[Wallenberg]

I'm considering buying a HI DEF TV. At this stage, I'm not so much worried about the differences between LCD and HI DEF and all the other buzz words that are used in the ads.

Mostly, I just want to know one thing. Can any of you who have bought a HI DEF (or similar) TV and watched it for say, more than 3 months, tell me if the experience of greatlly improved image lasts after a few months? Or does it sort of fade away into just a standard TV experience and is it hard to notice any difference after a while?

The reason I ask is that I have noticed that different sizes of TVs seem like a big difference at first, but after a while, it's really hard to tell any difference if you don't have two sets to compare side by side. If I'm not going to notice a big difference on an on-going basis, I'll be happy to just wait a while before taking the HI DEF plunge.

 

[Guyzer]

I bought a Toshiba 52" LCD HD last June and the picture is as good today as the day it came out of the box. I have no regrets with the exception of one. My brother had to one-up me and get a 56".

 

[Mulderator]

I'm considering buying a HI DEF TV. At this stage, I'm not so much worried about the differences between LCD and HI DEF and all the other buzz words that are used in the ads.

Mostly, I just want to know one thing. Can any of you who have bought a HI DEF (or similar) TV and watched it for say, more than 3 months, tell me if the experience of greatlly improved image lasts after a few months? Or does it sort of fade away into just a standard TV experience and is it hard to notice any difference after a while?

The reason I ask is that I have noticed that different sizes of TVs seem like a big difference at first, but after a while, it's really hard to tell any difference if you don't have two sets to compare side by side. If I'm not going to notice a big difference on an on-going basis, I'll be happy to just wait a while before taking the HI DEF plunge.

Actually, its not just the picture quality which is much better, but you also get 5.1 surround sound so you need a good surround sound speaker system. In fact, the sound improvement to me is even better than the picture improvement.

 

[Gibble]

Actually, its not just the picture quality which is much better, but you also get 5.1 surround sound so you need a good surround sound speaker system. In fact, the sound improvement to me is even better than the picture improvement.

I have to agree, I'd take better sound over picture any day of the week.

If I had a choice between great sound and not so great picture, or a perfect picture with not so great sound...sound wins every time.

Amazing sound will immerse you and make you feel completely immersed with what you are watching ... great picture just ... well, you're still just watching.

 

[Mulderator]

I have to agree, I'd take better sound over picture any day of the week.

If I had a choice between great sound and not so great picture, or a perfect picture with not so great sound...sound wins every time.

Amazing sound will immerse you and make you feel completely immersed with what you are watching ... great picture just ... well, you're still just watching.

What's amazing to me is how many people have a hi-def tv and a crappy sound system--just three speakers with no sub-woofer or no rear speakers. Granted--you don't get most of the sound out of the rear, but that is so cool to hear the stuff in the rear speakers.

 

[Gibble]

What's amazing to me is how many people have a hi-def tv and a crappy sound system--just three speakers with no sub-woofer or no rear speakers. Granted--you don't get most of the sound out of the rear, but that is so cool to hear the stuff in the rear speakers.

Even if a show isn't in 5.1 I'll have my stereo use all the speakers...and no sub...ugh...it's just...bland.

 

[Mulderator]

And now Wimpy is thinking to himself he can one-up his brother by getting a sub-woofer and some rear speakers!

 

[Mulderator]

Even if a show isn't in 5.1 I'll have my stereo use all the speakers...and no sub...ugh...it's just...bland.

Yeah--even music I have it set for all the speakers--rear and front.

But for me the subwoofer makes it. We just got done putting in wood floors and I had to turn the subwoofer down--it REALLY REALLY is pounding now with no rug to dampen the effect.

 

[Gibble]

Yeah--even music I have it set for all the speakers--rear and front.

But for me the subwoofer makes it. We just got done putting in wood floors and I had to turn the subwoofer down--it REALLY REALLY is pounding now with no rug to dampen the effect.

I hear ya, I got laminate. You can feel the show...literally

 

[Guyzer]

And now Wimpy is thinking to himself he can one-up his brother by getting a sub-woofer and some rear speakers!

Lets not talk about that. He bought a kick butt sound system at the same time. The little puke has always been one-uppin me. I haven't invested in one yet because I live in a multi level building and have someone underneath us.Because of that I wouldn't be able to use it to its full potential. What I have done though is connected a couple of speakers and a sub which has made a difference, at least in the bass / stero sound. I just can't crank the thing like I want. I will admit the 5.1 that my brother the punk kid has is sweet. A new lens is taking priority for now and that's going to me I have to sell a couple of more SUV's. Maybe someday I'll sell a crappy little car and invest in some sound.

 

[Mulderator]

Lets not talk about that. He bought a kick butt sound system at the same time. The little puke has always been one-uppin me. I haven't invested in one yet because I live in a multi level building and have someone underneath us.Because of that I wouldn't be able to use it to its full potential. What I have done though is connected a couple of speakers and a sub which has made a difference, at least in the bass / stero sound. I just can't crank the thing like I want. I will admit the 5.1 that my brother the punk kid has is sweet. A new lens is taking priority for now and that's going to me I have to sell a couple of more SUV's. Maybe someday I'll sell a crappy little car and invest in some sound.

Screw the neighbors--get yourself a sub and blast them out of the building!

 

[Wallenberg]

I have no regrets with the exception of one. My brother had to one-up me and get a 56".

Well, I guess it depends on how you feel about your brother. But couldn't one answer to that be solved with a midnight visit and a brick?

 

[Mulderator]

I have no regrets with the exception of one. My brother had to one-up me and get a 56".

Well, I guess it depends on how you feel about your brother. But couldn't one answer to that be solved with a midnight visit and a brick?

Obviously you don't know Wimpy--he'd end up dropping the brick on his head and his brother would have to drive him to the E/R!

 

[WarC]

I've got a 20 inch boobtube and because of it, I cry myself to sleep at night.

 

[Wallenberg]

Thanks very much to all for your help.

I'm gonna buy the TV at Walmart because it's real close and I get terrific service from Walmart and crap service from the other stores in town.

I see some sets advertised as LCD and others as LCD and HI DEF. I'm assuming there is little difference and that I can just go ahead and buy the 19" LCD for $350 (Canadian). If it isn't going to make a huge difference in my purchase, I'd just as soon avoid having to become an expert in HI DEF and all the other buzz words.

I'm looking to spend a small amount of money and $350 for a 19" set sounds just about perfect to me. Is there any reason I should hold off buying this set? I really don't want to spend more than $1,000. I could afford to spend maybe up to $700. But if it isn't going to make a huge difference, I'd rather save the money.

Anyone think it would be a mistake to buy this $350 19" LCD TV?


P.S. Interesting Note. My second previous TV was a 13" color RCA ($175) which lasted for six years. My most recent TV was a 20" color Diamond brand (I assume it was made in China). I bought it from Walmart and it lasted for 13 months but then abruptly died. Considering I paid $99 (CDN) for a 20" TV and it seemed perfectly OK, I was always happy with this TV - kind of like a disposable TV (like a disposable lighter). For $99, how could I complain with a 20" color TV (even if it did only last for 13 months)? Since TVs seem like they will improve drastically every year for a few years now, maybe it does make sense to buy something cheap? Even if it does only last for a year or so?

 

[Mulderator]

Thanks very much to all for your help.

I'm gonna buy the TV at Walmart because it's real close and I get terrific service from Walmart and crap service from the other stores in town.

I see some sets advertised as LCD and others as LCD and HI DEF. I'm assuming there is little difference and that I can just go ahead and buy the 19" LCD for $350 (Canadian). If it isn't going to make a huge difference in my purchase, I'd just as soon avoid having to become an expert in HI DEF and all the other buzz words.

I'm looking to spend a small amount of money and $350 for a 19" set sounds just about perfect to me. Is there any reason I should hold off buying this set? I really don't want to spend more than $1,000. I could afford to spend maybe up to $700. But if it isn't going to make a huge difference, I'd rather save the money.

Anyone think it would be a mistake to buy this $350 19" LCD TV?

Just make sure you get widescreen if you are going to use it for viewing DVDs.

 

[Wallenberg]

Wow! So many of you find such great value in your sound systems. I have to wonder because my cable company basically only offers one HIDEF station (the movie station - and hardly any of the movies are very good). The others it offers are just the basic cable crap stations that all have their programs full of commercials. I would hate that.

I'm guessing you all buy or rent good HI DEF movies from a place like BlockBuster? How elsw would you get ahold of quality HI DEF programming?

ETA: Thanks Mulder. I think I know what you mean by wide screen and I will do that.

 

[Mulderator]

Wow! So many of you find such great value in your sound systems. I have to wonder because my cable company basically only offers one HIDEF station (the movie station - and hardly any of the movies are very good). The others it offers are just the basic cable crap stations that all have their programs full of commercials. I would hate that.

I'm guessing you all buy or rent good HI DEF movies from a place like BlockBuster? How elsw would you get ahold of quality HI DEF programming?

ETA: Thanks Mulder. I think I know what you mean by wide screen and I will do that.

That's because you live in Canada. Here in the states, ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, ESPN, TNT, and a few others broadcast all of their primetime shows in Hi-Def, 5.1 Surround, so the majority of programs I watch are in Hi-Def. And yes--DVDs obviously also have surround sound.

 

[wacor]

you can get over the air Hi Def signals free. if you have a set of rabbit ears and are close enough. CBS, ABC, FOX, NBC all broadcast in Hi def.

this LCD you are talking about I am guessing is not hi def? just because it is LCD i dont think it necessarily is hi def? how about a model number unless i missed that.

Edit: I missed the Toronto part of the equation.

 

[Guyzer]

Well, I guess it depends on how you feel about your brother. But couldn't one answer to that be solved with a midnight visit and a brick?

Do me and yourself a favor and edit out the name in the quote before I get real cranky. Thanks.