HDTV's on Clearance at Best Buy w. progressive scan, 36"Flat 1699$,Toshiba

[LotusNotesGuy]

I picked up Toshiba 34hf81a 34 inch wide screen Toshiba TV yesterday, new. It supposedly has the HDTV tuner built in and progressive scan and line doubling etc.

Instead of 2499$ I paid 1699 +tax.

They also have the Toshiba 36 inch Flat Screen High Definition TV Monitor for sale, its 1080i and progressive scan also for $1699, but this one does not have the HDTV tuner built in to the best of knowledge.

The tuner was a steal at the price in the one I got, but unless you live in an area with good HDTV broadcasts now or soon, its probably useless till sometime in the future.

In most instances for satellite and esp hires satellite versions you get a decoder/reciever anyway. But that 1699 for a true HDTV ready that large with progressive scan is a great buy, can save you the price from buying a dvd player with progressive scan instead.

 

[GoSharks]

Originally posted by: LotusNotesGuy
But that 1699 for a true HDTV ready that large with progressive scan is a great buy, can save you the price from buying a dvd player with progressive scan instead.

not really. a good progressive scan dvd player will be able to output nicer progressive images when compared to the line doublers in the lower-end hdtvs. the line doubler in that toshiba is most likely not good as good as the ones in the progressive scan dvd players out there.

and all hdtv's have line doublers, IIRC

 

[LotusNotesGuy]

Not really what?

You kind of just say that and then end it with a period. The post was about a set at a good price with good features. Are you saying you don't think its a good price? Not a good tv set at all?

If you are referring to the progressive option I spent 3 weeks researching sets, signal sources, satellite, diretv ultra res satellite, digital cable and and digital vhs and looking at those signals on different sets in the same types of inputs side by side.


We compared it to 8 sets in the one store alone with the same signal and input that were HDTV ready and several progressive players, the results were all better on this set and also most dealers I researched ,disagree with you also listing this set as one of the most popular nationwide. Pricegrabber.com has it near the very top of its top 50 list l in terms of national selling popularity EVEN though the price for the built in tuner is way higher than Toshiba's regular similar HDTV set w/o this HDTV tuner built in. Many people on feedback forums like this set over the more expensive HDTV ready Sony Wega's repeatedly, including AudioReviews website which is one of the most respected.

You make it sound like the price isnt a decent price or that the progressive scan in the unit isnt any good, which isn't true.

Since I checked numerous customer feedback opinions, its ranking on pricegrabber, and did the in store comparisons.

Do you have some specific information point to on site you show us? IF you know a defect problem for those of us who may one I am sure we would like to hear.

thanks

Text

 

Sounds like he was referring to the progressive scan part........a friend of mine got the 36" model for $1699 a few months ago and it is very sweet. Definetely a good deal at that price.

BTW, even if you have a progressive scan TV, don't you still need a progressive scan DVD player to get the progressive benifits out of DVDs??

 

[eric01]

Originally posted by: MisterJackson
Sounds like he was referring to the progressive scan part........a friend of mine got the 36" model for $1699 a few months ago and it is very sweet. Definetely a good deal at that price.

BTW, even if you have a progressive scan TV, don't you still need a progressive scan DVD player to get the progressive benifits out of DVDs??

Yup. Most of the hi-def, or hi-def ready TVs have a mechanism to up-convert standard res, interlaced signals, like from cable or VCR, into a progressive, usually higher res picture. The picture does look a little more "stable", and sharper, but theres only so much you can do with a bad signal. Using a regular DVD player with a hi-def TV will look good, but it will look even better with a progressive DVD player

 

[chud02]

Has anyone been able to confirm this as a regional/national discount?

At $1699, this is a good price on a direct-view, widescreen HDTV. However, according to Toshiba's website, this set does not include a built-in HDTV tuner.

Also, this review praises the sets internal line doubler, but states that it even upconverts 480p material, which could introduce unwanted artifacts:

Link

This review is brief, and not too deep, so take it for what it's worth.

Still a good set and a good price.

c02

 

[mattlear]

Hey all,

I don't know how true this is, but take a look at the following link: Current HDTVs already outdated

If I'm reading it right, they seem to think that HDTVs purchased today won't work due to digital copy protection being built into future sets.

Hope this helps (and isn't true!)

-Matt

 

[broadwayblue]

Originally posted by: mattlear
Hey all,

I don't know how true this is, but take a look at the following link: Current HDTVs already outdated

If I'm reading it right, they seem to think that HDTVs purchased today won't work due to digital copy protection being built into future sets.

Hope this helps (and isn't true!)

-Matt

DVI and HDCP may become standard in the future. or Firewire. or some as of yet unannounced technology. but you can be pretty sure that some encryption scheme will be used.

 

[MarcG]

Those in the know know that this will never happen. So go out there and buy, buy, buy!






(Actually, I have no idea, but if there are more HD users out there, there's less of a chance that my HD sets will become obsolete!

 

[purbeast0]

Here's my 2 cents ...

ALl I am saying is PLEASE PLEASE don't support Best Buy. If you do buy a TV PLEASE don't get the PSP or MSN bull$H!T. After working at Best Buy I have the most hatred for that store and will never buy things from there again, except maybe some cdr's here and there. They dont give 2 craps about the customers or employees, except that they are gaining as much money as possible.


my 2 cents.

 

[GoSharks]

i was talking about the progressive scan.

 

[MarcG]

Originally posted by: LotusNotesGuy


If you are referring to the progressive option I spent 3 weeks researching sets, signal sources, satellite, diretv ultra res satellite, digital cable and and digital vhs and looking at those signals on different sets in the same types of inputs side by side.


We compared it to 8 sets in the one store alone with the same signal and input that were HDTV ready and several progressive players, the results were all better on this set...

Text

Congrats on your purchase. From what you state (side by side comps in the store) I'd say you're in for a pleasant surprise. Take a look at
Home Theater Spot, The A/V Science forums, or even Home Theater Forum and you'll quickly see that many people agree that not only can a properly calibrated set look incredible, nothing you saw in the store was even close to properly calibrated! ($20 says that any progressive scan dvd player wasn't connected with component cables, either, thus bypassing the progressive output.)The downside to this is that whatever comparisons you saw in the store are not worth much. The upside is that Toshibas are good sets, so you're safe.

This set does not have an HDTV decoder, the tuner is just standard def. In fact, that's what "HDTV ready" usually means- "ready" for the user to plug in a receiver. It does have 3/2 pulldown, however, which is a great feature to have built in. This narrows the gap between dvd players with interlaced output and those with progressive output. It might be good enough for your eyes (until you get the set calibrated, that is). Enjoy!

 

[LotusNotesGuy]

Supposedly, the best buy salesman said this TV has one one but 2 tuners, so an antenna and satellite can both be run into the back of the unit.

It does have 2 separate tuner inputsn I looked at the back. At least one of those is supposed to be HDTV. There is another version of this same size set that is HDTV ready for 600-800$ less and the price difference is supposed to be the tuner.

I need to research this and verify it I am wondering if the Best Buy salesman lied. He also told me the set had a 90 day warranty but the manual I downloaded from Toshiba had 1 year in it. Does anyone know for sure?

I guess while I am asking does anyone know for sure about it having or NOT having the HDTV tuner? If it doesnt I dont get why this model is priced so much higher.

I wonder if it has 2 conventional tuners?

Help appreciated.

BTW I bought the Philips DVD +R +RW video recorder to record tv and satellite if anyone wants info...

Good deal on the guy who the 36 Toshiba HDTV verison for 1699$, the sony xbr i replaced with this was 36 inches, I miss that extra big picture.

 

[BeerGod]

HDTV information site

research b4 you plop down tons on a hdtv..
especially with dvi looming..

 

[iahk]

Isn't this the same TV that's in this weeks ad?

 

[CZroe]

Yes, but the ad only has one of them.

What's the verdict on the smaller model? Does it have a HDTV tuner or what?

BTW, future standards will be for HDTV sources OTHER than broadcast, so you can't make a perfect digital copy of your HDTV DVD from the unencrypted signal going in...

 

[CZroe]

Are you sure the Toshiba 34HF81a 34" widescreen is $1,699? I signed up for their damn 24 month no-interest financing + credit card and only got $1,001 credit, and I was ready to pay the rest with cash when I ran into a road-block: They won't let me have it for $1,699! It still says $2,500 on the display... Also, it didn't say HDTV tuner anywhere, but did say HDTV. The other model said "HDTV ready" and "HDTV monitor" so I believe the first one does have the tuner, though the sales rep wouldn't verify anything. Also, there is no "a" at the end of the model number. I asked about it and he said that they always drop suffixes. Toshiba's website doesn't have it either, so I assume that it's the only 34HF81 right? Do you have an SKU or UPC number from the reciept? Can you scan the reciept so I can get them to pricematch themselves? If it doesn't have an HDTV tuner, is it normal for a cinema-style ultra-wide-screen to cost that much more than the larger but not as wide 16:9 HDTV widescreen? I noticed that it's darks were much better than the larger set, but it may just be set up wrong...

PLEASE hurry ppl! I need so much help & I can't let this pass me up...

EDIT: Well, I figure it doesn't have the turner, but I'd rather have the smaller/wider/blacker screen that you got...
EDIT again: I noticed that you live in Atlanta. I live close. I checked out the Douglasville Best Buy (From Newnan). Where did you check? I'll be willing to drive to north of Atlanta for it (My neighbors make the trip every day for work...). Thnx for the deal alert man!

 

[LotusNotesGuy]

I returned my set yesterday.

I am not certain I did the right thing, but several people have been talking about the DVI inputs and how not having on of those makes all current sets useless.

My sales insisted this model was one of only 2 sets that had the tuner.

Sorry, my reciept is all crumpled from being in my pocket so I cant scan it.

I honestly felt after all my shopping and comparing this TV had 90% of the picture quality of a plasma as long as it got a good strong signal, but intead of 5000-6000$ cost 1699$.

And yes the salesman did insist that was the reason for the price difference, that it did indeed have that tuner.

On the topic of the tuner, I am not sure of how much value that is down the road, as I am uncertain after reading all the posts above, whether it is worth the extra money to have one built in or not.

THIS set did have 2 progressive/component sets of inputs AND 2 separate antenna inputs AND a progress/component OUTPUT.

Thoughts on all these features guys.

Its returned now, but I like learning from other peoples expertise.

thanks

 

[LotusNotesGuy]

ALSO I am wonder if this new SONY set I saw posted is a much better deal for 1599$, its bigger and I pasted as much as I could below. It supposedly represents a HUGE drop in WEGA style sets.

Sony 36" FD Trinitron Hi Scan 1080i WEGA TV - KV36HS20 HD Capable (1080i, 480p, 480i)

http://www.sel.sony.com/SEL/consumer/wega/products/kv36hs20.html

Detailed Specifications
Audio Format Supported: MTS Stereo

Broadcast Format: NTSC (analog)
PAL (analog)
SECAM (analog)

Comb Filter: 3D-Digital ,
Diagonal Screen Size: 36 in

General Features: Channel Caption
Channel Label
Multi-Language Menu
On Screen Menu
Parental Control V-Chip
SAP
Sleep Timer
Tone Controls

Picture in Picture: Dual Tuner PIP

Portable-Handheld Features: Built In Speaker

Power Source: AC Input

Remote Control: Multibrand Remote

Tube Type: Ultra Flat Tube

Video Broadcast Standards: ATSC (Digital - SDTV, HDTV)
NTSC (analog)
PAL (analog)
SECAM (analog)

Input: A/V (Composite)
Coaxial (RF)
Component Video
Front A/V (Composite)
Front S-Video
S-Video
Output: A/V (Composite)
S-Video
VGA

Dimensions
Height: 29.7 in
Width: 39.1 in
Depth: 24.5 in
Weight: 235 lbs

Warranty
Labor Warranty: 90 day(s)
Parts Warranty: 1 year(s)

Warranty Information: Manufacturer Link http://www.sel.sony.com/SEL/consumer/wega/products/kv36hs20.html

Reference nufacturer Link

URL: Ma
Description
Prepare yourself for outstanding television performance when you watch Sony's KV-36HS20 36-inch FD Trinitron® Hi-Scan 1080i? WEGA® TV. Our Hi-Scan 1080i Chassis enables you to watch free High Definition Television and subscription HD digital satellite services. Featuring a Dynamic Acoustic Chamber Speaker System, Digital Reality Creation? Multi-Function, and a Multi Image Driver-X?, the KV-36HS20 projects sharp images and riveting sound. Experience the WEGA.

 

[CZroe]

Cut it out with all the "HDTV is going to be obsolete" crap ppl! You can't change what's already in place very easily, and it's not gonna happen. The "updated" standards are for *OTHER* devices that output in HD so they can not be digitally copied. Your TV just won't work with that device. That's all.

Now, back to the other TV:
You don't have any of the numbers from the reciept (UPCs, SKUs etc)?!
Now how am I gonna prove to them that it's supposed to be cheaper!
I have absolutely nothing to show them. When they look it up, it's $2,499. Why would they sell it to me for less?
It absolutely doesn't have the tuner (According to Toshiba), but I'd rather have the wider screen over the other anyway, even the Sony (What does it have that's better other than a bigger screen?).

At least tell me what store you got it from so I can stop there (I'm local, remember?).

Common ppl! I'm in a panic. I need to get it before it's too late.

Thnx...

 

[SimMike2]

I think a lot of the legislation that would make current HDTVs kind of obsolete got shot down before it went too far. Heck, there was even one Hollywood studio bozo that wanted them to make DVD disks that would "wear out" the more times you played the disk!! These guys are pathetic. Remember when VCRs first came out there were Hollywood people who thought it would be the end of movies. How wrong could they get!

 

[LotusNotesGuy]

I did confirm the Toshiba set DOESNT have the HDTV tuner for sure. I spent 3 hours today in different audio/video speciality stores and about 3 more online researching these DVI connectors.

One of the managers apoligized to me about that. They were actually pretty nice.

JVC has a TV out that has one(DVI connector) of course since they are pioneering all this just like they did with video tape years ago.

Some plasma's do, like the new black drive Panasonic models which are incredible.

There is a new SONY XBR widescreen THAT does have the HDTV tuner built in and some mitsubishi models do also.

It's the Sony KD-34XBR2 and it has a firewire connection, which some manufacturers are pushing instead of the DVI connectors for HDTV input.


http://www.sonystyle.com/electronics/prd.jsp?hierc=8623x8633x8698&catid=8698&pid=18111&type=p

 

[CZroe]

You know, if you sell/return sets without DVI connectors, and then wait and refuse to buy anything that doesn't have it, that means you WANT the MPAA to force it on us. The consumer message is clear: You, as a consumer, have chosen that you perfer to have your rights taken away and want DVI, DVI has already "won" and you will have nothing else. If enough non-DVI sets are sold they can not replace the standard. You're either for us or against us!

I still need to know what Best Buy store you got it from... I'm about to just call all of them!

 

[alyosha]

Ohh, come on- stop the propaganda, average consumer and fellow anandtecher here is trying to get a bargain and share the experience with other buyers, pushing your agenda- please, buy the same absolete hardware you've already invested in, hoping that it will delay the demise of the certain standard is just plain wrong. You are not going to affect the process by appealing to a limited audience of this forum, so maybe you can put that aside and share you fears, warn us about bad investment, so maybe somebody can benefit. Your pathetic posts just prove you wrong. I am not mentioning any specific post, but there are clearly these types of posts popping up here and there.

 

[HiveMaster]

From the fact sheet on the 36 inch sony kv36hs20:

1. Hi-Scan 1080i Display: Works through only analog component video (Y/PB/PR) connections. Not compatible with such digital connections as may become available in the future.