$1500 to spend on a HDTV need advice

[musicguy04]

I have $1500 to spend on a widescreen HDTV.

Here is a list of features I'm looking for:
Must have 720p or 1080i native resolution
Must have both DVI and HDMI input
Looking for screen size between 34" and 46" WS
Want the best quality at that price

I'm trying to decide if 34" WS CRT or the larger RPTVs
are better. Whatever gives the best picture is what I'm
looking for. The seating area is about 6-7' away from the TV.
I'm interested in hearing about particular models.
Also, is there supposed to be anything introduced within the next 6 months
around that price that'll be so much better than what is currently available?

[Mathew J]

I have $1500 to spend on a widescreen HDTV.

Here is a list of features I'm looking for:
Must have 720p or 1080i native resolution
Must have both DVI and HDMI input
Looking for screen size between 34" and 46" WS
Want the best quality at that price

I'm trying to decide if 34" WS CRT or the larger RPTVs
are better. Whatever gives the best picture is what I'm
looking for. The seating area is about 6-7' away from the TV.
I'm interested in hearing about particular models.
Also, is there supposed to be anything introduced within the next 6 months
around that price that'll be so much better than what is currently available?

http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.jsp?c=1&b=g&u=c&catoid=-8043&qp=0&oid=94309&m=0

http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.jsp?c=1&b=g&u=c&catoid=-8043&qp=0&oid=95492&m=0

[woodman]

I have $1500 to spend on a widescreen HDTV.

Here is a list of features I'm looking for:
Must have 720p or 1080i native resolution
Must have both DVI and HDMI input
Looking for screen size between 34" and 46" WS
Want the best quality at that price

I'm trying to decide if 34" WS CRT or the larger RPTVs
are better. Whatever gives the best picture is what I'm
looking for. The seating area is about 6-7' away from the TV.
I'm interested in hearing about particular models.
Also, is there supposed to be anything introduced within the next 6 months
around that price that'll be so much better than what is currently available?

For your budget amount, you're gonna be hard-pressed to come out a winner in this search. I'd definitely steer clear of both of the linked sets that Mathew suggests. The Panasonic, because my faith in that company was pretty much shattered over the years due to my servicing experiences with them. And the Sony because any company that cannot see their way clear to stand behind a $1500 (or in this case $1700) product is a company that I sure wouldn't want to give my hard-earned money to under any circumstance.

As to the question of a widescreen direct-view CRT set vs. a CRT-based RPTV, there's absolutely no contest in my mind over which provides the "bang for the buck" - and is less of a risk as well ... and that's the RPTVs, hands down.

P.S. There are no sets in the marketplace today with 720p native resolution except for the "fixed pixel displays" (LCD, DLP, plasma) - and they are all out of your price range.

[replay11]

take a look at this set..... yes it has "1 year warranty" i just purchased the 510 discounted (old model) and am pretty happy with it......... http://goodguys.com/adtemplate.asp?invky=834038&catky=63870

[kpzbee]

I paid $1800 for my Hitachi 57" RPTV. It's last years model so they were willing to deal.

[musicguy04]

Woodman, thanks for the advice. I didn't like the idea of having a 170 lb. CRT TV, plus I think they're harder on the eyes.

The budget is relatively firm ($1300-$1700 range).

Do you or anyone else know specific brands of RPTVs that have both DVI and HDMI that have really good picture quality. If I can't get 720p, I'll setltle for 1080i and 540p, as that's better than what I have now. I would appreciate thoughts on brands and models. I don't want anything larger than 51" at the most. 42" would be fine with me.