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HDTV Question

C

Carbo

Diamond Member
So today me and Mrs. Carbo hit the retailers for the purchase of a new HDTV. We're ready to buy seeing as our existing TV blew out last week. Did the Circuit City, Best Buy, and Brands Mart route.
Before hitting the road I did my research about much of what I needed to know so I don't walk into a rape room.
After looking at a number of choices, we're ready to pull the trigger on a Samsung 50" DLP. I'm ready to spring for a table and DVD, also. I'm pleased with the price of the TV. Then, the salesman lays the following on me: I need high quality cables to take advantage of the HD signal. Cost about $150.
Then, I must have a $200 signal filter/enhancer, whatever the hell that is.
For those of you in the know, what's fact and what's commission buildup? Is it true I can plug a new HDTV into my existing surge protector and be on my way?
I'm on Comcast Cable, if it matters, and they provide the HD box for an additional $5/mo.
And, of course, he was pushing the $399 insurance plan, also.
Somebody help!
 
Originally posted by: Carbo
So today me and Mrs. Carbo hit the retailers for the purchase of a new HDTV. We're ready to buy seeing as our existing TV blew out last week. Did the Circuit City, Best Buy, and Brands Mart route.
Before hitting the road I did my research about much of what I needed to know so I don't walk into a rape room.
After looking at a number of choices, we're ready to pull the trigger on a Samsung 50" DLP. I'm ready to spring for a table and DVD, also. I'm pleased with the price of the TV. Then, the salesman lays the following on me: I need high quality cables to take advantage of the HD signal. Cost about $150.
Then, I must have a $200 signal filter/enhancer, whatever the hell that is.
For those of you in the know, what's fact and what's commission buildup? Is it true I can plug a new HDTV into my existing surge protector and be on my way?
I'm on Comcast Cable, if it matters, and they provide the HD box for an additional $5/mo.
And, of course, he was pushing the $399 insurance plan, also.
Somebody help!
Click to expand...


Comcast will provide new cables with the HD box. They work just fine.
 
Originally posted by: WinstonSmith
Comcast will provide new cables with the HD box. They work just fine.
Click to expand...
He told me they were garbage and wouldn't do the set justice.
 
Originally posted by: Carbo
Originally posted by: WinstonSmith
Comcast will provide new cables with the HD box. They work just fine.
Click to expand...
He told me they were garbage and wouldn't do the set justice.
Click to expand...

He lies like a rug.

I have had Comcast HD for more than a year now. Looking at quality HD programs on INHD, I can see no reason to make any changes whatsoever.
 
Originally posted by: Carbo
So today me and Mrs. Carbo hit the retailers for the purchase of a new HDTV. We're ready to buy seeing as our existing TV blew out last week. Did the Circuit City, Best Buy, and Brands Mart route.
Before hitting the road I did my research about much of what I needed to know so I don't walk into a rape room.
After looking at a number of choices, we're ready to pull the trigger on a Samsung 50" DLP. I'm ready to spring for a table and DVD, also. I'm pleased with the price of the TV. Then, the salesman lays the following on me: I need high quality cables to take advantage of the HD signal. Cost about $150.
Click to expand...

Bullsh!t. Buy some moderately priced AR or Radio Shack cables.

Then, I must have a $200 signal filter/enhancer, whatever the hell that is.
Click to expand...

More bullsh!t

For those of you in the know, what's fact and what's commission buildup? Is it true I can plug a new HDTV into my existing surge protector and be on my way?
I'm on Comcast Cable, if it matters, and they provide the HD box for an additional $5/mo.
And, of course, he was pushing the $399 insurance plan, also.
Somebody help!
Click to expand...

IF the insurance covers the bulb, and you get that in writing, it may be worth it. Otherwise, it's a bad gamble.

Your cable company's cable box is fine.
 
Originally posted by: Amused
Originally posted by: Carbo
So today me and Mrs. Carbo hit the retailers for the purchase of a new HDTV. We're ready to buy seeing as our existing TV blew out last week. Did the Circuit City, Best Buy, and Brands Mart route.
Before hitting the road I did my research about much of what I needed to know so I don't walk into a rape room.
After looking at a number of choices, we're ready to pull the trigger on a Samsung 50" DLP. I'm ready to spring for a table and DVD, also. I'm pleased with the price of the TV. Then, the salesman lays the following on me: I need high quality cables to take advantage of the HD signal. Cost about $150.
Click to expand...

Bullsh!t. Buy some moderately priced AR or Radio Shack cables.

Then, I must have a $200 signal filter/enhancer, whatever the hell that is.
Click to expand...

More bullsh!t

For those of you in the know, what's fact and what's commission buildup? Is it true I can plug a new HDTV into my existing surge protector and be on my way?
I'm on Comcast Cable, if it matters, and they provide the HD box for an additional $5/mo.
And, of course, he was pushing the $399 insurance plan, also.
Somebody help!
Click to expand...

IF the insurance covers the bulb, and you get that in writing, it may be worth it. Otherwise, it's a bad gamble.

Your cable company's cable box is fine.
Click to expand...

Comcast provides a very good cable with the box. He has no need to purchase any.
 
Take a definate maybe on the warranty, and a no on the cables.
I've seen some crazy $120 cables on my exact TV at a friend's house, and compared to my $30 Radio Shack ones, there was virtually no difference. Not $90 difference, that's for sure. Don't worry about.
Just get the thing home, plugged in, and on your HD box, and then decide if the picture is too sucky for you. I have a feeling you won't. 😀
 
Originally posted by: WinstonSmith
Originally posted by: Amused
Originally posted by: Carbo
So today me and Mrs. Carbo hit the retailers for the purchase of a new HDTV. We're ready to buy seeing as our existing TV blew out last week. Did the Circuit City, Best Buy, and Brands Mart route.
Before hitting the road I did my research about much of what I needed to know so I don't walk into a rape room.
After looking at a number of choices, we're ready to pull the trigger on a Samsung 50" DLP. I'm ready to spring for a table and DVD, also. I'm pleased with the price of the TV. Then, the salesman lays the following on me: I need high quality cables to take advantage of the HD signal. Cost about $150.
Click to expand...

Bullsh!t. Buy some moderately priced AR or Radio Shack cables.

Then, I must have a $200 signal filter/enhancer, whatever the hell that is.
Click to expand...

More bullsh!t

For those of you in the know, what's fact and what's commission buildup? Is it true I can plug a new HDTV into my existing surge protector and be on my way?
I'm on Comcast Cable, if it matters, and they provide the HD box for an additional $5/mo.
And, of course, he was pushing the $399 insurance plan, also.
Somebody help!
Click to expand...

IF the insurance covers the bulb, and you get that in writing, it may be worth it. Otherwise, it's a bad gamble.

Your cable company's cable box is fine.
Click to expand...

Comcast provides a very good cable with the box. He has no need to purchase any.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's what I meant. I believe they charge a $5 a month fee for HD.
 
I don't ever believe in buying extended warranties.

Fact is, if it is worth it for them to sell it, statistically, you're not going to need 300.00 worth of repairs ever or replacements on your TV.
 
Originally posted by: CrazyDe1
I don't ever believe in buying extended warranties.

Fact is, if it is worth it for them to sell it, statistically, you're not going to need 300.00 worth of repairs ever or replacements on your TV.
Click to expand...

Well that's how all insurrances work.
 
Originally posted by: CrazyDe1
I don't ever believe in buying extended warranties.

Fact is, if it is worth it for them to sell it, statistically, you're not going to need 300.00 worth of repairs ever or replacements on your TV.
Click to expand...

Most of this higher end crap only has a 1 year manufacturer's warranty, or a limited 2 year one.
$399 is kind of high, but some kind of extended program is nice. Especially in five years when it might come time to try something else, and your bulb just happens to be going.
IMHO of course.
 
So, it sounds like the consensus opinion is that the extended warranty at $400 is a toss up.
The high end cables are a crock.
The $200 electrical line filter is a crock, also.
Oh, yeah! He said the surge protector I have now will actually reduce the current coming into the TV. So the picture will be dim and I won't be getting what I paid for. I mean, c'mon!
 
It's my understanding that these "better cables" are "better" in the sense that they will shield the signal from outside interference better than a $20 cable, but the reality is you will not notice any kind of difference by going with the $150 cable.

If the warranty covers the bulb I'd say get the warranty.
 
Line conditioners are not necessarily a crock (and neither are expensive cables), but in order to appreciate them you have to be an extremely anal audio/videophile with very high-end (like 10s of thousands of dollars) equipment. For most enthusiasts, Radio Shack cables and a good surge protector will be sufficient.
 
I'm lost, I'm also in the market for a HDTV, what's the difference between that and a Plasma TV or Projection TV?

And what's this special cable you're talking about? Couldn't I use a pair of regular RCA type cable? or Cat 6(gold) sat. tv cable?
 
Stefan makes a very good point. Monster Cables will show their higher quality if you live next to Chernoybl.

(Working in retail) I agree with the consensus that if the warranty covers things like convergence and the bulb (check for exclusions based on wear and tear or user-replacable parts) it's a good buy.
 
Stefan makes a very good point. Monster Cables will show their higher quality if you live next to Chernoybl.

(Working in retail) I agree with the consensus that if the warranty covers things like convergence and the bulb (check for exclusions based on wear and tear or user-replacable parts) it's a good buy.
 
1) You didn't do enough research if you're asking about $150 cables

2) You DEFINITELY don't need the power conditioner or fancy surge surpressor or whatever he was trying to sell you

3) You'd be a fool to give that guy your comission $$ after he tried to pull that crap on you, go with another salesman if not another store

4) On the extended warranty: it's up to you - how much are you paying for the TV? Will you be able to cover the cost of repairs later if it needs it? Remember they really DON'T make things like they used to. Also remember that the price of the TV and the price of the extended warranty are probably pretty negotiable, unless you're buying the TV from a sales flyer in the paper etc. (and sometimes even then)

5) Don't forget to check the legit online retailers
 
Yeah don't buy any of the crap he is trying to sell you (as many people have already mentioned). You might also want to know that there will be new samsung DLP's coming out soon and you might want to wait a while. Or you might want to check the powerbuy thread over in AVS forums. BTW what was the price of the 50" DLP?
 
Originally posted by: 50
Yeah don't buy any of the crap he is trying to sell you (as many people have already mentioned). You might also want to know that there will be new samsung DLP's coming out soon and you might want to wait a while. Or you might want to check the powerbuy thread over in AVS forums. BTW what was the price of the 50" DLP?
Click to expand...
The price we negotiated was $3,050.
And where can I get info on the new Samsung DLP's?
 
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