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A High-Def TV Buying Guide
Prices are plummeting. Are you ready to buy? We'll tell you what you need to know.
User Comments
Posted 12:29 PM EST February 19, 2007
Posted by: rtbean
Samsung has terrible terrible terrible customer service when dealing with warranty work etc, keep that in mind when shopping.
Posted 2:22 PM EST February 02, 2007
Posted by: yagobethere
What about Toshiba's SED system due out 4Q 2007. They are supposed to put others to shame.
Posted 8:37 AM EST January 31, 2007
Posted by: johnpapez
Do not buy the HDMI cable, surge protector, or extended warranty from the retailer that sold you the TV. HDMI cables are readily available online for 1/3 the price, better surge protectors can be bought at CompUSA for less than 1/2 the price. Try to buy the extended warranty direct from the manufacturer. I bought a 5 year contract from Sony for less than $300, compared to the retailers price for a 3 year warranty of over $500.
Posted 12:24 PM EST January 29, 2007
Posted by: wardoc
All the technical information reminds me of stereo shops in the 60's and 70's where audiophiles compared total harmonic distortion (THD) percentages to decide which stereo amplifier was best without listen to the sound. The best way to select a large screen HDTV is to go to a store that has multiple sets all playing the same picture and buy the one that has to your eyes and ears the best picture and sound at a price you can afford.
Posted 11:48 AM EST January 29, 2007
Posted by: reprints
A good website to learn about over-the-air free HD transmissions is www.antennaweb.org. Use your zip code to see which digital channels you will receive. I get over 30 digital channels OTA free here in NYC. Resolution is better than my friends with Digital Cable. Get a HD set with a digital tuner and a $70 antenna at Radio Shack. You'll be the envy of all your friends when they come over to watch the Super Bowl, and you never have to pay a cable bill again.
Posted 9:58 AM EST January 27, 2007
Posted by: rgiskard
More information on OTA HDTV: http://www.engadgethd.com/2006/01/30/ota-hd-demystified/
Posted 9:55 AM EST January 27, 2007
Posted by: rgiskard
HD service from your cable provider is NOT required. Just buy an HDTV with a Digital Tuner. Options include over-the-air (OTA) HD, or if you have std cable service, these channels are there already. All you need is a good antenna and you can pickup all the local broadcasts in 1080i. So you can watch the Super Bowl w/o paying extra.
To learn more, do a quick Google search on OTA HDTV.
Posted 7:30 PM EST January 26, 2007
Posted by: palm50
Does HD mean that the cameras are sending a 16:9 image OR the old 5:4 image.... and the big screen is just showing a stretched image??????
Or are the big screen tvs just good for shadowbox movies????
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Regarding your television's digital tuner and the ability to recieve OTA HD:
Most HD sets will include both ATSC/NTSC tuners, but if you find a TV with an integrated QAM tuner you'll be able to pick up quite a bit of programming without an antenna. I've installed several TVs for my customers (I'm an evil salesman), and you'd be surprised what you are able to pull in. One customer who subscribed to Comcast was getting ESPNHD, ESPN2HD, DiscoveryHD, etc., etc., all for free.