Samsung 53" HD ready RPTV

[Adam Wolf]

I am on the verge of buying the Samsung PCK5315RX HD ready RPTV from bestbuy.com for $2099.00...Is this a decent TV for the money? I have never owned a Samsung TV before...PLEASE gimme all the help ya can!

[BoBoish]

As far as Samsung, I can say that they generally put out quality stuff. I have a 27" t.v. that I bought several years ago and it still looks great and has given me no problems. Also, they are just hard to beat when it comes to value.

However, I cannot say anything about that specific t.v. Basically, head down to Best Buy and hook up a DVD player to it and test it out yourself (don't judge based on whatever they have showing).

Bo.

[cwwallace]

For that price spend $400.00 more and get the TW40x81 by Toshiba. I think you'll have buyer's remorse for not getting a 16x9.

[ZenDog]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by cwwallace:
For that price spend $400.00 more and get the TW40x81 by Toshiba. I think you'll have buyer's remorse for not getting a 16x9.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I agree 100%. Go with the Toshiba it is worth the extra money for such a phemonianal television. I have seen it and the picture quality is outstanding when used with component video. You may lose a few inches but it is well worth it for this tv.

[Wolfchild]

While I agree that considering the 16x9 Toshiba is good advice, you also need to think very carefully about your own needs. Viewing regular 4x3 programming on a 16x9 is a compromise, I don't care what anyone says. How much regular 4x3 television do you watch? If it's hardly any, and you primarily want this TV for viewing DVDS, then the 16x9 would probably be your best choice. One thing to consider is how soon you see yourself watching actual HD broadcasts. Personally I think they will have to simulcast regular and HD for years to come - I don't believe everything will be HD in five years. Too many ma and pa's and average joes won't be forking money over for a 16x9 set any time soon. But, if you have the means, it's a no-brainer to want to watch HD over the old format.

For viewing HD broadcasts, an HD-ready 4:3 like the Samsung is a compromise too - it'll be letterboxed. Mine (Hitachi) produces a grey signal area in the unused screen portion when in 16x9 mode to protect it from burn-in. This is probably the best way they could do this but I had to make some black bars to cover it when watching in that mode.

I'd examine all your options and some other TVs as well. Samsung typically makes good products (I have a Samsung monitor) but they aren't the most reknowned name in RPTVs either.

[ZenDog]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Wolfchild:
Viewing regular 4x3 programming on a 16x9 is a compromise
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

If I am not mistaken Toshibas have a feature that allows you to watch a standard tv signal (4:3) in Widescreen format (16:9). This would result in no compromise in picture size. Seriously, check this tv out you will not be dissapointed.



[This message has been edited by ZenDog (edited September 22, 2000).]

[cwwallace]

I watch 4:3 format on my TW40x81 on "TW1" which stretches the picture with little to no distortion. I'm sure an ISF tech could see some distortion but someone with an untrained will probably not notice this.

[Wolfchild]

I would agree that watching 4:3 material on a 16:9 set might be acceptable for some, but the fact remains that you are either cropping it, stretching it, or watching with grey or black bars on the side. The last option would be leave the original OAR image of the 4:3 programming completely intact.

I guess I shouldn't argue since I don't have one of those Toshibas sitting here in front of me to see how the stretched mode looks, but dude that is quite a difference in aspect ratios - I find it a little hard to believe that it doesn't look funny. Guess it all boils down to what everyone finds acceptable.