BigScreen Advice
04-09-02, 07:41 PM
#2
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
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Location: On the outskirts of Reality -> Lockport, NY
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I got a Panasonic 16:9 HDTV 56" which I LOVE... you would do best visiting sites like this to get real good info on a big purchase like this:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/index.php?s=
http://www.hdtvgalaxy.com/news.html
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htforum/index.php?
Remember, May 1 most markets are supposed to be broadcasting DTV (might not HDTV just digital to satisfy federal timelimits). DirecTV offers 2 HDTV Channels (HDnet (shows 80 MLB games this season!) and HBO). You will need to get an HDTV receiver to get these signals, as most TVs do not have em built in.
Good Luck!
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/index.php?s=
http://www.hdtvgalaxy.com/news.html
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htforum/index.php?
Remember, May 1 most markets are supposed to be broadcasting DTV (might not HDTV just digital to satisfy federal timelimits). DirecTV offers 2 HDTV Channels (HDnet (shows 80 MLB games this season!) and HBO). You will need to get an HDTV receiver to get these signals, as most TVs do not have em built in.
Good Luck!
04-09-02, 09:13 PM
#3
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www.hometheaterspot.com is also chock full of good info.
04-09-02, 10:20 PM
#4
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I strongly recommend Mitsubishi. I have the 55" widescreen and it is simply beautiful. I definitely recommend checking them out before you make any purchase.
04-09-02, 10:53 PM
#5
Administrator
What are your program sources and percentages? DVD, HDTV, satellite TV, broadcast TV, etc. Do you have a progressive DVD player? How much can you spend?
Makes a big difference in the recommendation.
Makes a big difference in the recommendation.
04-10-02, 12:59 PM
#6
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Right now I have a normal DVD player and analog cable. I am planning on getting the BS when I move at the end of the month and am planning on getting digital cable or satellite TV (recommendations welcome), tivo (or something like it), an X-Box, and I would also like to hook my pc up to it. I have been told it should be a digital one for the PC to look good.
04-12-02, 03:43 PM
#9
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If you have the cash, drop it on a Mitsu or Pioneer Elite, hands down some of the best RPTV's out there on the market... if you don't have a lot of chas, Mitsu and Pioneer (non-elite) are still options as well as Toshiba, Hitachi (better if you watch a lot of sports) and Panasonic.
04-12-02, 04:15 PM
#10
Administrator
At that price range and with that amount of TV viewing you want a very good NTSC section for a reasonable price. As zargon said, Pioneer Elite or Mits could be good choices, but my recommendation would be that you look at the non-Elite Pioneers. Their tuner section and line doubler are about the best around, in fact the line doubler of this year's non-Elite is last year's Elite's (which I have and is extremely good). Also their stretch modes for 4:3 material are acknowledged as being the best.
Had you said primarily DVD viewing I would have also suggested the Mits as long as you had a progressive player. However with the quality of the Pioneer's line doubler you can very well get away with a non-progressive DVD player. I know, I have both types of players and it's so hard to see a difference between them that I choose the player more based on convenience (one's a 5 disc tray, one's a computer) than ultimate picture quality.
Of course if you decide that you don't want a widescreen you'll have to look at other brands. But the stretch modes do make 4:3 quite acceptable if you don't want gray bars on the sides.
Had you said primarily DVD viewing I would have also suggested the Mits as long as you had a progressive player. However with the quality of the Pioneer's line doubler you can very well get away with a non-progressive DVD player. I know, I have both types of players and it's so hard to see a difference between them that I choose the player more based on convenience (one's a 5 disc tray, one's a computer) than ultimate picture quality.
Of course if you decide that you don't want a widescreen you'll have to look at other brands. But the stretch modes do make 4:3 quite acceptable if you don't want gray bars on the sides.
