which 30-34" widescreen HDTV?

[tjpark1111]

I've looked at Samsung, Panasonic, and Sony's 30-34" widescreen HDTVs, and can't decide which one. Haven't really had the time to look at them closely, not to mention the store guys didn't want to lug around 160 pound TVs to where they can hook it up to HDMI or something like that. I have space, so my main concern is picture quality. HELP!

[edDV]

CRT still is the best "TV" in my opionion, especially for analog and interlaced digital SDTV. That is if you can handle the weight and size.

If computer connection is a priority, make sure the CRT maker supports computer resolutions on their website. Most don't. Otherwise you need to convert the display to 1080i, 720p, 540p or 480p at the display card end.

Most HD ready CRT TVs will do a good job with 480p (DVD) and 1080i. Most don't support 720p (they usually scale to 540p or 1080i). The real test is how they look with analog NTSC or cable/dbs ~540x480i inputs. That is what you will be watching most of the time.

[wwjd]

Keep in mind that SDTV viewed in its actual size (black bars on each side) on a 30-34" wide screen TV will be quite small, probably smaller than if viewed on a 27" 4:3. Zooming the picture to fill the widescreen is what some people do but it usually distorts things because aspect ratio is wrong.

A few comments:

1. Get the biggest widescreen you can afford and fit into your space.
2. If you do not like viewing distorted SDTV and prefer watching in its actual 4:3 then go with a technology that DOES not have burn in issues. Plasma and CRT TVs have burn in issues for example.
3. The down side to larger widescreen TV is that SDTV will look grainier
4. The UP side to larger widescreen is that HD video will be all that it can be, nice and crisp and large! HD TV has the resolution to look great on really big screens.

About 2yrs ago I went from a 27" 4:3 tube TV to a 50" widescreen. There is no going back. My only regret is that I did not go a little bit bigger, like 55", but I was constrained by room size and space.

This will be a significant expense so think long term and not short term!

[edDV]

...
2. If you do not like viewing distorted SDTV and prefer watching in its actual 4:3 then go with a technology that DOES not have burn in issues. Plasma and CRT TVs have burn in issues for example.

Most 16:9 CRT sets insert video into the "sides" to prevent 4:3 burn in. Burn in is rare these days on a CRT but the best way to do it is with long term stationary DVD menus, Video games on freeze or paused DVD slide shows.

[Wile_E]

Most 16:9 CRT sets insert video into the "sides" to prevent 4:3 burn in.

Insert video on the sides? All 16:9 TV sets in the stores, that are playing 4:3, have black bars on the sides. What do you mean? Because if the sides are black, they aren't being used. So if you use 4:3 a lot, then the center of the TV will start to be more "worn out" or burned-in, then the sides.

[tjpark1111]

I think he might have meant that even though it's black, it's actually outputting black. In other words, there's a difference between your screen being black cuz it's turned off, and when you're watching a very dark scene. I also have a question, I also agree that CRTs are best in PQ as well, but what about the CRT RPTVs? I haven't had a chance to look carefully at them either, but I heard they were horrible compared to plasma/LCD/DLP/SXRD/LCoS. All I know is that they're pretty cheap. Weight and size, as I said before, is not a problem.

[edDV]

Most 16:9 CRT sets insert video into the "sides" to prevent 4:3 burn in.

Insert video on the sides? All 16:9 TV sets in the stores, that are playing 4:3, have black bars on the sides. What do you mean? Because if the sides are black, they aren't being used. So if you use 4:3 a lot, then the center of the TV will start to be more "worn out" or burned-in, then the sides.

Yep, they are still scanning black on the sides in that case. If you are concerned, just play a 16:9 DVD every once in a while. I haven't seen any hints of burn in on the HD CRT here or the others I see day to day.

However, the early studio TV and signage plasma monitors were infamous for burn in. The makers say the problem is solved but be careful with plasmas. They have added slow picture H, V movement and rotation to minimize burn-in with plasmas. It is a very big deal with signage plasmas.

[NiteLite]

tjpark1111
The RP-CRT's look as good if properly calibrated.
As far as quality I havent paid much attention since my purchase a year or so ago and I've heard that plasma has improved along with the others but whether they can out do CRT is doubtful to me. (again, it's been awhile)
One thing about Sony, well a couple really, is that "every" yes over 25 sets at different stores had a tilt problem with the picture that the "tilt" control could not fix.
The salespeople at none of the stores had noticed it until I made them get a measuring tool and show them the black bars up top were wider on one side than the other, and the reverse on the bottom. They tried the tilt feature but it moves the whole picture including the bars and could not fix the problem. All confessed to being astonished they had not noticed it before. This is without using any stretch mode to fill the screen and the black bars visible.
Another concern about the Sony was they were all now made in Mexico and had 90 day warranties. Like I'm going to pay a couple thousand for a 90 day warranty. The quality control is not like it may have been before the move.
Just my observations and this was a while back. Things change.
Good luck
NL