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[mattb]

I am currently looking at HDTVs and I already know exactly what I need in a good TV, but some of the current TV's quality don't match the price. I am expecting to buy a new TV around January or February of 2004, so naturally I waiting to see what 2004 can offer me. Are rear-projection DLP's expected to fall in the $1000-$2000 range? Are rear-projection CRT's expected to fall below the $1000 bottom line? Are the new models going to offer two DVI inputs as a standard feature? Currently I have not seen a tv with two DVI inputs. Finally, the most important question I should ask, will there be any new models at the begging of 2004?  If anybody has a website that discusses prospective models, please tell me. Thanks for your time

[Mr Ed]

It's amazing how little the HDTV manuf. are willing to talk about future products.

I was at CES last year, and their was still a dearth of information it seemed.  Very disappointing.

Over the next year, expect to see LCoS come into it's own.  In two to three years DLP will not even be made anymore because of LCoS (according to what I'm told).  Not in time for January 2004, however, but perhaps a cheap LCoS or two will be out (by cheap I mean less than $4,000US as it seems no decent HDTV is less than $4,000 yet   )  At the end of next year, expect a leap in quality with a drop in price for flat panel (plasma, etc.) technologies.

That's about all I know.

[mattb]

Wow! You have HIGH standards for "decent"! I have seen plasmas in the $3000 range and they satisfied me, but they still don't have those 2 DVI inputs. Hmm... Even the $20,000 Mitsubishi doesn't have 2 DVI's, or at least I think.Abt Electronics (the 82 incher)

[Mr Ed]

QUOTE (mattb @ Nov 15 2003, 10:17 PM)

Wow! You have HIGH standards for "decent"! I have seen plasmas in the $3000 range and they satisfied me, but they still don't have those 2 DVI inputs. Hmm... Even the $20,000 Mitsubishi doesn't have 2 DVI's, or at least I think.Abt Electronics (the 82 incher)

Remember that a TV with an integrated HDTV tuner (i.e. not needing a set top box to tune HDTV stations) needs 1 less DVI connector right?  I mean, the reason you need two is, 1 for the set top box and one for your DVD player right?  Well if it has an integrated tuner (like the Mitsubishis) you  don't need a set top box.

[Mr Ed]

QUOTE (mattb @ Nov 15 2003, 10:17 PM)

Wow! You have HIGH standards for "decent"!

Yeah I guess.

I consider the Diamond Series Mitsubishi 65" to be "decent."  That seems to offer the right size picture with the right features (integrated tuner, firewire, DVI) with a pretty nice picture.  I've seen plasma, etc. that look as good, but not for around the $4,000 you can get this TV for.  Seemed like a competitive plasma in this size was always $8,000 or more, and often didn't include the tuner, so add another $500~$800 for the set top tuner.

So you're probably thinking, why don't I own the 65" diamond series yet?  Well, all the past models did not support 720p.  I don't believe this years models will either (although I haven't connected my XBOX to one yet to try, and I will in a couple of weeks).  I refuse to by an HDTV that doesn't support 720p and 1080i (I'd like 1080p support, but that's a few years off if you want it for under $10,000)

So basically there really isn't a TV out there that has all the features I want:
native 720p
native 1080i
integrated HDTV tuner
firewire
dvi
nice display quality



You know, if someone would just release an amp (Yamaha are you listening) that would support DVI video switching, the TV would only need 1 DVI input.

[mattb]

Which will certainly be the case for me, since the I find the majority of the local content to be crap, but there are those nature PBS's and shows on FOX. I believe the tv is only as good as the content you receive. You can receive 1080i reality tv all you want, but that in my opinion doesn't justify the cost.

[Mr Ed]

That's a good point.  I only watch local programming (i.e. Enterprise, Simpsons, Angel, and 24). Which has caused me to often ask myself, "why do I pay for cable?"

Well, I also watch the Daily Show on Comedy Central, but like they will ever go HD.  

So I've only ever considered getting over the air HDTV.  Our local cable company (Cox) sucks for HD content.  I think they only have 2 local stations in HD (ABC and CBS, oh an PBS) so no FOX, no WB, no UPN, and no NBC.  WTF?!

So what HD channels are you looking forward to getting over cable/satellite if it isn't local channels?  And no, DiscoveryHD isn't a valid answer!  Am I the only person who thinks Discovery is like the most boring channel ever?  

[mattb]

I love the Discovery channel, so I guess you can call me a dork, but I'm an animal and science lover. I love TV the way it is, but for the only exception is that the existing content is 5% HD. If I'm going to spend alot of money on a good tv, tv itself better be good. I have one question to ask though, how does 1080i look on a rear-projection crt? I mean you go to the store and you see the big letters "HD" in the corner of the screen, but is the store using component or DVI, or better yet, are they even streaming HD content to the lesser cost CRT's? Most of the rear-projection tv's you see in the store have coaxle cable connected and that is it. When you distribute one analog connection to multiple tv's, doesn't the quality get bad? I'm 16, so if I ask these questions at the store there going to look at me like I'm crazy, and better yet why I don't have their jobs!

[DBZRacer]

QUOTE (Mr Ed @ Nov 16 2003, 07:55 PM)

That's a good point.  I only watch local programming (i.e. Enterprise, Simpsons, Angel, and 24). Which has caused me to often ask myself, "why do I pay for cable?" Well, I also watch the Daily Show on Comedy Central, but like they will ever go HD.   So I've only ever considered getting over the air HDTV.  Our local cable company (Cox) sucks for HD content.  I think they only have 2 local stations in HD (ABC and CBS, oh an PBS) so no FOX, no WB, no UPN, and no NBC.  WTF?! So what HD channels are you looking forward to getting over cable/satellite if it isn't local channels?  And no, DiscoveryHD isn't a valid answer!  Am I the only person who thinks Discovery is like the most boring channel ever?

DirecTV NFL Sunday ticket is broadcasting this year in HD! For any football fan out there, there is nothing that can beat watching multiple high def football games on any given sunday!!!  (well aside from actually being there...)

[PsychoZX]

QUOTE (Mr Ed @ Nov 16 2003, 10:55 PM)

So what HD channels are you looking forward to getting over cable/satellite if it isn't local channels?  And no, DiscoveryHD isn't a valid answer!  Am I the only person who thinks Discovery is like the most boring channel ever?

ESPN HD and INHD. But I will probably mainly use it for progressive scan dvds and games. Watching monday night football in HD will be nice too.

[Mr Ed]

QUOTE (PsychoZX @ Nov 17 2003, 08:45 PM)

ESPN HD and INHD

Ok, I know what ESPN is, what's IN?

[xboxmodder4life]

for me i jumped on a toshiba HDTV 51 inch (51h83) It's decent and perfect for my room. I'm only 17. I'll probally upgrade to a LCoS when they hit a 4000-4500 price range for a decent sized picture.

The tv cost me 1500$ from best buy i got alittle over 200$ off at best buy, with a 10% off coupon.


It's a decent TV it does 1080i, 480p, 720p, 540p. Of course converts 720p to 1080i, i've yet to seen my xbox hooked up to it

[Mr Ed]

QUOTE (xboxmodder4life @ Nov 18 2003, 07:04 AM)

i've yet to seen my xbox hooked up to it

Wow I can't imagine plunking down $1500 for a TV without first bringing my XBOX to the store and hooking it up to see how it does.          

[xboxmodder4life]

I didn't buy it for xbox i bought it basically for DVD's and TV, videogames on it is just a added bonus.


I got a hell of a deal the MSRP is 2,099$ on it. Best buy's price is  1708 I got it for 1538$. So that's mainly why i choose the toshiba because of the price/picture. It seemed to be the best bang for the buck.

[mattb]

!?! That's Bliss