Originally posted by vansmack:Can you explain the difference between built-in tuner and "ready"? Does "ready" essentially mean you have to rent an HD converter from the cable/satellite company, when built-in means you don't?
As far as built in HD tuner, it's only necessary if you don't use cable or satellite TV. But if that's the case, why are you buying a big screen? Cable card technology is going to be nice, but with a DVR, which everybody will have someday, you're still not going to use your built in tuner.
Flat Screen TVs?
Originally posted by bellenseb:The simple answer is yes, you're correct. A built in HD tuner is only good for receiving free over the air (OTA) HD signals.
Can you explain the difference between built-in tuner and "ready"? Does "ready" essentially mean you have to rent an HD converter from the cable/satellite company, when built-in means you don't?
If you wish to watch cable or Satellite HD signals, you'll need their HD tuner anyway, rendering your built in tuner useless.
Congress passed a law mandating an HD tuner be built in to all HD sets that provide a certain type of signal, but the manufacturers have found a loophole that I don't need to discuss. Some TV's that still meet the requirements have them built in.
That Dell Model, it's actually a bit more than I would pay because it has a built in tuner, and I will always have DirecTV or cable.
Cable card technology is one reason why folks may buy a built in tuner - no set top box necessary. Instead of your cable company forcing you to rent a box, they'll send you a card, like D*Tv uses, that you can insert in to your HDTV with a built in tuner that supports cable cards, making it Digital HD cable ready. But the industry has been waiting for the cable card ready standard for some time.
i recently bought a 52" samsung dlp, and i love it. it has a very small footprint considering the size. it weighs less than my old 27" tube tv by a good bit. great viewing angles, clear and crisp, and i don't even have the hd cable hooked up yet. hd xbox is amazing. i have literally made myself sick to my stomach playing video games because the graphics are so good.
another benefit of dlp is that you can replace the chip or the lamp if necessary, which is much cheaper than replacing a plasma tv when it blows.
another benefit of dlp is that you can replace the chip or the lamp if necessary, which is much cheaper than replacing a plasma tv when it blows.
I really like CNET when i'm starting to research a technology buy … they do a really good job of reviewing, comparing, and explaining all sorts of techy stuff … their TV section is pretty solid
I recently bought a Sharp 32" CRT (no flat-screen, no HD, but all the s-video and component connectors) for only $300 … i couldn't believe how cheap normal TVs are now, kind of like how super-cheap desktops are now
I recently bought a Sharp 32" CRT (no flat-screen, no HD, but all the s-video and component connectors) for only $300 … i couldn't believe how cheap normal TVs are now, kind of like how super-cheap desktops are now
Originally posted by Chaz, Lover of all Forum Members:I wonder what kind of qualifications it takes to work at Best Buy? Every time I ask one of those blue-shirted buffoons a question, they give me that "Bambi caught in headlights" look. They don't even know what stock they have in their own store.
mostly a myth purpetuated by best buy salesmen at this point
Originally posted by Duke Newcomb:I'm pretty sure all you need is a pen to fill out the application and you're in. Never, and I repeat never ever ever expect to learn anything about electronics from one of those knobs.
Originally posted by Chaz, Lover of all Forum Members:I wonder what kind of qualifications it takes to work at Best Buy? Every time I ask one of those blue-shirted buffoons a question, they give me that "Bambi caught in headlights" look. They don't even know what stock they have in their own store.
mostly a myth purpetuated by best buy salesmen at this point
…Or learn anything about the store and the location of the merchandise. The first thing they must teach them is too say, "This isn't my department. Do you see that guy way over there? That's Bret. He can help you"
Originally posted by p011@rd:I have that exact model.
i bought this
No complaints other than the fact that it weighs 150lbs.
Originally posted by thatguy:Are you sure that wasn't because I was kicking your ass?
i have literally made myself sick to my stomach playing video games because the graphics are so good.
im so excited because i bought this one for my new condo! wahoo! 50" dont think ill be leaving my place for awhile.
Originally posted by xneverwherex:Wow. Hockey must be amazing on that screen!
im so excited because i bought this one for my new condo! wahoo! 50" dont think ill be leaving my place for awhile.
Great choice.
if anyone is still reading this i am in the b'cast tv biz. if i was you i would get the best normal crt tv available. $300 for a 32" is about right. plasmas and lcds just don't have the res of a crt. plus you can burn an image into them real easy. like the bugs/logosfox box from networks. all the big montitors are retros. video projs aimed at a mirror that projects the image on the screen. i have seen the best hdtv on tv trucks and i have never seen that pix anywhere else. the pix at best buy, cc + myer emco always looks like shit. occaisionally i go in there and i am amazed at how bad it looks. unless you got $ to burn i would wait to see what happens and watch the prices fall.
Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:so does markie, must be a popular one
I have that exact model.
No complaints other than the fact that it weighs 150lbs.
Originally posted by Duke Newcomb:I had a friend apply at the Best Buy on Rockville pike when it first opened…she wasn't hired because she was "too educated"….and was told that by the manager at the hiring clinic.
Originally posted by Chaz, Lover of all Forum Members:I wonder what kind of qualifications it takes to work at Best Buy? Every time I ask one of those blue-shirted buffoons a question, they give me that "Bambi caught in headlights" look. They don't even know what stock they have in their own store.
mostly a myth purpetuated by best buy salesmen at this point
Before you buy your new telly, consider the size of the room it's going in because some of these behemoths are crystal clear…..from a distance and just awful if you're too close to them.
Originally posted by vansmack:"here he comes…running down the beach…hey hey it's smackie, and people say he'll smack you around…but he's too busy sniping…to see me sneak up and assasinate him."
Are you sure that wasn't because I was kicking your ass?
ok, so the last part didn't really fit the song, but it was funny to me and keith.
Originally posted by anarchist:I've spent 18 months watching channels with logos and tickers on my plasma and no burn in. It's not much of an issue with today's plasma technology under normal usage conditions.
if anyone is still reading this i am in the b'cast tv biz. if i was you i would get the best normal crt tv available. $300 for a 32" is about right. plasmas and lcds just don't have the res of a crt. plus you can burn an image into them real easy. like the bugs/logosfox box from networks
A good crt will always yield the best picture. But if you want a 16:9 screen bigger than 34" or 4:3 screen bigger than 40" than you can't go crt. Not to mention form factor, weight etc.
Since we are in a/v geek mode…
I was disappointed with Shuttle's HTPC entry M1000. The price point was about what was expected, but I was hoping for a bit more than a high end laptop. Shuttle has done a nice job engineering this HTPC, low heat, low power, but lack of HDTV support and SoundBlaster Audio for 2K a bit pricey. Was really hoping for something with a dual core processor… that would have a life other than just being a pricey TIVO.
I am however feeling tingly about the latest Sony HTPC offering… Powerful Desktop with DVD changer a couple minor drawbacks but worth looking into.
<img src="http://www.sonystyle.com/intershoproot/eCS/Store/en/imagesCatalog/computers/img_seriesimage_xl1.jpg" alt=" - " />
Product info
Of course there is always trying to save money and building one form scratch but geez is that going to take some time tracking down a case, motherboard, power supply, cooling, video cards, etc…
I was disappointed with Shuttle's HTPC entry M1000. The price point was about what was expected, but I was hoping for a bit more than a high end laptop. Shuttle has done a nice job engineering this HTPC, low heat, low power, but lack of HDTV support and SoundBlaster Audio for 2K a bit pricey. Was really hoping for something with a dual core processor… that would have a life other than just being a pricey TIVO.
I am however feeling tingly about the latest Sony HTPC offering… Powerful Desktop with DVD changer a couple minor drawbacks but worth looking into.
<img src="http://www.sonystyle.com/intershoproot/eCS/Store/en/imagesCatalog/computers/img_seriesimage_xl1.jpg" alt=" - " />
Product info
Of course there is always trying to save money and building one form scratch but geez is that going to take some time tracking down a case, motherboard, power supply, cooling, video cards, etc…
Anyone know how Sony's "Sound Reality" hardware stacks up against M-Audio or Turtle Beach?
Gizmodo told me:
So Sony is working their way into the media center market, but in Sony fashion they are too good of a company to just have a plain old â??media centerâ? so they are labeling their new device as a â??digital living system.â? Good news for Sony is that this computer is, in fact, not a media center at all. It is way worse and way more expensive. This machine features a Pentium D processor, only 512 MB of memory, a lowly 200 GB hard drive, no RAID, 802.11g WiFi, a GeForce 6200, and a dual-layer DVD burner. For the mediocre specs this machine it has a hefty price tag of $2,300. Donâ??t worry, this machine didnâ??t bring out the full negative Nancy in me. This machine does include a nifty keyboard/touchpad combo, has an integrated DVD changer and doesnâ??t look very PC-esque. So it could nicely blend into any ritzy home theatre setup.
So Sony is working their way into the media center market, but in Sony fashion they are too good of a company to just have a plain old â??media centerâ? so they are labeling their new device as a â??digital living system.â? Good news for Sony is that this computer is, in fact, not a media center at all. It is way worse and way more expensive. This machine features a Pentium D processor, only 512 MB of memory, a lowly 200 GB hard drive, no RAID, 802.11g WiFi, a GeForce 6200, and a dual-layer DVD burner. For the mediocre specs this machine it has a hefty price tag of $2,300. Donâ??t worry, this machine didnâ??t bring out the full negative Nancy in me. This machine does include a nifty keyboard/touchpad combo, has an integrated DVD changer and doesnâ??t look very PC-esque. So it could nicely blend into any ritzy home theatre setup.