Went Shopping, which HDTV?

by ikjadoon Dec 17, 2005 2:03AM PST

I've been browsing for about a few weeks for a nice HDTV set to replace my aging 15" Sony Trinton. I've looked around, and these Sony TV's are blowing me away. They look like a Corvette placed next to a Oldsmobile. The pictures are just drop-dead excellent. I messed with some of the settings, to the annoyance of the employees, to figure out why these Sony TV's look so much better. The clarity, the brighness, everything just looks better. I turned the brightness and a few other things down on all the TVs, and still the Sony bested them all. I was looking at this Sony TV:

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?ProductSKU=KDLV32XBR1&Dept=tvvideo&CategoryName=tv_flatpanel_26%22to42%22

Before I go and buy this LCD, is there anything that should deteer me from buying this. It almost feels like an impluse buy, just because it looks that good. Is Sony a bad company (Minus the rootkits)? Am I even looking at the right technology? Should I save a grand, and forget the XBR version? I know it doesn't have 1080p, as I don't want to go shopping in a few years for a new set, but.... Or should I forget this TV, and buy a nice projector?
~Ibrahim

P.S. My CRT looked better than some of those TVs.

Discussion is locked

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SONY IS A WINNER

by stewart norrie Dec 17, 2005 2:34AM PST

I bought my 3 tube 3 ton rear projector 2 years ago here in San Jose real cheap $2500. And after a month the picture started to flicker, I called Sony service and the next day they brought over 3 new picture tubes, replaced them in my home, than 2 months later they came buy and calibrated the t.v. for me, So you can see Iam sold on Sony Also Sony made a 70" l.c.d that Iam thinking about buying, they dropped this set? but I can order one for $3900 Also a hint make sure you use your h.d.m.i input on the t.v. for your d.v.d player and hi-def cable or sat system if your t.v. only has 1 h.d.m.i input then buy a gifin h.d.m.i. switcher if you hook it uo this way you will get a draw dropping picture May I recomend the Denon d.v.d-2910 d.v.d. player, and the Dish network sat system marry xmas stewart norrie let me know how it works out for you cadillacstew@aol.com

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Thanks

by ikjadoon Dec 17, 2005 2:59AM PST

Thanks! I'm glad that I'm making the right decision. In a few months, maybe near Febuary, I'm going to buy one of those Home Theater in a box things, with the 7.1 speakers and the Progessive Scan DVD plater. Thanks for the help!

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Ikjadoon NO NO TO THEATER IN A BOX

by stewart norrie Dec 17, 2005 5:08AM PST

For about the same money you can buy seperate componits and have a much better system. Also you will be able to upgrade your system simply by replacing 1 componit especially speakers, I just upgraded my cheap speakers to Atlantic Technoligy 4200 and the sound is awsome also its so much fun to audition different componits and pick out the equipment that works for you happy holidays stewart norrie

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oh wow

by ikjadoon Dec 17, 2005 9:44PM PST

Are they really that bad? I think, though, I get what you mean. It's like bying a Dell and building one. I have one question. The sony has 13W speakers, totaling 26W and I know any standalone speakers would put those to shame. Any good companies? Is Bose any good, or is that just alot of marketing?

Another question:

I have a DVD player, which has the component things and the Sony has them, too. (The thing that has three wires for video). How much better will the DVD look?

I have another question, sry. I've always used the red and white plugs for audio. Since I'm getting digital video, can this TV get digital sound?

Thanks!
~Ibrahim

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HT-in-a-box

by Dan Filice Dec 18, 2005 2:40AM PST

I agree with Stewart...don't do the HT-in-a-box route. Separate components are fairly inexpensive now, so you can put together an awesome system. It does not really matter about the wattage of your speakers, as it really depends on the construction and speaker components of each speaker as to how they sound. Forget Bose. Take that money and invest into speakers made by Infinity, Boston, Energy, etc., as these are companies that do nothing but make HT speakers. Regarding your "component" cable question: Yes, component cables are the way you should hook up your DVD player to the TV. Basically, your compnent cables are separating the Red/Green?Blue signals where RCA plugs or S-Video or even coax will blend all these colors together so the color purity will be compromised. Using component cables will allow you to do the most important thing: Setup your DVD player for "Progressive Scan" playback, which will look awesome on a TV that can handle it (if you have a HDTV, you can use it). As far as audio, once you get a HT receiver, you should use the digital audio-out from your DVD player and plug that into the receiver for true 5.1 surround. Until you get a HT receiver, you may be limited to using the RCA plugs to get audio into your TV.

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My friend Ikjadoon you are shopping blind

by stewart norrie Dec 18, 2005 2:32AM PST

The most fun building a home theater system is to understand every componit by reading home theater magazines, talking to pros etc Its like fixing up an old car after your done your so proud of your work So to save money and have an awsome home theater system read read and visit a hi-end home theater store you can get a lot of information talking to a pro also you may find great deals on hi-end equipment thats last year model or demo stuff. I know home theater in a box is the easy way to go (just plug and play) but after a while your going to hate the nasty sound etc. Also your d.v.d. player will work fine marry xmas

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I'm new!

by ikjadoon Dec 18, 2005 9:29AM PST

lol, I'm sorry. But for now I'm just picking the TV. I'm going over to Costco over the next weekend to pick it up. Thanks everyone for all your help!
~Ibrahim

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backorder

by masterying01 Dec 18, 2005 4:15PM PST

if you want it, get it once you have the chance to. the 32inch and 42inch xbr are ALWAYS on constant backorder. if you have cable or satelite, make sure you upgrade your service to HIGH DEFINITION. your tv is HD which means its capable of displaying a lot of information...but if u dont send it that information, it will never display it and the picture will look worse then your 15 inch right now. if you just use an antenna, you'll be fine because there is an HD tuner built in ONLY for antenna off air channels.

make sure you pick up a set of component cables for your dvd player, and HDMI to DVI or HDMI to HDMI cable for your high definition box from your satelite.

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by ikjadoon Dec 19, 2005 2:56AM PST

thanks! I would hate to make the 110-mile drive twice! I'll order it tonight, and pick it up on the weekend. Thanks!
~Ibrahim

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Sorry, one more

by ikjadoon Dec 19, 2005 2:58AM PST

thing. I went over to the local bestbuy and saw the Sony compared to some company I've never heard of, Mintek. Any good? The Mintek was alot cheaper, but I hate to say it, it looked pretty darn good. Any feedback?
~Ibrahim

Went Shopping, which HDTV?

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