Educate me about HD TV's

[argo]

So my old TV finally went belly up.

Time to get a new one!

Thing is, I'm not really up on all the new TV tech. Wide screen, plasma flat-screen, not-plasma-but-still-flat-screen, HD, DLP. I'm in bad need of a crash course in all this jargon. Not to mention that with all the competing technology I'm more than a bit wary of getting stuck with the next betamax...

So I'm asking the brain trust, please educate me on HD TV's. I'd also be interested in any links to good tech articles as well as any particular recomendations you might have.

Thanks!

 

[Ranger REG]

CNet HDTV Guide

 

[argo]

Thanks!

 

[Ranger REG]

No problem. My old analog TV of 10+ years is acting very weird lately, so I'm trying to educate myself so when that time comes, I'll know what to look for in my next TV purchase.

 

[GlassJaw]

I always check out this forum before I make any large hi-fi purchase:

www.hometheaterforum.com

A lot of it is pretty heavy reading because there are some A/V professionals and hardcore hobbiest that frequent the site. Do a lot of searching. You really owe it to yourself to spend some time before you make your purchase. Don't rely on store employees to educate you on the various technologies. Have a few models in mind before you walk into a store.

Also, don't rely on what you see on display in stores (especially the large chains). 99% of the time the TV's aren't setup properly. I would almost have my decision made based on reviews and my own research rather than what my eyes tell me in a store.

 

[Steel_Wind]

Tom's Hardware has a new article today that addresses the very substance of your question with a primer on HDTV.

Article is here: http://www.denguru.com/2006/11/07/hdtv_the_big_picture/index.html

 

[Matchstick]

I thought Crutchfield has a pretty good site:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-8g41T74zBL7/hdtv/?cm_re_o=fBBk_B0*kbELS*tpfMjt6

Also this is a really good site...

http://www.buyinghdtv.com/

 

[Kid Charlemagne]

BTW, Crutchfield has the Panasonic TH-42PX60U at $1,399 (price dropped $100 today) - a good price for a well-reviewed 42" plasma. You can find cheaper prices on this set, and cheaper sets, but the free delivery, no-interest till '09 and no sales tax made this too good of a deal.

It's my first HD TV. I'm psyched.

 

[ssampier]

Good information. Interesting how many different technologies there are.

I am considering replacing my 19" CRT TV for my bedroom. I am not sure how much I want to spend however.

 

[Ranger REG]

Good information. Interesting how many different technologies there are.

I am considering replacing my 19" CRT TV for my bedroom. I am not sure how much I want to spend however.

If your bedroom TV can hold out until Spring of next year (2007), then wait for many small-screen models (25 inches or less) to have built-in digital tuners be available in the market. Of course, there is no guarantee that most will have high-definition picture. Know the difference between HDTV and SDTV (standard definition).