New 37" LCD HDTV search

[Swerd]

I have been looking for a new LCD HDTV, which will be my first HDTV. I have a TV cabinet with doors that allows as much as 36⅜" width. Many 32" sets will fit, but, thanks to BMXTRIX, I have narrowed down my search to these three 37" sets which also fit:

Sharp LC-37D42U

Toshiba 37HL66

Vizio VX37L

Does anyone know anything, good or bad, about these makers or specific models? Sharp and Toshiba have good reputations in general and these models look good on paper, but Vizio is new to me. I did read Jack Hammer’s post about problems with the Vizio VX37L. Can you tell me any more detail about what your problem was? I am inclined to get the Sharp, which I can get online for about $1240 (including shipping). The Toshiba is just a little more, and the Vizio is much less at $945 including local sales tax.

Some of the dimensions for HDTV sets, posted on various internet sites are not correct. If cabinet size is an important matter, be sure to measure them yourself. FWIW, all 3 models above were listed correctly where I looked them up, but some others led me to believe that they would fit my cabinet, but when I measured them in a store, they were wider by about ½".

Does any one know of a model in this size with a cable card slot? I couldn’t find any. Is this feature worth it, or does Comcast require a box for HD cable anyway?

I have noticed that there seem to be fewer 37" sets and more 40" models. Is there a trend away from the 37" LCD models? For example, Sony and Samsung do not offer any 37" LCD sets.

Finally, when will new models be announced for 2007, and does anyone have an idea of what features and prices to expect. Should I wait, or pull the trigger now?

 

[markw]

Not everything you wanted, but a little.

After searching (and viewing in store) for over a month, I picked up a Toshiba 32HL66, the little brother of your set. To me, it had as good as picture as anything else out there (including Samsung) and the price was right. Once I got it home I found it picked up OTA signals better than I could have imagined. All in all, I love this TV.

If you have any local OTA stations and you can put up a rooftop antenna, do so. You won't regret it. Here in NJ I have access to seven VHF stations and each offers a HD alternative and at least two other "hidden" digital channels with different programming. I'm getting about thirty clean stations with the Toshiba's ATSC tuner on an outdoor antenna.

It does not have a cable card and, from what I've read, these are not all they are cracked up to be.

Comcast, at least here in NE New Joisey, does require a set top box (STB) for digital TV. this does not include HDTV. For HD, a different HD STB is required, as is an enhanced service package. Check with your local rep on this and pray they have a clue as to what they offer. The good news is that Comcast uses Motorola boxes for HDTV and they deliver a pristine 1080i signal via component cables.

Rumor has it that flat screen TV's will undergo a drastic price drop this year, particularly after the Super Bowl.

 

[Swerd]

After searching (and viewing in store) for over a month, I picked up a Toshiba 32HL66, the little brother of your set. To me, it had as good as picture as anything else out there (including Samsung) and the price was right. Once I got it home I found it picked up OTA signals better than I could have imagined. All in all, I love this TV.

Thanks for responding. Glad to hear the Toshiba is good. That confirms what I had been led to believe but wanted to hear from someone with firsthand experience. I hope you enjoy it a long time.

If you have any local OTA stations and you can put up a rooftop antenna, do so. You won't regret it. Here in NJ I have access to seven VHF stations and each offers a HD alternative and at least two other "hidden" digital channels with different programming. I'm getting about thirty clean stations with the Toshiba's ATSC tuner on an outdoor antenna.

I plan on trying that. In Maryland, just outside DC, there are plenty of local stations with HD. I happen to live on a hill where OTA reception is pretty good. I can get all of DC stations and most of Baltimore.

It does not have a cable card and, from what I've read, these are not all they are cracked up to be.

Comcast, at least here in NE New Joisey, does require a set top box (STB) for digital TV. This does not include HDTV. For HD, a different HD STB is required, as is an enhanced service package. Check with your local rep on this and pray they have a clue as to what they offer. The good news is that Comcast uses Motorola boxes for HDTV and they deliver a pristine 1080i signal via component cables.

That may explain why cable card slots were common last year and hard to find this year. Thanks for the headsup about Comcast.

Rumor has it that flat screen TV's will undergo a drastic price drop this year, particularly after the Super Bowl.

I'm sure I can wait that long !

 

[Jack Hammer]

The main problem I had with the VX37L was the colors looked completely washed out to a point where it was unpleasant for me to watch. All movies looked dull and drab, including very colorful flicks like The Incredibles. Secondly, the first set had a defective screen where the picture was incredibly grainy. The second set had a very sharp and crisp image, but had a ghost image aroung it that looked kind of like the image had been embossed. Both the 37" tv's colors were awful. BTW I saw an older L37 and it had good colors. I don't know what they changed with the new model, but the previous one had much better pq.

By comparison, the 42" lcd I picked up has very good colors. Everything is bright and detail is very good, but basically the picture is out of focus. It is lacking the crispness of picture that a hdtv should have (its way off). Vizio sent me a new board (cpu?) and a tech will come out in a few weeks to swap them out. If that doesn't fix it, I'm done forever with Vizio.

Jack

 

[Swerd]

Update...

I went and bought the Sharp LC-37D42U ($1125 from Abe’s of Maine). It was a toss-up between the Sharp and Toshiba 37" LCD models, but about a week ago, right after CES, Sharp prices dropped about $100. That did it for me. I took yesterday afternoon off to wait for delivery and then set it up. Sharp’s quality was visible immediately as I took it out of the box. When assembling the stand, all the parts fit precisely. The owner’s manual was well-written in plain English. We’ve all experienced the frustration when reading manuals that weren’t. Everything worked easily during the set-up and soon I was watching jaw-dropping awesome HDTV! Even though I’ve only had it one evening, I’m very happy with my choice.

Thanks to everyone who gave me advice, especially:

BMXTRIX, who convinced me I could find a 37" set to fit my cabinet. Until a few weeks ago I thought I had to settle for a 32" set. I'm happy now .

Markw, who said "...Once I got it home I found it picked up OTA signals better than I could have imagined. All in all, I love this TV." Your exact words might as well come from me as well. In the Washington, DC area, I can easily get about 20 HD channels - with a set of rabbit ears! I live about 15 miles from most of the broadcast towers in DC. Some stations that have a less-than-optimal analog signal come in clear with digital. There are a surprising number of digital broadcast channels that I simply did not know existed. For example, the local PBS station has 4 digital channels that all broadcast different material. In suburban Maryland, Comcast requires a separate HD-capable set-top box and costs over $70 a month ! The various satellite dish providers cost about $55 a month, and require you to buy an HD-capable set-top box for about $100. ALL of them only offer about 12 or so HD channels! I urge anyone who doubts whether he can get OTA digital TV reception to give it a try. Next week I am getting a rooftop antenna, which should allow me to clearly receive everything available in the Washington & Baltimore area.

Jack Hammer - I learned from your troubles with Vizio and avoided their very attractive price. I hope your problems work out and Vizio provides you with some satisfaction. For roughly $200 more there is a great selection of LCD sets from Sharp, Toshiba, and Samsung just to name a few. I’m not sure Sony TVs are worth their higher prices.