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General discussion

Can you point me in the correct direction?

Aug 10, 2005 2:35AM PDT

I think it is about time I get a new TV and I think while I am at it I may as well get a HDTV.
I think something about 46" and near the $2000.00 would be nice. (do not know if thats possible)

Now I want slide shows made on the computer to look as good as possible.

And I think I want to be able to input from the computer to the TV


What is the maximum resolution that is usable for
me?

I am really confused about the tuner -- card slot thing
I think I want a HD Tuner. Is that correct?
No card slot but a Tuner?

And to do as I mentioned is Plasma the best choice or can I get by with DLP or LCD

Thanks to anyone that can get me one the correct road.
Gene

Discussion is locked

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Can you point me in the correct direction?
Aug 10, 2005 4:09AM PDT
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Thanks for the Link
Aug 10, 2005 4:53AM PDT

But thats the sort of thing along with my neighborhood salesman that has me so confused.

I guess if you understand all the tech stuff it makes sense ..but I am lost.

Thanks anyhow
Gene

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Thanks for the Link
Aug 10, 2005 5:19AM PDT

I know there is alot of info there, but If you take the time and do the HDTV Boot Camp link it should help clear things up.
With a $2000 price cap this puts you in the LCD,DLP,CRT projector range. The card slot is only for cable. John

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HD tuner or not?
Aug 10, 2005 8:06AM PDT

You probably only need a TV with an HDTV tuner if you are going to get OTA (over the air) HD channels, like local channels from a nearby source, that you typically pick up with an UHF antenna (you know, the old "rabbit ears" or roof mount antenna). Otherwise, the HD signal is going to be handled by your set-top box provided to you by either your cable company (mostly free) or satellite provider usually ($400-$500).

Be careful of going HD with satellite companies now as they are changing formats for their HD broadcasts which will may soon render current satellite receivers obsolete. They are doing this so that they can add bandwith for local channels in HD, which most sat. customers need the OTA antenna for.

So the short version is, if your HD signal is coming from a cable provider, you can save $$$ by getting a set without the built-in HD tuner. For satellite, you won't get locals in HD since you dont have a built-in HD tuner (unless you get an external HD tuner) or wait for the sat. providers to upgrade existing tech.

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Card slot
Aug 10, 2005 8:11AM PDT

As stated by another poster, this is for accessing cable company signals and bypassing the need for a set-top box. You can plug the cable right into your TV set and use your TV to receve the cable signal. It's a minor convenience, and you miss out on some of the services the STB provides, like on-demand & pay per veiw programming. While in the future it might be a big deal, don't let the card slot make or break your decision.

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FYI card slot & built in tuners
Aug 11, 2005 11:06AM PDT

Don't place too much stress on the card slot issue... it's a cable thing designed to make cable box decoders unnecessary but the ironic thing is that most recent reviews of cable card using cable systems ( I take this from Sound & Vision Magazine ) seem to indicate that most cable companies don't know how to use them properly and necessitated repeat visits back to the user's home to trouble shoot and/or replace these same cards. The cable company seems to prefer the cable box method instead... especially since it allows for pay per view purchases.

Built in tuners are great to have if you live near major tv markets that have upgraded their local transmitters to digital hi def broadcasts. I live in a mountainous area and if you live on a ridge you can pick up 7 hi def stations via antenna. However, if you live below the ridge you can't get squat ! Base your need for a built in tuner on this criteria... if you get a signal with antenna then consider it... if you are forced to get evrything by cable or satalite then forget the added cost and go for an HD monitor.

Good luck

grim

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Connecting to a computer
Aug 10, 2005 8:25AM PDT

For PC connectivity, look for sets with HDMI or DVI connections. How many of these inputs your set has is important, but in your price range you're unlikely to find a set with more than one digital video input.

As a side note, DVI handles only digital video signals, whereas HDMI handles both digital video and audio.

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Plasma, LCD, DLP displays and resolutions
Aug 10, 2005 9:10AM PDT

In your price range, you are probably going to find the best value in LCD or DLP rear projection sets. They will provide resolutions up to 1280x720. The next resolution up are the new 1080i sets but they're going to be well over $3,000.

You can also get EDTV plasma sets in your price range (and a few HD plasma sets) but the max resolution is 852x480. It won't display jpg images from your PC all that great but for TV and DVD veiwing it will produce a nice image.

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Thanks
Aug 10, 2005 12:30PM PDT
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Samsung DLP's
Aug 11, 2005 2:22AM PDT

The new Samsung DLP pedestal sets have been generally well received. I looked at those sets myself but ultimately decided to go with LCD projection (Sony Wega) as I like the picture better. but that's just my opinion, make sure you check different sets out in a store! Some (few) people have an issue watching DLP sets in that they see a 'rainbow effect' on the screen due to the fact that DLP sets use a spinning color wheel to generate the picture. You'll know it if you spend some time looking at them.

The set has an HDMI input so you can connect your PC.

Any HDTV should work with either cable or satellite. Whether you can utlize the cable card feature of this particular set is going to be up to your cable provider. Not all cable providers off cable cards; you'll have to call them and ask.

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decisions......!!
Aug 11, 2005 10:12AM PDT

I have been deciding same thing for last 2 months..but DLP is for sure, and the Samsung HL-R series is what I will be ordering in a few days. Picture quality seems very similar to me. Probably 3 or 4 brands are excellent but Samsung sounds like one of the leaders in DLP technology. Some high quality credit cards extend your warranty to one additional year. Good luck and enjoy.