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I've been researching a new TV purchase. I think I've ruled out plasma (nice aesthetics but otherwise lacking?) and projection TV's (too big) and hdtv (?)...so what I'm looking at are flat screen 32" and 36" as well as the 34" widescreen (16:9) models. It seems to me that you pay a premium for the widescreen, and if you put a 4:3 picture on it that's really only about 27" diagonal. Will 4:3 be obsolete in a couple years? Or is 16:9 just a trendy fad? I'm a big sports fan - is 16:9 useless for sports broadcasts? My wife likes movies - is a typical vcr movie (no dvd yet)4:3 or 16:9? Thanks - Eric H
If you were seriously considering a plasma display, why not a front projector and screen? These days a decent DLP projector and screen can be had for less than a plama display (which start at about $10,000). If this is too much money, however, and you want a smaller display, I wouldn't rule out the Toshiba 16:9 40" rear projection TV. The picture is excellent, almost as good as a direct view, and with a Toshiba 5200 DVD player, you'll get good progressive scan which significantly improves non-anamorphic DVDs. The Toshiba is not as deep as any of the 32", 34", and 36" direct views, and can be had for $2000. This is one of the best displays on the market, and the size is about right for a small room. Good luck!
Hi Justin,
The thing I don't like about the projection tv's is that not only is the picture not as good as direct view, but the viewing "sweet spot" seems fairly small. I want something that looks good from a variety of angles, and would preferably be on wheels for (small) position changes. I think that rules out projection (?), correct me if I'm wrong. I did notice that Toshiba, and it's looks like a great unit and a great way to get the 16:9. Thanks for the suggestion - Eric
Panasonic's CT34WX50, their flat screen 34" 16:9 set. Both my wife and I like it with its matching stand. I also like the split screen feature. We haven't bought it yet, though, since it'll cost the better part of $4k with stand. Any of you considered or bought this unit?
I want to stick in my alternative for you to check out. I bought the
Panasonic PT56WXF95 rear projector for $3499. No stand needed, 52 inch screen With the following features:Features:
DTV-Compatible (SDTV 480p; HDTV 720p, 1080i)*
Dual Component Video Inputs (Y, PB, PR)
3D Y/C Comb Filter
2-Tuner Picture-in-Picture with Split-Screen Display
Fine-Pitch Screen lets you see the intricate detail in the projected images
Progressive Scan Doubler
Aspect Adjustment Capability
Digital Convergence
850 Lines of Horizontal Resolution Capability
Horizontal & Vertical Edge Correction
Video Noise Reduction
Color Matrix Adjustment
Velocity Modulated Scan
4-Speaker Surround Sound System with 10W/Ch. Power Output**
Director™ Lighted Home Theater Remote Control with Joystick
3 Sets of A/V Input Jacks (1 front/2 rear)
2 S-Video Inputs
Fixed & Variable Audio Output Jacks
A/V Program Out Jacks
2 On/Off Timers
Built-in Protective Screen Shield
V-Chip Program Lockout
55.1" (H) x 51.8" (W) x 26.9" (D), 250 lbs.
This is one of the only sets that has native 720P available. I think it is the most advanced set available at any price, with the only limitation being the limit to resolution dictated by the use of 7" projector tubes. Yes, it is a large presence in your room, but it seems to be a more advanced set than the model you are considering.
Since I bought it at ebay, I don't know if the dealer has any more, but if you e-mail me I can give you his telephone number and you can speak with him yourself.
...once you see the HDTV side-by-side on a RPTV and a direct view - need I say more?There are things that only direct view can do.
But their limitation is, of course, their size. If you need anything over 36 - then you only have projectors.
Yes, a 36" CAN be too small for most living rooms nowdays. I would not put it there myself. My Toshiba is in the bedroom, where it is marvelous.
size and details of the room (and wife!) really rule out projection TV's for us. It's a family room/kitchen, not a dedicated HT room, but it is our primary TV watching room. The dilemna is that the TV's we prefer (34" 16:9 flat screens) are quite expensive compared to other direct view TV's...but isn't that the way it always is? I'm still mulling it over... Thanks, Eric
...because you can expect significant price drops in just couple of years. There is little question about it. With HDTV we are still in the 'early adaptor' phase, with all the traditional "poor investment" implications.
To me that is the best today.
I did compare them side by side, and played with the adjustments on the Panasonic. Unfortunately the Toshiba didn't have its remote so I didn't try adjusting it, so I couldn't decide which picture was the best. The aesthetics of the Panasonic w/stand are the main reason we like it better - it's a bit sleeker - and also a few little features. Price is about the same for both, but I haven't done a direct comparison of all the features. Why do you prefer the Toshiba? The picture? The brand? The styling? Features? We've had pretty good luck w/Toshiba in the past but no experience w/Panasonic. Thanks! Eric
Mostly I like the Toshiba picture. But also it seems that generally speaking in digital video the Toshiba today is pushing the envelop while Panasonic, while obviously good, is a bit more traditional. I have heard that opinion from several serious people in the industry - I myself am not a video expert.One thing to compare of course is the quality of the internal line multipliers - by watching the same interlaced DVD sequence with moving slanted lines. The one in Toshiba is darn good for an integral one. For instance, take a look at that awful Lost in Space near the beginning where guys in darn uniforms move against light background. The degree of their slanted shoulders developing jagged edges is a very good indication of the doubler quality.
But I presume the Panasonic is not far behind and looks can be important. So it may be one of those Acura vs. BMW decisions.
...but I thought I should mention that the Toshiba 36ZP50 cost me less than $2000 (in Japan), which is a heck of a lot cheaper than the $4000 figure you mention. This unit is a 36" flat wide-screen TV with progressive scan capabilities and connections for 6 videos (including paralleled "D1" [whatever that is -- looks like a laptop computer connector], S-VHS, and component video inputs). It also has inputs for connection to a MUSE decoder, for Japanese high-definition television. As I mentioned in my previous post, this TV is probably a Japan-only model, but comparable Toshiba units must be available in the US at about the same price.
Hi guys:Re: Tosh 36ZP50 I think you're right - Japan only. I can't find anything like that online. Also, online prices for the 34" Tosh or Pan 16:9 run about $3200 shipped to my door, a bit better than I thought. Stand is another few hundred, so the package is around $3.5k. Unless there's a better deal out there it seems 16:9 is at least a $2k premium...
Re: Tosh CW34X92 I see it does have 2 tuner PIP, which the Pan model doesn't. Sounds like I should try to do a more serious picture and features comparison.
Decisions, decision... I appreciate your comments. I'll let you know what we decide...
I had an old 25" Victor TV and recently bought a DVD player. The tiny size of letter-boxed movies was simply too irritating for me, so I picked up a 36" widescreen Toshiba 36ZP50. (BTW, this might be a Japan-only model, since I live in Japan and got it at a local electronics shop. where is was billed as a "latest model".) In any case, I had the same doubts as you about problems watching standard (4:3) video. I shouldn't have worried! You can watch standard video in "normal" mode with black bars on the sides or simply engage "zoom" mode to fill the entire screen, albiet with some cut-off on the top and bottom. Anamorphic playback (where the standard picture is stretched out to fill the wide screen) is just plain dumb-looking to me, since everybody looks obese. Well, actually, it's kind of fun for watching Sumo wrestling, since it makes these huge guys look wider than they are tall! If you're planning to build a collection of DVD movies, there is no question -- go for a 16:9 widescreen TV. Good viewing!
I think any signifcant outlay for less than a set with native 16:9 capability is a sheer waste of money. Unless you must have a set now save your money and get the best set you can afford at a later date. Things are just in their infancy right now and so are very pricey. I just got Panasonic top-of-the-line RPTV with full HDTV 16:9 480P 720P and 1150?i native capability. The bad news is that it lists for $5499. The good news is that I got it for $3499 new at an auction. Thus the markups must be very substantial. Remember that the TV is only part of the stuff you need for full bore home theater. There will be lots of costs for all the necessary speakers, the progressive scan capable receiver and dvd players. But that is where things are going and you will kick yourself every time you have to look at a movie with all those raster lines if you spend over a few hundred bucks.
***I've been researching a new TV purchase. I think I've ruled out plasma (nice aesthetics but otherwise lacking?) and projection TV's (too big) and hdtv (?)...so what I'm looking at are flat screen 32" and 36" as well as the 34" widescreen (16:9) models. It seems to me that you pay a premium for the widescreen, and if you put a 4:3 picture on it that's really only about 27" diagonal.Not necessarily. Many 16:9 sets have different modes for "normal" signal that work very well. I always watch the cable in wide screen with some loos on top and bottom, and it is super-nice.
***Will 4:3 be obsolete in a couple years?
Already is.
***Or is 16:9 just a trendy fad? I'm a big sports fan - is 16:9 useless for sports broadcasts? My wife likes movies - is a typical vcr movie (no dvd yet)4:3 or 16:9? Thanks - Eric H
Unless you are buying an inexpensive "budget" TV today (something under $1000), I would not even look at the 4:3, go directly to the wide screen if it is within your budget.
You will probably never watch the VHS taoes with side bars - you will use one of the stretch modes.
Make sure your set is HD ready.
I know how you feel. I too like the 16:9, but the vcr and broadcast we are getting now are all 4:3. DVD is 16:9 and so is hd sat. The hd sat strts around 899 or so, but looks REAL good. I want it bad. Will probably by a 16:9 because thats were the future is. I have not made up my mind yet...
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