How Much Did You Pay For Your Hdtv?

[BadAssJazz]

And more importantly, does the performance justify the $$$$?

[EdwardGein]

I paid $1600 including delivery and installation in 2004 for my 48" Mitsubishi Rear Projection Widescreen HDTV, best TV I ever had and more then worth the cost. The same TV around XMAS 2005 was going for $1300 (I'm not sure if that included delivery).

As a result of the 48" HDTV being great, I got a second HDTV for my bedroom, a 30" Widescreen Samsung HD CRT to replace my 27" regular Sony TV for $700 including delivery on sale in 2004. While the picture was excellent, this was a bad mistake on my part because
the 30" screen was too small, I made the mistake of assuming the 30" widescreen viewing area would be bigger then my 27" regular TV. An excellent conversion table courtesy of Cam the Man is at www.cavecreations.com/tv2.cgi?KeohiHDTV & I suggest anyone buying an HDTV under 42" uses that. Anyway I sold that for $475 & replaced it with a 34" Panasonic Widescreen TV, CT-34WX15 that is perfect for my bedroom in terms of the picture size & its cosmetic look. That cost me $1100 on sale at Circuit City including delivery and installation.

To me the difference in watching HDTV & regular TV is night and day. My HD service and receiver/tuner is provided for me at a minimal cost by my cable company. I also have 2 HD DVR's provided by my cable company and would have trouble functioning without them as I no longer watch live shows as the DVR lets me fast forward through them.

As an aside, I found watching 4:3 non HD shows on my 30" TV excruciating as the image was too small & grainy but they're fine on my 34" set. Also, DVD's look great on both HDTV's through regular progressive Scan Harmon Kardon DVD players & I can't imagine the picture looking any better on these upconvertors I hear people ask about but I've also never seen one either so I reserve judgement.

[Smokey]

Anyway I sold that for $475 & replaced it with a 34" Panasonic Widescreen TV, CT-34WX15 that is perfect for my bedroom in terms of the picture size & its cosmetic look. That cost me $1100 on sale at Circuit City including delivery and installation.

So how would you compare picture quality of Samsung and Panasonic, and how does Panasonic stack against your Mitsubishi Rear Projection?

[EdwardGein]

So how would you compare picture quality of Samsung and Panasonic, and how does Panasonic stack against your Mitsubishi Rear Projection?

The Panasonic 34" & the Samsung 30" HDTV's are a night and day difference. To begin with, one wouldn't think a 4" difference would make such a huge difference but it does. The actual HD picture of the Panasonic 34" is totally superior to that of the Samsung 30". The biggest difference is the 4:3 Picture on non HD broadcasts still is fantastic on the Panasonic 34" & looks big, glossy & defined while that same broadcast on the Samsung 30" would look way too small and grainy. I can't compare the sound as I listen through my receiver.

As far as the 48" Mitsubishi which is in my living room & the 34" Panasonic, as the Mitsubishi is a widescreen rear projection HD TV & the Panasonic is a widescreen
CRT HDTV, its really hard to give a meaningful comparison other then maybe because of the Mitsubishi's 48" size, the effect of the picture seems more "3D" if that's a proper term, especially on a show like Lost. If I logistically could have put the 48" Mitsubishi in my bedroom, of course I would have preferred that but based on my bedrooms limitations the 34" Panasonic is perfect, especially as I'm about 9 1/2 feet from my bed. It rests on top of my dresser which faces the bed. I didn't have the budget to buy a plasma for the bedroom
& I honestly didn't see the dollar justification in buying a good LCD for say $2,400 give or take over the Panasonic CRT.

I definately would recommend if someone doesn't have an HDTV & doesn't have an unlimited budget to definately get a big screen rear view HDTV for their living room as the prices for name brands have gone down tremendously. If it was a matter of chosing between a 52" rear projection HDTV over say a 34" LCD HDTV, I'd definately chose the 52" rear projection. I do think that you lose alot of the HD effect on any sets 30" or under. I'm not sure about the 32" sets but the 34" HDTV's are excellent.

I'd also only buy a name brand as someone here posted that if something goes wrong on an obscure brand, you may be up sheeps creek. I find reviews on CircuitCity.com are very dependable as opposed to Amazon.com as there are alot of reviews and they give things an overall rating in several areas. I really don't know other sites where there are multiple reviews by consumers. You might actually get some good feedback on potential TV's from this board. Someone warned me to stay away from Poloroid LCD's & I think it was pretty good advice.

[Eric Z]

Does anyone know why the RPTV's (like EdGein's Mits) prices are fairly low? Is it because the technology has been around for a while, unlike LCD, DLP, and Plasma?

I think this thread. I'm looking forward to hearing what others have paid for their HDTVs.

[robert393]

And more importantly, does the performance justify the $$$$?

I bought this projector almost 3yrs ago. Suggested retail was $9k. I am in the industry, so I got it whole sale for $6k and got this High Definition D-VHS free with the purchase!

Have you seen HD? Obviously you have not or you wouldn't be asking, because the picture quality (PQ) difference is night & day! Prices on HD ready sets are extremely affordable now, and the prices continue to drop.

If you haven't seen HD, do yourself a favor and go to your nearest CC, BB, or speciality retailer and do a side-by-side comparison and see the difference. Here is a good place to see some of the pricing for HDTV's.

So, the short answer is an emphatic YES. IMO HD is worth the price of admission!

Robert

[Eric Z]

Robert- So, you're HD-VHS player plays tapes in HD? They must be special tapes, right? Just wondering because I never heard of that. If that's the case, is the quality as good as HD through your cable company or OTA?

Thanks.
Eric

[GMichael]

I paid near $2500 for my Sony 55" 4:3 HDTV a few years back. I love it. Not every broadcast is in HD but there are enough, and it's growing fast. My DVR includes a hard drive that will record and play back in HD. It's a lot like Tivo, but not.

Yes, it is worth it.

Next on the purchase list is a HD Sanyo projector 16:9 and a 119" screen.

[robert393]

Robert- So, you're HD-VHS player plays tapes in HD? They must be special tapes, right? Just wondering because I never heard of that. If that's the case, is the quality as good as HD through your cable company or OTA?

Thanks.
Eric

Yes Eric, they are definately special tapes. Look here to see description. To be honest with you, I only buy and watch D-VHS movies. I never have recorded via the firewire. Because I have 2-HD 942 DVR's (50+ Hours of HD recording capability) I have more HD movies and viewing available than I can watch (that's a GOOD thing!).

All D-VHS movies are recorded 1080i. They are the absolute best PQ available. Recording with the HD DVR's is bit-for-bit rate. So, if the original broadcast is 720p or 1080i, the recording has no degrading of PQ from the original broadcast.

Hope this helps!
Robert

[Eric Z]

Do you think the DVHS will be obsolete once HD-DVD/Blu-ray come around? Whenever the heck that would be.

[robert393]

Do you think the DVHS will be obsolete once HD-DVD/Blu-ray come around? Whenever the heck that would be.

If you are using it for recording and archiving HD movies, I think it will be good to keep or maybe even purchase, but for my needs, it will be come obsolete. I will keep it to view my D-VHS movie collection, but I will not be adding to that collection. High Definition DVD (whichever format prevails) should make VHS , DVD, D-VHS obsolete in a matter of time! Of course that is assuming the technology doesn't leap-frog High Definition DVD and go directly to HD VOD?

The next few years are certainly going to be interesting for HD.....Yipeeeeee!

Robert

[Mr Peabody]

First of all let me say I don't think it's fair to dog anyone out because they haven't seen HD. Depending on the store, most do not have a good display of HD. I went to a Sears and they couldn't give me one of those they had displayed. At best, the mass merchants do a HD feed that is split several times which pretty much defeats the purpose. Also, many here and the merchants make people feel like they are missing something but in reality there isn't that much out there actually shown in HD. HD is still an expensive outlay. The HDTV's are coming down in price but the programming is still way over priced and no gain in channels has come out in quite some time. I am personally disgusted with how HD is being handled. We can already buy 1080p when nothing is broadcast or available with that high of resolution. The HDTVs have been on the market for how long now? Where's the programming? Of course, why hurry when there are those who are willing to pay premium dollars for a hand full of HD channels which only a fraction of that programming is true HD anyway?

With that being said I do agree that HD is a better picture and taking advantage of true Progressive Scan is worth the investment in a HDTV.

I have a Sony 32" widescreen that cost around $1,200.00. A comparable picture could be had cheaper with less features on the set. This is an amazing HDTV, I haven't seen a LCD or Plasma any better. The only advantage the extra thousands will get you is size. This Sony weighs about 86 lbs.

I also have a 61 or 62" Toshiba DLP which cost just under $4k. I hate to rain on the parade of those who claim the old tech rear projector HDTV's look as good, but that just isn't so. The DLP sets offer a sharpness and clarity you will never get from the old rear projectors. Here again, I feel as good as this DLP is, why would anyone pay the expense of a LCD or Plasma.

My mom bought a 52" old school rear projector Mitsubishi HDTV and she always comments on why does my TV look so much better when they are both HD. I just have to explain we went with two different technologies.

[EdwardGein]

Most of the Chain Stores as one of these posts implied, do not actually have HDTV broadcasts set up on their HDTVs or at least the HD Ready ones which is the majority so in all likelyhood what you are judging your purchase on or using to make a decision, is not an actual HDTV widescreen broadcast. I actually was originally against getting a widescreen simply because the numbskulls at Best Buy actually had 4:3 stretched non HD TV shows showing on their screens which were of course distorted & was lucky people repeatedly said to buy widescreen here.

If you are evaluating an HDTV for purchase/comparison, the best thing to do is go to a high end store that specializes in HDTV's as they will actually have true HDTV shows broadcast on their HDTV's in widescreen. If you then decide to buy, then check out the chain stores for the best price. Also, if you are planning to get your HDTV through your cable or satellite company, they will supply you with a tuner/receiver, so in all likelyhood your better of financially buying an HD Ready set as opposed to an HD Set with a built in tuner/receiver. In regards to Cable (I'm not sure about Satellite), they will rent you at minimal cost an HD DVR and there is no savings if you bought one yourself as they'd still charge the same for DVR service,

[robert393]

............in reality there isn't that much out there actually shown in HD....Where's the programming?

Can you get Dish Network Satelite? They offer a TON of programming. Just look at today's HD line-up!

HD programming is still way over priced and no gain in channels has come out in quite some time.

The current price for the HD-PAK is $10 per month. For that price you get:TNTHD, DSCHD (Discovery), HDNET, HDNET MOVIES, ESPNHD, HBOHD, SHOHD, DEMO CHANNEL, NFL & NBA Game of the week. That's about a buck ($1) month, per channel (less than 4-cents a day per channel!). In addition to the HD-PAK I pay $5 per month for 10 VOOM channels (that's 2-cents per day per channel!). You may want to reconsider your statement that HD programming is "way over priced". Let's not forget the "off-air" HD (ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX & UHF). They are FREE! That totals nearly 30 HD channels! Also, Dish Network is adding 7 more Voom channels in the next few days.....with no increase in price (still only $5 per month!).

........why hurry when there are those who are willing to pay premium dollars for a hand full of HD channels

Please see above.

Sounds like you just haven't been willing to cough-up the few bucks HD programming cost. It cost pennies per day, for LOTS of programming.

Robert

[Eric Z]

Great information, everyone- I'm feeling more and more motivated to take the leap! Now, how is the audio in the HD broadcasts? Is everything 5.1, or are some just like standard TV. I just think it would be interesting watching sports (my Bears or Cubs) in 5.1; do they have sports in 5.1?

I'm learning a lot- keep it coming!

[noddin0ff]

I bought a bourgeois house in the Hollywood hills
With a truckload of hundred thousand dollar bills
Man came by to hook up my cable TV
We settled in for the night my baby and me
We switched 'round and 'round 'til half-past dawn
There was fifty-seven HD channels and nothin' on

Well now home entertainment was my baby's wish
So I hopped into town for a satellite dish
I tied it to the top of my Japanese car
I came home and I pointed it out into the stars
A message came back from the great beyond
There's fifty-seven HD channels and nothin' on

Well we might'a made some friends with some billionaires
We might'a got all nice and friendly
If we'd made it upstairs
All I got was a note that said "Bye-bye John
Our love is fifty-seven channels and nothin' on"

TV just isn't worth $6K at any resolution. Apologies to Bruce.

[robert393]

TV just isn't worth $6K at any resolution.

Remember, you are on a HOME THEATER forum. That means we have an interest in high PQ (picture quality). I understand if you are not interested in paying $6k for HOME THEATER PQ, but excuse me for saying, but you may be in the wrong forum. For a HT enthusist, $6k may be a bargain. It is all relative.

Robert

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

[I]
TV just isn't worth $6K at any resolution. Apologies to Bruce.

Doesn't that depend on ones own judgement and perspective? It may not be worth $6k to you, but to Robert, and perhaps myself, it does. Especially when you consider that you are not just getting HDTV, but well done upscaled DVD picture(mine does professional quality upscaling to 1080P), and in some cases VERY good quality picture from SD sources. IMO (and just mine) $6k is just the starting block.

[robert393]

Great information, everyone- I'm feeling more and more motivated to take the leap! Now, how is the audio in the HD broadcasts? Is everything 5.1, or are some just like standard TV. I just think it would be interesting watching sports (my Bears or Cubs) in 5.1; do they have sports in 5.1?

I'm learning a lot- keep it coming!

Eric, to my knowledge all HD programming is 5.1 DD. For sure ALL sports are 5.1 DD. Crystal clear picture, true 5.1 surround. Get an Off-air antenna, sign-up for satelite, and buddy, you are "cooking"!

Robert

[L.J.]

And more importantly, does the performance justify the $$$$?

$1700. 57" JVC about 3 years ago. I also got a nice pile of BB reward zone cert. back.


HD and DVR through Comcast cable, only $9.95 per month.

Worth every penny.

[Eric Z]

Am I correct to assume the $5 or $10 extra per month for HD everyone is talking about is on top of your current cable/satellite cost? Just wondering. I know I could look at Comcast or Wide Open West (cable companies in Chicagoland area) websites, but I really don't want to right now.

[L.J.]

Am I correct to assume the $5 or $10 extra per month for HD everyone is talking about is on top of your current cable/satellite cost? Just wondering. I know I could look at Comcast or Wide Open West (cable companies in Chicagoland area) websites, but I really don't want to right now.

yep, for comcast.

[westcott]

I paid US$1800 for a 100"+ HD picture.

Front projection really is the cheapest per inch of picture. Panasonic AE700u.

Yes, rear projection is dying a slow death. Flat panel technology is getting cheaper and provides better picture generally (minimal off axis viewing issues like RPTV).

If you have the space and want a really LARGE picture for a better price of other technologies, go take a look.

Happy Holidays!

[BadAssJazz]

Hmmm, well I am one of those folks who has yet to experience HDTV, but intend to go all in as early as tomorrow. I have a modest budget of $1800 to get a decent monitor. I'd love a 42" plasma, given the space saving features, but I've yet to find anything other than an EDTV in that range. A 34" CRT may be my next best bet -- not entirely a bad idea if I can get one for just over $1K. That leave ample $$$$ for a new DVD player and a few DVDs to boot.

[Woochifer]

I just got back from SoCal where I helped my parents pick out a new TV. Keep in mind that most of their TV viewing right now isn't even DVD resolution. I've been trying to tell them for the past six years that the tube on their TV is fried and they need to get a new one (to get any image to show clearly they need to bump the brightness full blast, so the blacks look grey and any image with bright colors has blooming galore). Well, it wasn't until the speakers on the TV started crapping out and crackling that they finally decided that they needed a new TV. My parents were so desperate to get a new TV that they started calling AV stores ON CHRISTMAS DAY to see if they could find one that was open on Dec. 25th. I couldn't believe that they actually found a store (Superco Home Theater in Cerritos and Monterey Park). So, off we went on a Christmas shopping adventure.

Since their eyesight needs more assistance nowadays, my mom decided that she wanted to go with a 50" TV. I thought that a rear projection DLP or LCD TV would work well for them. But, my mom hates the limited viewing angle of rear projection, and got a look at the flat panels. She was sold on the plasmas (funny how it seems that the WOMEN are willing to pay more when it comes to big screen TVs). So, we wound up looking at several of them. They wound up deciding on a LG plasma with the built-in HD DVR and TV Guide (they never figured out how to program a VCR, but the DVR did not take them long at all to understand). After about an hour of haggling and bargaining on price, they got the TV with a rack and a free VCR for $5k. And LG apparently also has a 24-month interest free financing program right now, which my parents gladly took advantage of.

http://us.lge.com/download/product/f...8/50PX4DRH.pdf

After setting it up for them, I must say that the images look quite impressive. The LG does a pretty good job at smoothing out standard definition programs, and DVDs have a film-like quality to them. And we're not even talking about HD! I bought a UHF antenna to see if the TV could pull any digital broadcasts, but couldn't. So, it's up to my parents to decide if they want to upgrade their cable service to digital (they currently have the bare bones $10/month basic service).

Compared to other sets that I've seen, the plasmas do have deeper black levels, but the rear projections have also made huge strides. Amazing the kind of picture quality that's now available at the $3k price point, which IMO exceeds what $6k would have bought you just two years ago.

I must say it's VERY weird that my parents pulled the trigger on a HDTV before I did! I mean, I got the audio part of my setup finished, while my parents now have the fancy video setup. Too bad I moved out of my parents' house a long time ago, otherwise the combined setup would be quite nice!