ is like but when I'm watching DVD's/HD at night I'm very picky of the PQ.

Also I have to ask what the reason is for not wanting to go above 40"? Is there space concerns, seating to close etc? Because there's LOT's of VERY good options in RPTV's from CRT (best PQ, very inexpensive but bulky), SXRD (close to CRT PQ and slim but a bit expensive) and DLP ( close to SXRD PQ, slim and relatively inexpensive).

As for the LCD's, HT Mag. had a comparison between the Sony, Hitachi and Sharp units with the Sharp narrowly winning. The reviewers all seemed to agree however that unless you need a display for frequent bright room viewing, they'd all recommend the Panny plasma over these sets if you have to have a flat panel.

As for flat panels in general, I haven't and still don't care for them myself. You give up a lot for that smaller foot print. They'e comparatively MUCH more expensive for smaller screen sizes, lower/unsquare resolution, equal or worse colour reproduction, pixel lag, equal or poorer black levels etc...

[spirited]

Hello Jason,

The only time I watch day time TV is on the week-end. The reason I do not want to go above 40" is that when I move out (hopefully for good this time), I'm going to be taking that TV with me.
I agree that CRT is still the best, but most of them come as rear projection only. When I worked as an electronics technician most customers did not want to repair it because of the costs, when it was out of warranty.

Every salesman I talked to told me, that if my LCD or Plasma TV breaks down, I most likely will get a new set. Don't get me wrong, I think paying over 2K for a TV is a crime, but I do not have any choice

[aud19]

If you buy a good quality CRT RPTV (Mitsubishi/Hitachi) they're not likely to break Besides if your THAT concerned about it get a 5 year warranty etc for $50 (or whatever you can negotiate) As for the size, you've only got to move it once, you'll watch it every day Besides if you're using a moving truck, who cares how big it is....?

Regardless, even after all that you still don't want a CRT I still recommend a SXRD or DLP over plasma/LCD any day. They just don't have the performance for the money.

[IntegrateMe]

Ok, time to chime in here.

First, neither Mitsu or Sony have decided to renew their REAR PROJECTION CRT models for the 2006-2007 year. Finito, gone, see ya later.

However, it sounds like that is not a concern since you dont have room for a large RP CRT anyhow.

Now, Sony (who has been the leader in CRT tube technology for 20 years) has just released their new 2006-2007 models. In the widescreen variety, only the 34" size remains.

I am in the process of replacing my bedroom TV (a 1997 Sony Trinitron 35" CRT Tube) and I am thrilled that Sony has not killed off the XBR tube yet. I may actually buy 2, and store one, since I am almost convinced that this is going to be the last year for the venerable tube.

But the awesome thing is that Sony dropped the US retail price for $1800 to $1300. Granted they got rid of the ATSC tuner, and the fine detail aperture grille (or something like that), but bottom line, its still a Sony XBR, and I 10000000% guarantee you that you will not find a better picture at the 34" size.

You may find a thinner TV, and you may (perhaps) find that a 37" LCD (with its contrast jacked up to the point of severe white crush)that outshines the CRT. Yet, you will not find a more natural, fluid, life-like,jaw dropping picture at the 34" size than the Sony 34XBR970.

Buy several, and encourage your friends to buy them because it may be 5 more years before we get the same performance at the same price.

Long live the tube!!!!

Barry

Media Room Sony 40XBR800 HD
Bedroom Sony 35" KLV Series SD

[George Bellefontaine]

I will only say this. I replaced a 36" 4:3 tube Toshiba with a Samsung 26" flat panel lcd and I couldn't be happier. Now, this is really not meant for dvd movie viewing: I have a dedicated HT for that, but I ran a movie on it recently to see how it looked and I was flabbergasted by the gorgeous picture. What I like about the Samsung is the brightness and contrast sensors that adjust the picture automatically for brightly lit or a darkened room. I also like the fact you can adjust color temperature for a custom setting if needbe. I paid $1K Canadian for it. The models also come in 32" and 42". But I always hesitate to recommend things because everyone's taste is different, and beauty is often in the eye of the beholder.