The 34" 16:9 HDTV ready sets
 

I have been considering for a year, getting the Panasonic Tau. I like the picture quality and the way it looks. I also like the slim frame around the picture screen.

There have been new models added to the mix, such as the Sony, Toshiba, Philips. The Tau has dropped to about $2500.

Anyone have one of these? Thoughts?

The Tau is HDTV ready. Anyone buy the HDTV decoder to use with it? I am going to drive it with a progressive scan DVD player, for for broadcast, should I look into an antenna? I know the cable does not carry HDTV.

What about using a dish? Good idea? Quality?

Thanks!

I know its not the monitor that you are looking at, but RCA has a 38" (i think) widescreen, that has a built in HD decoder( I also think that it might have a built in direcTV tuner, but I can't remember the exact specs). My aunt has this set, and they pick up all the off air HDTV broadcast with a simple $50 antenna. I am pretty sure that I have seen this set on sale recently for less than $2500, which I think is a pretty good deal considering you won't need to buy the set top box.

good luck with your purchase!

This set has a stunning picture, but there are a few things about it which give me pause.

First, the screen is not a flat screen, it's curved like a traditional TV. It's not a major issue, but for that kind of money, a flat screen would me nice.

Second, and more importantly, the TV has no video out. So you can't record anything received with the built in satellite tuner.

People like to complain about the simplistic remote control which is common on all RCA products, but I prefer it to some of the overwhewlming remotes from other manufacturers (especially Sony)

http://www.sampo.com.tw/english/show...or/34whd51.htm

The Sampo SME-34WHD5 can be found on the net for under $2500. It does 480p/1080i/720p. The only 16:9 HDTV in that price range that can handle 720p. Nice monitor. Well worth it.

Interesting re the comments on the RCA and the Sampo. The fact that the RCA does not have outputs seems mondo bizarre.

I did note previously the absence of 720p on the Tau. Can you (someone) inform me of why I would want/need 720p?

Thanks! This is a big expenditure. Don't want to blow it. :)

Why would you want 720p? Well, it's a progressive resolution that needs more bandwidth than 1080i. ABC HDTV broadcasts their movies and prime-time shows in 720p. 720p movies look better to my eyes than 1080i. Although some of the prime time stuff on CBS (especially CSI) look amazing.


Downconverted 720p to 1080i should look good, but it's always best to watch shows in at least their native resolutions (if not higher).

Randyc,

If you have any questions, I can try to answer them. I didn't think it was worth the price to pay for a 720p set, since this will still handle it but not in its native format.

I got a steal on this set. $2285 locally here in los angeles (culver city) The place I went has awesome prices on tvs due to low overhead and very high volume.

The picture is absolutely stunning. Considering the sony goes for over $1k more, I could not justify it.

The panny has tons of inputs too. I put up a more detailed but basic overview at epinions if you want to check that out first.

If you are going to get one of these, I would seriously consider moving to satellite. You still need an HD Decoder(tuner) separately. They can be used for DirecTV reception too. I think you will get more channels that way in HD. Otherwise you will need some kind of antenna and the decoder anyway. The decoders are still about $600, so I figured I would wait until they came down more in price.

I hooked mine up to a regular dvd player (Marantz) via one of the component connections (I believe there are two). The set has a doubler and the pic is stunning, but eventually I will get a progressive player. Just couldn't justify it because the marantz was new and works extremely well.

One nice thing is when switching between input sources, the tv only recognizes ones that have an active signal (something hooked up), so it doesn't go through 6 video things when there are only 2.

There is also an automatic aspect adjustment which is kind of nice.

Thanks for ALL the replies.

Match, when you say "this set"...which set is that?
Thanks!

The one you mnetioned you were looking at (The Tau)