Planning to purchase an HD LCD tv. need assistance

[vAK47v]

Hi there,


I consider myself an absolute newb when it comes to digital tvs, and progressive and interlaced scanning. The ONLY reason i am considering getting an HDTV, is due to the fact that i purchase an XBOX 360. And i would like to see the games are suppose to look like.

But i run into problems, i was hoping some experts on the net on these forums, can direct me.

First off, which is better HDMI, or using a component?

Second, I know there are some CHEAP alternatives out there, (No name brands). Since these lcd or plasma TVs are very fragile, WOULD BUYING A CHEAPER non brand version be a bad decision??? Do cheap ones break quickly, or get stains on their screens quicker??


And finally. if anyone here had a BAD or GOOD experience with a specific type of LCD or Plasma TV, PLEASE let us know.

Right now im looking at the Prima LC32U26 32" ARE THESE ANY GOOD?? DO they use HDMI?


Thank you for your help

[ebenton]

I own a Sony 42" LCD-projection HDTV that I bought back in December 2004. Still has a great picture, and despite the dire warnings of the salespeople, the original bulb is still shining brightly in it. Of course, being LCD, its maximum native resolution is 768, which means that 1080i doesn't look any better than 720p, and sometimes not even as good. It doesn't do 1080P, but I don't think 1080P is useful unless you have over a 60" screen.
Things are probably better now, but there used to be some devices with HDMI output that would switch off the optical digital audio output connector when it detected that HDMI was being used. My DVR used to do that, but a firmware update fixed it. Otherwise, I would have to round-trip my Dolby-Digital sound from my DVR, through my HDTV and back out through the optical output connector to my Home Theater receiver.
If home theater sound is important to you, the only advice I would give you would be to make sure that your HDTV has optical audio output connector(s), just in case you use a device with HDMI output that won't output through the digital audio output at the same time that it puts out HDMI.

[MJA]

if you have strong legs to wait on line on black Friday .best buy is going to have a big sale on LCD TV's made by Westinghouse. 32" for less than $500 and the 42" for less than a $1000 . both have good reviews there is also a topic on this forum about the Westinghouse brand

http://blackfridayhome.com/

[oldandinthe way]

The fragile part, the LCD is made by one of a very few manufacturers, fragility is an an equal worry independant of the maker.

Concentrate on interfaces and picture quality. Do you have what you need to connect all of the equipment you need to connect?

I am looking at buying a 32" LCD - I am currently considering Westinghouse, Sceptre and Vizio - in part due to space requirements.

The Sceptre will be $599.99 including shipping from 11/20 to 11/30 at Costco.com. The Vizio is $699.99 at Costco and Sams. The Westinghouse $669.99 or lower depending on the week at Bestbuy.

All of these have only one HDMI port but 2 components ports and multiple composites.

The Westinghouse has good reviews, the Sceptre is too new to review, and the Vizio has reviews which seem like the reviewer looked at a completely different TV from what I looked at.

Make sure you actually look at whatever model you are going to buy in the showroom. Don't be afraid to adjust the picture.

A friend and I went into Costco and the TVs appeared to be good, better, best in order of price. We adjusted the lower price TVs and wouldn't you know we could not see any difference between the lower priced units and the higher priced SONYs and Toshibas. Admittedly these all used the same video source and were not running off the tuner. By the way all were receiving component input. HDMI should be better.

[edDV]

Hi there,


I consider myself an absolute newb when it comes to digital tvs, and progressive and interlaced scanning. The ONLY reason i am considering getting an HDTV, is due to the fact that i purchase an XBOX 360. And i would like to see the games are suppose to look like.

But i run into problems, i was hoping some experts on the net on these forums, can direct me.

First off, which is better HDMI, or using a component?

Second, I know there are some CHEAP alternatives out there, (No name brands). Since these lcd or plasma TVs are very fragile, WOULD BUYING A CHEAPER non brand version be a bad decision??? Do cheap ones break quickly, or get stains on their screens quicker??


And finally. if anyone here had a BAD or GOOD experience with a specific type of LCD or Plasma TV, PLEASE let us know.

Right now im looking at the Prima LC32U26 32" ARE THESE ANY GOOD?? DO they use HDMI?


Thank you for your help

Search the VHelp DTV forum for many general discussions on HDTV technologies and issues.

Your specific question relates to XBox 360. There is no HDMI interface for the XBox. Your choices are:

Analog component YPbPr (480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i)

VGA - progressive computer resolutions
(with XBox VGA adapter cable)
* 640 x 480
* 848 x 480
* 1024 x 768
* 1280 x 720 (equivalent to 720p)
* 1280 x 768
* 1280 x 1024
* 1360 x 768 (typical resolution for wide screen LCD -TV)

The VGA output will work equally well with computer monitors. You don't need an HDTV. A good fast response wide screen 20" computer monitor can be found for $200-300.

A good LCD-TV solution will have at least 1366x768 native screen resolution and a VGA input for computer interface. The monitor should support 1280x720, 1280x768 or 1360x768 over the VGA input. Alternatively, the analog component inputs can be used set to 720p.

A good LCD-TV can be found in various screen sizes and prices from ~$700-$2000. If you intend to watch off air NTSC or SD "digital cable" pay more for a 3D comb filter and a quality deinterlace processor. Otherwise you may be disappointed in standard TV quality. Progressive DVD should look good on these sets when set to 480p. The HDMI input will be used with your HD cable box, DTV tuner or future HD DVD player.

[BJ_M]

the Vizio has a good reputation for a cheap panel .... non of these brands match a pioneer elite or panasonic HD plasma of course for picture or build quality

[oldandinthe way]

LCD will never match plasma in quality, but LCD is also less likely to develop dead pixels..

[vAK47v]

thnx guys. Ill keep that in mind. The prices you guys are talking about are in US dollar right?

I take it noone here tried the Prima brand??


Also please tell me when is this big sale at BESTBUY????????????????

[HatchetMan]

One thing to look out for are HDTV ready displays, meaning they have no TV tuner built into them. I know Sam's Club has an Akai with no tuner and Costco has an offbrand 50" plasma for only $1500 with a warning sticker that says something like 'display only, requires separate TV tuner.' My Vizio easily picks up over the air HD signals. 'Lost' in 720p looked awesome last night, better than my dvd's of past seasons. I cannot wait for HD to become the standard!

[Jim44]

Also please tell me when is this big sale at BESTBUY????????????????

Black Friday - aka the day after (US) Thanksgiving.

And unless you are planning on standing in line overnight, I wouldn't even bother. Last year BB had a 26" Westinghouse LCD on sale for Black Friday. Since I live 1/2-mile from one, I figured, cool, I'll get up early and head over and get one. Ha! There were limited quanities, and vouchers were handed out to the first folks in line who wanted to buy it - I had no chance.

I ended up getting the 27" Westy later in the day, however

Jim