Need to buy a new TV

[bpatters69]

Hello folks,

I have been doing some research on TVs as I am in the market for a new set. I am looking at sets which are 32" as that is all my entertainment center can hold. I am trying to decide between buying a HDTV ready set or a conventional analog type set. I don't have digital cable and I will not upgrade to digital cable unless my cable provider forces me to.

If I buy an analog type set, could I add a digital receiver later if I have to upgrade to HDTV? Analog sets can be purchased for about $300ish which is not too bad but I don't want to buy a paperweight.

Thanks, Bill

 

[LeonarD26]

If you're on a budget and want HDTV, check out the 32 inch Sanyo or 30 inch WS Sanyo at Walmart ( I know....). Both had a HD tuner built in, and it costs under 1K. Check out avsforum.com for lots of details.

 

[TallBill]

Better not give out your real name on here.. its not safe

 

[gscone]

I'd suggest forking out a little more now and getting a set that is HD ready now.

 

[Alkaline5]

A standard analog TV will not be able to show HD at all even if you get a digital receiver. You'll need at least an "HD-ready" TV for that (one that can show HD, but has no HD tuner built-in).

By law, locally broadcast HD stations fall into a slightly different category, so depending on your provider you may not need to upgrade your package. I'm unclear on how that works, though.

 

[bpatters69]

Thanks for the speedy replies. I figured that I should be looking at HDTV ready models. If I buy a non-HDTV would it be a paperweight within the next 2 - 3 years?

What is with the post about not giving out my name?

 

[royaldank]

If you buy a non-HD ready TV then I would assume you'll be buying a new set in just a few years.

 

[DeMeo]

The physical size of analaog and HD TVS are not the same - check your dimensions before buying. I believe the HD tv size measurements are side to side on the screen, while analogs are measured diagonally on the screen.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Originally posted by: DeMeo
The physical size of analaog and HD TVS are not the same - check your dimensions before buying. I believe the HD tv size measurements are side to side on the screen, while analogs are measured diagonally on the screen.

No, widescreen televisions are still measured diagonally.

 

[SpunkyJones]

Originally posted by: bpatters69
Thanks for the speedy replies. I figured that I should be looking at HDTV ready models. If I buy a non-HDTV would it be a paperweight within the next 2 - 3 years?

What is with the post about not giving out my name?

A non HDTV will still work in a few years, it just won't display HD. The change that is happening is from analog to digital, not analog to HD. Your analog tv will only need a digital receiver to work.

 

[bibbyking]

just splurge and get that hdtv man. you can pick up a good 30" for under 800.

go to the the philips outlet (i forgot the url) and you can find refurbished and discontinued models for 500.

 

[MrBond]

No, widescreen televisions are still measured diagonally.

The physical sizes are still different. My parents had a very nice cherry entertainment center built about 10 years ago - at the time they built it expecting to upgrade eventually to a 32" TV. If they wanted to upgrade to one now, it'd have to be a 32" TV with a curved picture tube - a flat tube model or widescreen model wouldn't fit. I'm not sure a widescreen 27" monitor would fit - and they have a 27" TV now.

Your best bet is to measure the spot in your entertainment center and go to Bestbuy/etc and measure TVs.

On your original question, I'd get an analog TV right now - HDTV looks awesome, but it really shines on TV's above 32". As more people buy HDTVs, prices will drop

 

[lozina]

HDTV!

Analog is for panzies

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Originally posted by: MrBond

No, widescreen televisions are still measured diagonally.

The physical sizes are still different. My parents had a very nice cherry entertainment center built about 10 years ago - at the time they built it expecting to upgrade eventually to a 32" TV. If they wanted to upgrade to one now, it'd have to be a 32" TV with a curved picture tube - a flat tube model or widescreen model wouldn't fit. I'm not sure a widescreen 27" monitor would fit - and they have a 27" TV now.

Your best bet is to measure the spot in your entertainment center and go to Bestbuy/etc and measure TVs.

On your original question, I'd get an analog TV right now - HDTV looks awesome, but it really shines on TV's above 32". As more people buy HDTVs, prices will drop

Of course, a widescreen 32" televisions won't be the same width and height as a 4:3 screen, but the size is still measured diagonally.

I agree the only way to make sure your television will fit is to measure before buying.

 

[Alkaline5]

Originally posted by: MrBond
On your original question, I'd get an analog TV right now - HDTV looks awesome, but it really shines on TV's above 32".

Quoted for emphasis. 480i/480p is fine on smaller screens.

 

[bpatters69]

Originally posted by: Alkaline5

Originally posted by: MrBond
On your original question, I'd get an analog TV right now - HDTV looks awesome, but it really shines on TV's above 32".

Quoted for emphasis. 480i/480p is fine on smaller screens.

Thanks for the feedback. I have two different answers on whether an Analog TV could use a Digital Receiver to get HDTV type tv or it an analog TV would become a paperweight in a couple of years. Which is right? Thanks, Bill

 

[frankie38]

save your money and get a non hdtv set. hdtv sets only look good with hdtv. hdtv sets can actually make non hdtv signals look worse than conventional sets.

dont cheap out now.. go get yourself a nice 32 inch sony and you will be happy.

 

[royaldank]

Originally posted by: bpatters69

Originally posted by: Alkaline5

Originally posted by: MrBond
On your original question, I'd get an analog TV right now - HDTV looks awesome, but it really shines on TV's above 32".

Quoted for emphasis. 480i/480p is fine on smaller screens.

Thanks for the feedback. I have two different answers on whether an Analog TV could use a Digital Receiver to get HDTV type tv or it an analog TV would become a paperweight in a couple of years. Which is right? Thanks, Bill

I have digital cable right now and an analog tv. So, it obviously works. You wont get HD programming unless you have an HD TV or HD ready tv.

 

[SpunkyJones]

Originally posted by: bpatters69

Originally posted by: Alkaline5

Originally posted by: MrBond
On your original question, I'd get an analog TV right now - HDTV looks awesome, but it really shines on TV's above 32".

Quoted for emphasis. 480i/480p is fine on smaller screens.

Thanks for the feedback. I have two different answers on whether an Analog TV could use a Digital Receiver to get HDTV type tv or it an analog TV would become a paperweight in a couple of years. Which is right? Thanks, Bill

Analog TV's will work in the future, they just won't be able to display HD.

 

[bpatters69]

Well, I stopped by a retail store tonight and this is what they told me:

As of 1/1/2006 there is some mandate which will make all cable connections digital
- Sounds pretty fishy especially from a sales guy

Once digital becomes the only format for cable, you will still be able to use an analog TV which will cost about $40

Full HDTV roll-out is still years away

My conclusion - Wait a year before buying a new TV!

Thanks, Bill

 

[Baked]

Future proof it, get a HDTV-Ready set.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: frankie38
save your money and get a non hdtv set. hdtv sets only look good with hdtv. hdtv sets can actually make non hdtv signals look worse than conventional sets.

dont cheap out now.. go get yourself a nice 32 inch sony and you will be happy.

so very untrue its not even funny.

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: frankie38
save your money and get a non hdtv set. hdtv sets only look good with hdtv. hdtv sets can actually make non hdtv signals look worse than conventional sets.

dont cheap out now.. go get yourself a nice 32 inch sony and you will be happy.

so very untrue its not even funny.

I don't know, spidey07. We usually agree, but I think you may be wrong. I do see some humor.

 

[kyparrish]

<--- LOVES his Sony 30" widescreen HDTV :beer: