Topic: Will buy an HD TV soon; Need advice

[NWR_pap64]

Today, I was out of town buying some ink for my printer (you know how THAT turned out -_-). In the meantime I checked stores to see their HD TV and their prices. I decided to buy me the best and cheapest set when I get my paycheck later in April.

But before I do I want to learn more to see if I am getting the best deal possible, so since I know some of you have entertainment rigs I would like to know some advice regarding various things...

1. I am planning on buying a 32 inch set since my room is not big enough to buy a big TV and I need to save money. The ones that I checked are usually 400 + to 500 + dollars. What's the best price to invest in a set of this size?

2. What is the best brand?

3. I have both a Wii and an XBOX 360. What do I need in order to maximize their performance on the HD TV?

4. I am confused when some ads say that the TV is 16:9 widescreen, but others show the TV being clearly widescreen but not mentioning it. Is there a difference between the two that I need to know>

5. I have a satellite service which is digital. Do I need anything in order to get my programming in HD and, if available widescreen? I know that Cartoon Network show some of its shows in HD and widescreen, so do I need anything else?

6. In the Wal Mart that I went to the TVs looked nice, crisp and beautiful. But on another store, the TVs looked blurry and stretched out. Do I need to watch out for any TVs with blurry displays?

7. What cables do I need when I purchase my set?

Thanks all! If I missed anything please let me know.

[Caliban]

2. What is the best brand?

I'm not going to say it is the best, but I recommend Samsung.

3. I have both a Wii and an XBOX 360. What do I need in order to maximize their performance on the HD TV?

The XBox 360 already comes with component cables which is what you need, but if your XBox 360 came with an HDMI cable and the TV you are getting has HDMI inputs then that is the cable you should use.

You will need component cables for the Wii.

4. I am confused when some ads say that the TV is 16:9 widescreen, but others show the TV being clearly widescreen but not mentioning it. Is there a difference between the two that I need to know.

16:9, and widescreen are inherent features to an HDTV.

6. In the Wal Mart that I went to the TVs looked nice, crisp and beautiful. But on another store, the TVs looked blurry and stretched out. Do I need to watch out for any TVs with blurry displays?

Walmart TVs were getting their signal from a HD source. The other store TVs were most likely broadcasting a 640x480p source and it was being displayed on them in stretch mode.

7. What cables do I need when I purchase my set?

None. Usually they come with all the other devices that plug onto your TV.

[Flames_of_chaos]

1. I am planning on buying a 32 inch set since my room is not big enough to buy a big TV and I need to save money. The ones that I checked are usually 400 + to 500 + dollars. What's the best price to invest in a set of this size?

The best price for an HDTV is one that you can work around your budget, you should set yourself an upper limit on what you're willing to invest in.

2. What is the best brand?

If you're going for performance Sony, Panasonic, Samsung if you're being more budget conscious Vizio is pretty decent.

3. I have both a Wii and an XBOX 360. What do I need in order to maximize their performance on the HD TV?

I recall that you have an elite 360 which came with an HDMI cables and component cables so you are set, for Wii you can get a set of component cables which can run you around 20 dollars.

4. I am confused when some ads say that the TV is 16:9 widescreen, but others show the TV being clearly widescreen but not mentioning it. Is there a difference between the two that I need to know>

HDTVs always are 16:9 widescreen format, but take note that there are smaller flat screen TVs that are 4:3 SDTVs just because it's flatscreen doesn't mean it's HDTV but those are usually TVs that are less than 15".

5. I have a satellite service which is digital. Do I need anything in order to get my programming in HD and, if available widescreen? I know that Cartoon Network show some of its shows in HD and widescreen, so do I need anything else?

You're satellite box that's connected to your TV will need to be HD capable the easiest way to tell is if it has a slot for component cables and/or HDMI to take advantage of it you need a set of component or HDMI cables to connect from the box to the TV and well obviously a HD capable receiver box.

7. What cables do I need when I purchase my set?

See answer above

[BranDonk Kong]

One tip - if you buy HDMI cables, get them from monoprice.com - there is absolutely no difference between a $5 cable on that site, and a $100 Monster HDMI cable from Best Buy, other than the packaging and price tag. The quality is the same. The only time you need to spend a little more is for long cable runs, but even in that case...stick with monoprice. Digital is digital, all the fancy insulation and gold-plating isn't going to make one single difference.

[UltimatePartyBear]

5. I have a satellite service which is digital. Do I need anything in order to get my programming in HD and, if available widescreen? I know that Cartoon Network show some of its shows in HD and widescreen, so do I need anything else?

Digital is not the same as HD.  Make sure you're actually getting HD programming from your satellite service.  You may have to pay extra for it.

[KDR_11k]

I think many HDTVs are actually 16:10. The data is still 16:9 though so you're going to get stretching. I just got a PC screen/HDTV combo thing with an annoying habit to forget any custom contrast settings in TV mode. Also while the image is sharper on the 360 now it looks like someone ran a sharpen filter over the whole image with edges looking too hard. Overall the image looks pretty bad compared to what my cheapass 19" PC CRT can output (then again maybe that's just consoles looking like ass in general, I haven't plugged the LCD into the PC yet). I do have a component cable for the Wii and an HDMI cable for the 360 on order, let's hope they improve that...

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

The entire display industry is FUCKED UP, leading to the craziness we see, KDR.

Hollywood VS. TV VS. Home Video VS. Computing VS. Gaming  =  a smoldering melting pot of digital ASS

[BranDonk Kong]

I've never seen an actual HDTV that is 16:10, only PC monitors, and the resolution is in 16:10 format, as in 1920x1200 or 1680x1050. I agree that the industry is fucked up. We need to go back in time, and make *everything* in 16:9 at either 24, 30, or 60FPS, and use it for *all* video sources. If I ever get ahold of a time machine, that's the first thing I'll do.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

Most excellent.  Don't forget to call Rufus.

[bustin98]

With cables, what matters is the connectors. You want to get connectors that either do not react, like gold, or are made of the same material as the input on the device. Finding out what that material is, good luck. You just don't want to put aluminum on some other metal (other than gold) as they'll react and corode over time. I also have a cheap HDMI cable that does not support 1080p. I was getting a headache trying to figure out why my PS3 wasn't spitting out the resolution till I changed cables.

Check out the connections on the back of the tv. You might get one with only 2 component inputs, yet you might need 3 with the Wii, 360, and the satellite receiver. Some DVD players also use component to put out a progressive scan image, though there are ones that upconvert and use HDMI.

Compare the store prices with online stores like Amazon and Newegg. For me the price differences are by several hundred dollars cheaper online. Another nice thing is reading reader reviews on the sites. You may find that the tv you want really isn't that great.

-------------------------
-------------------------

Brandogg's priorities are set, aren't they? Hmm, I can go back in time. Let's see, should I: 1) Go see if Jesus really did exist 2) find out the skin color of dinosaurs and if they had feathers, or 3) get the FCC to set future proof standards on visual displays.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

Careful, Jesus might end up being a dinosaur and chairman of the FCC.

[EasyCure]

Most excellent.  Don't forget to call Rufus.

Pro has always been, and will forever be, my favorite poster on this site.

Also thanks Pap for starting this topic since i was going to do the same, though i'm sure you'll be buying your HD sooner than i will, so good luck with that!

[NWR_pap64]

Thanks everyone for the advice!

For the record, I don't want to start an anti-HD thread. I want a new TV because I am a sucker for widescreen TVs, and after playing many Wii games on their widescreen options I refuse to accept full screen anything.

I ask about cables and such because I know that in order to get the best picture and options I need said cables.

[BlackNMild2k1]

For any TV that you may want to buy (or anything audio visual) I would do a comparison at www.avsforum.com

And before you go buying any component, dvi or HDMI cables i would goto www.monoprice.com
-i don't think they have cables for 360 or Wii, but lots of quality yet cheap cables for the rest of your entertainment center.

If you are looking for value priced HDTV's, I have a 32" 720p Olevia that i got over 2yrs ago for $500. no complaints so far.
Another value  brand that seemed to be pretty good was Westinghouse.
I know a few people with Vizio's and they are split about 50/50 on decent and crap as far as personal reviews.

Most of your other questions have already been answered, but a few things that I would recommend you pay attention to are:

1) Number of HDMI/DVI/VGA/Component input/output connectors (2/1/1/2 would be a good configuration)
    you want something that is gonna fit your needs now, and can expand for future needs.
    (Wii. X360, PS3, dedicated DVD player, Cable/satellite box, computer, etc. etc.)
2) Black Levels (ie 10,000:1 is what my TV has, looks good)
3) Refresh rate (the lower the number the better, especially for gaming - 5ms or less if possible)
4) Internal HD Tuner (can catch over the air signals & you won't need an external cable box)

I'm sure there are more things to look for without making this all too complicated, so I'll update this with more as I think of them.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

pap should let us know what questions he thinks have been answered to his satisfaction, and what questions remain.

[NWR_pap64]

pap should let us know what questions he thinks have been answered to his satisfaction, and what questions remain.

Oh, sorry about that.

1. I will be on budget. I hope to not spend more than 600 dollars on the TV. The TV I am looking for is at 520, so I am set there (though taxes could rise the price up >.<)

2. The brand of the TV I spotted was RCA. Any word on those guys?

3. Yes, I have an Elite 360 and already have the HDMI cables. Need to look for the component cables for Wii though (component cables are those with the blue green and red plugs, right?)

4. No problems there, then.

5. I checked my satellite box and it doesn't have HDMI ports. However, it does have S-video ports. Are those recommended?

6. I think I'll stick to Wal-mart. The other store might have them cheaper, but I need more convincing.

Since BNM mentioned refresh rate, I heard about blurring on some TVs and games.

I think everyone answered pretty well (though BNM's answer confused me a little). My main concern are the cables, but I think I can manage. On the day that I buy my TV I'll print out the answers and use them as guides.

[Caliban]

Search (Google) for reviews online that are specific to that RCA model.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

2.  RCA... invented the television =\  Tho I don't recall them being an industry leader of quality and satisfaction in the HDTV scene.  If it's an LCD model released in 2007 or later, it should be competent.  We're way past the first-gen LCD HDTVs, so they're hard to mess up from longtime manufacturers.

3.  Don't pay more than $20 (+tax) for a set of shielded Wii component cables.  I recommend Nyko HD Link upfront, since it can be found for $15 at some places.  HVG2, Monster, and Psyclone also make premium (gold & fancy) cables, and can be as cheap as Nyko's on clearance.  Having gold connectors doesn't imply shielding, it has to be specified on the packaging/product specs/cable jacket itself.

5.  S-Video means you'll get 480i, at best.  Find a shielded S-Video cable for $10 or less.

[NWR_pap64]

So, I have to make sure all cables that I buy are gold to ensure the best quality?

[Plugabugz]

Yes. I just paid £5 for gold plated HDMI cables so they aren't very expensive to find.

[BlackNMild2k1]

check AVS forum for any reviews and known defects/issues with the product. you can search by model # of the product.
Its a forum of audio visual tech heads,so they know the ins & outs of just about everything.

Goto Monoprice to find a wide selection of (monster)quality cables for really really cheap.

What about my post confused you? I want to make to make it easy to understand for future references.

You can probably upgrade your satellite box to one that supports HD output. either component and/or HDMI.

[BlackNMild2k1]

MonoPrice.com

Wii Component Cables - $3.52

4 in 1 component cable for Wii, X360, PS3 & PS2 - $8.41

Gold plated HDMI cable - $3.10

[bustin98]

RCA does not have that great of a track record. I don't recommend.

If you want HD satellite service, they will send you a new receiver box if you order HD programming. Don't have a clue how much extra it will cost you. But that box will have something more substantial than S-Video.

For comparison's sake:

composite (RCA) <- S-Video <- component <- HDMI

Target has a 32" Vizio for $500 to $600, 1080p. Reviews say there's a 100% guarantee on pixels, which is awesome as most companies say 4 or 5 dead pixels is normal. Walmarts may have it as well, but products vary by store. Maybe you could do store delivery or something. They can do store transfers (or at least they did when I worked there).

[GoldenPhoenix]

Pro has always been, and will forever be, my favorite poster on this site.

Now I do hate you.

ANYWAY. I recommend a Plasma if you can find one cheap enough.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

So, I have to make sure all cables that I buy are gold to ensure the best quality?

Not gold, but specifically "shielded".  Gold does not equate to shielding, and gold plating is employed to attract the buyer more than anything.  Shielding is important for analog cabling as a preventative measure (not a magick quality-improving gimmick).

For digital cabling, shielding is not really a worry.

The component cables BNM linked are not shielded; and Monoprice.com had no indication (that i could read) it ships directly to Puerto Rico.  Newegg.com, however, does ship to Puerto Rico.

>> And here's a plug without shame.