JVC vs. Toshiba vs. Sony

[TooOne21]

I need a little help deciding.

I know sony is the most expensive, but is it really worth it if I am looking to save a little money?

I have narrowed my choice down to three 32" Flat CRT Televisions.

If you you have any of these TVs I would appreciate the pros and cons of them.

JVC $549.99

Toshiba $599.99

Sony $799.99

Thank you.

 

[loup garou]

Samsung.

 

[conjur]

If I were looking for a 4:3 CRT I'd probably go in this order:

1) Samsung
2) Toshiba
3) Panasonic
4) Hitachi
5) JVC
6) Phillips


Note the complete and utter lack of any mention of Sony

 

[Doggiedog]

DON"T BUY SONY!

The spirit of my dead 2 YO top of the line $2,700 Sony 36XBR400 begs you!!

Sonys are crap and nothing like what they used to be. I was an all Sony person but after the way I was treated by them when my TV died, I vowed never to buy their junk again. My experience wasn't an isolated one either. There are tons of stories online about Sony their crappy products and customer service.

For the record, I own 2 21" G500 of which I went through 5 before I found 2 that worked (one of which is dying now after 3 1/2 years), 2 DVD players both of which died (one cost me $600), several cordless phones (Sonys are the worst), Hi8 digicam (some issues nothing fatal), dead CD player, dead assorted walkmen, cheap boombox which is dying (expected though) plus other things I have forgotten.

One of my best friends bought his top of the line 65" XBR RPTV 1 1/2 ago and it just blew up after he hit the flash focus button on it. He's been waiting 2 months for a part plus he has to pay for repairs since Sony will not fix it free because it is off warranty. When he spoke to the repair guy, he said his Sony repair business is booming (says alot doesn't it?).

I would strongly advise you to stay away from Sony. Their quality is not what it used to be and their customer service is horrendous.

 

[CraigRT]

my favorite brands for sure are:

Panasonic
Toshiba

 

[TooOne21]

The JVC has a lot cleaner sound than the Toshiba.

The JVC and Sony sound is no different.

 

[RossMAN]

1) Toshiba

2) Panasonic Tau

 

[boyRacer]

Out of your choices...i pick Toshiba.

 

[TooOne21]

I have to get the TV from sears... So I am limited to what they have for a selection.
20% off everything.
I am buying a stove, fridge, washer & dryer too.

 

[TooOne21]

Any pros an cons would be helpful. I am not convinced why Toshiba is so good.
JVC and Toshiba picture is the same. JVC sound is better.

 

[N8Magic]

1. Toshiba
2. Hitachi
3. Samsung

Sony is rubbish. Now that i'm on my THIRD PS2, I will never buy a Sony product again. :|

 

[conjur]

Are you comparing sound/picture while you're in the store?

That's about as accurate as judging a car's performance from an online review. Those sets have contrast/brightness cranked up and colors may be off, audio settings off. People play with remotes and get things whacked.

 

[Schadenfroh]

sony makes the best tvs/monitors IMO

 

[TooOne21]

Originally posted by: conjur
Are you comparing sound/picture while you're in the store?

That's about as accurate as judging a car's performance from an online review. Those sets have contrast/brightness cranked up and colors may be off, audio settings off. People play with remotes and get things whacked.

How else should I judge it? Buy both of them?
That is why I am looking for explainations.

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: TooOne21

Originally posted by: conjur
Are you comparing sound/picture while you're in the store?

That's about as accurate as judging a car's performance from an online review. Those sets have contrast/brightness cranked up and colors may be off, audio settings off. People play with remotes and get things whacked.

How else should I judge it? Buy both of them?
That is why I am looking for explainations.

Get one and test it out at home. If you're not happy, exchange it. Or, find a higher-end audio/video retailer in town and check their sets side-by-side. Granted, they can still be out of whack but you'll typically be in a quieter/darker store and sound/PQ will be better compared.

Oh, and ignore Schadenfroh's "Sony is the best" post

 

[Dulanic]

Samsung is GARBAGE, take my word for it as someone who sells TV's all day. EVERY 32" or 30" widescreen samsung I have seen gets distorted. Especially using the component inputs. Just watch something that should be straight like a wall or a line on the TV and watch how it curves it.... here is how a typical line looks on a samsung...

l
l
l
l
l
\
\
l
l
/
/
\
\
l
l
/
\
/
/
l
l

It's prob a power issue with thoose TVs, because youll especially notice if like you see a NBC icon in the corner and the rest of the screen switches from light to dark, youll see it move a full 1" or more.

 

[Ynog]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
sony makes the best tvs/monitors IMO

While I do think sony makes alot of crap. When it comes to TVs and Monitors. I have always
been very pleased with my sonys.

 

[N8Magic]

Originally posted by: Ynog

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
sony makes the best tvs/monitors IMO

While I do think sony makes alot of crap. When it comes to TVs and Monitors. I have always
been very pleased with my sonys.

Unfortunately, Sony's newer products are crap.

They used be the best, but their quality has slipped tremendously.

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: Dulanic
Samsung is GARBAGE, take my word for it as someone who sells TV's all day. EVERY 32" or 30" widescreen samsung I have seen gets distorted. Especially using the component inputs. Just watch something that should be straight like a wall or a line on the TV and watch how it curves it.... here is how a typical line looks on a samsung...

l
l
l
l
l
\
\
 l
 l
/
/
\
\
 l
 l
/
\
/
/
l
l

It's prob a power issue with thoose TVs, because youll especially notice if like you see a NBC icon in the corner and the rest of the screen switches from light to dark, youll see it move a full 1" or more.

Is there not an advanced menu to go in and adjust the geometry on a widescreen set? I'm sure there is.

 

[CraigRT]

Originally posted by: N8Magic

Originally posted by: Ynog

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
sony makes the best tvs/monitors IMO

While I do think sony makes alot of crap. When it comes to TVs and Monitors. I have always
been very pleased with my sonys.

Unfortunately, Sony's newer products are crap.

They used be the best, but their quality has slipped tremendously.

yeah i agree

 

[Ornery]

The Sony in your link has two tuners. This $699.00 KV-32FS100 doesn't. I'd have to see them side by side to make the choice. $100.00 wouldn't make up for a lesser picture.

 

[vi edit]

I think I'd buy an Apex TV before I bought a sony.

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: Dulanic
Samsung is GARBAGE, take my word for it as someone who sells TV's all day. EVERY 32" or 30" widescreen samsung I have seen gets distorted. Especially using the component inputs. Just watch something that should be straight like a wall or a line on the TV and watch how it curves it.... here is how a typical line looks on a samsung...

l
l
l
l
l
\
\
 l
 l
/
/
\
\
 l
 l
/
\
/
/
l
l

It's prob a power issue with thoose TVs, because youll especially notice if like you see a NBC icon in the corner and the rest of the screen switches from light to dark, youll see it move a full 1" or more.

Is there not an advanced menu to go in and adjust the geometry on a widescreen set? I'm sure there is.

You can adjust geometry settings on the TXN series in the service menu. It's pretty easy with a test disc, but it does "void your warranty"

I'll put a finer point on my Samsung statement: you can't beat a 27" or 32" Samsung set for quality for the price if you are willing to do some tweaking.

 

[Dulanic]

Originally posted by: conjur
Is there not an advanced menu to go in and adjust the geometry on a widescreen set? I'm sure there is.

TV's typically don't have geometry menus... and also its variable... it's always changing as to where the line bend, its it's ALOT more severe then my crappy example.... sections of the line will move up to a full 1" and it causes a big bubble in the line. Their horrible TV's. I thought it was just one of our display models... but we have 3 30"+ a 32" digital 32" HDTV and 30" widescreen HDTV. All 3 do it.

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: Dulanic

Originally posted by: conjur
Is there not an advanced menu to go in and adjust the geometry on a widescreen set? I'm sure there is.

TV's typically don't have geometry menus... and also its variable... it's always changing as to where the line bend, its it's ALOT more severe then my crappy example.... sections of the line will move up to a full 1" and it causes a big bubble in the line. Their horrible TV's. I thought it was just one of our display models... but we have 3 30"+ a 32" digital 32" HDTV and 30" widescreen HDTV. All 3 do it.

Strange...mine doesn't. It did have slight bowing, but that was corrected.