TV suggestions?

NickTheNewbie

After doing some research I've narrowed the TV I want to a few specific criteria


1. CRT or LCD (cheap, effective, and suits my living area well)
2. Supports 720p
3. Under or around $750 (I might be able to bend on this one)
4. 32-35"
5. Widescreen


I can't seem to find a site that has a flexible search for this kind of thing, so do you guys know of any sites, or have any suggestions on what I should get?

NickTheNewbie

Bueller? Anyone?

Catcher

I would certainly suggest online shopping and Newegg is by far the best place to buy a TV, they have a great search option and an even better return policy. If I were you I would not invest in a CRT because those have been on the way out since 2004 or so, and at this point it might even be smart to thinking about purchasing an HDTV that supports 1080p now with the onset of Blu-ray and HD-DVD, not to mention that holographic disc that's currently being developed. As for the $750 price? If I were you I'd wait a few months and invest around $1100, you'll be much more satisfied.

vonPoonBurGer

You could try the search engine at Cnet.com. It's not ideal by any means, but you can put on multiple filters (e.g. price range, TV size, HDTV support) and at least narrow it down to a list of candidates. They have a general lack of reviews for a lot of the units they have indexed, though, so you might need to search for reviews elsewhere. I have to say though, I think you'll have a hard time finding a unit in your price range unless you go with a CRT. You might be able to find an LCD for that price, but I'd be concerned about the quality of a 30-32" unit in your budget. Most of the 720p LCDs around $750 are 26" or 27".

Slungsolow

I just want to add that when buying an HDTV online, you should make it a point to see the TV in person before making the purchase. You may find the best deal on Newegg, but try to get out to Best Buy or Circuit City just to lay your eyes on it. A TV isn't something you want to buy sight unseen.

archonwarp

Ebay and walmart are going to be your best places to find a CRT HD TV. Walmart has some that support 1080i, 32" for 400ish dollars? They're nice, name brand TVs. I would go tube, because of the perfect picture quality, longevity, and price.

bloodyroarxx

I have a 36inch Prima CRT, its got amazing picture quality the sides are a little blurry but nothing really wrong and it was only like 700$ CDN and I think its down to like 500$ now we got it at Sears.

It does 720p and 1080i and has a DVI input 2 component inputs 2 s-video and 1 composite inputs

NickTheNewbie

I've found some nice LCDs for about $1000. Is the picture better on an LCD or a CRT?

saltiness

CRTs win in terms of image quality. Check out a 3-5 year old Sony XBR CRT on craigslist if you don't mind buying used. They've got the best image quality in the sub $4,000 range and can be had for less than $500.

Catcher

saltiness wrote:

CRTs win in terms of image quality.

That's like saying DVDs have better picture quality than Blu-ray. Any tech expert such as myself knows that LCD and plasma displays offer a much better and brighter picture quality than old tubes. I've never heard of an HDCRT, especially one that supports the high quailty 1080p, flatpanels have come down in price a lot in recent months and that is the way to go.

archonwarp

Catcher wrote:

saltiness wrote:

CRTs win in terms of image quality.

That's like saying DVDs have better picture quality than Blu-ray. Any tech expert such as myself knows that LCD and plasma displays offer a much better and brighter picture quality than old tubes. I've never heard of an HDCRT, especially one that supports the high quailty 1080p, flatpanels have come down in price a lot in recent months and that is the way to go.

Uhhh, no? There's no "Contrast Ratio" on CRTs, because they can do true black. There have ben HD CRTs for as long as HDTVs have been around, but the push by walmart and bestbuy have forced everyone to believe that LCDs are better. Also, most signs say that DVDs DO have better image quality than Blu-ray. Just because it's higher-def, doesn't mean it looks better.

DrFrylock

Some of the best online deals on HDTVs can be found at the Philips Electronics Outlet.

Catcher

archonwarp wrote:

Catcher wrote:

saltiness wrote:

CRTs win in terms of image quality.

That's like saying DVDs have better picture quality than Blu-ray. Any tech expert such as myself knows that LCD and plasma displays offer a much better and brighter picture quality than old tubes. I've never heard of an HDCRT, especially one that supports the high quailty 1080p, flatpanels have come down in price a lot in recent months and that is the way to go.

Uhhh, no? There's no "Contrast Ratio" on CRTs, because they can do true black. There have ben HD CRTs for as long as HDTVs have been around, but the push by walmart and bestbuy have forced everyone to believe that LCDs are better. Also, most signs say that DVDs DO have better image quality than Blu-ray. Just because it's higher-def, doesn't mean it looks better.

Um....you think its only Walmart and Best Buy who say HD flatpanels are better? I'm not going to get too technological here but I can assure its not just a marketing scheme to sell the newer technology. You said most signs say DVDs have a better picture quality than blu-ray? That's a good one, let me guess, VHS has the best picture quality of them all.

TheBurritoMan

Catcher, it's a widely known fact among tech experts such as myself that CRTs are routinely better looking than flat panels. The reason LCDs and plasmas are so hot is that they're lighter and smaller than CRTs, and CRTs can only get so big. And do you even know of a 1080p TV in the 750 price range?

To the OP, DO NOT get a TV off of eBay. There's a reason it's on eBay in the first place, plus the shipping would probably kill any savings you'd get. Froogle is a decent site for price comparison. And I recently saw a 42" 1080i plasma on woot for 900, to give you something to gauge prices off of.

kingmetal

Catcher wrote:

archonwarp wrote:

Catcher wrote:

saltiness wrote:

CRTs win in terms of image quality.

That's like saying DVDs have better picture quality than Blu-ray. Any tech expert such as myself knows that LCD and plasma displays offer a much better and brighter picture quality than old tubes. I've never heard of an HDCRT, especially one that supports the high quailty 1080p, flatpanels have come down in price a lot in recent months and that is the way to go.

Uhhh, no? There's no "Contrast Ratio" on CRTs, because they can do true black. There have ben HD CRTs for as long as HDTVs have been around, but the push by walmart and bestbuy have forced everyone to believe that LCDs are better. Also, most signs say that DVDs DO have better image quality than Blu-ray. Just because it's higher-def, doesn't mean it looks better.

Um....you think its only Walmart and Best Buy who say HD flatpanels are better? I'm not going to get too technological here but I can assure its not just a marketing scheme to sell the newer technology. You said most signs say DVDs have a better picture quality than blu-ray? That's a good one, let me guess, VHS has the best picture quality of them all.

oh pretty please, get technical. enlighten us.

to my knowledge, HDCRTs generally have superior contrast ratios, viewing angles, better color reproduction and higher refresh rates. however, I am no tech expert like Catcher so I'm probably just crazy. apparently my HDCRT doesn't exist, also, which troubles me some.

I second Saltiness' recommendation because we own the same TV. it's a great picture and it's certainly worth the money.

Catcher

Well since you seemed convinced that CRTs are better, Kingmetal, I suggest you think that VCRs offer a superior image quality than DVDs? I hate to say it partner, but the newer technology will always be better; if not they wouldn't make it.

saltiness

Obviously you have no idea what you're talking about Catcher, you didn't even know HDCRT's existed. If you had ever seen one in action you'd know they are vastly superior to anything under $4000-5000 right now. I agree that there are some plasmas, rear projectors and DLPs in the $5000+ range that can best a nice HDCRT but for the price you still can't beat CRT in image quality.

kingmetal

Catcher wrote:

Well since you seemed convinced that CRTs are better, Kingmetal, I suggest you think that VCRs offer a superior image quality than DVDs? I hate to say it partner, but the newer technology will always be better; if not they wouldn't make it.

please, do not tell me what I think.

you still haven't backed up any of your arguments with any sort of fact what-so-ever, all you've done is sound like a foolish asshole.

display technology has changed for a number of reasons, and few would argue that the form factor of a plasma or LCD is superior, but the picture quality is debatable.

sometimes, in the real world, new technology is implemented because it's cheaper, or smaller, or is superior in some other criteria that but the end-user experience is inferior. first generation digital amplifiers were inferior to their analog counterparts in terms of audio quality, but they were a 'new technology' at the time. they were cheaper and more efficient, but they didn't sound as good.

Catcher

kingmetal wrote:

Catcher wrote:

all you've done is sound like a foolish asshole.

C'on man, we don't need to start hatin', I was just trying to get my point across.

kingmetal

Catcher wrote:

kingmetal wrote:

Catcher wrote:

all you've done is sound like a foolish asshole.

C'on man, we don't need to start hatin', I was just trying to get my point across.

a really good way to do that is to use facts and logic.

xYUUBINKYOKUx

I was thinking of going with the Sony XBR970 which is a 34 inch CRT screen because all my research told me that its got the best image quality for the price (around $1000). The downside is the thing is 200+lbs and I really did not want to move it around ever. So I ended up going with the Sony BRAVIA 32" Flat-Panel LCD HDTV ($1300) and so far I have been nothing but happy with it. Regular TV looks ok but HD stuff looks outstanding and its only 68lbs. Best of all for me I can use it as a computer monitor and it really works great.