Sharp Aquos LCD 32GD4U vs. 32GA5U

[queendvd]

Hi! I've been a lurker for far too long and hope that some members out there can offer some feedback. I'm rushing out after work today to buy my husband an LCD tv for Christmas and am torn between 2 sharp models. The LC32GD4U has the HDTV tuner built in while the 32GA5U does not have the tuner. The difference in price is about $600. I had been dead set on getting the LC32GD4U but then I read a couple reviews on Amazon and others where consumers have noted that getting the tuner built in is not really cost effective since some HDTV services provide a tuner. At our home, we have IO (Intereactive Optimum by Cablevision).

Any advice on which would be the better purchase would be greatly appreciated. Or if there are any other discernible differences worth mentioning. Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[jasonja]

Go ask around in the flat panel TV forum on AVSForums.com That site has lots of LCD and Plasma owners and it's very active.

I don't have a tuner in my plasma but I have a HD Tivo with DirecTV that has a OTA tuner built into it.... this was why I didn't pay for it. If your cable company provides HDTV local channels in your area then the Tuner isn't worth it... but if your area has lots of OTA HD channels but your cable company doesn't offer them then it might be worth it to get the tuner. In the end a stand alone tuner will cost a lot less then $600, but having it built in might be important depending on where you are mounting the LCD too.

 

[queendvd]

I just checked and apparently Cablevision offers a number of HDTV local channels so maybe the tuner isn't necessary after all. Thanks for your advice on the AVS forum. I've already posted.

 

[queendvd]

Actually, I accidentally posted on the AVforum, which is a UK based site. This may seem like a dumb question but when I go to avsforums.com I only get other link pages, as opposed to actual forums??

 

[queendvd]

Actually, I accidentally posted on the AVforum, which is a UK based site. This may seem like a dumb question but when I go to avsforums.com I only get other link pages, as opposed to actual forums??

 

[jasonja]

Link to avs flat panel TV forum is here