Television sets, what to get

[Bird]

HD DVR is awesome! I have the half terabyte system that can record up to 350 hours of programs before I have to erase any. This is not a TV issue, but they go hand-in-hand.

I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to find 350 hours of anything on TV in 10 years that I'd want to record.:laughing: I do occasionally but rarely record a program on DVD, but I know the DVR just wouldn't be cost effective for me. However, I have a couple of brothers who think it's great, and I can certainly understand that.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to find 350 hours of anything on TV in 10 years that I'd want to record.:laughing: I do occasionally but rarely record a program on DVD, but I know the DVR just wouldn't be cost effective for me.

If you have some of the newer HD Sat receivers (don't know about cable) some of them have a USB plug and are DVR ready. Just go to Future Shop / Best Buy etc - buy a compatible 1TB hard drive - plug it in & format & presto now you have a DVR for probably less than $100.

I recently decided to record something off PBS for DW and must have forgotten to specify an end time. Got 251 + hours of recorded PBS in glorious HD. Unfortunately I had not "protected" the other stuff that was previously recorded so it all was lost - learning lesson for me and any others reading.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

If you have some of the newer HD Sat receivers (don't know about cable) some of them have a USB plug and are DVR ready. Just go to Future Shop / Best Buy etc - buy a compatible 1TB hard drive - plug it in & format & presto now you have a DVR for probably less than $100.

I recently decided to record something off PBS for DW and must have forgotten to specify an end time. Got 251 + hours of recorded PBS in glorious HD. Unfortunately I had not "protected" the other stuff that was previously recorded so it all was lost - learning lesson for me and any others reading.

And you get to pay them a monthly fee to use the USB port...

 

[Bird]

I recently decided to record something off PBS for DW and must have forgotten to specify an end time.

And even when I did set a recording time to record on the VCR or DVD recorder, I gpt all the commercials, previews, and other garbage. A couple of nights ago "Mark Twain Tonight", one man show by Hal Holbrook was on and I recorded it on a DVD. The first time I saw that (maybe the only time on TV) was early in 1972. I later bought the audio (phonograph record) of that plus some other of his MarkTwain act.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

And you get to pay them a monthly fee to use the USB port...

I don't....................

 

[celtsrevenge]

Alan L, and here I was going to offer you two Colorado pigs, two year warranty included.

 

[timswi]

If you are using an HDMI cable...you should be getting the best audio signal...

I only suggested the fiber optic audio ports for those without HDMI connectivity...

I'll have to look, but I'm pretty sure the audio from the satellite receiver is RCA. Everything else is HDMI...

 

[Alan L.]

Alan L, and here I was going to offer you two Colorado pigs, two year warranty included.

Might consider buying em, just don't rent em.

 

[/pine]

I'll have to look, but I'm pretty sure the audio from the satellite receiver is RCA. Everything else is HDMI

if you have an HDMI connection that is all you need....if you have other audio cables connected remove them but I think HDMI was probably already over-riding the analog (RCA) connection

 

[SARG]

Something to be aware of if you have the digital TIME-WARNER HD BOX service.

It does not work well with the Vizio brand TVs. You will have very poor audio volume and it can't be fixed without the expense of a surround sound or stereo system added on.

We had a Time-warner technician come and he worked several hours trying to remedy the problem on our 37" led TV. Even called Vizio to see if they had a software upgrade. He stated he had seen the issue before. The volume is just too low when hooked through the HD box.

Yesterday we went and purchased a 42" Vizio hoping the problem was remedied in a newer set. Got it home and had the same issue.

Took the Vizio back and got an LG brand TV.
Hooked it up and now the volume can be set at 30 percent and still be heard everywhere.

Just to warn everyone about the Vizio problems. It may very well be the manufacturer of a specific type HD box .... despite what the technician told us ... because we have a local friend that has the same digital HD service with a Vizio TV with ...... according to him .... No problems.

 

[jimmyj]

Well I got my TV. It's a Sony Bravia LED HDTV 1080p 120hz. We get it Friday, it's going to be great. Thanks for all the tips and advice.

 

[jinjimbob]

Sony is the John Deere of TVs. :thumbsup:

As in getting rebadged under another brand name? Yanmar vs John Deere and Samsung vs Sony.

The terms to watch out for that mean nothing in LCD world are LED, 120 Hz, 240 Hz, Motionflow .

Not sure why anyone would get an 'Edge LED backlit', as it really isn't backlit, its side lit.

A plasma's refresh rate is instant, every pixel illuminates itself, no reason for extra lighting.

An LCD's blacks are not black.

 

[CenTex Chris]

Plasma will burn the image to the screen...

Sorry but no, that hasn't been true for years.

My understanding is that the plasmas are not near as susceptible to burn in as they used to be.

Absolutely right. It used to be a bit of an issue a long time ago, but not anymore. Plasma TV technology is on its 8th or 9th generation and and burn-in is very much a thing of the distant past now.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

Not sure why anyone would get an 'Edge LED backlit', as it really isn't backlit, its side lit.

Picture Quality.

Matte finish on screen - can actually watch TV in daylight in room full of windows and at night with lights on - unlike Brite Screen Plasma - can watch the reflections - but not much action.

Thin enough to mount places where thicker TV's can't.

LCD 's - Edge Lit or otherwise are perfect for motor homes because of low weight, thin, low power consumption and not as susceptible to vibration as Plasma

I'm not sure buyers specifically set out to purchase a technology such as LCD or Plasma. They set out to purchase a TV and select from the offerings of various manufacturers. Many buyers are constrained by or have set a budget, certain features may be of more interest than others and last, but not least, Picture Quality, which not only includes actual color, but other attributes as well.

There will usually be a trade off or relationship between price / features / quality such that at the end of the process some will have chosen Plasma and others will have chosen LCD with some sort of lighting.

 

[Alan L.]

Picture Quality.

Matte finish on screen - can actually watch TV in daylight in room full of windows and at night with lights on - unlike Brite Screen Plasma - can watch the reflections - but not much action.

Thin enough to mount places where thicker TV's can't.

LCD 's - Edge Lit or otherwise are perfect for motor homes because of low weight, thin, low power consumption and not as susceptible to vibration as Plasma

I'm not sure buyers specifically set out to purchase a technology such as LCD or Plasma. They set out to purchase a TV and select from the offerings of various manufacturers. Many buyers are constrained by or have set a budget, certain features may be of more interest than others and last, but not least, Picture Quality, which not only includes actual color, but other attributes as well.

There will usually be a trade off or relationship between price / features / quality such that at the end of the process some will have chosen Plasma and others will have chosen LCD with some sort of lighting.

The plasma's superior brightness and viewability at all angles trump any glare issues, in my opinion.

 

[jimmyj]

Re plasma. Every store I went to said our room was too bright for plasma. They were cheaper too in general than LED.

 

[jinman]

Jim, it's like tractor buying. You don't pay the money until you put your butt in the seat. With TVs, it's largely what you see when you look at the display in the store, although Sony puts Blu-ray movies on their displays and it is hard to complete with that for looks. Like our tractors, we all have different preferences. If you are happy with how it looks, then it's the best TV for you, no matter what price or technology. I'll bet you will be thrilled with your Sony. :thumbsup:

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

The plasma's superior brightness and viewability at all angles trump any glare issues, in my opinion.

Viewability is often based on personal preference - i.e. opinion. That's why there are technology choices - everyone does not have the same opinion.

Son has a new plasma with 3 windows directly behind the screen. Reflection is totally unacceptable - he now has the windows covered to block as much light as possible.

The world is not bright and shiny - after watching Brite screens in the box stores and my son's plasma for some hours that type of picture can become annoying and unnatural. In his case price / screen size were more important than other factors.


We were tempted to purchase a Brite screen to "try" in our family room. After telling the salesman we had a two story wall of windows he refused to sell me one - reflection issues.

 

[deepNdirt]

I know the OP has already made his decision and I might ad a Wise choice as well,................... But for anyone else that might be considering a new TV here is a little information to read,
Plasma TV Problems - What Are the Problems With Plasma TVs?

 

[mjfox6]

Sony is the John Deere of TVs. :thumbsup:

Thanks for the heads up, I'll stay away from them! Who makes a Kubota quality TV? (6 pages, someone had to say it!)