Is it time to get an HDTV?

BlancoNino

Diamond Member
Oct 31, 2005
5,695
0
0
Okay, so I've got a 20" TV right now. It's a regular TV with a flat screen and component video...it's treated me very well. Now, with the next generation consoles coming out...I believe it may not be worth getting any of them until I get an HDTV because it will bottleneck the visual potential greatly. Am I right? What direction should I go? I don't want anything bigger than 27" because I live in my room and soon will be in a dorm and I simply don't have the room. I also want to make sure I get the best quality that will work with next generation consoles.
 

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
79,020
435
136
Once you can find a 27" LCD HDTV with HD tuner for around $399 then I would get it.
 

BlancoNino

Diamond Member
Oct 31, 2005
5,695
0
0
Originally posted by: RossMAN
Once you can find a 27" LCD HDTV with HD tuner for around $399 then I would get it.

That's what I'm thinking...but do I need an HD tuner for video games? I don't even have cable and don't plan on getting it.
 

lokiju

Lifer
May 29, 2003
18,526
5
0
Originally posted by: RossMAN
Once you can find a 27" LCD HDTV with HD tuner for around $399 then I would get it.

When that happens is when I get a new TV for the master bedroom.
 

yowolabi

Diamond Member
Jun 29, 2001
4,183
2
81
Originally posted by: BlancoNino
Originally posted by: RossMAN
Once you can find a 27" LCD HDTV with HD tuner for around $399 then I would get it.

That's what I'm thinking...but do I need an HD tuner for video games? I don't even have cable and don't plan on getting it.

No you don't need the tuner for video games. But if it has one, you can attach an antenna and get some over the air (OTA) broadcasts in HD.
 

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
79,020
435
136
Originally posted by: yowolabi
Originally posted by: BlancoNino
Originally posted by: RossMAN
Once you can find a 27" LCD HDTV with HD tuner for around $399 then I would get it.

That's what I'm thinking...but do I need an HD tuner for video games? I don't even have cable and don't plan on getting it.

No you don't need the tuner for video games. But if it has one, you can attach an antenna and get some over the air (OTA) broadcasts in HD.

Yep and yep.

Maybe you can find a cheap Syntax Olevia, Westinghouse or Sceptre with DVI? That would make a great gaming LCD.
 

BlancoNino

Diamond Member
Oct 31, 2005
5,695
0
0
Whoa I really need to touch up on my knowledge here. I really really prefer CRT TV's, but it looks like I won't be getting one since they don't support progressive scan... :(
 

GTaudiophile

Lifer
Oct 24, 2000
29,767
33
81
I saw a really nice Sony Bravia 40" 1080P LCD today at BB. They wanted $2300 for it. When the same or better gets down to around $1300 I'll consider it.

The prices are just going to fall and fall.
 

Krazy4Real

Lifer
Oct 3, 2003
12,221
55
91
I love watching sports in HD. Wait for the price to dip to what you want, but you defintately won't be disappointed.
 

bigdog1218

Golden Member
Mar 7, 2001
1,674
2
0
I'm waiting for the end of 2007/ early 2008 when SED tvs become mainstream. Personally I think it's ridiculous that LCD's and Plasma's still can't provide a better picture than CRT televisions, I'll wait until something that's actually better comes along.
 

BlancoNino

Diamond Member
Oct 31, 2005
5,695
0
0
So if I get a TV without a tuner...could I buy just any old tuner later on if I wanted to hook it up with digital cable?
 

olds

Elite Member
Mar 3, 2000
50,124
779
126
Originally posted by: RossMAN
I assumed you were going LCD.

That's the way to go.

Bset looking picture I ever saw was from a Sony LCD.
 

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
79,020
435
136
Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
The prices are just going to fall and fall.

That's what I'm afraid of.

My Dell 1900FP cost $692 exactly 4 years ago, November 2002 and back then it was a hot deal.

Now you can buy a brand new 20" LCD with DVI for $250-ish.

Ugh I hate technology.
 

GTaudiophile

Lifer
Oct 24, 2000
29,767
33
81
I don't watch TV that much so I can just wait it out and save in the long run. I know I'll have one in 1-2 years provided the world doesn't blow up or something.
 

Eeezee

Diamond Member
Jul 23, 2005
9,922
0
76
It's my understanding that a 32" LCDTV is actually the sweet spot. It's really not that much bigger than 27" if you're worried about space, and there are a few going for $499 on Black Friday this year. That's an awesome deal and you'll get 720p, which is pretty awesome HD quality.
 

mugs

Lifer
Apr 29, 2003
48,920
46
91
Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I don't watch TV that much so I can just wait it out and save in the long run. I know I'll have one in 1-2 years provided the world doesn't blow up or something.

:thumbsup:
 

BlancoNino

Diamond Member
Oct 31, 2005
5,695
0
0
Originally posted by: Eeezee
It's my understanding that a 32" LCDTV is actually the sweet spot. It's really not that much bigger than 27" if you're worried about space, and there are a few going for $499 on Black Friday this year. That's an awesome deal and you'll get 720p, which is pretty awesome HD quality.

Well the only TV's I've seen with 1080p (the only one better than 720p), are the huge TV's. I'm guesing that when TV's are small-mid sized, you wouldn't notice a difference with 1080p over 720p.
 

Shawn

Lifer
Apr 20, 2003
32,236
53
91
Originally posted by: BlancoNino
So if I get a TV without a tuner...could I buy just any old tuner later on if I wanted to hook it up with digital cable?

you don't need a tuner if you are using a cable box.
 

Insane3D

Elite Member
May 24, 2000
19,446
0
0
Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I saw a really nice Sony Bravia 40" 1080P LCD today at BB. They wanted $2300 for it. When the same or better gets down to around $1300 I'll consider it.

The prices are just going to fall and fall.

Jesus that's a crazy price. I just picked up a 37" Olevia with 1600:1 contrast ratio and QAM tuner for $999 shipped. The 42" equivalent model is like $1200.

For the extra money, what do you get? Does it explode like their batteries?

:p
 

Electric Amish

Elite Member
Oct 11, 1999
23,578
1
0
Originally posted by: Baked
$5 HD box from Comcast + HD package FTW.

How does that look (or would it even work) with a non-HD TV?

I have a 55" Mitsubishi non-HD. I'm wondering if I need to get a HD capable TV or how this would look or if it's possible to display HD on it from an external tuner.