HDTV - Which one should I get?

[Fiasco]

Also what is your basis for all Tivo's being junk? First of all there is only one model of HD Tivo if you are talking about the Tivo brand name. You don't know what you are talking about. Four input tuners native output with HDMI to the A/V receiver and to TV. side by side with my Sony CRT Wega with it's OTA box and the picture is just as clean. I litereally had them side by side because I replaced my 34" Sony Wega with the 60" and the 34" had to sit in the living room for a couple of days until I could get a friend over to move it into the bedroom. The Tivo is awesome, I don't know what you are waiting for maybe you can expand on what it is you don't like.

I'm basing my statements on research i did a few months ago. They may have released new models since then. "Tivo" is pretty much an accepted term for all PVR's these days, but yes I know there is only one model of HD Tivo currently available (HR10-250) .

All the current iterations of HD PVR's (that I know of) are junk. The Dish Network DVR-921 is a pile, just read the numerous complaints about it. I think Dish has a new HD PVR (942?) but I'm not familiar with it.

Similarly, the HR10-250 (the only HD Tivo I currently know of) was plauged with software bugs and missing functionality just like the 921.

IMHO, I would wait for the second generation of HD PVR's to hit the market... but according to you I don't know what I'm talking about.

Here is a good forum to research satellite technology

http://www.dbstalk.com

For my TIVO purposes, I got a MyHD-130 Hardware decoder card in my home theatre computer that catches and records only OTA stuff. I have a Dish 522 PVR (SD) to record satellite. I'm waiting for one of the various HD PVR's to get their acts together before I drop the coin on one.

 

[Fiasco]

Actually they do. In fact right now fry's electronic has a 36inch square one for I think $788.

Here's a link to a square one. 4:3 aspect ration (i.e. known as square or what we've grown up using)
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...CategoryId=pcmcat31800050030&id=1099394447003

The one you want (the widescreen is the 16:9 format)

Also I see they have the same model I have for $2 bucks less than I paid for it 6 months ago.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...CategoryId=pcmcat31800050030&id=1110265593458

Your right, they do make 4:3 HDTV's! It kind of defies logic though!

 

[Big Deal]

Didn't meant to insult you, it's just hard to take opinion from someone who doesn't have practical experience with what they are talking about. You still have not described anything about this box that makes it "junk". I own the HD Tivo and I know everything there is to know about the connection types, refresh rate, output resolution, I have had High Def for literally the past five years. There are not any "bugs" in the HD Tivo, it works as designed, people will complain about ANYTHING. You can't please all the people all of the time. The current HD Tivo has everything that you need to record HD programs and display as the highest resolution possible.

 

[ARZCardinals]

take a look at www.dtvcenter.com All of their products are refurbished...meaning they run like new, but less than half the cost.

I purchased a Zenith 60'' plasma. It's amazing. They were honest, they sent it as stated, price was incredible and the picture...wow the picture...

they also sell dlp tv's, crt, plasma, and lcd's.

Your best picture, I researched this for months before I purchased the plasma, is plasma.

If not plasma, projection is great, but you have to have a super dark room, a good screen purchased, and bulb life is not long. Another problem with projection is that you don't want to turn the tv/projection on for a few minutes then turn it off, it's not good for it and shortens the bulb life. So, unless you are going to watch tv for 30 min or more don't turn it on. bulbs cost around $300 each and last around 700 hours...compare the cost of the projection and bulbs to a plasma and plasma life, you'll be better off with a plasma.

Those who complain about a plasma's limited life...think about this.
a plasma that last 17,000 hours is equal to watching tv for 3 hours a day for 17.35 years.

DLP is nice, but bulky...i

LCD is nice too, but not as bright.

trust me when I say, go to www.dtvcenter.com and take a look. It'll be the best place you go. If you have any more ?'s...send them here and I'll assist.

a tv you'll have for years and is a focal point, spend big, pay it off and enjoy every show you ever watch...think of it this way, you prob. spend more time watching tv than you do driving, but most people will spend 40k on a car and want to spend $400 on a tv.... a car is dead in 10 years..well most are...and a tv you may keep 10+ years if it's nice.

good luck and don't skimp spending a few extra bucks on it.

Go Cardinals

 

[Fiasco]

Didn't meant to insult you, it's just hard to take opinion from someone who doesn't have practical experience with what they are talking about. You still have not described anything about this box that makes it "junk". I own the HD Tivo and I know everything there is to know about the connection types, refresh rate, output resolution, I have had High Def for literally the past five years. There are not any "bugs" in the HD Tivo, it works as designed, people will complain about ANYTHING. You can't please all the people all of the time. The current HD Tivo has everything that you need to record HD programs and display as the highest resolution possible.

At the time I researched upgrading my AV system I also wanted to upgrade my DVR to HD. Currently I have a Dish 522 PVR. It's ok after numerous software upgrades but it still is lacking. I'm also familiar w/ the series 1 Direct Tivos, which are great machines. So, my opinion might be dated on the HR10-250 HD Tivo.

The 921 from Dish always was an extremely buggy machine. I believe it is no longer made and dish has a new DVR called a 942. Dish's PVR is no match for Tivo's ease of use. The 942 has it's problems.

The only HD PVR option left was the HD Tivo. I had heard numerous reports of short lives.This reviewer has had two die on him in a year. Also, people reported the menu hangng or slowing to a crawl. That was a year ago and alot of bugs were probably worked out by now. Also, DirecTV will be switching to MPEG 4 and that older receivers will have to be swapped out or modified. That was my considerations in skipping purchasing an HD pvr or HD tivo. Since then, DirecTV announced they would swap out or modify HD receivers for MPEG 4 for free.

Is the USB port on your HR10 enabled yet?

At the time I made my decision, there wasn't a decent HD PVR choice. Especially at the price point they were going for at that time. Might have changed w/ software upgrades but I still am continue to use my SD PVR and wait for the second generation of HD Tivos.

Instead I built a home theater computer w/ a MyHD hardware HD OTA/QAM tuner. I can capture HD and then do what I want with it. Coupled with the ability to network, burn to disc, and a tivo like media software interface to display photos or play music, I think that it is superior to the current iteration of HD Tivos.

I was looking forward to Vooms new HD DVR's they showed at CES before they went under.

It would be nice if our sat companies weren't so damn anal and let us have PC based satelite tuner cards.

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[CardsFan88]

take a look at www.dtvcenter.com

Those who complain about a plasma's limited life...think about this.
a plasma that last 17,000 hours is equal to watching tv for 3 hours a day for 17.35 years.

Go Cardinals

That is a long time for some people. But my hdtv (or any tv before) runs for probably 18 hours a day between myself and others, sometimes forgetting to turn it off (leaving the house, passing out), etc.

So 17.35/6 = less than 3 years.

Of course not everyone uses tv's in such a manner, but if you or your family does, then its worth considering.

 

[CardsFan88]

Your right, they do make 4:3 HDTV's! It kind of defies logic though!

I know, it's crazy. Widescreen format, square tv.

Talk about putting a square peg in a round hole.

 

[Fiasco]

That is a long time for some people. But my hdtv (or any tv before) runs for probably 18 hours a day between myself and others, sometimes forgetting to turn it off (leaving the house, passing out), etc.

So 17.35/6 = less than 3 years.

Of course not everyone uses tv's in such a manner, but if you or your family does, then its worth considering.

I think the "half life" of a plasma as far as brightness is about 25,000 hours. So, after 25,000 hours the set will be half as bright as it was when you bought it.

 

[CardNots]

Whatever you purchase, be sure to get your set calibrated by a NSF certified calibrationist.

I have a Sony, 55 inch projection LCD. I couldn't believe my eyes. I did some research on NSF calibration and had someone come out to do it. The colors are perfect. I have yet to visit anyone who's TV even comes close.

You will think your TV looks great when you have it hooked up, but I'm promise you it isn't even close to what it can be.

Calibration changes the flawed color and grayscale decoding set by the manufacture. The TV makers screw the decoding to make their sets stand out from others in a store.

The calibration on my set took 4 hours. Without a doubt, my wife and I were stunned to see the results.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

Hey projectors are great, and portable.
My friend has a projector we watched HD MNF and away Cards games all season all season. Huge 110' screen in HD is pretty impressive.

But they do require a pretty dark room and a good surface for best viewing.

What a great thread!

I have been considering going the projector route, too and I will definitely use all the sites listed here. Thanks, guys!

For those who have them or have seen them, how do you set up the cable box, dvd player, etc? I am thinking I'd like to stick as much equipment as I can in the closet, then run the cable from there to a new outlet in the ceiling. Can you do that? How do remote controls work if it is set up that way?

 

[nurnay]

Saw HDTV at a friends house last month with my wife, and she was so impressed, she wants to get one. So, when the HDTV big screens go onsale for football season, I'm going to get one.

The DLP ones seem to give you the most bang for your buck. Has anyone done any research and purchased one themselves?

What should I get?

What should I be aware of?

What should I know?

I got a Toshiba 52" a while bakc and love it. You can see it here:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...CategoryId=pcmcat31800050029&id=1076628953526

One thing you should know, televisions are one of the highest markup items in these places, next to cables and some other items.

You can really haggle on these. I was lucky enough to know someone that worked at Best Buy and they got me their employee discount. This TV was listed at $2500, I got it for $1800.

DLP is the best way to go, bang-for-the-buck-wise. No burn-in like LCD TV's get.

 

[Chaz]

What a great thread!

I have been considering going the projector route, too and I will definitely use all the sites listed here. Thanks, guys!

For those who have them or have seen them, how do you set up the cable box, dvd player, etc? I am thinking I'd like to stick as much equipment as I can in the closet, then run the cable from there to a new outlet in the ceiling. Can you do that? How do remote controls work if it is set up that way?

The remote will reflect off the wall or screen if the equipment is behind you.

My friend just has equipment on shelves on the opposite wall from the screen.

If you want to hide away the equipment you would need an external IR receiver to controll the equipment and some extra long cables to go to the projector.

 

[NFL_FAN]

What about additional cost from Cox for HDTV with Tivo? Anyone know what I would pay for the upgrade? I hope to have my HDTV by opening day but have a rather small room to place it in. I really liked a Philips brand I saw at Costco Home store for around $2499, LCD nice and thin but 36" wide which may be too much for the space I have to put it in. My wife will not allow the TV to be the focal point of the living room. I also saw a Hitachi HDTV that looked like a standard TV in size with the extended back so it would fit in the space I have my current TV. Only $499 but equally impressive picture. But back to my first query, additional Cox costs?

Thanks!

 

[Redheart]

... My wife will not allow the TV to be the focal point of the living room....

Thats like...

not allowing a refrigerator in the kitchen...toilets in the bathroom...cars in the garage!

...but then, I'm divorced.


Carry on.

 

[GreenCard]

What is the largest crt HD screen?

 

[Chaz]

What about additional cost from Cox for HDTV with Tivo? Anyone know what I would pay for the upgrade? I hope to have my HDTV by opening day but have a rather small room to place it in. I really liked a Philips brand I saw at Costco Home store for around $2499, LCD nice and thin but 36" wide which may be too much for the space I have to put it in. My wife will not allow the TV to be the focal point of the living room. I also saw a Hitachi HDTV that looked like a standard TV in size with the extended back so it would fit in the space I have my current TV. Only $499 but equally impressive picture. But back to my first query, additional Cox costs?

Thanks!

Cox would.


I think it is about 20 bucks a month total.
If I remember it is $15 for the box and some other recorder port access BS for $5 or $10.

If you are just interested in FOX, ABC, and CBS OTA HD football a $100 ATSC tuner and an HD-ready TV would be a good option.

With COX you get the ESPNHD (sunday night football ) along with Discovery and INHD1 and INHD2 (various programing)

The unit from Cox is a DVR but not a TIVO brand. The one I have is good but it doesn't have all the features of a TIVO.

The picture is great and the recorder thing works fine but the recording options aren't as comprehensive and sometimes the on-screen menu is a little slow.

 

[Chaz]

What is the largest crt HD screen?

For direct view (tube TV) it is probably 35" - 40"

Projection CRTs go up to about 65" I think.

 

[Fiasco]

DLP is the best way to go, bang-for-the-buck-wise. No burn-in like LCD TV's get.

LCD's don't get burn in.

 

[CardsFan88]

What is the largest crt HD screen?

The biggest crt hdtv's I've seen are 34" widescreens and 36" square

 

[D-Dogg]

There are numerous horror stories about getting a defective set mail order off the internet on avsforum.com. It is fantastic if you get a good set but if there is a problem it can become a nightmare.

It's a gamble that can pay off big in savings or cost you big because of reshipping a defective set.

UEC Web is, I believe, Hitachi's official refurb site. Sets come with a warranty, and extended as well. I'll check avsforum for more info, but I believe they are on the up and up. Many refurbs are highly tested and sometimes better than the off the shelf products...