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Suspicious-Teach8788

Lifer
Feb 19, 2001
20,155
23
81
Rant:

So my friend bought a 37" Westinghouse 1080p set and then another friend bought a 52" "LCD TV by Panasonic" for sub $2000

Ok, and my parents dished out $3900 about 2 months ago to buy a Sony Bravia 46" XBR2. After much debate between Pioneer Elite Plasmas (720p) and the Sony LCDs, we settled with Sony. We checked out Samsung's DLPs too, but I found the LCDs to be slightly better (marginally).

Now maybe I believe in elite TVs and going all out when you buy these things, but those cheap sets just SUCK.

The Westinghouse 37" is ok and is great as a monitor, but in no way does it compare to my Sony set.

Then the 52" set my friend goes around hyping? It's a freaking LCD projection TV meaning the image quality BLOWS. Comcast HD looks like utter crap, and quality is probably as good as when you download the "high res" version of your TV shows that turn out to be 900 pixels wide (the 700mb episodes).

So maybe it's an e-penis thing but I hate it when people run around saying they've got HDTV and they have a total crap setup. I mean what the hell. It's like runnign around with a 9800 Pro and claiming you can play Doom 3 and praising the experience. You obviously have to tone down the settings and eyecandy meaning you're not getting the full experience. Last time I checked even my 7800GT overclocked can't play Doom 3 with all eye candy on super smooth. There are some scenes where you can still see it slowdown a bit. but yes. I love my 46" LCD. Too bad Sony just introduced the 52" XBR series.
 
jpeyton

jpeyton

Moderator in SFF, Notebooks, Pre-Built/Barebones
Moderator
Aug 23, 2003
25,375
142
116
Not a big fan of LCD projections; I notice the SDE too much. DLPs rock though, especially my Panny 56". I paid 1/3rd the price of your Sony, and I know your Sony isn't 3x better; sorry to break it to you. You can get a 50" SXRD set for a little more than half what your parents paid for the XBR2.
 
rocadelpunk

rocadelpunk

Diamond Member
Jul 23, 2001
5,589
1
81
Question:

You said your friend(s) bought, now did they actually buy the televisions or did their parents?

 
J

JackBurton

Lifer
Jul 18, 2000
15,993
14
81
The XBR2 HDTVs are one of the best HDTV out now. I prefer the Pioneer plasma to Sony's XBR2s, but that is personal preference. They are both hi-end HDTVs. In HDTVs, you get what you pay for. Westinghouse HDTVs are bang for your buck TVs. They are good for their price. But if you want to go all out, there are others that are much better.

Good choice on the 46" XBR2. I'm looking at the Pioneer 5070HD. I would love to have the Pioneer PRO-FHD1, but I ain't paying $8000 for it. :(
 
C

crystal

Platinum Member
Nov 5, 1999
2,424
0
76
Very nice of your parent paying for your tv just so you can compare with your friends.
 
J

JackBurton

Lifer
Jul 18, 2000
15,993
14
81
Originally posted by: jtvang125
So does my 50" Sony SXRD suck cause I got it for about $2k?
Click to expand...
No but an XBR3 is better.

And hey OP, why did you cheap out and get an XBR2 and not an XBR3? ;)
 
S

Suspicious-Teach8788

Lifer
Feb 19, 2001
20,155
23
81
Originally posted by: rocadelpunk
Question:

You said your friend(s) bought, now did they actually buy the televisions or did their parents?
Click to expand...

No, the guy worked a summer job and dished it all out on an HDTV set. We're college students. That said, I don't get to see the XBR2 all that often. Probably only twice so far this semester as I'm too lazy to go home. I enjoy most of my time in front of my roommate's 20" Philips TV =). Until HDTV tuner cards are out that can process digital signals, i guess I'll be enjoying low def TV for sometime.

Ok, and I just believe that if you want HDTV now, you're still an early adopter. If you buy cheap, there's no point. You might as well wait till it becomes even more standard so that all TVs come in with built in tuners so you don't need to pay comcast $5 for a stupid tuner box. If you have money issues, then why are you dishing out thousands to begin with? Either go all out and buy the real shizzle or just wait 2 years and I can guarantee you it'll all be standard (just like LCD monitors today vs 5 years ago)
 
jpeyton

jpeyton

Moderator in SFF, Notebooks, Pre-Built/Barebones
Moderator
Aug 23, 2003
25,375
142
116
Originally posted by: DLeRium
Originally posted by: rocadelpunk
Question:

You said your friend(s) bought, now did they actually buy the televisions or did their parents?
Click to expand...

No, the guy worked a summer job and dished it all out on an HDTV set. We're college students. That said, I don't get to see the XBR2 all that often. Probably only twice so far this semester as I'm too lazy to go home. I enjoy most of my time in front of my roommate's 20" Philips TV =). Until HDTV tuner cards are out that can process digital signals, i guess I'll be enjoying low def TV for sometime.

Ok, and I just believe that if you want HDTV now, you're still an early adopter. If you buy cheap, there's no point. You might as well wait till it becomes even more standard so that all TVs come in with built in tuners so you don't need to pay comcast $5 for a stupid tuner box. If you have money issues, then why are you dishing out thousands to begin with? Either go all out and buy the real shizzle or just wait 2 years and I can guarantee you it'll all be standard (just like LCD monitors today vs 5 years ago)
Click to expand...

Oh this thread just gets more hilarious by the minute. We're getting a lecture on how to purchase an HDTV from a guy who doesn't own one.
 
D

DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
40,730
670
126
To anyone TV shopping I'd say to save yourself $2,000 and get a Samsung 50" or 56" 1080p DLP instead. See the GottaDeal main page.

Past a point you don't get what you pay for, diminishing returns set in.
 
funboy6942

funboy6942

Lifer
Nov 13, 2001
15,362
416
126
Maybe once you have a job and your on your own where the P's are buying your stuff and its up to you to, your views will change.

I believe in best for my buck and sometimes it doesnt have to be stamped with a name brand and cost $$$$$ big time to achieve personal bliss ;)
 
L

LanceM

Senior member
Mar 13, 2004
999
0
0
I love my 37" Westy. I feel that it compares very well, especially for the price (though I am not saying it should compare to a $4000 monitor).

Now when you're talking about a 52" set for under $2000, yeah, that's getting a little silly.
 
N

Neos

Senior member
Jul 19, 2000
881
0
0
Originally posted by: Krazy4Real
What's HDTV?
Click to expand...

New technology that makes all things digital - no more analog - more bandwidth to sell - more cell phones with wi-fi - more alluring doodads for us to buy - more and more our souls being sold out to the electronics gods (there are more than one you know) ...Oh, no. The computer found out I am writing this ....Arrrggghhhh!!!

 
Y

yowolabi

Diamond Member
Jun 29, 2001
4,183
2
81
Originally posted by: DLeRium
Originally posted by: rocadelpunk
Question:

You said your friend(s) bought, now did they actually buy the televisions or did their parents?
Click to expand...

No, the guy worked a summer job and dished it all out on an HDTV set. We're college students. That said, I don't get to see the XBR2 all that often. Probably only twice so far this semester as I'm too lazy to go home. I enjoy most of my time in front of my roommate's 20" Philips TV =). Until HDTV tuner cards are out that can process digital signals, i guess I'll be enjoying low def TV for sometime.

Ok, and I just believe that if you want HDTV now, you're still an early adopter. If you buy cheap, there's no point. You might as well wait till it becomes even more standard so that all TVs come in with built in tuners so you don't need to pay comcast $5 for a stupid tuner box. If you have money issues, then why are you dishing out thousands to begin with? Either go all out and buy the real shizzle or just wait 2 years and I can guarantee you it'll all be standard (just like LCD monitors today vs 5 years ago)
Click to expand...

Why would you bother buying anything other than a luxury car?
 
jpeyton

jpeyton

Moderator in SFF, Notebooks, Pre-Built/Barebones
Moderator
Aug 23, 2003
25,375
142
116
Originally posted by: DLeRium
Click to expand...
I love my 46" LCD.
Click to expand...
If it's your TV, why do you see it 2 times a semester?
Ok, and I just believe that if you want HDTV now, you're still an early adopter.
Click to expand...
HDTVs have been around mass market for the more than a half decade. CRT HDTVs (with PQ rivaling your beloved XBR2) have existed for years. Quality HDTVs are under $2k, prime-time OTA lineups are all in HD, major pro sports are all in HD, XBOX/PS3 are in HD, Blu-Ray and HD-DVD are out...it's not early adopter season anymore kiddo.
If you buy cheap, there's no point.
Click to expand...
You're the same type of guy who brags about his Alienware PC when guys in the CPU Forum built their own machines that are faster for thousands less.
If you have money issues, then why are you dishing out thousands to begin with?
Click to expand...
HDTVs exist for all price ranges, under $1k, under $2k, etc.

Why are you trying so hard to brag about your parent's TV purchase. It's a great TV, just not really worth all this fanboi banter.

Why don't you try posting the same thread at AVSForum and watch your ass get handed to you.
 
T

Thraxen

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2001
4,683
1
81
Originally posted by: JackBurton
Originally posted by: jtvang125
So does my 50" Sony SXRD suck cause I got it for about $2k?
Click to expand...
No but an XBR3 is better.

And hey OP, why did you cheap out and get an XBR2 and not an XBR3? ;)
Click to expand...

Aren't XBR2's and 3's the same TV, but with different finishes?
 
Baked

Baked

Lifer
Dec 28, 2004
36,052
17
81
My "cheap" 32" Sharp HDTV looks pretty decent with Comcast HD using component cables. I'm gonna get the DVI > HDMI cable soon.
 
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