Looking HDTV any suggestions?

[The Stinger]

I am in the market for a small HDTV, no bigger than 30", and no smaller than 21'. I would just buy a nice LCD, but I have heard bad stuff about them as far as image burn and such. Would a basic tube HDTV be ok? I also need to make sure it has HDMI inputs.

[unclebud]

I bought a 30" tube HDTV last year and while the picture is great, the set is huge 145 lbs. With prices droping I'd now get an LCD for under a grand.
UB

[edDV]

I am in the market for a small HDTV, no bigger than 30", and no smaller than 21'. I would just buy a nice LCD, but I have heard bad stuff about them as far as image burn and such. Would a basic tube HDTV be ok? I also need to make sure it has HDMI inputs.

CRT offers the best picture quality compromise if you can handle the weight. I'd go 27-30" or more if you want any HD benefit. Small LCDs have compomises. They can't directly display interlace material (from analog NTSC or PAL to 1080i) without deinterlace. Deinterlace on these cheap sets is far from adequate but getting better.

[caernavon]

I would suggest your best bet it to get a tube CRT. I have a 30" Sony, which I got in January, and it looks superb. It cost US$1000 at the time and now you can find 30" 16:9 CRTs for under $800. Mine has an HDMI input, and most of the new models I just took a quick glance at do as well. CRTs can suffer image burn too, but it takes more time.

[akrako1]

Make sure it supports HDCP, or you won't be able to play HD DVD's in the future. Get a 1080P model if you can (may be req'd for HD DVD's).

[edDV]

Make sure it supports HDCP, or you won't be able to play HD DVD's in the future. Get a 1080P model if you can (may be req'd for HD DVD's).

Cheapest 1080p model HDTV sets are $6000up.

HD DVD players (HD DVD and Blu-Ray) will be working from 1080p data but will output 480i/480p/720p/1080i and 1080p (DVI/HDMI only).

If you don't have a HDCP (encryption) HDTV, resolution will be limited to 480i/480p.

[leebo]

Best Buy currently has the Sony 30XS955 (something like that) for $997. There is an on-line coupon for 10% off. You also get a $100 gift card.

This set has a built in HDTV tuner, HDMI, 2 componant inputs, etc. Weighs a ton but you should see the picture!!!

[edDV]

Best Buy currently has the Sony 30XS955 (something like that) for $997. There is an on-line coupon for 10% off. You also get a $100 gift card.

This set has a built in HDTV tuner, HDMI, 2 componant inputs, etc. Weighs a ton but you should see the picture!!!

That is 1080i not 1080p. It has internal scaling to convert 720p to 1080i.

Progressive seems limited to 480p but if typical, 540p could be forced with Powerstrip software. But as said above, this is in the range of a reasonable choice for now.

[leebo]

I didn't see in the original post any mention of 1080p, but he did state HDMI. I never meant to imply the Sony had 1080p, just that I thought it was a reasonable deal, since he did mention he might be interested in a tube.

I just bought the set myself and so far I LOVE IT! I even connected my HTPC using a DVI to HDMI cable.