Need HDTV for Bedroom

[Phaetos]

We got a Mits 43413 for the living room, now we need/want (;0) an HD set for the bedroom. Don't need anything as large as the 43" so we are looking at about 30". Here are the two choices I was looking at:


Philips 30" Widescreen HD-Ready Flat-Tube TV with HDMI and Active Control 2 (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1077624868351&skuId=6376502&productCategoryId=pcmcat31800050030&type=product) $799

Samsung 30" Premier Series DynaFlat Flat-Tube Widescreen HDTV with Built-In HD Tuner (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1077626340598&skuId=6407854&productCategoryId=pcmcat31800050030&type=product) $949

For a pic of the Samsung go here ... Samsung Pic (http://www.samsungusa.com/cgi-bin/nabc/product/b2c_product_detail.jsp?prod_id=TXP3071WHX%252fXAA)


The Samsung is DVI output, and Phillips is HDMI. From what I have read here, HDMI is the way to go if it is offered. Though my Voom satellite is DVI out, the salesguy said there was a conversion cable for it. Thoughts, experiences, opinions (especially if you have either of these sets) much wanted and appreciated.

Thanks,
Phaetos

[Phaetos]

bump .. anyone?

[max]

Matt27 seems to be happy with the philips model, however if you are willing to spend that kind of money on the Samsung, I would go for a Sony.

Sony makes the best direct view TV's in the world...
MAX,

[Ratman]

Sony makes the best direct view TV's in the world...
MAX,

Throw that statement on the AVS forum! :argue2:

[max]

It's my opinion only. I'm not trying to start any arguments anywhere.

MAX,

[Ratman]

Understood!
We all believe that the purchase we made is the the best.
AVS is not forgiving...

By no means starting any disagreement/debate. Just to make a point that all products/manufacturers have qualities and features that attract a consumer based in the that individual's tastes/desires.

And... all products/manufacturers have problems in some fashion. Depends on the 'luck of the draw'.

IMO... there is no "best".

(No challege or disagreement. Just another consideration.)

[summerfun]

I am also looking at a 30" HDTV for the bedroom and have found the Sony KV30HS420 for $899 a pretty good choice.

[max]

I refrain from saying best, and change it to "Very Very Good"
Direct View TV's...

If I was in the market for a Direct View, Sony would be in my future.

MAX,

[gparris]

First, I didn't know Mits made a 43" set (your living room). I thought they only made a 42" CRT RPTVs and a 48" model in that size range. Interesting. :confused:

Secondly, be sure that the model of set does not sit too far out from the wall and furniture you are putting in on as some CRT sets can be heavy and bulky in the back and this may take up more room (in the back) than expected.

Third, consider the distance you find comfortable with viewing:
Some say the diagonal twice that equals the best distance.
In this case, the set's screen will be best viewed, with the 30" in mind, at about five feet from where you placed it that part of the bedroom's sitting area or from the edge of the bed. :rolleyes:

Be careful of what you buy and how you really use it.

Me? I have a 48" Mits in my bedroom and it works fine straight-on, about the distance mentioned for great viewing and it is NOT too big with a 13 foot deep bedroom. :smokin:

[deckard]

Man us Canadians have it alot easier to choose as the difference between two 30 inchers (say samsung & sony) is about 1500 bucks:):):)

[deckard]

Did u know that the stunning Hi-def image youre watching right now on your mits,tosh,panny,sammy,hitchi,jvc,or whatever was made possible by a SONY hi-def camera. Must boil the blood of all you sony bashers. Originally Posted by max
Sony makes the best direct view TV's in the world...
MAX,
I refrain from saying best, and change it to "Very Very Good"
Direct View TV's...Max,

QUOTE from electronics store EXPERT: "Sony hasnt come as far in widescreen tvs as some OTHER manufacturers have". LMAO. I saw sony widescreen tvs in Japan 15 years ago!
Does anyone consider this the bible of knowledge. If I say Sony makes the best tvs am I overstepping the rules? giving bad advice? off-topic? NO, I am just giving my opinion which is what forums are for are they not?
Got the money, buy a Sony, if not, SETTLE for something else!
Rock-on Max, I'll be in the AVS forum silencing the critics! Unforgiven

[soze]

I agree totally, that's why a bought a Panny

[Phaetos]

First, I didn't know Mits made a 43" set (your living room). I thought they only made a 42" CRT RPTVs and a 48" model in that size range. Interesting. :confused:



Your right, I meant a 42", not 43". And I will be viewing from eye to tv about 10' give or take a foot. Small room. That's why the 30" range is going to be best.

[Phaetos]

Matt27 seems to be happy with the philips model, however if you are willing to spend that kind of money on the Samsung, I would go for a Sony.

Sony makes the best direct view TV's in the world...
MAX,


I looked at the Sony Wega set but it was ghastly looking. Huge, ugly and would never fit in the space where the tv will be going. the Samsung and the Phillips on the other hand will fit perfectly and look sleak, chic, smooth, etc. the Wega was just ungainly looking, yech. thanks for the tip though.

Phaetos

[MICKEY T]

I Have The Samsung, And Its, ..um V. Good

[summerfun]

Just bought the Sony 30" Wega. I agree, the outside cabinet did not look as sleek as the Phillips and the Samsung. I sat there and debated, but there was most defiantly a PQ difference. The Sony was a much better picture.

I have the set inside a built in cabinet in the bedroom, so the looks of the Sony cabinet is not that much of an issue.

[deckard]

In striving for the ultimate home theatre you build the room first, if youre lucky enough. In my personal situation my home theatre room was already there before me, so, I built the rest around the tv. I dont have limitations like width or depth of my tv like many other people. And as far as looks I never did like my brand new sony vega silver colour, but where are we now? components have gone back to silver too. I buy my tvs on price and picture quality, not appearances, or do we sit with the tv OFF admiring how beautiful it looks lol. I'd rather have the tv ON and admire how beautiful the picture is! If my living space didn't permit what i'd prefer then yes I'd buy what I had to to get the job done.

[Ratman]

Did u know that the stunning Hi-def image youre watching right now on your mits,tosh,panny,sammy,hitchi,jvc,or whatever was made possible by a SONY hi-def camera. Must boil the blood of all you sony bashers.
Not quite accurate:
Professional HD cameras used today may be Panasonic, Thomson, Hitachi, Ikegami as well as Sony. Not really an issue IMO, as long as it looks good on my set.

I saw sony widescreen tvs in Japan 15 years ago!
Philips, Loewe, Telfunken and other European manufacturers had widescreen sets 15 years ago also.

If I say Sony makes the best tvs am I overstepping the rules? giving bad advice? off-topic? NO, I am just giving my opinion which is what forums are for are they not?
Have the 'morality police' arrived? No one stated anything about breaking rules or giving bad advice! I (and perhaps others) was stating MY opinion just as you. Yes that's what the forum is all about help and education. A difference of opinion is what keeps the forums interesting and informative. It would be a little boring without an opposing view.

Rock-on Max, I'll be in the AVS forum silencing the critics! Unforgiven
:rofl2:

[Matt27]

Cudos!! my :afro: man

I like the philips i have, it has a very nice picture, only draw back is that it does'nt have the 3:2 pulldown, so you will have to rely on your dvd player.

But for $699 you can't go wrong, a very decent hdtv, plus the lightest one of the bunch, and that's a good thing :D

for now this may be my hdtv, but when HD-DVD or BLUERAY come out i'm going to upgrade my hdtv because i like the high end stuff also that's the way i am really.Like my Uncle Brian says, Matt you never fail to impress me :smokin: i'm allways upgrading you know, just like technology does.

just my 2 cents but go with what is reasonable, yet has a good picture, (obviosly).but just don't decide on picture quality at the store, because some sets are not calibrated correctly and either have to high of a sharpness level, or high contrast all the way up so it can get your attention far away.

Matt~

[deckard]

Did u know that the stunning Hi-def image youre watching right now on your mits,tosh,panny,sammy,hitchi,jvc,or whatever was made possible by a SONY hi-def camera. Must boil the blood of all you sony bashers.
Not quite accurate:
Professional HD cameras used today may be Panasonic, Thomson, Hitachi, Ikegami as well as Sony. Not really an issue IMO, as long as it looks good on my set.

I saw sony widescreen tvs in Japan 15 years ago!
Philips, Loewe, Telfunken and other European manufacturers had widescreen sets 15 years ago also.

If I say Sony makes the best tvs am I overstepping the rules? giving bad advice? off-topic? NO, I am just giving my opinion which is what forums are for are they not?
Have the 'morality police' arrived? No one stated anything about breaking rules or giving bad advice! I (and perhaps others) was stating MY opinion just as you. Yes that's what the forum is all about help and education. A difference of opinion is what keeps the forums interesting and informative. It would be a little boring without an opposing view.

Rock-on Max, I'll be in the AVS forum silencing the critics! Unforgiven
:rofl2:


:bow: humbly I might add.
I should have been more clear on that first statement;
Sony made the FIRST professional hd cam, others followed as usual.
Sony made the first cd player, 80% of all manufactured cd's were mastered on sony professional equipment.
Sony made the first BETA machine, inferior VHS wins out because of porn???? Some professionals throughout the world were still using betacams until hi-def camcorders came out.
Sony made the first walkman/discman, took panasonic a while to catch up in quality.
Sony made the first DAT machine, technology still used by home recording studios and some proffessional studios as well.
Sony SXRD projector Qualia 004 pushes the closest so far to matching crt's pure blacks, while providing a sharper picture than any crt based projector.
Sony Professional SXRD Digital Cinema projector SXR-R110 pumps out 4,096 by 2,160 pixel digital projection resolution. Four times the pixel-count of any conventional HD display.
Sony did what nobody else could and now has nintendo sleeping at Bill Gates place, IMHO. If nintendo hooks up with xbox2 then PS3 better come prepared.

It amazes me that such a diverse electronics company can be number 1/2 in so many genres, can equal-giant matsu****a say the same thing, I think not IMO. Fact is Sony OWNS the professional world that we play in(along with major player panasonic and some minors here and there). If Sony were to concentrate all their resource and engineering power into JUST tv making then almost all of us would be watching one right now, a tv 5 times better than closest competitor at half the price.
Funny how the european manufacturers you mention that have been in the widescreen game as long as sony dont include the current "SONY KILLERS"LOL
like the toshibas and hitachis and pioneers and mitsubishis....is that because theyre japanese? The sony followers?. The samsungs....where was Korea at in this game 15 years ago?
You get what you pay for, yes the $50 sony dvd player IS crap, but so is every other $50 player too. Why is it that with sony youre "paying for the name" when Thomsons econo-cheapo RCA brand can bring out a Scenium 50"/768p display that cost more than a 50"/768p top of the line sony display.
Nothing personal Ratman I respect you and your wisdom, most importantly your fairness. You even managed to "only slightly" offend me that I can't hold my own against the educated wizards at AVS, or did you mean they would ban me for saying Sony makes the best tv's? I guess I'm voicing out years of frustration hearing anti-sony crap(of which you never said BTW)you are a neutral "buy what suites your eyes ears wallet type" and thats cool, the way it should be.....to be continued....I have so much more LOL. :wow:


OOOPS! sorry bout that bad word I never really wanted to type it anyway(too difficult)what I shouldve said was "parent company of panasonic as well as others".

[Ratman]

Points all understood. But perhaps the reason that they are 'first' is because they have the R&D $$. Why? Because being first means more initial profit.

I don't beleive that anyone is saying "Sony is Boloney". I think that it's along the lines that they jack up the prices based on name alone. And if they can get away with it, good for Sony!

IMO... their quality and manufacturing control is no better or worse than most other's. Sony is just another manufacturer, albeit, more profitable than others.

I have no intention of offending anyone personally on their choice(s) of products. But I do feel that products should not be purchased by name alone or because they were first.

As for the AVS... they wouldn't ban you (unless you broke rules). I was suggesting that generally statements as such (Similar to: Bose 901's are the BEST!) get pounced on by some of the 'self-professed' gurus of A/V technology.

Interesting facts:
http://www.oneoffcd.com/info/historycd.cfm
http://www.betainfoguide.com/RiseandFall.htm

[deckard]

Thanks Ratman, much appreciated!
I enjoy your posts and although you don't imply that I do so I think I'll try to post more informatively instead of ranting/raving about frustrations. I tried to speak out against a certain group(who prolly aren't listening anyway)and instead you end up defending and explaining yourself, sorry for that! :cheers:

[BadCamper]

I was in Japan in 1998, and went into several electronics stores there (including in Tokyo) to see what they had to offer.
I was told by the locals that Sony (in Japan) is like RCA (to the United States) --- they're the low-end products that gets imported from 3rd world sweat shops. :rofl2:

[Ratman]

Thanks Ratman, much appreciated!
I enjoy your posts and although you don't imply that I do so I think I'll try to post more informatively instead of ranting/raving about frustrations. I tried to speak out against a certain group(who prolly aren't listening anyway)and instead you end up defending and explaining yourself, sorry for that! :cheers:

No problem!
Yeah... sometimes ranting/raving can generate an automatic 'defensive' attitude that doesn't translate well into written words. Disagreement and civil discission IMO is a good thing. But, "civil" is key! Sometimes, it is mininterpreted and can get out of hand. Not the case with this discussion (although the thread did go a little off topic!). :)

No apology necessary...

[Phaetos]

So I managed to start a fight over fwho Sony beat to what punch, but nobody really seemed to answer my question ;-) I have a tendency to do that I guess :lol: I have started looking at the Sony model KV30HS420 .. again and see that it is HDMI and has 3:2 pulldown (whatever that is, if someone would be so nice as to explain it) for only $50 more than the Samsung.

Phaetos

[summerfun]

As I mentioned earlier, I just bought the KV30HS420 and am very happy.

The 3:2 pull down has to do with the conversion of Movies to TV's. There is a lot of info in the Q&A section of this board.

The HDMI port is not very useful yet. It is a port that combines a digital DVI (video) and digital audio signal into one cable. It does not do you much good unless you have an HDMI device to connect to the TV.

[max]

The HDMI port is not very useful yet. It is a port that combines a digital DVI (video) and digital audio signal into one cable. It does not do you much good unless you have an HDMI device to connect to the TV.


You might not have an HDMI device yet, but it will become the standard eventually so having it is not a bad thing at all. If anything you are better off with it.

MAX,

[summerfun]

You might not have an HDMI device yet, but it will become the standard eventually so having it is not a bad thing at all. If anything you are better off with it.

MAX,
Agreed, that is why I said, "it is not very useful YET".

In my case, as a bedroom TV, I don't think I will ever use HDMI, but it's nice just in case.

[deckard]

Phaetos,
I believe Matt27 is very happy with his philips and MickeyT loves his samsung.
Summerfun even threw in some thoughts on the sony you're looking at. Unlike speakers these three tvs would be awkward to audition at home so feel free to adjust the tv in the store until you approach a picture you desire, try to keep in mind the differences between showroom conditions and where the tv will actually go in your home, whichever tv comes the closest to what you're looking for should be option #1, then consider features, price, appearance, and whether the thing will fit in your stand/room OR whether you will MAKE it fit no matter what. Never buy a tv for your stand, always buy a stand for your tv. :rockon:Never did like those cabinets, so limiting. 3/2 pulldown is a must for progressive DVD players, not so for the tv though. Since HDMI is the latest/greatest IMO and is backward-compatible with DVI you have everything to gain from it and nothing to lose.

[twonami]

Happy with my Samsung in the bedroom

[Matt27]

So far, I think the biggest bang for the buck is the philips, samsung and sanyo 30" widescreens, they have very good picture for the money.

And i would personally recommend the philips especially to anybody that wants to have an hdtv for their room, and thier first hdtv purchase.They are also very good for gaming and hdtv+dvd.

Yeah i have to admit that i seen the philips at bestbuy for $800 and the guy wanted me to buy an extended warranty, which is a waste for a tv this size.Maybe a 37" and bigger but not a 30", can't say the extra $200 justifies it, when i can easily upgrade my dvd player or get some dvd's or videogames for that much.

But i've seen this tv at bj's wholesale club, and costco, and samsclub for $699 so when i bought one it had a 2year warranty already inside the box that comes with the tv, now is this promising or what.I felt very good that philips did this, and only for $45!!! :D

Well i hope you find the one for you, if you like the sony, by all means get it.Because the only reason i didn't buy it was because when i bought the philips before, i didn't know a 30" sony was around so if i knew the sony was for purchase too i would have gotten the sony because i had a grand to spend.

But since i got the philips for $699+tax i figured the rest of the $250 i would spend on upgrading my dvd player, and get some better cabling, and maybe a few dvd's :) .

Will be looking foward to see what you get.

Matt~ :eek: