40" 4:3 or 34" 16:9?

[Buying HDTV Soon]

OK, forgive the stupid question BUT

I'm trying to decide between Sony's 34" widescreen and 40" 4:3.

I don't care about black bars, but I DO care about having a picture that is a real size.

I'm thinking I should get the 40" 4:3 because based on the screen sizes the picture in letterbox on the 40 would STILL be bigger than the widescreen version on the 34". Plus, I'd have a real picture size when I'm watching a 4:3 image which would be pretty borderline with the 34...

Am I missing something here?

(and yes, I know I would need to buy a receiver for the 40 and not for the 34...)

[RashouKaioh]

The 4:3 TV will cut out a small section of an HDTV image on the ends. It's not much, so if you're not that picky, it shouldn't be too big of a deal.

I was using a 32" 4:3, but traded that one back in when I found out that it didn't support 720p. If you're not that picky, then the 40" 4:3 will probably take care of you.

[Eagles_phan]

I recently purchased the 40" Sony and it is amazing! Not a single compaint whatsoever. If I did have one it would be the weight. As for the black bars, the reason the teim of this set is black is to minimize the black bar effect. When you're watching the TV at night with the lights off, you don't even notice the bars.

I highly recommend the 40". If possible try to but the Kenwood/Boston Unity system to accompany the TV. It makes a hell of a difference!

[57U]

This has been discussed a lot. See the following link:

Widescreen vs 4:3? (http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?s=&threadid=600)

The second post summarizes the discussion.