TV Questions - Quick Responses Needed

AsSiMiLaTeD
AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
edited June 2004 in Electronics
I currently have a Panasonic 51 inch HDTV that isn't widescreen, and will be upgrading this weekend - have a few questions.

First, I'll save some trouble and say I've decided on a rear projection CRT model, like what I have now - it's just the most practical choice for me. I also want a widescreen TV since most of my viewing is movies.

1 - With a widescreen TV, what happens with the 4:3 signals like regular TV and full screen movies? Do I get the black bars on the sides??? I assume so...which sucks but I'll have to live with it I guess...

2 - What's the best brand to get - or better yet, is there a brand I should steer clear of? I've got a budget of $2000 for hopefully a 60" TV...can I get something good for that price and size???

Any other advice you guys have would be useful...

It's going to be a busy weekend...going to pick up some new speakers and an SVS and now a new TV...:D :D
Post edited by AsSiMiLaTeD on
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Comments

  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited June 2004
    I would do what I did, and keep your old big tv for viewing 4:3 stuff. 4:3 looks better on the old ones (assuming its not crap).

    Yes 4:3 will have bars on the sides on the widescreens. You can always zoom in or stretch it out depending on the models. If you watch your widescreen with bars on the sides all the time, it WILL get burn-in eventually.

    Hitachi "S" series (51/57/65 S 500/700) is the best I've ever seen for that price (they have better screens, 5 lenses, good shadow detail, etc). They are very tweakable and ISF calibrators like them.

    Regards,
    PolkThug
    Never Forget
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  • TechChallenged
    TechChallenged Posts: 106
    edited June 2004
    I think Your TV choice is fine so please don't misinterpret my response. Think Cheap. Nothing new and ground breaking has come along in rear projection CRT TV models in awhile. That said, your requirements can easily be satisfied at Sam's and you will also save a few more hundred dollars on the warranty.
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited June 2004
    Well I've narrowed it down to four choices:

    The Phillips 60PW9363 for $1799

    Mitsibushi WS65313 for $1999

    Mitsubishi WS55513 for $1850

    Toshiba 57H93 for $1699


    Anythoughts from anyone on which to choose???
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  • scottvamp
    scottvamp Posts: 3,277
    edited June 2004
    I bought the Tosh which beat out the Hitachi in the Feb. HomeTheater Mag's HDTV shootout. But on second glance my TV is in a whole other category than the price range your looking at.
    Still my vote goes on the Tosh.
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  • simm
    simm Posts: 570
    edited June 2004
    I bought a Mits 65413 last dec and have been happy with it. I think it was around $2600 and the 65313's I saw were about $2500 so for the extra $100 I thought the 413 was the better buy but if you can get the 313 for $2000 I'd say that is a heck of a deal. I view from about 10' away and with DVD or HDTV it looks great. Std def on the other hand is watchable but not very enjoyable.
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  • jefft1314
    jefft1314 Posts: 169
    edited June 2004
    Circuit City at least in the northeast is having some really stupid prices at the moment. I mean ridiculously low prices on big screen tv's, I think the Hitachi S series are like three hundred dollars off a pop plus 18 months no interest. I don't know what CC in Texas is running, but go in and haggle with them a bit, the tv business sucks this time of year and if you're looking for a sixty inch you might get lucky negotiating a bit.
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited June 2004
    I ended up with the Toshiba 57H93. Regular retail price is $2499...got it at Fryz with a two year service plan for $1699.

    It's a beautiful television.

    Thanks for the replys guys...
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  • rlam01
    rlam01 Posts: 38
    edited June 2004
    Is there a costco near you? I have seen a few Pioneer HD RPTV's at my local location (So. Calif.). They were less than $2K and have gotten great reviews from owners, epecially after calibration.
    Center-CSI3 Mains-R50 Rears-R30
    Sub-PSW303 Receiver-Integra 5.4 DTR
    HDTV-JVC AV48WP74

    ---- Fight On!----
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited June 2004
    PM,

    Most of the sets have an aspect ratio selection for you to adjust the pic to fit your widescreen. When I first got my Hitachi I could tell the difference when I filled the screen with there "full" setting, everthing looked a little fuller:rolleyes: you get used to it although I rarely watch anything anymore that is not in High Def which looks simply marvelous. Sometimes shows will be broadcast with codes that cannot be overridden by the aspect selection switch. HBO HD is one that does this on its series re-runs like Soprano's etc.
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