Vote on a New TV
 

Hopefully, this link will work.

We're tossing the giant box and going to a new LCD TV. We don't do any gaming and will be upgrading to DHTV through either existing DTV or possibly cable. We will be hooking up a all-region up-converting DVD player but, our needs are pretty simple.

Any thoughts or preferences?

What are your input needs? Will you be wall mounting anywhere? Is the lamp life and brightness of the Toshiba comparable to the Sharp?

I find the Sharp more aesthetically pleasing but the Toshiba's swivel stand definitely has its benefits. The Toshiba also has more inputs in the back.

I don't know what my input needs are. DVD, Direct TV or cable, possible future sound system.

I can't give you an educated opinion on either of those two, but we have a 42" Sony LCD and love it. I can give you details on ours if you are interested.

swanie

If everything else is the same, or comparable I'd go for the TV with more inputs on the back for cosmetic purposes (no cords running out the front or the side).

Always keep a pair of rabbit ears on hand. Just in case.

We still have a working rooftop antenna!

42"?!?

Get a real TV.

Cover your house in tin foil.

And now the overhaul is about to begin - looks like Fios is in my neighborhood - so bundling internet/phone/tv may save us some cash, of course this means the coordinated canceling and installation of various services...

But first a TV, and a DVD player to play things on it...

I'll check back later to talk about DVR's and HD DVDs, etc.

I know you're considering these two brands, but I have to say, our Samsung is awesome, and I've heard nothing but praise for them in every size.

That out of the way - you need to read reviews. Just put the model numbers into search engines and read, read, read.

To get you started -

CNet reviews the Toshiba
CNet reviews the Sharp (diff size but same set really)

I read the CNet reciews. The Sharp was like a 9.3 and the Toshiba got a 7. The sharp IS prettier........

NO!

And, one of these will be our DVD player. (We need an up-converter and an all-region model.)

OMG, I'm so green with TV envy

and this for the people who do not watch TV, yes, yes, I understand though, you do do media. It will be awesome. I have no intelligent suggestion, however.

It's not really for TV watching. However, movies will soon be a joy.

A fine choice!

I voted for the Sharp...but fair warning my decision was based not on any understanding or experience with either one of these TV's but only with the fact that Sharp supported Manchester United during its' Golden Years whereas Toshiba did great things for the Soviet Navy during the waning years of the Cold War:)

I'd go with the Sharp, and one of these to make sure things are lookin' as good as possible

My final vote will be for the Sharp. It is prettier. And I suppose you don't need a geeked out back end.

Those both look like great tvs. I wonder why the toshiba is approx 50% heavier (75 lbs vs 48 lbs).

I have the big brother to the Toshiba. I went with the Regza line because they are optimized for Hi-Def movies. For example, they have a 120Hhz refresh rate and a 24fps mode. Blu Ray and HD movies are encoded at 24fps and playback in that mode is smoother (less jaggies) than at the standard 60fps. In MI:III there is a scene where they walk down a flight of marble stairs. In 60fps mode you see jaggies but in 24 it's smooth as silk. That's just one example. If you like movies make sure the sharp can match the detailed specs of the Toshiba (and that the 42" version you are looking at has these features....).

I will note that out of the box the Toshiba had some color issues (a noticeable green push) but with a bit of tweaking it's now spot on. Plan to spend some time with a utility like Avia no matter which set you purchase.



With blu ray players going for under $300 I would STRONGLY suggest AGNIST the Oppo at this point. They have has their day. A blu ray player will upscale as good or better than the Oppp and give you all that Disney hi def goodness. Pirates is simply stunning in Blu! Of course you will still have the multi-region issues.

Oh and don't be freaked when movies (standard or Hi-Def) still have the black bars at the top and bottom. Unfortunately that's normal on these sets (both the Toshiba and the Sharp).

If you do go HD I would also reccomend Blue Jeans Cables for all your cable needs.

And if you REALLY want to obsess over this decision visit here and here.

Despite my support for the Oppo above (it is a good unit), I do too wrestle with what media player at this point. I am not going to rush out and replace our DVD collection with Blu Ray and/or HD DVD. But I am at the point where I can't see spending any more money on regular DVDs.

Unfortunately, I am not seeing a clear winner in the current format war. For a while, I was thinking that Blu Ray had the advantage. Then Paramount and Dreamworks threw a wrench in the works. And what about HD VMD?!?

I think know we will see further price drops in both formats in 2008, but I doubt we will see a winner. Then what about combi players (that play both Blu Ray and HD DVD)?

Sorry for tangent. Just something on my mind.

If you're going to go with a Bluray player at all, I highly recommend getting a Ps3 ($399) just because it is easy to update while the standard evolves. The first batch of players are not quite as upgradable. Regular DVDs are upconverted as well, and look great -- and it all goes thru the HDMI input, which is what you want. (I'm just sayin, if you WERE gonna invest in that, that's the way to go).

Of course, you can get a regular DVD upconverter for $100, so it is a rather hefty difference atm.

We went Blu-Ray primarily for Disney. If/when something comes out in HD that I HAVE to have in Hi-Def (ie Star Wars, LoTR) I'll add one of them.

Oh, and I would also note viewing distance is a BIG factor. I've compared upscaled standard and HI-Def versions of a couple of movies. To see any real diffrence you need to sit VERY close to the TV. Here is a guide that gives you an idea...

The PS3 does get good reviews as a blu-ray player but I have seen some complaints about the fan noise on it. I did not go with the PS3 because I did not want the kids playing games on "dad's tv" all the time. They have their own game system for that.

We went with the Sharp. It seemed like a great set in all the reviews plus it is pretty (and lighter!). We absolutely HAVE to have an all-region player at this point (too many other region DVDs in our collection). So we got the Oppo. At some point, maybe we will get a gaming piece with blu-ray or an additional players, but we don't have any "fancy" DVDs in our large collection.

I have to spend some time looking at the accessories you've linked to. (Or get Chris to do it ;)).

Sadly, the set won't be here for NYE so it's the old giant box for one last year of movie watching.

Now, on to Verizon for FIOS and perhaps their HDTV options (and maybe even cell service at the same time!)

.... and if you would like to obsess over FIOS then go here and read the last few thousand posts.

Somehow, I cannot envision you and € sitting around playing video games on your TV.

Congratulations on the new TV! What are you going to name it?

I have to name my TV?

Let's see. The fridge's name is Hubble. Our old heater was Beelzebub. I don't think we've named anything else. I tend to call the current TV Behemoth.

Maybe it should be named "Pancake". Chris is suggesting Flat Stanley, Slim Jim or Flatulence.

..or Heidi - after Heidi Klum, since all we watch is project runway

Bacon!

I think we have a winner

You guys are wierd. :)

(Now, I have to get offline so that I can get the power steering fixed on Minibog)

HA! I just got a call. They will be delivering the TV tomorrow between 3 and 6. At least we'll have a decent screen for NYE. However, not up-converting DVD player until the 2nd.

yay!!!! Someone needs to bring one over. Did you want anyone to bring their Wii, or is that not on the radar for NYE?

Oooh! Ahhh...

Is it too late to vote on a TV?

Yes - I just closed it

Meanie

You want to bring a game console into my house???? The world might come to and end!

Hmmmmm I'm seriously unsure if that is a yes or a no.

Or why the world would "come to" and then "end", as though the game console would bring enlightenment to the masses, thus signaling the destruction of the known universe as we cast off our mortal shells into the virtual plane of the Mushroom Kingdom.

/boggle on

an end.

Hmm, I think I vote no on gaming for NYE. Just seems wrong.

(on second reading that sounds like an anti-Native American gaming ad)

The TV will be otherwise occupied.

I know it was a typo, I was just being my usual annoying cutesy self and running with it :P pfffft. OK no bringing of the gaming devices, just thought I'd ask :)

Can we at least bring treats for Thurston? :)

Yes, Thurston can have treats and toys and anything spoiled dogs love - except people food. I'm trying to avoid that one.

Purty - and it's not even on yet.

Oh! Just head that clicking sound of TV On-ness.

The next hour will consist of Chris mumbling to himself as he hooks up cables and Thruston scratching on the cardboard box. Ahhh, home.

But what about the Bra? Details woman we want details!

What bra?

So, we have an antenna on our roof which bring us all sorts of HD stuff. We may even be able to watch the Rose Parade in HD. Who needs cable?

I am totally overwhelmed and am experiencing what I think the East Germans experienced upon setting foot in a Western department store.

Jesus H. Christ - where did all these broadcast channels come from - and what's with this Channel 2 and Channel 2.1, 2.3, etc. I grew up calling channels by their number and now I've got things like "Qube" what the hell is that?

I haven't even begun experimenting with the satellite. I'm used to watching one show - this is madness, how does anyone know what's on? I spent a half hour mesmerized by Huell Howser on some decimal channel.

I've turned off the set, and returned to the internet where I feel in control. Baby steps...

And now no one's on LoT - I bet you're all watching TV - some show I have no clue about - Damn you all!

Yeah, this is bizarro world. What the hell IS all of this stuff?

Thank GOD it pretty when it's off.

Slowly starting my recovery -

I picked up a copy of David Byrne's Knee Plays - music that was to accompany Robert Wilson's Civil Wars which was going to debut in LA during the Olympics.

It never happend, but the Knee Plays were performed on their own in LA, and Lisa and I got to catch what was possibly the only theatrical performance.

Turns out the newly relesed CD comes with a bonus DVD of stills from the performance. So the TV is on, and we're listening to th Knee Plays while viewing a slide show of black and white stills.

Perhaps we'll attempt a silent picture next...

:eek: :eek: :eek: I am totally drooling right now.

Good luck learning your way around the new broadcast world. We're confused by it too.