Hey all,

I have the unique opportunity to purchase a 50 inch samsung dlp tv for an amazing discount. i've seen the 50" (HLN507W) at bestbuy for 3499, but through a friend, i can get the tv for 2300 shipped.

Does anyone own this television? all the research i've done online says that the thing is an amazing bargain BUT it does have one flaw.. when you watch regular tv (non-HD), the pictures tend to be a little fuzzy. I'm sure that there has to be a few ppl on this board with this or equivalent tv, so please share your thoughts on this. is it *so* bad that you wish you wouldnt have purchased the tv at all?

i also have digital cable (cablevision) and they offer a HD tuner/receiver at no extra cost. i noticed that they feature hd channels like abc/cbs/nbc/fox. can anyone confirm that these are the same channels as the regular non-hd channels? the two times i called cablevision and asked them this question had their poor little heads spinning.

if i were to splurge on a hd tuner, what'll happen to the non-hd signal channels?
thanks!

 

I have this exact TV. I paid $2750 at Best Buy, open box item, around this time last year.

If you want to do some good research on it, check out www.avsforum.com, and specifically, this thread:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread....light=arungupta

Before you buy the TV, keep in mind that the next generation is just coming out, with some improvements. With the price you're paying, you might not care.

Yes, standard cable pics (below channel 100 for me) look a little fuzzy, but that's because you taking a crappy signal and blowing it up to the equivalent of a 41" 4:3 set.

I have the Scientific Atlanta HD box offered by Comcast in my area, and yes, I get all the network channels (ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX) in HD, and yes, it's the same programming as on the standard channels. If they broadcast a show filmed with Hi-Def cameras, it looks great. For instance, ER shows up as widescreen Hi-Def, and looks great. Usually though, they're showing the same stuff as on regular TV, and it only looks a little better.
There are HD versions of HBO, Showtime, ESPN, and a few other channels (INHD1 INHD2) that show major league baseball, etc, which looks fantastic.

The HD box connects to the TV using component cables, and you can use the DVI input for a DVD player such as the Samsung HD-931 (which I have), or whatever the new model is.

If you want to maximize your DVD viewing pleasure, you need a player with DVI out. Apart from the Samsung models, there is a Momitsu (dubious build quality) or the Bravo models from www.v-inc.com

 

thank you dave!

those links were superb!

i do need your suggestions though. should i wait for the new 04 models? according to the 2004 guide, they really sound pretty damn amazing!

i will not know what my pricing would be on the newer technology, but do you think i should wait, or should i just pick up this hln model for this price?

thanks again!
brian

 

Hey Brian,

Well, I have to say I haven't kept up with all the changes, as I don't intend to upgrade any time soon, but from what I've read, if I were looking now, I'd probably go for the new model. In your case, I guess it depends on how much of a price difference you'll have based on your friend's pricing on the new sets.

I gotta say I watch DVDs way more than anything else, and I'm very happy with the set.

If you don't have to jump on it right now, I'd say read through some more of the threads on avsforum and see what's going on. I know there are lots of very technical people on there doing all sorts of comparison testing.

I'll be happy to answer any questions I can, though.

Dave

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by DiamondDave2005
I gotta say I watch DVDs way more than anything else, and I'm very happy with the set.

 

With this TV, you really need a DVI player to get the best picture. It gives a digital signal path from source to TV, with one-to-one pixel mapping. It's better than progressive scan.

 

I have the 61

 

I was going to get a DLP, but since I dont really have good access to any HD programming, I went with a Pioneer 530HD. But anyway, I love those DLP's. Sounds like a great deal! But yeah, make sure you can do 480p or HD, cuz regular interlaced tv, I think, will look like crap on a DLP

 

Does your buddy work for Texas Instruments? I know someone that worked on their MEMS design for DLP and he can get Samsung HDTVs at a pretty amazing discount. Lucky MF.

 

arnt plasma's brighter than DLPs?