TV gurus, any reason to buy an HD set right now?

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
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Right now I have a Mitsubishi 50" RPTV 4:3 non-HD set. I was at Fry's yesterday and they had a 62" Toshiba DLP TV, 1080p HDTV for sale at $800 off retail because it was either returned/factory refurbished or open box item. Anyway, it looked fantastic, it is 16:9 aspect ratio and it is onsale for $1799.

Is this worth me getting or would I be better off to wait?
 

MrChad

Lifer
Aug 22, 2001
13,507
3
81
:thumbsup: HD is here to stay. The technology and the TVs have matured and prices have been falling steadily over the last year or so.

If you decide to wait, prices will probably come down further, but the same can be said of any technology that begins gaining mass-market appeal. If you want an HDTV now, go for it.
 

mzkhadir

Diamond Member
Mar 6, 2003
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Prices are going to drop by the end of the year. If you have an xbox 360 or a dvd player that upconverts. That would be the only reasons.
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
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Originally posted by: mzkhadir
Prices are going to drop by the end of the year. If you have an xbox 360 or a dvd player that upconverts. That would be the only reasons.

I just picked up a DVD recorder that is 1080p mainly so I can record stuff off my TIVO unit. My old Sony DVD player is not.
 

purbeast0

No Lifer
Sep 13, 2001
53,615
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i would say 80% of the TV shows I watch are in HD, I play Xbox360 on the regular in HD, and the 16:9 screen is full for almost all of the movies I watch on DVD, and I watch a lot of movies.

so for me, yah, it was worth it. but for some people, i can see why it's not worth it.
 

spacejamz

Lifer
Mar 31, 2003
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Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Right now I have a Mitsubishi 50" RPTV 4:3 non-HD set. I was at Fry's yesterday and they had a 62" Toshiba DLP TV, 1080p HDTV for sale at $800 off retail because it was either returned/factory refurbished or open box item. Anyway, it looked fantastic, it is 16:9 aspect ratio and it is onsale for $1799.

Is this worth me getting or would I be better off to wait?

Just another option...

Costco has the newer version of that TV (Frys has the 62HM195 - Costco has the 62HM116 which is actually an 62HM196) for $2499. But it comes with the stand which is $400 but you are getting it from Costco:).

I bought one for $2799 about 3 weeks ago and saw the $2499 price last night. Going to have the price adjustment tonight...

this was in dallas, but Costco seems to be pretty good about having consistent nationwide prices...YMMV though...
 

Aharami

Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
21,205
165
106
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Right now I have a Mitsubishi 50" RPTV 4:3 non-HD set. I was at Fry's yesterday and they had a 62" Toshiba DLP TV, 1080p HDTV for sale at $800 off retail because it was either returned/factory refurbished or open box item. Anyway, it looked fantastic, it is 16:9 aspect ratio and it is onsale for $1799.

Is this worth me getting or would I be better off to wait?

short answer - yes!

long answer - hell yes!

thats an awesome deal for a 62" 1080P TV

edit: IMO LCD or Plasma > DLP in terms of picture quality (from what I've seen)
 

lokiju

Lifer
May 29, 2003
18,526
5
0
I'd probably go with either this deal or this deal for what you're looking to spend.

I'd personally be willing to go with a smaller TV if it meant getting a 1080p LCD vs. rear projection DLP.


btw on that first one (the 42") you get a free home theater in a box deal with surround speakers, sub and upconverting DVD player that plays Divx for free, my friend just got that same exact model TV and loves it.

 

Ramma2

Platinum Member
Jul 29, 2002
2,710
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HD is great, just made the leap a few weeks ago.

It is so good that it changes your viewing habits. I'm looking for something to watch in HD before turning to anything else, and usually that ends up being the 20 hours of HD content that PBS has and just loops it over and over again.

So nice!
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
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You have the Direct Sunday Ticket. Watching football in HD for the first time (and nearly every time after that) is a heavenly experience.

I simply can not stand watching SD football broadcasts anymore after spoiling myself on HD.
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,574
972
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Originally posted by: spacejamz
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Right now I have a Mitsubishi 50" RPTV 4:3 non-HD set. I was at Fry's yesterday and they had a 62" Toshiba DLP TV, 1080p HDTV for sale at $800 off retail because it was either returned/factory refurbished or open box item. Anyway, it looked fantastic, it is 16:9 aspect ratio and it is onsale for $1799.

Is this worth me getting or would I be better off to wait?

Just another option...

Costco has the newer version of that TV (Frys has the 62HM195 - Costco has the 62HM116 which is actually an 62HM196) for $2499. But it comes with the stand which is $400 but you are getting it from Costco:).

I bought one for $2799 about 3 weeks ago and saw the $2499 price last night. Going to have the price adjustment tonight...

this was in dallas, but Costco seems to be pretty good about having consistent nationwide prices...YMMV though...

What is the difference between the older model and the new one?

I don't mind buying an open box model, my current TV I purchased open box and I've had it for about 5-6 years now.
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,574
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Originally posted by: vi_edit
You have the Direct Sunday Ticket. Watching football in HD for the first time (and nearly every time after that) is a heavenly experience.

I simply can not stand watching SD football broadcasts anymore after spoiling myself on HD.

Yes, that's one thing I hate about my current TV. It doesn't produce great images of sports events. Small things moving quickly around the screen aren't the best looking.

And yes, I do have NFL Sunday Ticket. I've had it for 4 years now and I love it!
 

spherrod

Diamond Member
Mar 21, 2003
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www.steveherrod.com
Originally posted by: Ramma2
HD is great, just made the leap a few weeks ago.

It is so good that it changes your viewing habits. I'm looking for something to watch in HD before turning to anything else, and usually that ends up being the 20 hours of HD content that PBS has and just loops it over and over again.

So nice!

Yeah, I find myself watching the BBC HD preview over and over :D Well worth it considering how much football (soccer) I watch and the new Robin Hood is in HD too!
 

Aharami

Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
21,205
165
106
i dunno exactly what rear projection LCD is, but my gf's dad has a Sony (yea i know...sony sucks) RP LCD and the picture quality is amazing! Its not a flat panel like a real LCD...more like a slim rear like a DLP. But it doesnt suffer from the loss of brightness that DLPs do when viewed from anything other than straight ahead
 

mzkhadir

Diamond Member
Mar 6, 2003
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If you are getting the Toshiba 62" DLP, you need to get the extended warranty because of the bulbs.
 

MrChad

Lifer
Aug 22, 2001
13,507
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81
Originally posted by: mzkhadir
If you are getting the Toshiba 62" DLP, you need to get the extended warranty because of the bulbs.

Few extended warranties cover bulb replacements, AFAIK.
 

mzkhadir

Diamond Member
Mar 6, 2003
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Originally posted by: MrChad
Originally posted by: mzkhadir
If you are getting the Toshiba 62" DLP, you need to get the extended warranty because of the bulbs.

Few extended warranties cover bulb replacements, AFAIK.

The one sold by MACK Warranty covers bulbs which are also sold by Buydig
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
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Heh. I too find myself just watching random crap in HD just because it looks so damn cool. Dish is great for that. 30 channels of random HD programming.

Snakes in the Amazon.
Extreme mountian skiing.
Exotic plants of some island I've never heard of before.
Women's water polo.

You name it. I just find myself drawn in because it looks so purty.