Just bought a 27" Samsung Slimfit. It's 4:3 ratio, should I exchange for 16:9?

[Booloo]

Do you guys really think it is worth the trouble to return the TV and repurchase another that is widescreen? This TV is primarily used for videogames. I have no problem with the screen cropping to 16:9, I lose some size, but it isn't much of a concern. But I was wondering the chances of this set getting burn-in from the black bars? I play games a lot, but usually never in extreme stretches of time.

The Xbox 360 does look great in widescreen but all the systems which will also be played don't support it. Do black bars also occur when a 4:3 format is displayed on widescreen? I read a lot on the FAQs page but now I just feel overwhelmed I guess :(


Heres a couple links if anyone would like to see both TV's:

My TV: http://www.samsung.com/Products/TV/SlimFitHDTV/TXS2782HXXAA.asp

26" widescreen:
http://www.samsung.com/Products/TV/ArchivedTelevisions_2005/TXR2678WHXXAA.asp?page=Specifications

[mjones73]

You can stretch 4:3 programming to fill a 16:9 TV or display it with bars on the side on most sets depending on what zoom mode you pick.

[57U]

See the HDTV FAQs on "Widescreen vs 4:3 TVs". That FAQ was written quite a while ago when 16:9 was not very common. Today, it's very uncommon to buy a 4:3 HDTV.

See also the HDTV FAQ on "Black Bars".

[Booloo]

Thanks a lot!

[Booloo]

Only other thing I could get for my price range is that 26" Samsung I linked though. And since it is discontinued I could have problems getting a replacement if something was defective. We'll see though, checking out the FAQs now.

[Matt27]

How about these 3 models?

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Philips-30-Widescreen-Tube-HDTV-30PW9110D-/sem/rpsm/oid/148780/catOid/-12867/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Samsung-30-Slimfit-HDTV-TXS3082W-/sem/rpsm/oid/147559/catOid/-12867/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Samsung-30-SlimFit-HDTV-TX-R3080W-/sem/rpsm/oid/145211/catOid/-12867/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Seems like some nice tv's, i've seen a few in person last week, especially the philips looks pretty nice.