I'm an idiot

[bezor1]

O.K. So i'm an idiot. If you could help the digitally challanged I (and my patient wife) would be grateful.

1. Which TV would you rather have between Hitachi 53 in. Model #53SWX10B and Sony 57 in. Model #KP-57HW40? Assume that these are the same price.

2. Do I have to have or purchase a STB (tuner?) If I get satilite or cable that is in digital or HDTV? Does the Hitachi come with a tuner? Some sites say that it is HDTV Monitor?

3. What is so great about a "progressive" DVD? Everyone is discussing the best to buy and talking of several hundred dollars. I saw one a sam's for $120, I don't remeber the brand. Does anyone know if it is worth anything?

4. If I have a HDTV that is 4:3 (see I can learn the lingo) and everything goes to 16:9 in the future will the bars on top and bottom be black (like when you rent a DVD) or that disturbing (distracting) gray (like when you watch normal 4:3 programming on a 16:9 set)? I'v always disliked gray.

Please help!!! Comments and answers will be helpful. As I always say... I'm not a couch potato yet, but I'm willing to learn.

[RickNeff]

#1: Neither -- I've always like Toshibas myself. Mitz is good too. But, that's largely personal preference.

#2: If it says "HTDV ready" then you need an set-top box. Cable and sat are merely digital to allow more channels and an onscreen guide, not HDTV. Both sat and cable HDTV, depending on your area, but you'll need to specifically request it.

#3: I'd concentrate on the TV first; getting a progressive DVD player can come later. It's far better to spend the money now on the best TV you can get and get the appropriate DVD player later. However, progressive players are much better at reducing artifacts and "jaggies" during motion. Most HDTV sets have line doublers, but progressive players are much better.

#4: Yep -- If your screen format doesn't fit the broadcast ratio, you're going to have bars. But, "regular" programming will always be 4:3 and HDTV will always be 16:9. And as I'm sure you know, you can go either way with DVD. So, it's a good idea to know exactly what type of programming you'll be watching (or plan to be watching) before you get the TV.

Personally, I have a widescreen and stretch 4:3 stuff. Toshibas have a pretty good stretch mode and I'm willing to look at a slightly distorted 4:3 image without black bars. And HDTV and DVD look much better, IMHO, without the black bars. However, this is subjective and something you'll want to decide on your own.

[zarlor]

1: Got me. I'm not familiar with either of those. I have a Zenith IQB64W10W (61" 16:9 set with 9" CRTs). It's an expensive set (because of those 9" guns) but well worth it for all the stuff I use it for.

2: RickNeff already explained "HDTV ready", but I wanted to add that a set aht claims it is an "HDTV monitor" is probably also just HDTV ready, meaning it does not have a built-in digital tuner.

3. I use a PC connected directly to my HDTV for progressive-scan DVD playback. Compared to the same image using an standard connection (or interlaced playback) I find that on a digital television the progressive scanned image is FAR superior in quality. I can't speak to the specific player you are looking at, though. If you'd rather use a PC to do it, then I could help you more.

4. RickNeff covered what will and won't be, probably, letterboxed. But as to wether you will see black or grey bars depends on the source or your tuner. Usually it will be black, but some tuners may allow you to select grey bars and there may be a few that will have grey bars instead of black. Just get to know the tuner, or set-top box (STB), you are looking to buy.

[33T]

the DVD player at sams club is an APEX AD-800

look at post under DVD players

and yes monitor doesn't have a HD tuner

[barbinmike]

I love my Sony!! Its the one you are looking at
1-Okay i did some research on here, and there are quite a few people who have the sony 57 one. I did what they suggested and went into the store and looked at them. I personally fell in love with the sony. I played around with it and it was easy to adjust and goes well with my sony sat, tivo, and dvd player. If i was to buy a different set it would be the Mit. Or Pioneer one, they talk about them a lot and i went to see them, they were over my budget; but like i said i love my sony tv. I really enjoy my husband's xbox now, and actually enjoy playing it now. Its amazing the changes you see and it keeps getting better each day. We have had it for almost 2 months, and everyone in here was correct about it taking a little bit to break in.

2-Yes anything that says HDTV monitor or ready will need a box for it.

3-like the others say..get the tv first, we did it backwards, but that only because about 2yrs ago we bought the sony 5 disc dvd player and it died about 4 months ago, and the store did not have them, so i got us this one, because i knew we would be getting a hdtv ready tv. Also, was able to pick up some other toys all for the price i org. paid for. So, we are happy with it. But, if u dont have one. Get the tv-most importantly a lot of the stores will give u a new one when u buy a big screen!

4-This again is my two cents worth. I went from a 36" tv to a 57" widescreen and will never go back. I love my widescreen. Its funny, half way thru a program i will notice its in letter box-its that wonderful, where when we had the 36" i hated anything we watched in widescreen. There just is no comparsion. We will never go back.

5-Very Important-When do u want to get your tv? There will be some nice ones coming out in Sept, if i remember right. Could be some great deals for you. If you are on a budget.

Just remember-Its you and your family that will be enjoying it. Go with what feels right and keep doing your research. I would have never been able to pick out this great tv, if it werent for everyone on here. Helping me and answering my many, many questions.

Sorry its so long, but this again, is from a WOMAN's point of view, so what else can you expect! LOL!! :)