HDTV owners check in...what TVs do you have?

[kami]

I'm getting my first widescreen HDTV in about a month. After doing some measuring I found out I'm gonna have to stick with a 42" widescreen set, can't really go any larger.

I'm narrowed down between two right now:

Toshiba 42H82

PRO'S
-Large internet "fan" base...easy to find information on things such as calibration
-720p support (upconverts to 1080i) which is good for the upcoming 720p Xbox games
-TOshiba is known for their excellent color fidelity

CON'S
-$300 more than the Samsung
-upconverts 480p (DVD) signals to 540p which results in some resolution loss, hard to notice in real world apps but if you put up an AVIA test screen its clearly visible

--

Samsung HCM4216W

PRO'S
-Cheap price
-I am extremely happy with my samsung computer monitor that i've had for 3 years (the 950p) and still works like new, so Samsung is pretty good in my books.
-Doesn't alter the 480p signal...better resolution technically
-I just found the service manual (for setting the 64 point manual convergence anyway) on the net which saves me having to go and buy (let alone find) a service manual
-Extremely small footprint (only 18 inches deep) and only 108 pounds
-Seemed to have a very nice picture even when viewing on the sh*t source in the store with a completely uncalibrated set

CON'S
-Won't accept a 720p signal, just 1080i. Therefore I'd be stuck running my xbox games in 480p even if they support 720p
-Not as big of a "fan" base on the net

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I'm in a very tough dilemma here. Argh....

DOes anyone own these sets? and if not, what set do you own and how do you like it? Also post your experiences with calibrating it and doing manual convergence/geometry adjustments/etc. If you haven't done any of this, it's pretty highly recommended. The quality of the picture can literally increase 10-fold if you spend a couple hours with your set.

 

[everman]

hm, I'm starting to look around for 40" hdtvs myself, avsforums is pretty good so far.

 

[Kilgor]

Samsung TXM3296HF the picture looks purty..

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Have a Samsung 32". I have a small living room with lots of other stuff, so it fits where larger ones do not. Like your Toshiba 720p is out, just 480p and 1080i. Also, it is 4:3, which is good and bad. I like 16:9, but that was tons more (bought my in sept 2001) and most broadcasts are still in that format. Picture looks great though. Overall, quite satisfied.

 

[rh71]

Sony 57" KP-57WS500. Pre-wedding gift from mom... got $700 off cause my aunt works for Sony.

Halo looks so cool on it.

 

[Ylen13]

just got my self toshiba hdtv 50 inch model 50h82

 

[kami]

Ylen13....what are your initial impressions? Have you tweaked/calibrated it?

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: rh71
Sony 57" KP-57WS500. Pre-wedding gift from mom... got $700 off cause my aunt works for Sony.

Halo looks so cool on it.

WTF! Nice pre wedding gift! So what did you get in the end?

it doesn't do 720p SUCK! lol (sweet set anyway man!)

 

[Ylen13]

Originally posted by: kami
Ylen13....what are your initial impressions? Have you tweaked/calibrated it?

i love it, i connected it to hdtv box and picture is great. Didn't do any caliberation that i can remmember. Sound is also really good on this tv.

Btw if u buy this TV make sure the screen cover is not coming off. I had to get my exchange because the screen cover was coming off at the top.

 

[kami]

Originally posted by: Ylen13

Originally posted by: kami
Ylen13....what are your initial impressions? Have you tweaked/calibrated it?

i love it, i connected it to hdtv box and picture is great. Didn't do any caliberation that i can remmember. Sound is also really good on this tv.

Btw if u buy this TV make sure the screen cover is not coming off. I had to get my exchange because the screen cover was coming off at the top.

Cool.

I highly recommend turning your contrast below 50 to avoid burn in. Just a suggestion.

 

[Ylen13]

Originally posted by: kami

Originally posted by: Ylen13

Originally posted by: kami
Ylen13....what are your initial impressions? Have you tweaked/calibrated it?

i love it, i connected it to hdtv box and picture is great. Didn't do any caliberation that i can remmember. Sound is also really good on this tv.

Btw if u buy this TV make sure the screen cover is not coming off. I had to get my exchange because the screen cover was coming off at the top.

Cool.

I highly recommend turning your contrast below 50 to avoid burn in. Just a suggestion.

I am using power surge protector to keep voltage constant also got my self 3 years warrant so if dose burn out they will be changing it. But thanks for suggestion will try to see how it looks with contract below 50 not sure what it set at right now.

 

[kami]

I am using power surge protector to keep voltage constant also got my self 3 years warrant so if dose burn out they will be changing it. But thanks for suggestion will try to see how it looks with contract below 50 not sure what it set at right now.

I'm not talking about the power supply burning out, but actual burn into the screen. On stations such as CNN where there's logos and bars in the same place constantly can cause burn in right into the image...then you will have a constant shadow of that logo/shape in whatever you're watching. This can be avoided if the contrast is low enough. Sadly these sets usually come with the contrast straight up at 100 from the factory.

 

[Ylen13]

Originally posted by: kami

I am using power surge protector to keep voltage constant also got my self 3 years warrant so if dose burn out they will be changing it. But thanks for suggestion will try to see how it looks with contract below 50 not sure what it set at right now.

I'm not talking about the power supply burning out, but actual burn into the screen. On stations such as CNN where there's logos and bars in the same place constantly can cause burn in right into the image...then you will have a constant shadow of that logo/shape in whatever you're watching. This can be avoided if the contrast is low enough. Sadly these sets usually come with the contrast straight up at 100 from the factory.

i thought that can only happen if you are switched on hdtv and watching cnn. I am using digital cable and switch to hdtv only when i am watching hdtv cable. So u saying in any of those 2 cases a burn in can happen?

 

[kami]

Originally posted by: Ylen13

Originally posted by: kami

I am using power surge protector to keep voltage constant also got my self 3 years warrant so if dose burn out they will be changing it. But thanks for suggestion will try to see how it looks with contract below 50 not sure what it set at right now.

I'm not talking about the power supply burning out, but actual burn into the screen. On stations such as CNN where there's logos and bars in the same place constantly can cause burn in right into the image...then you will have a constant shadow of that logo/shape in whatever you're watching. This can be avoided if the contrast is low enough. Sadly these sets usually come with the contrast straight up at 100 from the factory.

i thought that can only happen if you are switched on hdtv and watching cnn. I am using digital cable and switch to hdtv only when i am watching hdtv cable. So u saying in any of those 2 cases a burn in can happen?

Burn in can happen with any source.

If you want the best from your set I highly recommend picking up AVIA. If you spend so much on a nice TV, why not get the best picture?

 

[Ylen13]

Originally posted by: kami

Originally posted by: Ylen13

Originally posted by: kami

I am using power surge protector to keep voltage constant also got my self 3 years warrant so if dose burn out they will be changing it. But thanks for suggestion will try to see how it looks with contract below 50 not sure what it set at right now.

I'm not talking about the power supply burning out, but actual burn into the screen. On stations such as CNN where there's logos and bars in the same place constantly can cause burn in right into the image...then you will have a constant shadow of that logo/shape in whatever you're watching. This can be avoided if the contrast is low enough. Sadly these sets usually come with the contrast straight up at 100 from the factory.

i thought that can only happen if you are switched on hdtv and watching cnn. I am using digital cable and switch to hdtv only when i am watching hdtv cable. So u saying in any of those 2 cases a burn in can happen?

Burn in can happen with any source.

If you want the best from your set I highly recommend picking up AVIA. If you spend so much on a nice TV, why not get the best picture?

hmm thanks for the info didn't know that.

 

[Ylen13]

Forgot to mention picture in picture is useless unless if you are using regular cable. If u are getting digital cable u will be using converter box and unless my TV is connected in the wrong way will not be able to do picture in picture. But u can watch TV and let say movie on VCR at the same time but not sure why u would do that.

 

[Doggiedog]

Sony 36XBR400. Getting a Hitachi 51 or 57SWX20B when I move.

 

[SoundWave]

I've got the Toshiba 42H82 in my bedroom . It's quite a nice set and I must say Xbox, PS2, and Gamecube look quite nice in progressive scan for the games that do support it...

If your willing to spend the $$ for ISF callibration you should notice a significant difference in picture quality on dvds and hdtv broadcasts...keeping in mind basic cable will always look mediorce regardless what you do.

Out of the box you could do 9pt convergence or better yet enter the service menu to do 56 pt convergence if I recall...

Anyways I am quite happy with this set and would recommend it...

 

[psy44]

how much do those two cost?

 

[kami]

Originally posted by: psy44
how much do those two cost?

$2100 Canadian and $2400 Canadian (samsung and toshiba)

I'd imagine these are around $1500 in the US.

this is of course before haggling...

 

[Emos]

Toshiba 32HF72...rather nice HDTV for $1000.

 

[arod]

Originally posted by: kami

Originally posted by: psy44
how much do those two cost?

$2100 Canadian and $2400 Canadian (samsung and toshiba)

I'd imagine these are around $1500 in the US.

this is of course before haggling...

Mine cost 1500

Man the NCAA HDTV feed looks awesome on 100 inches...

 

[Ylen13]

i payed for my about $2000

 

[Linux23]

Epson TW100 16:9 LCD projected onto a 100" screen.


NCAA in HDTV and DD5.1 = SWEET!

I also bought a Panasonic 56" Widescreen CRT set that I gave to my parents, and that set was pretty weak. I really loathe doing manual convergence as it literally takes hours.

 

[therock911]

i have a 60 or 61 not sure which sony HDTV payed about $7k for it, well my mom payed dont know the model number will check that in the morning