ElTorrente

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Aug 16, 2005
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Two of my friends each have 34" Sony XBRs and they are really nice and sharp in HD. I have a 55" rear-projection Phillips that does 1080i, and I love it. Sure, it isn't as sharp- but it's awesome nonetheless. Watching DVDs and HD is awesome.

I'll take more size anyday over some more sharpness on a small tv.
 

Insane3D

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May 24, 2000
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As I said before...the larger sizes are not only out because of price, but because of size. I've lived very happily with two high end 27" FS's for years, so I have NO NEED for anything larger than 34". Also, the Sony's are nice, but I've heard from several people they can be sucky with non-HD. Considering there is only 8 HD channels on DTV right now, I don't see me watching a ton of HD.
 

jpeyton

Moderator in SFF, Notebooks, Pre-Built/Barebones
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Aug 23, 2003
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Sony SuperFine Pitch Tube > All

Panasonic Tau is a close second, along with JVCs fine pitch CRT.

Read up. AVSForum.
 

Insane3D

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May 24, 2000
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Originally posted by: jpeyton
Sony SuperFine Pitch Tube > All

Panasonic Tau is a close second, along with JVCs fine pitch CRT.

Read up. AVSForum.

I have been, and as I said before, the Sony's are not the best in non HD material. The 34" Toshiba TW has been rated much better. I've had the Tau's in the past, and they don't impress me.

When I bought my last TV a few years ago, a JVC F series, it's picture was better than even the vaunted WEGA's or Tau's...but I haven't seen any JVC HDTV WS's around...

No offense here people, but if I'm just going to get crap like xx > all ******, then please just don't post.
 
Feb 10, 2000
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Be aware that a 34" HDTV will actually produce a smaller picture in 4:3 than a 27" 4:3 set.

My mom recently moved from an ancient 27" Trinitron to the Sony 34XBR960 (generally regarded as the best CRT set ever made), and although it's a beautiful TV, I think it's a little on the small side for her viewing distance (about 8 feet).

A larger DLP or LCD RPTV will actually be considerably easier to handle (my mom's XBR weighs 200 pounds, whereas a 50" DLP set weighs only 70 or so) and shallower, and in that respect actually dominates the room LESS than a large CRT set.

Given your price limit, I'd suggest you look at the Panasonic Tau sets, which are, IMO, the best CRTs for the money. This is what I had suggested to my mom, but she fell in love with the XBR at first sight.
 

Insane3D

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May 24, 2000
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Thanks Don, but again, a CRT is all I can afford right now, and everything I've read points to a image quality loss on the larger screens...

Also, I think you're wrong on the 34" to 27" comparison. A 30" widescreen is rougly a 25" TV in 4:3, so a 34" should be at least a 27" in 4:3. Also, the Toshiba turns all 4:3 programming into 1080i I believe, which fills the whole screen, unless I'm missing something...
 
Feb 10, 2000
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Originally posted by: Insane3D
Thanks Don, but again, a CRT is all I can afford right now, and everything I've read points to a image quality loss on the larger screens...

Also, I think you're wrong on the 34" to 27" comparison. A 30" widescreen is rougly a 25" TV in 4:3, so a 34" should be at least a 27" in 4:3. Also, the Toshiba turns all 4:3 programming into 1080i I believe, which fills the whole screen, unless I'm missing something...

You may be right - I haven't actually done the math. It certainly appears shorter vertically.

All HDTVs offer some means for stretching 4:3 programming to fit the screen, but you may or may not like the way they go about it. I meant to compare sizes assuming you'd use the black bars on the sides and keep a standard 4:3 image.
 

Insane3D

Elite Member
May 24, 2000
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Ugghh...nevermind. It seems the Toshibas are now made by another company, and have gone downhill....

I didn't need to spen the money anyhow....

*shrug*
 

0roo0roo

No Lifer
Sep 21, 2002
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Originally posted by: jpeyton
Sony SuperFine Pitch Tube > All

Panasonic Tau is a close second, along with JVCs fine pitch CRT.

Read up. AVSForum.


yea the superfine pitch beats all. but the cost is probably higher then he wants
 

jpeyton

Moderator in SFF, Notebooks, Pre-Built/Barebones
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Aug 23, 2003
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Originally posted by: Insane3D
Originally posted by: jpeyton
Sony SuperFine Pitch Tube > All

Panasonic Tau is a close second, along with JVCs fine pitch CRT.

Read up. AVSForum.

I have been, and as I said before, the Sony's are not the best in non HD material. The 34" Toshiba TW has been rated much better. I've had the Tau's in the past, and they don't impress me.

When I bought my last TV a few years ago, a JVC F series, it's picture was better than even the vaunted WEGA's or Tau's...but I haven't seen any JVC HDTV WS's around...

No offense here people, but if I'm just going to get crap like xx > all ******, then please just don't post.

No offense, but I would take my chances with a Tau or Sony XS955 over a Orion set any day. The XS955 is still the king in HD content; SD could be improved a little, but its still more than watchable.
 

Insane3D

Elite Member
May 24, 2000
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Like I said, and it's a moot point now...I did not know they were made by Orion. I had been looking at reviews of the HF84, which was Toshiba made, and top of the line. The 85 is the orion set.

It doesn't matter anyhow...I'm not rich enough to buy the "really cool stuff", so I'll just stick with my non HD setup and try and make it through.... :p