Basic HDTV-Ready question

[Agrajag]

I own a Sony Wega 36" XBR that everyone seems to really love. And to be frank, I've yet to see a rear projection set that I've liked (I used to test monitors for a living so I'm a bit... picky).

Anyway, I'm wondering when a set that will at least equal the height of my existing set my be available and for under $5k. Guesses?

Also, does HDTV-Ready just mean that you need to later buy the decoder?

[audrey]

If by "height" you mean the height of a widescreen movie on your 36in, any of the current directview 34in sets (most are in the $3-$4k range) will give you a slightly larger image. But if you mean a widescreen image that is a tall as 4:3 images on your 36in, that's a different story.

[DigIt]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Also, does HDTV-Ready just mean that you need to later buy the decoder?[/B]</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Essentially yes - although manufacturers are getting a bit loose with the terminology, so do your homework before buying.

[Agrajag]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by audrey:
But if you mean a widescreen image that is a tall as 4:3 images on your 36in, that's a different story.</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

That's exactly what I meant. Sony's "34" inch HDTV is significantly shorter, top to bottom, than my existing 36" 4x3 so I really don't want to go "backwards". I'd be willing to equal that and essentially just add the width you get from widescreen.

For the time being all I care about is getting DVD's in widescreen. HDTV I'll worry about when there's a real need. To many other issues at the moment (DirecTV, Tivo, cost, etc.)

What's out there that I should look at that isn't rear projection and under $5k? Such an animal (along with being as tall as my 36").

[Agrajag]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by DigIt:
Also, does HDTV-Ready just mean that you need to later buy the decoder?</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Essentially yes - although manufacturers are getting a bit loose with the terminology, so do your homework before buying.[/B]

Yeah, suddenly I've seen "HDTV-Ready" claims all over the place and figured it couldn't be that simple. Even saw one for $999 and thought, "NO WAY".

[audrey]

there was a post awhile back about a 40in Sony HDTV widescreen (which should be about the same height as your 36 in 4:3). Not sure about the price, but i'm sure it's expensive.

I traded from a 36in to a 34in hdtv, widescreen and don't regret it at all. a) i watch mostly dvd's in widescreen; b) the image is both crisper and more involving than on my old sony 36 (non xbr); c) widescreen moves are bigger on a 24in widescreen than on a 36in 4:3 set; d) there weren't any larger directviews at the time of purchase.

To go larger than 34in on a budget, you will have to consider RPTV. It's as simple as that.

[pmf]

The most current issue of Sound & Vision magazine has a DTV section and at the end of it there's a page with a list of all existing HDTV from different manufacturers/prices, etc.

PF

[Agrajag]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by pmf:
The most current issue of Sound & Vision magazine has a DTV section and at the end of it there's a page with a list of all existing HDTV from different manufacturers/prices, etc.

PF</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Excellent, thanks. I'll try and pick that up. And thanks to the previous poster on the comparison between the 36" Wega and 34" HDTV. I may just re-think this yet again.