Print

[GSX]

QUOTE(xboxgamer733 @ Feb 20 2006, 03:18 AM)

Actually, the Sanyo HT32744 can let you change the video mode to widescreen. When in widescreen mode, the diagonal picture size is just above 29", so not much of the screen is wasted.

I chose this TV because I wanted the a compromise between the 16:9 and 4:3 worlds, as not everything is transmitted in the 16:9 ratio. If you are watching the Olympics, for example, on a widescreen TV, some of the picture is obviously lost.

I know what you mean about switching it to widescreen, but that leaves black bars on the bottom and top. Also you're confused about standard def being cut off on a widescreen tv. It's the other way around, 16:9 gets cut off on a 4:3 tv(unless you set it to 16:9 and have the bars), and 4:3 gets stretched to 16:9 if you dont set it up correct.

 I don't have any problem watching standard def on my widescreen tv, since my cable box can be set to display it in 4:3 without stretching with black lines on the sides. That way I can use my whole screen for 16:9 HD programing.

[xboxgamer733]

When displaying a 4:3 picture on a 16:9 television, either the size or quality of the image will be affected, as shown below.

Some of the image is lost

The image is stretched horizontally

Only the sides of the image are distorted

For now, I find that a 4:3 tube HDTV is the best choice of HDTV, because of the low price, lack of image cut-off, and sharpness and response time over LCD TVs.

[GSX]

Yea first pic is cropped, second is stretched, not sure about the third. My point is that my standard def looks like the pic on the top left(with black bars on the side). So, I don't get cropping or stretching, just the black bars on the side. I have a 30" Philips 16:9 CRT, and I agree that crt has great picture. But I don't agree that 4:3 tv's are a good choice, 16:9 is the future. I already have 15 HD channels, and will have over 20 some time during the summer. Standard def tv is soon to be dead. Just my opinion.

[KAGE360]

if your going to buy a CRT HD-TV, then i would save up for atleast a 30" widescreen (like i am currently).  saving an extra $100 would be well worth the extra inches you would get.  

also like it was said before, DO NOT GET ANYTHING BUT A WIDESCREEN TV.  yes while a 4:3 ratio tv will be cheaper and you wont have any of the stretching problems found with widescreen, but you should think about it.  if you dont want any stretching on your widescreen then just have it letterboxed on the sides, either way your going to have letterboxing of some kind.  also most people are buying HDtvs for high def signals (broadcast or 360) most of which are sent in 16:9 aspect anyways.  almost everything is done in widescreen format now and you would regret it within a year if you got a 4:3 ratio tv.  

also dont bother listening about the difference between 720p and 1080i.  while i would much rather have 720p, as its supposed to be better for motion and video, in the end High def is high def and for your first TV, no matter what, im sure it will be FAR better then what your currently using.

just over the weekend i saw a philips 30" widescreen for $525, it was the floor model but that is still a damn good price.  the price for a brand new one was only $650, which is still a good price for a 30" HDTV.  in fact i will be getting that exact TV if they still have any in stock at walmart when i get my $$.

[Legendary Badass]

If you get a large HDTV, you'll quickly want HD service. I have digital cable with a cable card in the side of the TV. HDTVs try to convert a 480i signal into at least 480p. The end result is that basic TV looks worse on an HDTV than it does a standard TV. However, HD content such as the Xbox 360 and HD channels, look supperior to motion pictures at the movie theater. On my smaller HDTV, my 26 inch Samsung, basic TV looks aweful, but not as bad as when it is blown-up on my 50 inch SXRD. The larger TV you can't even watch DVDs on because they look pathetic when compared to digital cable.

In summary, HD is effective on a large HDTV, so get HD service for it. On a smaller HDTV, you'll barely notice the difference, but you can still enjoy (somewhat) basic channels.

[GSX]

QUOTE(drewberg111 @ Feb 20 2006, 06:03 PM)

could you guys post up a quick list of recommended hdtvs tvs that would work well where you wont loose any of the picture either.  thanks.

There is way too many tv's to list. As far as loosing picture, it all depends on your source. Like I said before, my box lets me display SDTV in letterbox with black lines on the side. If you want CRT then I would reccomend the Philips 30PW, it's cheap and works great. Now if you have $1700 to spend, then get this SCEPTRE X37SV-Naga. It supports 1080p, and has a 1920x1080 native res. You just can't get any better than that(thats my next tv).

[GSX]

QUOTE(aexin23 @ Feb 20 2006, 10:21 PM)

I am also looking for a widescreen hdtv and would you all suggest CRT or LCD/DLP/Plasma(to me its heavy tv or light tv ) Which one would better picture quality for xbox 360 and tv and would have a better value at about 30" range

To me this is how quality goes(from best to worst): DLP, CRT, Plasma, LCD. To me DLP has the best picture hands down(some ppl might not agree).

Edit: Plasma is in third, because the blacks still suck.