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Geek Culture / Planning on getting a new HDTV...wich one?

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Torsten Sorensen
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Posted: 14th Jun 2006 06:53 Edited at: 14th Jun 2006 19:07
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Hey-- I am getting a new HDTV in the next couple of days (or asap), but have no clue what to get....at all... I'm thinking of something that will look good on most consoles, especially the Xbox 360. But, my main concern is the image quality. I would like a clean, bright image. Right now as I browse Amazon, I have found this http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000B66EJO/sr=8-2/qid=1150257030/ref=pd_bbs_2/104-4942674-8940742?%5Fencoding=UTF8]http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000B66EJO/sr=8-2/qid=1150257030/ref=pd_bbs_2/104-4942674-8940742?%5Fencoding=UTF8]http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000B66EJO/sr=8-2/qid=1150257030/ref=pd_bbs_2/104-4942674-8940742?%5Fencoding=UTF8]http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000B66EJO/sr=8-2/qid=1150257030/ref=pd_bbs_2/104-4942674-8940742?%5Fencoding=UTF8

Edit: I forgot to include, I don't really want to go over $700...

Thank you

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Zone Chicken
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Posted: 14th Jun 2006 07:51
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Here is a ok but not great review of that set.

http://www.shopping.com/xPR-Samsung_TX_R3080WH~RD-226786774660

I'd suggest you might want to take a trip to a store that would have the set your looking for on display. Take a look at the image quality yourself, also check the refresh rate since i can't seem to even find that listed anywhere for that model and even if you are still going to buy on amazon, then you will know what exactly your spending your cash on before hand. That is unless you have already seen the set in person(just a suggestion).

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Torsten Sorensen
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Posted: 14th Jun 2006 08:03
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I have done more research, and that tv is known for vary bad image warping, and doesn't have the best quality... Too bad I don't have any local stores...

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Torsten Sorensen
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Posted: 14th Jun 2006 08:06
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Sorry for the double post, but does HDTV Ready, mean it has an HD monitor, or would it be better to get something that just says HDTV instead?

Thanks.

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Zone Chicken
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Posted: 14th Jun 2006 08:14
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HDTV is what you will want not a HD Ready.
HD Ready is exactly what it says ready to have the single converted into HD by a separate converter box that will cost you more money. HDTV has the built in converter already.

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indi
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Posted: 14th Jun 2006 11:10
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I have a 106 cm / 42 inch Teac plasma screen now for about 5 months. its hell nice and worth the $1799 AUD. I get to hook up my computer soon as I have ordered a long DVI cable to reach it.

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Lukas W
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Posted: 14th Jun 2006 16:16
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if you have a HDTV and not a HD Ready, it would not make any difference when watching television would it? the signal you get from the antenna is still only 640x480 isn't it, but it's scaled to 720i or whatever the resolution is?

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TDP Enterprises
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Posted: 14th Jun 2006 18:13
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you only need an HDTV if u have an HD input source like a dvd player or digital cable or satalite

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Lukas W
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Posted: 14th Jun 2006 18:23
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oh i see.

i bought my HDTV so i could play ps3 with awesome graphics. but i'm starting to lean towards the Wii instead

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David T
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Posted: 14th Jun 2006 18:24
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I highly recommend a Panasonic Viera 42 inch, we got one a few weeks ago after months of deliberation and it's great.

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Lukas W
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Posted: 14th Jun 2006 18:39
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this one's mine right here, pretty slim!



23" LG HDReady 1080i 1366x768 8 ms

works great as a computer monitor as it have a built in female VGA box

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TDP Enterprises
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Posted: 14th Jun 2006 18:44
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big screen for movies and tv, 61inch hdtv with all the bells and whistles

second for the 360, 52inch lcdtv

and then my parents have got a 30inch lcd hdtv hangin in their bedroom but they only use it for the news...

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lagmaster
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Posted: 14th Jun 2006 18:53
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i must point out that 1080i is 1920x1080, so any res under that you'll be shrinking the res to somewhere inbetween 720p and 1080i

1080i 1920 x 1080
720p 1024 x 720

there is a long debate about P and I (progressive and interlaced), in my eyes 1080 is worth it but it needs to be P not I, too blocky at fast scenes for my liking. you'll find it better to view stuff in P not I.

things to look out for:

good connectability (should have all or most of these: hd component, component, 1 or 2 scart, coaxial, dvi, pc monitor 15 pin cable, hdmi)
good contrast ratio (anything over 1000:1 is good)
picture in picture is a cool feature. (currently used to watch world cup while using the pc, just sits at the top right of my screen)

get a 5.1 surround sound speakers system, since hd format is default 5.1 sound.


must point out that hdmi isnt as important as you may think, how many devices have it? not many things have it at the moment so you'll have to think about that if you wish to keep the tv for 3-5years. if you only want something for a couple of years, hdmi isnt important and will only bump up the price of your tv. hi def component does a good job also

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Lukas W
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Posted: 14th Jun 2006 19:00
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Quote: "i must point out that 1080i is 1920x1080, so any res under that you'll be shrinking the res"


yes, i know that. my TV is designed for 720p (1368x766) and it runs very well at this speed. but in some cases (preferable on quake 4 for PC) it's got some troubles refreshing the screen, so there's some lines, pretty much alike when you are video taping a computer monitor. not that visible though. but it could also be my graphics card, not decigned to run at such high resolution.

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Torsten Sorensen
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Posted: 14th Jun 2006 19:19
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Quote: "get a 5.1 surround sound speakers system, since hd format is default 5.1 sound."

I already have a Logitech X-530 5.1 hookup, but it's hooked up on my pc.

I forgot to include my price range, it's on my first post. I'm not going too high, but my dad got one for around $650...

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Torsten Sorensen
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Posted: 14th Jun 2006 21:50
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Again, sorry for double posting---

How is this HDTV?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7694818&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat31800050030&id=1138083961491

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Torsten Sorensen
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Posted: 14th Jun 2006 23:15
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........sorry for tripple posting---But,

How is this HDTV?

Thank you all for your help so far.

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Dot Merix
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Posted: 15th Jun 2006 02:14
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Quote: "you only need an HDTV if u have an HD input source like a dvd player or digital cable or satalite"


Somewhat true, but false aswell. Dvd players do not display in high definition. Satellite and High Definition cable can.. Toshiba just recently released their -true- high definition player which is 699.99 canadian, and there are only a small handful of movies out for it so far.

Torsten, i work at Bestbuy. Let me give you some ideas of my own.

Take a look at Samsungs new lineup;

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10073654&catid=23244

Samsungs new line has -wicked- dark colors.. If you look at the blacks.. It's next to pitch black, if you look at most other tv's during times they're supposed to be black they look a little grey/fuzzy.. I definately recommend that one.

If you want to go a little bigger, for video games i suggest DLP tv's which have the fastest response time for gaming/fast action paced movies aswell as sports, which chances are you're probably watching the most of.. They're also the best bang for the buck.

Bulb life on them lasts about 6 to 8000 hours, extra bulbs cost about $250 again this is all canadian priced.

Anymore questions feel free, i work home theatre.

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Jeku
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Posted: 15th Jun 2006 02:57
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If you want to play video games on it, do NOT get a plasma screen. They are cheap and can get burn in.

I suggest an LCD HDTV. I picked up a Sharp Aquos 37" LCD HDTV--- well worth the $3000 CDN, but just a little over the $700 price range you stated. I don't think you can get a good quality HDTV for under $800, sorry.

"I understand creative people. After all, I worked with towel designers." - Ray Kassar, former head of Atari
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lagmaster
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Posted: 15th Jun 2006 08:37
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you must also remember there are only 4 companies that make that actual inners of a hdtv screen, verything on the outside is just rebadged

samsung, toshiba, sony, cant think of the 4th.

iirc if you want a good hdtv, sony and samsung make the best, but as you know sony ones are more expensive.

i picked up a 27 inch samsung hdtv 1388x768 res, supports 1080i (weird), no hdmi for about 630GBP back in feb/mar.

best advise goto your local major electrical store that sells hdtvs and budget based upon their prices, find the one your after then do a web price check to see if it's cheaper online.

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TDP Enterprises
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Posted: 15th Jun 2006 15:30 Edited at: 15th Jun 2006 15:31
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Like he said, thing to remember about HDTVs is dont worry bout what brand is on the box.

EDIT: And if you live in the US, id suggest waiting till this fall for the day-after-thanksgiving sale. Sure you might have to wait in line in very early/cold hours of the morning, but youll get a great deal for your budget.

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Dazzag
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Posted: 15th Jun 2006 16:22
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Plus they are talking about an increase in quality of HDMI to 48 bit soon. Apparently will then be better than CRT. HDMI 1.3 or something (deep colour they call it). But anything out now will not be as good (colour wise).

http://us.gizmodo.com/gadgets/home-entertainment/new-lcd-technology-outperforms-crt-180872.php

Cheers

I am 99% probably lying in bed right now... so don't blame me for crappy typing
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Dot Merix
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Posted: 15th Jun 2006 20:17 Edited at: 15th Jun 2006 20:18
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Quote: "Like he said, thing to remember about HDTVs is dont worry bout what brand is on the box."


That is just.. Not true.. I suggest always sticking wtih a name brand, even if it's the cheapest name brand you can find.

I'll tell you right now that the tv's i see returned the most are the lesser known ones, Kosch, Astar, Mag, Magnavox, Prima, Insignia etc.

You're partly right though, different tv's have different problems. The one thing i'd like to point out is the fact that most tv's only come with a 1 year manufacturers warranty as opposed to say 5-10 years ago when they came with 10 year warranty's.. What does that say about the manufacturers faith in their products these days?

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Jeku
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Posted: 15th Jun 2006 21:42
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Yes, do NOT get a crap brand HDTV. If you go to the store, ask them to show you what regular cable TV looks like on a no-name brand. It will most likely look like crap, and/or too hard to even tell what's going on.

Remember, there *is* a reason why a crap brand HDTV is thousands less than the namebrand equivalent.

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Torsten Sorensen
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Posted: 16th Jun 2006 00:38
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Quote: "I'll tell you right now that the tv's i see returned the most are the lesser known ones, Kosch, Astar, Mag, Magnavox, Prima, Insignia etc."

How about this tv, it looks pretty good for the price, from what I've seen.http://www.plasmahouse.com/SYNTAX-LT30HVS-PLASMA-TV/LT30HVS.HTML

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Zone Chicken
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Posted: 16th Jun 2006 01:23 Edited at: 16th Jun 2006 01:26
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This is my current tv.


a bit old already since i bought it 10/25/05 but im still very happy with it and im currently using the RCA DRC8060N DvD Burner Divx Cert, Progressive Scan HDMI for viewing Dvds.
360 also looks amazingly crisp running either 720p or 1080i through HD-Composite cables. Although when i purchased it was $2,300 i belive they have dropped to around $1,300 also even though it is rear projection i have had no screen burn in issues even with 10 to 14 hour oblivion sessions.

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Steve J
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Posted: 16th Jun 2006 01:30
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I have a 42" hdtv lcd from a brand I cant remember in my apartment in spokane. It works like a charm, even if it is only with crappy comcast.

Wii rules.
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Torsten Sorensen
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Posted: 16th Jun 2006 01:46
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Hehe, you keep not answering my questions!!! You just keep talking about what you have!!

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Steve J
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Posted: 16th Jun 2006 02:00 Edited at: 16th Jun 2006 02:01
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I was going to say: Dont get plasmas. I hate plasma. Get an lcd, perfect for pc, tv, anything! Try: http://tigerdirect.com. Sometimes they have great deals on lcd's

Wii rules.
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TDP Enterprises
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Posted: 16th Jun 2006 02:30
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Quote: "Yes, do NOT get a crap brand HDTV."
Thats a load of bull, sorry. We got a 30inch LCD HDTV no-name brand TV for about $900 last year, not a single problem with it. The only complaint is that it cost us another $50 to hang it on the wall, but that goes for all flat-panels. But otherwise, the picture quality, brightness, view angle, resolution, and everything is great.

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Zone Chicken
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Posted: 16th Jun 2006 03:08 Edited at: 16th Jun 2006 03:09
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Quote: "Hehe, you keep not answering my questions!!! You just keep talking about what you have!!"


Yes that's because we cannot comment on tv sets that we do not own or have not seen the picture quality first hand we can only speculate on the quality from the specs posted in the links. That is why i suggested you go to a store that has the models your interested in on display so you can see them first hand yourself, many peoples taste differ you will always find a dozen people that say hey, this tv is the best because and a dozen more that will say, no no that tv is crap because. What really matters is if the picture quality is up to your own standards of viewing since you will be the one watching it.

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Jeku
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Posted: 16th Jun 2006 03:14
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Quote: "Thats a load of bull, sorry."


Your loss. You may think your cheap HDTV is the best, but when you put it next to a name brand there's just no comparison. But hey, ignorance is bliss

"I understand creative people. After all, I worked with towel designers." - Ray Kassar, former head of Atari
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TDP Enterprises
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Posted: 16th Jun 2006 03:16 Edited at: 16th Jun 2006 03:17
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Quote: "when you put it next to a name brand there's just no comparison"


Haha We picked it up from a awesome store called MicroCenter. They had it on display right next to a Sony with the same specs, no difference except for the cost, which was several hundred dollars.

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Steve J
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Posted: 16th Jun 2006 03:18
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Fry's is better for a store

Wii rules.
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TDP Enterprises
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Posted: 16th Jun 2006 03:21
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Quote: "Fry's is better for a store"
Never heard of it. I just know that MicroCenter has had some pretty damng good deals in the past, too bad i dont need any of it, i got everythin i need

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Steve J
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Posted: 16th Jun 2006 03:24 Edited at: 16th Jun 2006 03:25
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http://outpost.com

really crappy site, but the deals (especially in oregon, no sales tax) are amazing! What you would find at compusa, office depot, ect. is about 60% cheaper, and usually comes with an extra rebate. I got my 6800 XFXs for $100 half a year ago there!

note: that is not their full invetory. They have a store the size of costco

Wii rules.
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Dot Merix
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Posted: 16th Jun 2006 08:53
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Torsten, sorry things are getting out of control...

The tv you posted again is more of a no-name brand.. While the specs look decent, there's no telling how good the tv will look without actually seeing it.. Which is really what it comes down to.

What i tell the customers that come in to see me is: 'I can talk to you for an hour and a half about all the different technology going into tv's, but at the end of all of that.. You're going to go with the tv that looks the best to you.'

And that's really how it should be, dont let anyone tell you really which tv is better than the other.. Each person is happy with a different standard.. Jeku and my standards for a tv are obviously very similar, we expect quality, and therefore we seek well known names. Quite honestly if you're getting a bad picture from a Sony XBR, that's just wrong as it's a very -well known- product from a -well known- company.

Again, to each his own.

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Phaelax
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Posted: 16th Jun 2006 10:58
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My dad got a nice 52" Hitachi a few years ago. My mom got a Sony wega and my friend bought a 50" Sony as well. Sony has superb colors. HD tunners are pretty cheap now that it wont cost an extra $1k to find a tv with it built in. I like the Hitachi, but the Sonys look even better.

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