I'm finally getting a new tv. Should I get picture in picture?

[Salvador]

Seems like a cool thing to have, but should I get it? Is it worth the extra money? I have heard that you end up using it for the first month and never use it after that.

LMK

Sal

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

It isn't worth it, IMO. Even though you can "watch" another TV program in the little picture, how on earth could you really pay attention to both at the same time? You'd be better off just changing the channel.

I vote No.

 

[NogginBoink]

You heard right, IMO.

'Course, it's hard to find a TV that doesn't have PIP, so I doubt it's a feature that carries a price premium.

 

[Sephy]

To me, its completely pointless. The image is so small, and without sound you can't tell whats going on half the time.

 

[bunker]

With satellite (DirecTV and DIsh) and digital cable, it's pretty much worthless unless the PIP has a second tuner for digital cable or satellite, which I've never seen.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

I didn't think PIP was a big deal (~$100 more at the time on a WEGA), but I went head and got one with PIP. Never used the PIP once other than to see if it was nifty. Then I found this kick ass feature called favorites. You program up to 7 channels in a list. So lets say I'm watching Fox, I hit one button and it brings up the menu of 7 channels with the PIP thing in the corner. I press the arrow down key and it goes through my favorite channels, then I hit ok if I want to watch it, or i hit the cancel button and go back to watching what I was. Really cool for checking to see if a music video is on that I like, or if there is breaking news on a news station. Very cool feature and I use it constantly.

 

[DaiShan]

I have a tv with PiP and I never ever use it, ever, don't waste the money.

 

[Muadib]

Huge waste of money.

 

[falconx80]

i have a 52 inch tv with pip.....i found it to be annoying and therefore, never really used it

 

[Renob]

Do they still make TVs that dont have PiP?

 

[Salvador]

I'm looking at a 32" Sony WEGA and the model without PIP retails for $899 and the one with PIP is $999.

BTW.. I have digital cable, so it would be worthless. I thought it was just unusable with Direct tv, but it makes sense with Digital cable because of the special box.

Thanks for the input!

Sal

 

[Muadib]

Do they still make TVs that dont have PiP?
Yes, Sony does.

 

[murphy55d]

<< I have a tv with PiP and I never ever use it, ever, don't waste the money. >>

 

[fatalbert]

pointless

 

[aphex]

<< BTW.. I have digital cable, so it would be worthless >>

Yep... Got digital here too, so i decided to stay without the PiP Tv.... 4 digital boxes in my apartment now though

 

[Slacker]

Picture in picture is cool, I can have any combination of tv/dvd/vcr/dreamcast/n64/ps1/gamecube going at one time

 

[RossMAN]

I purposely paid $100 more on my Toshiba Cinema Series 27" just so I could have 2 tuner PIP but I have NEVER USED IT.

So trust me, it ain't worth it.

 

[Lvis]

It has it's uses, watching another program while a comercial is on is one. If I were to buy another one, I'd get one that allows you to choose the audio from either picture. Somtimes you just want to watch one show while listening to something else. Like watching a sporting event while listening to the news.

 

[flot]

Ditto. I have a tv with dual tuner PIP and I used it like twice. waste of money.

 

[Jugernot]

Yep, it's a waste. I've never used mine, but did find it useful in the beginning.

 

[luvya]

Get it. It's standard on most models now anyway.

 

[vi edit]

As if one more post will really matter, but I'll thow in my $.02.

If it already is standard on the TV that you are looking at, go ahead and get that model.
If you drawn between two nearly identical models with the only exception being PiP, then go with the cheaper one.

Going with the consensus here, PiP ain't all that.

 

[anonymouse]

Would ABSOLUTELY get it especially if say there are 2 sports events going on simultaneously or if you are watching a DVD/VCR and also following another program. When in doubt, get it, to avoid any regrets!

Our TV also has the ability to switch audio to the PIP which is great. I think this is really a personal preference choice and depends on how important it will be to you. I also use it to monitor recordings to see when I need to stop my VCR, etc.

 

[Russ]

<< If I were to buy another one, I'd get one that allows you to choose the audio from either picture. >>



Mine does that. I actually use PIP quite a bit. I like to have news or other informational stuff in the little picture while watching DVD's. If something interesting pops up, I can hit stop and swap and catch it.

Russ, NCNE

 

[Joyride]

I have a 2 tuner PIP on my Panasonic TV

I would never get a tv without it

Perfect for Sundays when you want to watch 1 football game yet keep an eye out on another

Or when your watching TV with you significant other and its time for a commercial during Friends. You can see what else is on and still make sure you don't tick her off by missing the show.