HDTV or TV with built-in HD tuner?

[zumbo]

I am looking for a tv for a friend who has asked for my help. This is the only piece of dated equipment in my system, so I jumped right in and started learing. She wants a 32" LCD. While looking, I discovered that there are some that offer a built-in HD tuner that are CableCARD ready. I contacted Time Warner, and they told me the built-in tuner is not needed. Is this a way to make the consumer have to pay extra for the HD box? Should she buy the tv that has the built-in tuner? They do cost more, but I will list my three choices that I have come up with for her.

1) Sony 32" LCD HDTV Monitor (KLV-S32A10) - $1687.74 HDTV (Sams club)
2) LG 32" LCD HDTV (32LX1D) ---------------- $1799.99 built-in tuner (CC)
3) Viewsonic (n3250w) ----------------------- $ 1100-1400 HDTV (net)

There will be tax on the Sony and LG, and shipping is free-$40 for the Viewsonic. Thanks for any help.

 

[BMXTRIX]

It's all a matter of opinion with CableCard.

CableCard allows you to just run the one coaxial cable from your wall, directly to the TV, and receive ALL the cable channels that you are subscribed for. Contact the cable company (again) and ask them what the cost is to rent a HD cable tuner and then how much it costs to rent a CableCard. Typically it is 10 bucks for the box, 2 bucks for the card.

That's about $100.00 savings a year.

But, you lose the ability for pay-per-view as well, and more importantly, the electronic programming guide that shows you what's on all 300 channels.

They do (typically) include the ability to get 'TV Guide Onscreen' which, from what I have heard, is a fairly poor substitute for the cable company's EPG.

But, you eliminate the external box. If this is a PRIMARY television though, consideration needs to be given for a digital video recorder. A DVR built into a cable box is awesome. Everyone who EVER gets one I have not heard complain. They use it and keep using it! But, you have to have an external HD cable box w/DVR to get the maximum potential from this service.

IMO - If this is a primary viewer - then 32" is way to small. A 42" plasma is about the smallest I would ever recommend.

 

[driver]

There are two types of hd monitors those that are hd ready and those that have a tuner built in . Time Warner would want you to rent a hd cable box rather than rent a cable card because they make more money . The difference between the two is on the cable box you can get pay-per view programming where as you would not be able to get it with the cable card . The cost of renting a hd cable box in my area is 9.99 per month , compared to 1.99 per month for a cable card . I now have both a TV that is hd ready and one that has the tuner built in via cable card , I would say that the program guide on the cable box is much easier to use than that of the gemstar tv guide . I am not sure about the view sonic but I really didn't like the LG lcd ( I have a LG plasma ) and Sony's are generally great on picture quality . For the hd ready set I went with the 26 " Sharp Aquos maybe she should check out that set as well .

 

[zumbo]

I am leaning towards the LG. The specs blow the others away. I do like my DVR, but she can always get her own later. I am going to bring her by my place this weekend to show her how my box works as far as the features. I believe the picture quality will be much better with the CableCARD over the box after reading a few things about it. If I'm wrong, somebody stop me.

 

[rgriffin25]

Some of the LG 32" LCDs have TV guide built in. So even with the cable card you can have the guide feature. Their guide is pretty sweet looking as well. Much more appealing than the one I have with the Cable Box. We sell a lot of LG products at work and I must say I like their LCDs quite a bit.

About a month or so ago we got in the new 50" LG plasma (50px4dr) which has a HD DVR built in. They told us that this technology will trickle down into the smaller sets this next year. Its nice because we can record primetime programing to show people their favorite show in HD the next day.

My vote goes to the LG.

BTW the cable card where I live is actually $5.95 a month not $1.99. So the difference in price here isn't as great as it is in some areas.

 

[Tomorrow]

With the built-in HDTV tuner, you can receive off-air local channels in HDTV without paying your cable company for the pleasure. So it definitely has some value.

My TV is a Panasonic (lcx63) 50" lcd projection unit. It has both standard and HD tuners. It also has the cable card slot which I was the first to use in my little burg. I imagine the maker of the card is the driving force on whether or not the image is superior to a cable decoder box. My card definitely provided a nicer image than the box. I did NOT get the tv guide channel...which I thought was the worst feature about it. But that may be because of my rural carrier. (AverageJoe is the guy to answer that.)

This one and a half year old unit is available for purchase, by the way. I'm wanting to upgrade to plasma. PM me if you're interested.

Happy hunting.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

I picked up the Olevia 37" HVS unit for my folks - $1199 street price. It has ATSC and NTSC tuners, and they receive several HD channels OTA which is great for them as a second tv (free HD).

They're not into HT, so the built in speakers and dual tuners make it nice. Their cable goes right into the unit, so no box or cable card. The biggest surprise was the outstanding SD picture. It's as good as their 36" Toshiba CRT SD picture in their main room, which IMO is outstanding. The HD picture (the few channels there are) is simply stunning. I enjoy the side by side picture feature (has to be DTV and cable).

You do need to run either rabbit ears, or a more powerful antenna in the attic to pick up all the available stations, but IMO is well worth it if you don't need a DVR. (I have a DVR and love it BTW).

The 37" actually seems a tad larger than a 42" plasma with a thin frame because of the built in speakers. It's plenty big for their 14x18 living room.

http://secure.syntaxgroups.com/products/images.jsp?pid=lt37hvs

 

[zumbo]

WOW! Thanks. Did a search. What a killer price. Now if she will just do the online thing. If it were me, that puppy would be on-the-way today. Thanks again.

 

[Kevin Anderson]

I just bought an Olevia 37 HVS for my bedroom (good price at CompUSA with a $300 rebate). While it is not something I would purchase for critical viewing, its price, versitility, and built-in HD tuner made it a perfect choice for a bedroom for more casual viewing.

I've worked on it with my Accupel, colorimeter, and AVIAPro and find that when properly calibrated, it has a very good picture for the price.

If money is a limiting factor (and seldom is it not), I think the Olevia is a reasonable option that provides excellent value for an entry-level HDTV.

 

[zumbo]

Thanks for the tip Kevin. She is off to CompUSA.