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Need to buy a new TV

bpatters69

bpatters69

Senior member
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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?
 
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.

 
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.
Click to expand...
No, widescreen televisions are still measured diagonally.
 
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?
Click to expand...

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.
 
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.
 
No, widescreen televisions are still measured diagonally.
Click to expand...
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
 
Originally posted by: MrBond
No, widescreen televisions are still measured diagonally.
Click to expand...
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
Click to expand...
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.
 
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".
Click to expand...
Quoted for emphasis. 480i/480p is fine on smaller screens.
 
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".
Click to expand...
Quoted for emphasis. 480i/480p is fine on smaller screens.
Click to expand...

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

 
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.
 
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".
Click to expand...
Quoted for emphasis. 480i/480p is fine on smaller screens.
Click to expand...

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
Click to expand...

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.
 
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".
Click to expand...
Quoted for emphasis. 480i/480p is fine on smaller screens.
Click to expand...

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
Click to expand...

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

so very untrue its not even funny.
 
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.
Click to expand...

so very untrue its not even funny.
Click to expand...

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