digitalmanAZ

I'm looking to put the biggest TV possible in my entertainment center. It will fit a 36" TV without the side speakers. With the Superbowl sales I can get one for around $500. I can also get a 32" Flat with anamorphic squeeze (vertical compression) for about the same price.

So is the sacrifice in 36" curved screen real estate worth the smaller flat screen with anamorphic squeeze?


Here are the models I'm looking at:
Sharp 32" Stereo TV with Vertical Compression 32F631 for $550 before 10%
Toshiba 32" Flat-Tube Stereo TV w/ Video Inputs 32AF43 for $600 before 10%

Iron_Giant

What brands and models of TV are you taking about?

32 flat Sonys are awesome.

edclem

I'd go with the flat screen. You can view it from (within reason)any angle in the room, and it will still look fine. Also, IMO, the anamorphic squeeze is the selling point. I love my Wega, and much of that is due to the the picture quality w/ the squeeze while watching movies.

digitalmanAZ

Looks like the Sony 32" WEGA Flat-Tube Stereo TV with 16:9 Enhanced Mode Model: KV-32FS100 is 35 3/8" wide. I have 35 1/4". I'll check it at the store but it may not fit.


EDIT: The Sony won't fit. The Toshiba will just squeeze in at 34 1/2".

Keyser Soze

Once you go flat... you'll never go back!

(2 VVegas in my house)

-k
###

digitalmanAZ

I'm leaning towards the Toshiba. The other contender I saw at the store was a JVC 32" Flat-Tube Stereo TV AV32F734. Of the 3 I think the Tosh is probably worth the extra $50.

X

You really should get a set with anamorphic squeeze. It makes a big difference.

Oraphus

just remember that only anamorphic dvd'd support the squeeze..
Majority of the DVDs out there do not... so i would not make that a selling point if i were you.

then again i own a 36 VVega, .. the flat screen in itself is worth it.

collven

Most DVDs are anamorphic nowadays. Unless you are talking about 4x3 TV shows on DVD. Pretty much every widescreen movie is anamorphic now.

Frank S

Man! What have you been smoking! The VAST majority of WS DVD's are Anamorphic.

To the original poster I would tell you that if you want quality you must go flat screen but if you want quantity (size that is over quality) the go the 36" route.

cseyer

Get a VVega flat and Vert Squeeze 36" I LOVE mine, a little more up front but a TV is used for several years with a LOT of use in my house. Well worth the expense. The HDTV picture is stunning.

I only have a handful of DVD's that are not anamorphic the majority are.

Oraphus

really.. i always thought majorityu were not.. ahouldn't it say on the box if the DVD is anamorphis or not.. most of mine dont have it

Caliking

i would dump the entertainment center and not limit myself to said restrictions. just my opinion but most set ups without a entertainment center look much nicer...anyway, if you like it keep it.

however, i would go with the flat screen choice given the two options.

digitalmanAZ

I went with the Toshiba 32" Flat-Tube 32AF43.

Popped in Sound&Vision Home Theater Tune-Up to do the video calibrations and it looks great. Contrast was at a factory setting of 100! That came down to 60. Also turned SVM off. The difference on the Sharpness cal page and the other cal pages with lots of lines and circles (can't remember the names) was astounding. SVM turned on looks horrible.

Did a quick compare of (DVD 4:3Letterbox/TV 4:3) and (DVD 16:9/TV 16:9) with Pirates of the Caribbean Chap 5. The closeups of Johnny Depp in the jail cell really show off the extra resolution. Very nice.

Thx for all the replies.

Frank S

The vast majority of DVD's (if their WS) will say either "Anamorphic" or "Enhanced for 16x9 TV's" which is the same thing. Other then that almost all of Columbia/Tristar's DVD's do not list them as being Anamorphic but all but maybe 3-4 are Anamorphic since they took their entire film catalog and had them transferred into High Def transfers thus this being why they are in a Anamorphic state already.

Oraphus

well.. i can admit when i am wrong.... just watched Matrix Reloaded in its full anamorphic glory (though no mention of it on the box) and the quality blew me away. Good to know

chipmac

What region is your disc? On my region 1 version it's at the bottom on the back in a white rectangle where it's says Enhanced for Widescreen TVs. Remember different studios label it differently. 16:9 enhanced, anamorphic widescreen, enhanced for widescreen TVs all mean the same thing.

Sloth911

anamorphic squeeze?

Bru

I picked up a Sony Wega 36" XBR800 HDTV for $1100 brand new unopened in box!

seems like the time to shop right now.