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I don't have cable tv. I'm thinking about buying a 52" HDTV

T

Turin39789

Lifer
TV is up for sale on craigslist, It's a 53 inch Phillips HDTV with Virtual Dolby Surround, still waiting on model number from seller, 4 years old and they are ditching it because they are moving and don't have room for it.

Would be good for dvd night and/or the purchase of a wii.


Thoughts?
 
Well, regardless of what TV you go with, keep in mind that you can get free OTA HD programming. You know, CBS, ABC, PBS, NBC, FOX...all in HD.
 
HDTVs without cable are a lot better than SDTVs without cable because you can generally get all your locals in HD through an antenna.

A Wii does not really look that great on a big HDTV. I've got a 61" and you have to stand pretty close due to the Wii sensor bar range.
 
It's probably one of those old and heavy CRT TVs with the built-in cabinets.

Also, as Excelsior mentioned, you can get OTA HD with a relatively cheap (I paid $30 for my Philips HD antenna). Check http://www.antennaweb.org to see what you can get.

EDIT:

Made the link clickable.
 
Originally posted by: Aikouka
It's probably one of those old and heavy CRT TVs with the built-in cabinets.

Also, as Excelsior mentioned, you can get OTA HD with a relatively cheap (I paid $30 for my Philips HD antenna). Check http://www.antennaweb.org to see what you can get.

EDIT:

Made the link clickable.
Click to expand...


Yea it's a big one with the speaker under the tv, not a small unit, and it ain't hanging on a wall.

The house we are renting at has an antenna thats about 10 feet taller than the house, so we already get good reception for all of our locals.

 
if it's 4 years old, it probably doesn't have an ATSC or QAM tuner built in, so you'd have to buy a tuner to get your locals in HD. So on top of the $30 antenna, you'll need a $100 (maybe cheaper on ebay) tuner.
 
I assume it's a rear-projection set. The older rear-projection TVs have HORRIBLE viewing angles. So bad that I would rather watch a non-HD CRT from the side than one of those. I would be sure to audition the set first. Also, find out when the last time they replaced the bulbs was and how much they are. If it's hard to find them, and they're $500 it might not be worth it in the long run.

In case you didn't know, rear-projection TVs are getting relatively inexpensive. A new 50-56" rear-projection TV runs about $900 normally and even cheaper on a good sale. The new rear-projection TVs are FAR superior to the older ones.
 
Originally posted by: torpid
HDTVs without cable are a lot better than SDTVs without cable because you can generally get all your locals in HD through an antenna.

A Wii does not really look that great on a big HDTV. I've got a 61" and you have to stand pretty close due to the Wii sensor bar range.
Click to expand...


The only time I played was on a widescreen 42", and it seemed to do fine. Thats my only experience though.
 
Originally posted by: kalrith
I assume it's a rear-projection set. The older rear-projection TVs have HORRIBLE viewing angles. So bad that I would rather watch a non-HD CRT from the side than one of those. I would be sure to audition the set first. Also, find out when the last time they replaced the bulbs was and how much they are. If it's hard to find them, and they're $500 it might not be worth it in the long run.

In case you didn't know, rear-projection TVs are getting relatively inexpensive. A new 50-56" rear-projection TV runs about $900 normally and even cheaper on a good sale. The new rear-projection TVs are FAR superior to the older ones.
Click to expand...

I figured I was in for a situation like that. To be honest I'm looking to be talked out of it, I'm still waiting to get the exact model so everyone can tell me what a bad deal it is, but they're only asking $400 obo
 
Originally posted by: torpid
HDTVs without cable are a lot better than SDTVs without cable because you can generally get all your locals in HD through an antenna.

A Wii does not really look that great on a big HDTV. I've got a 61" and you have to stand pretty close due to the Wii sensor bar range.
Click to expand...

Have you tried the component cables that output at 480p?
 
Originally posted by: Turin39789
I figured I was in for a situation like that. To be honest I'm looking to be talked out of it, I'm still waiting to get the exact model so everyone can tell me what a bad deal it is, but they're only asking $400 obo
Click to expand...

Just for comparison I looked up TVs on my craigslist, and it took only a few seconds to find a similar one for $400, so it doesn't sound like this is some steal of a price.

Just to help you out with the overall HDTV purchase, what will your viewing distance be?
 
Originally posted by: kalrith
Originally posted by: Turin39789
I figured I was in for a situation like that. To be honest I'm looking to be talked out of it, I'm still waiting to get the exact model so everyone can tell me what a bad deal it is, but they're only asking $400 obo
Click to expand...

Just for comparison I looked up TVs on my craigslist, and it took only a few seconds to find a similar one for $400, so it doesn't sound like this is some steal of a price.

Just to help you out with the overall HDTV purchase, what will your viewing distance be?
Click to expand...

To be honest I wasn't really looking, just spotted it and wondered if it might be a deal

Heres the listing

And the picture they sent me
 
Originally posted by: torpid
HDTVs without cable are a lot better than SDTVs without cable because you can generally get all your locals in HD through an antenna.

A Wii does not really look that great on a big HDTV. I've got a 61" and you have to stand pretty close due to the Wii sensor bar range.
Click to expand...

it looks good on my 65" with componant cables.


but yes it sucks about the sensor bar. you have to close. if you stand at a confterble distance the wii remote does not always work.

they need a better sensor bar.
 
I have a 48" that looks identical. It does not however have a digital input like that one though. (DVI apparently)
It does have poor viewing angles, but if in the right place it looks VERY nice, with a nice HD source mind you.
If the screen is in nice shape and is converged correctly then it is worth 400 dollars.
Contrast isn't THAT great unless it has a dynamic contrast option of whichever input you want.
 
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