I am about to make the leap to HDTV and was wondering if any of you know anything about the Samsung HCJ552W. It is a 55" 16X9 HD monitor. I am still torn between a 4X3 or 16X9. Any suggestions?

 

Post your question at www.hometheaterforum.com It's the best resource that I have found for this sort of stuff. Before I bought my S2000 I used to live over there. Nice group of people willing to help, reminds me of this forum.

Andy

 

The AV Science forum is another good source for info on HDTV. If you look on Hometheater Forum and you want info on a TV (even HDTV), make sure and look in the TV/Projector forum, you'll find more info there than in the HDTV forum.

 

Just for clarification...HDTV monitors are all 16X9 aspect ratio. This is to allow for the broadcast of "widescreen" format movies and TV shows in the future. However, you can view 4X3 programing on a 16X9 monitor with no problems. It just looks about as strange as the reverse (widescreen format on a regular TV). Hope that helps.

 

Well, that's not completely true johnyboy. I have a 4:3 Sony that has a 16:9 mode for 480i, 480p, and 1080i. Basically, it's like using the vertical sizing adjustment on your PC monitor and squishing it to 16:9. As for widescreen stuff looking strange on a 4:3 set, just build some mattes to cover the black bars and you don't even notice it's not a widescreen set. There are compromises either way.

 

My bad...I forgot that some of those new fancy TV's and monitors have selectable aspect ratio's and resolution.

 

Thanks for all the info. thus far. I am glad I looked around a little more, the HCJ is last years model replaced by the HCL552W for this year that addresses many of the shortcomings in the HCJ.

 

I recently bought a Toshiba 56H80 16x9 HD-ready RPTV. I LOVE it. Dvd's look absolutely fantastic in 480P and my Dreamcast has never looked better, even though I havent bothered to buy an S-Video cable or VGA box. I watch 4:3 source material in a stretched mode, it looks a little silly at first, but you get used to it really quick. The 56H80 is available for $2400 or so from OneCall.com, I highly recommend them, they were very cool, and if you plan to order from them, let me know, I'll give you my information and they'll give me 1% of your order price, I'll split it with you.. not much, but free lunch.

 

I also have a Tosh 56H80. It is a great TV. As far as HD. I have gone with Dish with the HD option. (I think that it is a model 6000). It's not the best receiver for OTA (Local network feeds), but it's okay. But you can get HBO and Showtime HD feeds, very cool.
I have not gotten it ISF cal'ed yet but I will soon. That is a good addition.
HD is really amazing, good luck.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Zippy
[B]I also have a Tosh 56H80.