Posted on 11/29/2005 11:24:04 PM PST by This Just In
Good evening, FReepers. We are not hooked up to satellite or cable, but view DVD's and video's on occasion. I am shopping to purchase a television and it's been quite a while since we've bought a new set. As a matter of fact, it has been so long that I have come to realize they don't make televisions the way they used to.
Just as going out to simply buy yourself a cup of java has become a major undertaking(For goodness sakes, one must take a class in: How To Order At Starbucks, just to navigate your way through the process. Why, just a few weeks ago we visited family in Las Vegas. I went to a trendy coffee shop. Ordered a hot cup of coffee. And when they called my name, I stood there perplexed as I looked at the COLD, dark, drink which I held that was covered with frothy cream and a light dusting of cocoa powder. Not wanting to draw attention to my ignorance while standing in the midst of what seemed like a mob of coffee connoisseur's on the verge of caffeine withdrawal's if they didn't get their fix, I confidently strode out of the cafe', artifully placed the horrid tasting drink in the recepticle, and promptly began experiencing caffeine withdrawals as I drove off and made my way to the nearest McDonalds), purchasing a television is no longer simply deciding what size screen you wish to buy, and/or how much you wish to spend.
There is the question of whether or not you want a flat screen. Do you want your television mounted on a pedestal? There's the "pixel" factor, and finally, do you want a plasma, LCD, HDTV, or ???????????
Now, I must inform all of you that we live in a remote area of the country. So remote, in fact, that Santa ignores us all together. Christmas shopping, if we choose to drive somewhere, is quite an undertaking. We must travel a long distance. To save us the hassle, we often times shop online.
Which brings me, finally, to my question. Would someone please explain what a "Plasma" television is, and what is the difference between a "Plasma" and "LCD"?
Your input would make my shopping far more convenient and hassle free than ordering a simple hot cup of coffee at Starbucks.
Forever Grateful, TJI
Now, about your sister... never mind. Does MUD ring a bell?
I hope you don't have a wife. I fear that you are married to that entertainment room.
Actually, it sounds quite nice. Perhaps if I was interested in that level of equipment it would be fun.
I agree that flat screen HDTV CRT is the way to go. CRT gives the best possible picture, better than plasma or lcd (but our 30" CRT weighs 200 pounds!). However 16:9 CRT is a better choice than 4:3 CRT. Most modern DVD movies and all HDTV shows are set for 16:9. Old-fashioned legacy 4:3 TV is on its way out and will be obsolete eventually. 16:9 sets can stretch 4:3 content to fill the screen in the meantime.
Don't have a plasma TV but I did hear a lecture by a scientist who develops new display technologies. She mentioned that a problem of plasma displays is the heat they put out.
Thank you. Yes, the price for televisions can be quite high. I can't justify spending so much money for an item such as a T.V. I'll surely shop around.
My next door neighbor bugs the heck out of me already, so I'm not going to worry about them. (I think they're libs.)
This thread is scary, isn't it? My vote is that you find some nice guy, age between 20-50, suck up Big time, then take him with you to pick out your TV!
I remember once when the cat stepped on our Dish TV remote and it took me a couple of days to figure out how to fix the blasted thing.
I'm going to bed now. This thread has made me feel like I'm about 110 tonight, and I need rest.
GOOD LUCK!
"Plasmas are great initially, but you probably need to plan on replacing it every 2-3 years. LCDs should last longer."
I've heard the same thing about Plasma TV's except it was 5 years or less for replacement of a Plasma TV.
Bargains are avaliable, especially if one waits until after Christmas and uses the web. Even then, no plasma TV for me yet.
Very true. I worked on a project for Fujitsu General America. The electronic technicians told me NOT to buy a plasma video. My neighbor (multi-millionaire - new house) just bought a Mitsubishi 62" DLP tv for around U$D 6k, and, due to the screen size, you have to be back at least 20 feet from the screen; otherwise the parallax and convergence issues make you dizzy.
Bottom line, do not over size the screen.
DLP is the best all around technology though.
"....(I think they're libs.)" ROFL! That would explain their interest in the perculator. They do wear Birkenstocks, smell funny, and exhibit no interest in personal hygene.
20-50 year old nice guy is out of the question. I'm not THAT way. Besides, this would alarm my beloved.
My head is swimming with all the information that has been provided. I am grateful, though.
Good night.
Nice ain't it?
Does this mean I have to put my Hitachi in a centrifuge or refrigerator to keep it from congealing or something?
I have an Hitachi 42" plasma.
It runs cooler than my Toshiba 36" cathode job did and doesn't do double duty as a mega dust magnet.
[the startup "bzzzzzz" noise always freaks out the dogs, though]....:)
My advise is not waste your money. The prices for a new TV is insane. I'm not buying one, even with the switch to high definition broadcasts. There's not one program being broadcast worth an expenditure of over 2k for a frickin' TV.
your post #8
good post
Wouldn't know. I roast my own beans now. Much, much better.
Plasma is the more recent technology. I undertstand many set have a problem where the plasma leaks out after about4-5 years. If you're looking for something more reliable, stick with a tested, older technology. You'll get a better price than bleeding edge stuff.
The best part of the new TV's is that my husband's boss bought one, and gave us his old big-screen television if we would haul it away. That is the exact price I wanted to pay for a new television! LOL!
I notice you had to butt in just to tell us you were butting out. :-)
With the quality of TV shows I`ll stick with radio thank you.
With the quality of TV shows I`ll stick with radio thank you.
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