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TV talk - Reliable TV - Tube, LCD, plasma...

Trying to research this can put one over the edge. Do newer technologies surpass tube picture quality? What is the most reliable?

I may be in the market for a new TV and I am wondering if it is best to go with something like a Panasonic Tau or move to something like LCD. Screen size could be anywhere from mid 30" to mid 40".

We all want a great picture, it's a given, but I want a reliable TV, one not ready for the scrap heap in a couple years, they cost to much.

Budget, anywhere from 1 - 2.5k. I see Tau's in my range for less the 1.5k or bigger LCD/Plasmas for more.
brianmgrarcom
brianmgrarcom OP
1,317 posts
 
Warren, I concede that the 34" of the XBR is the only thing holding me back from ending this short search; I am not saying I wouldn't enjoy it, but I had always planned on going at least slightly bigger than 34" when I made my next purchase. C/Net has a very favorable review of this TV.

I do not have a DVD player in the living room, my wife has one in the basement for workout videos. We do not rent movies so DVD playback is not a priority to me.

I doubt I will be able to tolerate stretched pictures, so I suspect whatever TV I purchase will be run in a mode that does not do this.
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brianmgrarcom OP
1,317 posts
 
Hi Tvad,

No doubt my local stereo shop is higher than what I could find pricing for on the 'net. I did watch both their HDTV signals and regulaer sat. feed, though their sat. feed is terrible becuase they can only get one feed and it is split many times sent to many TV.

Your tip on watching in 4:3 is a good one and one that I did but wish I spent more time doing so.
warrenh's avatar
warrenh
2,299 posts
 
Well, if you don't rent DVDs why would you want anything large? Obviously, I'm not a big tv watcher, but I, do, love sports and HD is amazing for that. The few tv series, I watch, luckily, are in HD. So that's cool. Good luck with that Sony. It's a bear to carry...
thaluza's avatar
thaluza
285 posts
 
I have the 30 inch version of the Sony for my bedroom. The picture is very, very nice. The stretch modes, which converts 4:3 to 16:9, are excellent. I prefer the wide screen mode to 4:3. If you settle on a 16:9 tv, be sure to check out the stretch modes, as some sets are way better (Sony and Pioneer, for example) than others.

I agree that CRT produces the best picture, for now.

I have heard good things about the Samsung, and would consider purchasing one. Warren, or anyone else who would know, how is the picture quality of the Samsung with cable or over the air tv? How does it compare to CRT? The picture quality with cable would be important for me, because I watch cable 75% of the time, versus 25% for DVDs and VHS. What about the stretch modes? Are they any good?
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