http://www.cnet.com/4520-7874_1-5137915.html nice little article about HD/SD/EDTV

mistertwo, thats a great price!

 

HDTV is and prices now are very attractive. My household bought a 42" plasma HDTV for under $2k a month or two ago from Costco, and I recently saw Fry's Electronics advertising a similar set for less than that. For basketball games, DVD movies, and video games with HDTV support, it's great.

 

I know. I am trying to talk my uncle into getting the HD model, the PX50U, at 2500. He's a bigger audio/video nut than me. Only thing is, I am a little wary about buying an expensive item like this online. Not sure how reputable this ephotoclub place is. Don't know their shipping policy if item is damage, etc. If I had to pay a little more at a B&M, I think it's worth it. I saw the PX50U at Circuit City last weekend for 3100, plus tax of course.

 

As long as the program is broadcasted in the highest HD format it is GREAT!!!

 

What about other programs besides sports, like documentaries and news on HD? I mean does quality really matter?

Warren

 

^^ That'll depend on whether the program itself is broadcast in high definition. If it is, then you'll notice a difference. Of course, whether that difference matters is up to personal opinion. I personally don't care if the documentary I'm watching looks great or mediocre.

 

I've had HDTV for about 9 months now, and I love it. I've got a 60 inch Sony rear-projection LCD. The TV I'm not 100% happy with (bulb/ballast had to be replaced a month ago), but the quality of HDTV is amazing.

Combine that with my home theatre system and watching shows in HD w/ Dolby 5.1, it's quite enjoyable.

Standard-def looks like crap on that TV, though.

 

once you go hi-def, you'll find yourself watching strange programs on channels like INHD and 13HD.. I used to have BravoHD and they had Cirque de Soleil. Amazing. Oh, and Discovery HD.. mmmm!

For sports, the NBA playoffs on TNTHD is unbelievable! ESPN hd is "eh" only because they feed regular analog programming and put bars around the outside.

 

Sports are now unwatchable on regular cable thanks to hd...def upgrade it is not a 3-5k difference, maybe 1k

 

As other's have said already you don't need to spend insane amounts of money to enjoy HD.

I'm a big direct view tube fan. It's pretty much standard fare that no other technology(DLP, Plasma, LCD, etc.) can touch the picture quality you get with a true tube. The color black and the detail in its subtle shades provided by a tube television cannot be rivaled. The only downside to widescreen direct view tube is the size limitation and weight. A 34" is about the largest size you can find a 16x9 in now and they generally weigh anywhere from 180-200 lbs.

Here is a breakdown of what is currently regarded to be the "best of the best" in all technologies.

Direct-View Tube = 34" Sony 34XBR960

Rear Projection CRT = the new 73" Mitsubishi(not familiar with model number yet)

Rear Projection LCD = Hitachi Director's Series 50VX915

DLP = Samsung Kirk

EDTV = Panasonic 42" Plasma

Plasma = 50" Fujitsu P50

If I can make one recommendation it would be to go with a 16x9 set. DO NOT get a 4x3.