Any info would be appreciated

[JBivens]

If anyone could help... I am looking into purchasing my first HDTV and am trying to do as much research as possible. I have IO service from Cablevision. I am looking to stay under $2500. Any suggestions on where to research or any particular make and models you are in favor of? Also - what is the major difference (other than PQ) between the HDTVs in Best Buy and the HDTVs at custom installation/dealers?

Thanks

[LeeS]

Welcome to HDTVoice! :)

A good start would be in the FAQs.

FAQ - Which HDTV Should I Buy?
http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?t=1046

FAQ - Types of HDTVs, Their Advantages & Disadvantages
http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?t=4801

FAQ - If Only I'd Have Known...
http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?t=1343

FAQ - How Big A TV to Buy?
http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?t=1069

Those will get you started. Get an idea of the technology and screen size and we can recommend some brands/models and get down to some specifics.

Let us know,
Lee

[JBivens]

Thanks so much. I posted before I started really getting into the FAQ section. I did a very little amount of research, but nothing has compared to the info here on this site. Thanks for your quick response.

[LeeS]

Its in one of the FAQs, but how far away from the TV will you be sitting? What will the room lighting be? Dark? Lots of ambient light?

Room dedicated to watching TV or multipurpose?

You may not want a 'traditional' TV maybe a front projector?

Too many choices :)
Lee

[JBivens]

The room is solely for home-theater/tv viewing. The room is set up with the TV caddy-cornered, couch and recliner approx. 9 feet from the TV. There is table lamps and and overhead light (very bright). I have done some research and am leaning towards a Toshiba or Samsung. I found 2 56" Samsung HDTVs that I liked. One was at Best Buy and was around $2200. The other was in a custom home theater installation shop and was $4600. The picture was notably better on the $4600 set, but it was set in a properly lit, personal setting and Best Buy is Best Buy, very bright with 25 TVs in rows, so it is tough to judge the quality. I was wondering if it is worth it to save for the higher priced model or if it wouldn't make a big enough difference to put it off.

Thanks for your time. I really appreciate it.
Jon

[LeeS]

Jon,

Will this be your first large screen TV? 9' and 56" should be fine. Most likely analog cable or OTA will not look good to you. The first 99 channels on cable are analog (even if you have digital cable), and all SAT channels are digital. Sometime, maybe soon?, cable will be all digital too.

The expensive set was probably DLP and the other CRT. Major difference in technology and picture quality. You might want to look at LCD RPTVs too.

My choice would be the DLP RPTV if you will be viewing HD and DVDs primarily. Depends on the budget.

If your viewing will be DVDs and SD TV (SAT or Cable) then maybe the CRT RPTV and use the $'s you save to upgrade your sound system if needed.

IMHO,
Lee

[JBivens]

I currently have a 53"" Sony in the space that my new HDTV would occupy. Coincidentally, I have a friend whose big screen just died, and he is willing to buy mine. I was going to use that money towards the HDTV.

So SAT HD, due to the non-HD channels being broadcast digitally, is probably a better bet than Cable with an HD converter?

If I go to DirecTV with an HDTV receiver and the lower priced, CRT Samsung, would I be getting a good product? Best Buy has 2 years interest free right now. I wouldn't have to wait to save the money. If the DLP RPTV is a significantly superior product, I'll wait.
Thanks Again

Jon

[LeeS]

So SAT HD, due to the non-HD channels being broadcast digitally, is probably a better bet than Cable with an HD converter?
Digital SD and HD from cable is effectively the same as digital SD and HD from SAT. The only difference is the first 99 channels of cable are analog. I could get some arguments about analog cable from the cable guys. I'm a SAT guy :)

DLP is a superior technology as is LCD but the decision to jump in is yours :) Unless you are Bill Gates, no matter what you buy, there is always someting better (better = more $s).

You have someone willing to buy your old RPTV and two years no interest (or payments?) is great.

I had a Toshiba RPTV that I thoroughly enjoyed HD on. It was great for DVDs and SD too.

Wait for more opinons later today when more of the members are online.

So far you only have my opinion and its worth $.02 :)
Lee

[57U]

Just my own opinion, but 9' for a 56" is a bit close. There are people who sit that close, but some people would get eyestrain or headaches or dizzyness from being that close (to an SD signal). It's fine for DVDs or HD.

I would suggest the next smaller size or a slightly longer viewing distance. You're right "on the edge". If you have the opportunity, spend some time sitting that close to that size and an SD signal - or a different size ratioing the viewing distance by the size.