Talk me out of Satellite & HDTV???

Bob_Skurka · Dec 11, 2004

OK here is the dilemna. We don't watch much TV in our house. I enjoy it, but don't have much time for it. The lovely Mrs_Bob watches very little. My daughter is limited to 1 hour per day during the week but usually watches MUCH LESS. On the weekends she likes to watch movies more than TV.

But the lovely Mrs_Bob complains that our reception is fuzzy and would like clear TV when we acutally watch it.

So she is actually pushing for satellite.

The TV in our bedroom is new and nice. The TV in the living room is marginal (very large room, older / smallish TV). So I'm thinking of getting a new 56" HDTV (Samsung HL-P5685W) for the living room, plus a DVD / Surround Sound system (Samsung HT-DS 1000) and the VOOM satellite service (most HD programming). I've never had cable or satellite in my 44 years of life. So I'm a total newbie at this stuff. I really don't see watching much more TV but I suspect the quality of the picture will be dramatically better.

QUESTION #1 : Is this just a big waste of money to keep the lovely Mrs_Bob from complaining about fuzzy reception or is TV really better with the high-tech equipment and HD satellite?

QUESTION #2 : Do DVD's look THAT much better on a HDTV set?

QUESTION #3 : What do I do with my Betamax?

bmac · Dec 11, 2004

Bob,

I've had DirecTV for about 8 years. HDTV was not an option then. I've always had higher end Sony televisions. The difference between satellite and locally broadcast reception is amazing. I also think its better than any cable service we've had. Again, this is without HD. So, your results will be nothing short of magnificent. However, as you know, right now HD programming is limited and so I guess there is the question of whether or not the few shows you and your family watch will be the HD quality. Bear in mind also , in case you don't know, high def network programming can be received with an over-the-air antenna. Whether or not you can receive them in your remote location is another question.

I have no experience with Voom. But I am an outspoken supporter of satellite tv in general. When we move to the new place, I will probably upgrade to an HD capable dish myself.

Did I talk you out of it? I hope not! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

EDIT: I re-read your post and guess I only kind of addressed question # 1. The reply should have included "If it makes the Lovely Ms Bob happy, it cannot be a waste of money.

Question # 2 - Don't know, but would assume so.

Question # 3 - Sell it on E-Bay for a healthy profit.

Dargo · Dec 11, 2004

Bob, I just bought a MITSUBISHI WD62725 DLP HDTV to replace our 11 year old big screen. It looks great with DVD's, but since my cable company only has about 5 or 6 HD stations, and the HD option is another $20 per month, I've actually never seen HD on the set except on a demo model at the audio video store where I bought the set. You may want to check to see how many actual HD channels you get on your satellite setup. I don't know.

I have an uncle who had all of the top of the line Sony plasma units built into the walls of his house. His house is only 2 1/2 years old, and already he has had to replace 3 of the Sony plasma units. The one in his entertainment room was the Sony KDE61XBR950 61-IN HDTV XBR® Plasma WEGA™ TV. I don't know for sure, but he commented that that set was over $15k! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Fortunately it was replaced under warranty, but several of the others were out of their warranty. It seems that the plasma units are not very durable and are subject to burn in very easily. Good luck!

Freds · Dec 11, 2004

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( QUESTION #3 : What do I do with my Betamax?
)</font>

Put it next to your eight-track player. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

For not watching much TV, you sure want to invest a lot /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
I have satellite and am very happy with it with the exception of losing the signal every time a storm rolls through, but I like the programming better than the cable in my area. I have Dish Network and have been told we will have local channels by the end of the year. Something cable already has and I haven't seen Direct TV mention yet.

I bought a bigger set three years ago after I moved where I am typing this from and at that time it was hard to find a regular TV set. It seemed like the stores in my area were all pushing the HD TVs. I DID like the picture, but couldn't see spending the extra money and I admit, I do watch a lot of TV. I don't think I'll ever go with the surround sound though... I like the voices coming from where I'm looking.

beenthere · Dec 11, 2004

I relate to your dilema, as I was there once, and now have the DirecTV with two receivers. My wife has her small portable in her sewing room and brings in (most of the time) a great selection of music (several channels of different 'styles') and she enjoys a movie once in awhile. I have a set in the rec room within view of computer but I don't watch much (today the first time in over a week) unless sports is on, and then it is several games by flipping the channel and the mute button for the 'gross' commercials.
Speaking of commercials, I have especially enjoyed the satellite because it is void of political ads. That may not last forever, but so far so good. That alone keeps me away from any local channels. When sometimes I flip to local channels (CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX) I get turned off fast with the trash that is there. A real turn-off for me. Such stupidity that I feel just as stupid if I watch it.
So, for the sports including World Poker Tour (have also gotten away from it for a few months), I enjoy the good quality picture from the satelite, and especially enjoy the 'menu' and description of each channel I am watching, includes the year of the movie, category (drama, comedy, horror, document), actors, and brief desc. of movie. I really miss that when on another 'tube'.
Not sure I could go for the 'big screen' but expect I could get used to it. Not a fan of DVD, etc. as I don't like watching something that a movie director is going to shove down my throat, trying to get me worked up in some way with movie 'effects' or wierd story-line. I know, I'm wierd. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Tom4310 · Dec 11, 2004

Hi Bob

First time poster, just signed up yesterday. Bought a JD4310/430 FEL/48 BH for a steal and found this site by accident. I have Dish Network for both TV and internet service and have no complaints with either. I have a 5-6 year old big screen and the reception is better than our old cable. We live in rural NE Oregon and this is the best solution for decent TV and internet.
I don't have a HDTV but have seen the demos in Best Buy and Costco and one is definately on my list to buy. I agree with the other posts, sell the antique Betamax on Ebay...

Jimbrown · Dec 11, 2004

If you buy the set up you describe you can no way be un happy except maybe for the cost. Once you watch some good quality DVD's on that system you will be amased. Providing you set it up correctly with the surround speakers and sub woofer. It is extremely important that you place the speakers correctly. I have not heard of VOOM. I have Direct TV as part of my internet service. I think HDTV service is a little over priced right now. It will get cheaper rapidly. I would buy the equipment and just the regular satelite service for now and wait a year for the HDTV service. There will be no caparison with the picture you now have or the sound. The sound is 50 % of the improvement. I suggest if you have not and it sounds like you have, go to a place that has demo home theater systems and just watch and listen to a good DVD for a few minutes. Best buy and Circuit City usually have 2 or 3 set up and ready to watch. I have a 53 in Sony and a Panasonic (sp) home theater system. I do not recommend Sony they have really gone down hill. I have thrown away a Sony DVD and Home theater system in the last year.

pilonidal · Dec 11, 2004

There still are very few companyies/channels that offer HDTV. Satelite is digital not HDTV. I see only 9 on my direct tv lisiting and they are in the higher expense HD package. The networks have unitl 2006 to get HDTV going. I don't think HDTV should be much to consider right now.
Satelite has a very sharp clean picture. More so than the digital cable I had before. If you want HDTV you have to either have a HD receiver with a HD capable tv, aka HD monitor., or a HDTV with a built in HD receiver. These will cost more than a HD capable tv. So you either pay for the seperate HD receiver or buy the TV with the reciever all ready in it at a higher cost than a reg tv.
That vooom sounds nice how many HD channels does it offer.
Make sure you are clear on the television that it has the HD reciever built in all ready or will you need to get a seperate reciever for it.
DVD's aren't "HD" they are digital. So HD won't matter with it. You might, might see a better dvd picture if your dvd player is progressive scan, I can't really tell the difference in mine. It will say on the front of it as a feature. A tv with 1080i or progressive scan will give a very good picture.
AHH , I just looked your potential TV up on the web. Very nice I have seen them and they have a fantastic picture. It say's that it is monitor so you will need to have a seperate reciever to get true HDTV. It has all the bells and whistles you will need for a great picture now or in the future, except you will need the HD receiver to watch HD.
Anyway for the price, you can't beat satelite. That is great set up you are looking at. HD is not worth the price yet. You can always get the reciever later when HD is available across the networks. The picture with out HD will still be great. I purchased a Sony 50" LCD projection last month without the HD reciever. I'll get it when it's more widely available and cheaper. Here is link to your Tv if you haven't seen all the specs on it yet.
Link

Boondox · Dec 11, 2004

Facing the same issues here, Bob. And while I don't have any advice I'm reading the responses with interest. We get one channel, and that comes in all snowy. It sure would be nice to have a couple more choices, even though we don't watch much TV. Direct TV would mount to the house, but costs $40 per month without local stations. Dish would have to go on a post down near the septic field, costs $10 a month less and includes local stations.

Now and then we buy a TV Guide to see how much TV we would watch if we had all those extra stations. From the looks of it, viewing habits wouldn't change much in the Boondox household...but like Mrs Bob says at least it would be clear!

Pete

carrickfad · Dec 11, 2004

Here's a good site with lots of info not only about TV's but also different satellite systems and HDTV and home theaters.
AV Science.com

As far as your questions.
#1 What price can you put on the WAF (Wife appreciation factor)
#2 DVD's will look great on a HDTV but they will also look great on a EDTV (enhanced definition) since DVD's are 480i and up converted to 720 and 1080. A DVD on something other then a CRT has a lot of WOW factor, you'll never want to watch one on a old tv again.
#3 Antique store????

If you don't sit that close to the screen a EDTV may be a better choice and are much cheaper. I can not tell the deference between my Panasonic 42" TH-42PWD7UY plasma which is ED and the HD ones I see in the stores from about 10ft which is how far I sit from my tv . The ideal distance from a 56" set would be about 12 ft (2 1/2 times screen width) so if you going to be sitting further then that it might be hard to justify the extra expense of a HDTV over EDTV. The further away you are from the screen the less value HD has, it has more to do with the human eye then the picture.