Any advice on buying a bigscreen TV?

Various | 1/28/03 | The G Man

[The G Man]

Excuse the vanity but I'm in need of some FReeper assistance. Our 15 year old console TV is on its last legs so the Mrs and I are thinking of buying a big screen TV and I would welcome folks advice on this matter.

We really can't afford to go much over $1500 so after looking on the net, I think the features we want are 40" and above and HDTV compatible. I'm not sure how important widescreen (16:9) is compared to standard (4:3) ... is that something I need to reconsider?

I've found two that are somewhat affordable:

I also have Bernies and Best Buy near me, but Circuit City seems the cheapest.

Also, how much room do I have to negotiate? Will they actually negotiate price? Or should I ask them to throw some stuff in?

[The G Man]

Ok ... my links aren't showing ... grrrr

[The G Man]

Hitachi 43" - $1400

Panasonic 47" - $1600

[expatpat]

If you want HDTV, you will want the 16:9 screen.

[The G Man]

"If you want HDTV, you will want the 16:9 screen."

But why?

[Duke809]

I have a 45 inch Mitsubishi VS450 projection TV thats 12 years old. Except for a power board that burned up, I haven't had a problem with it. I'd go with the Mitsu, if it's in your price range, but I'm sure everyone else will have a good choice.

[Future Snake Eater]

If I recall, this is your area of expertise...

[JmyBryan]

HDTV is natively broadcast in the widescreen format.

[BrooklynGOP]

Get a plasma :)
..or at least HDTV.

[The Wizard]

I would recommend, a Sony 65 inch HDTV great set, can receive all forms of HDTV and in January 2006 when there is on HDTV, your TV will n ot only still be realtively new, it will work without costly accessories.

I have seen offers from places like Circiut City where you buy now and pay it off with no charges over 12 months...a great deal

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

I bought a 55" Mitsubishi HD ready Diamond Vision widescreen surround sound TV 3 years ago.

Today's price is nearly $1000 less than I paid.

The picture quality is superb!!

We have many movie nights with friends.

Be sure you position the TV the optimum distance from your viewing position.......not too close to the screen.

My best viewing is from 12 to 15 feet away.

Good luck and enjoy...

[The Wizard]

also, the lack of finance charges should allow you to spend the 2700 it would cost, because 1500 with finace is pretty close.

[Allen In Texas Hill Country]

If you have a DVD player or expect to get one soon absolutely go 16:9. Make sure it IS HDTV compatible. Then for about $300 you can get an HDTV decoder. So if you can squeeze out another $300 its another reason to get 16:9.

I went total HDTV over 2 years ago. Would have done it sooner had I known the absolutely stunning pictures you get. OTA (over the air) is about 90% HDTV in prime time. You will not believe your eyes. If you are within 60 or so miles of the transmitting station put up a good UHF antenna and plug it into the HDTV decoder.

Make sure the TV input is compatible with output of the decoder. Go HDTV the Super Bowl was spectacular. I can provide you with more details of a $300 decoder and help in general.

[On the Road to Serfdom]

I wouldn't call 12 months no interest a great deal, expecially considering current interest rates. It is the price that would make it a good or bad deal.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Do some price comparisons here.

http://www.pricegrabber.com/home_catpage.php/catzero=19/ut=429dc4688436b8ea

[SamAdams76]

If you buy from one of the major stores (Circuit City, Best Buy), they will push the "service contract" on you. If you resist, they will try to give you the impression that you will have costly service bills down the road. This is bull. Do not under any circumstances purchase a service contract or what they might call an "extended warranty."

I bought a 60" big screen TV from Circuit City five years ago and I got the "you'll regret it" treatment from them. They even said that they would probably have to send a technician out to my house once a year just to "keep it calibrated." Well it's been five years and the picture is as sharp as it was the day I brought it home.

Realize that employees of these discount electronics chains are under pressure to sell the extended warranties. This is how they make up revenue for having such low prices. These extended warranties are almost pure profit for them because chances are that your unit will never need servicing.

If in the rare case you do have a problem with your TV, you can get a repairman out to your house for a reasonable fee. Don't get one from the store though, look in the Yellow Pages for competent TV repairmen.

I don't know much about HDTV and plasma TV but I'm more than happy with the picture I get now with my conventional big-screen. Especially when I put on a DVD.

[Psalm 73]

Advice? Sure:
Shoot your TV and grab a book.
Well, you asked...

[shostang]

I have a 60" Hitachi Ultravision. I love it. It is a 1998 model. When you watch DVD's in widescreen, the picture is awesome. I have digital cable tv, so the picture is crisp and takes up the entire 60" screen. If you buy a 16:9 widescreen tv. You will only get full picture use when watching DVD's. When you watch regular tv on a 16:9, you will have black bars on the sides of the tv, so your majority of watching will be a smaller picture than if you purchased a standard big screen. This is something you should test before you buy at your local store. It is a huge difference. The life expectancy of big screens are around 10 years. HDTV won't be very popular for about 5 years or maybe even 10 years from now. Don't get me wrong, HDTV is the best picture, but you might get more economical enjoyment from a standard 60" diagonal big screen. By the way, buy a screen protector ASAP, to protect your investment.

[PoorMuttly]

Buy a radio.

[xrp]

I have a Panasonic 53" HDTV. Pay the extra $$ for it...6 inches doesn't sound like much when it comes to a TV but it sure will once you get it in the living room.