help! tv died, need a new one, don't know what to get!

[bryantm3]

my old CRT 4:3 tv just died and now i'm going to need a new television, but i need to be educated, there are so many different types of televisions that i have no idea what to get. liquid crystal, plasma, projection? i have no clue. can someone please inform me or give me a link that shows the differences, advantages, and disadvantages of each type, because i hate going to buy something that you know nothing about, and you end up getting something that you don't want or doesn't meet your expectations!
thanks so much in advance,
daniel.

 

[3x10^8]

1) Start here to learn the differences betweeen HDTV, EDTV, and SDTV
http://www.projectorcentral.com/video_signals.htm

2) And then go here to get a handle on all the different technologies out there and which might be right for you:
http://www.audioholics.com/techtips/specsformats/displaytechnologiesguide.php




Good luck!

 

[bryantm3]

i've read the SDTV-EDTV-HDTV article before, so i'll check out that second link.

 

[bryantm3]

it seems like LCD or a CRT television would be the best buy from looking at that. i don't need a tv larger than 40 inches, so plasma would probably be a dumb idea. i probably will need to measure the space i have.

 

[bryantm3]

the current television set i have is 4:3, and is 32 inches, and i have around 3-4 inches of space maximum left on the sides of the tv, and the sides of the tv outside the screen are around 1-2 inches.


also, another question, whenever i go in Sears or Richs and i see all these widescreen televisions on display, i see regular tv channels on them and they're all stretched sideways. will i have to watch tv like this if i don't have HDTV? i'd rather have black bars on both sides than have it all stretched out crazy.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

the current television set i have is 4:3, and is 32 inches, and i have around 3-4 inches of space maximum left on the sides of the tv, and the sides of the tv outside the screen are around 1-2 inches.


also, another question, whenever i go in Sears or Richs and i see all these widescreen televisions on display, i see regular tv channels on them and they're all stretched sideways. will i have to watch tv like this if i don't have HDTV? i'd rather have black bars on both sides than have it all stretched out crazy.

You will need to watch regular tv stretched if you purchase a flat screen since most programming is still done in 4:3 mode. You still have a few years before all programming goes totally digital.

For the best prices on flat screens, check out www.tigerdirect.com.

 

[bryantm3]

You will need to watch regular tv stretched if you purchase a flat screen since most programming is still done in 4:3 mode. You still have a few years before all programming goes totally digital.

For the best prices on flat screens, check out www.tigerdirect.com.

so there is no option to just use the centre of the screen and keep it normal?
cos you can't even buy a 4:3 tv around where i live.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

so there is no option to just use the centre of the screen and keep it normal?
cos you can't even buy a 4:3 tv around where i live.

Absolutely - you can have black bars on the sides of the display.

 

[bryantm3]

oh, you can? alright then, great! so you're recommending an LCD screen, yes? i have one question, though, if someone is about 2-4 feet above the level of the television and about 7 feet away, can they watch the tv without it looking odd?

 

[bryantm3]

berrump...

 

[bryantm3]

is anyone going to answer my question(s) about viewing angles? it's not entirely clear in the guide. i will need to be able to stand right in front (3 feet away) of the tv and have the tv at waist level and be able to see it.

 

[bryantm3]

i have been abandoned.

 

[jaxvon]

Sorry man. I just think that *most* of the people around here aren't TV gurus and don't want to respond with half-assed posts, myself included. If I were you, I would just shop around to see what you like best, and be sure to check out sites like Ubid to see if you can find some killer deals.

 

[TDubbs]

I don't think I'll ever buy a TV again.
After using my panny 900 for about two weeks I have come to a few conclusions:
1. there is no problem with space.
2. very light and portable - tv's are not.
3. take it outside on warm summer nights
4. take it in the bedroom to..... ( you can finish this sentence)
5. HD is quality
6. Movies are awesome.
7. not limited to screen size.
etc....