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I have a few minor questions about getting a new TV.

1. If I go a store and look at it's features and it says it has Component video inputs does that mean it's HD Ready?

2. Is there any special specs I should look for when buying a HDTV.

3. And Windscreens cost about twice as much as a regular, should I consider spending that money on that or just wait about 5 years before upgrading?
 
1. No. Competely different things. Composite cables are those red, yellow, and white cables that come with stuff so you can hook up your Gaming Consoles, video cameras, and computers (extra hardware required for that though) to your TV.

As for the rest, no comment, no opinion.
 
I thought those were A/V cables (red, yellow and white)...pretty sure. The Component video inputs are the red, green and blue and I only seen those in higher tech TVs.
 
Composite describes two audio channels, and one video:

Red (Right Audio), White (Left audio), and Yellow (Video)

Component describes THREE different cables to make up the one video signal (this is supposedly better quality thatn just one wire):

Red (red video pixels), Green (green video pixels), Blue (blue video pixels)
 
If you're looking at a $5000 60+" plasma screen, throw in a couple extra kids' college educations and upgrade it to widescreen. If you're looking at something a bit more moderate, then you'll probably find regular 4:3 just fine.

Make sure the TV has good resolution and color fidelity, and is easy to control.
 
Ok, so even if the TV has Component inputs that doesn't mean it's a HDTV. So what that also mean I wouldn't be able to run things like Progressive Scan?

Originally posted by arden
If you're looking at a $5000 60+" plasma screen, throw in a couple extra kids' college educations and upgrade it to widescreen. If you're looking at something a bit more moderate, then you'll probably find regular 4:3 just fine.
Click to expand...

I think that be a wee bit much bedroom use. :confused: ::angel::
 
1. component inputs can be used with the component outputs on most DVD players, and some other video devices, mostly, gives you lots of extra wires to hookup (well, yeah, and better video quality) but nothing to do with HDTV
2. talk to your TV/electronics retailer, look in the buyer's guides at bookshops for this kind of stuff, many have simplified explanations of what you're looking at.
3. Wide Screens are great if you do a lot of DVDs You can find these quite small for thge bedroom, but they're still pretty expensive compared to 4:3 TVs, Prices are coming down, but as I was doing a lot of pricing about 6 months ago, have seen wide screen (which (usually) are ready for HDTV) small size (around 30") for about $1,000 at Wal-Mart, but you get what you pay for, a bottom end CRT system, spec'd up to do widescreen. Go to a big retailer and just look at the big Plasma screens, and check your wallet.
 
1.) No, component is higher quality connction method. If you have a high quality TV and a progressive scan DVD, you'll see the difference with the component connection.

2.) If you will use the HDTV, it's better to buy one with the built-in convertor. Many are HDTV ready, but require an externa decoder similar to those old cable boxes from the 80's and 90's. Figure on an extra $500 to $1200 bucks for one of those.

3.) Widescreens are nice if you watch alot of movies. Even though it's a 16:9 you will NOT get rid of all the black bars on the top, though they will be far less noticable. Most movies on DVD today are displayed in anamorphic (2.35:1) ratio, which is 21.15:9 (on a 16:9) or 7.05:3 on a (4:3). Also, future regs will be replacing 4:3 broadcasts with full 16:9 broadcasts in the US. It was supposed to be done by now, but has been pushed back. Might as well get a 16:9 one now if you're planning on keeping this for awhile.

STAY AWAY FROM PLASMA! They're still considered "new" technology. You'll pay way too much, and get no real gain (at least noticable). Not to mention they have a short lifespan, not to exceed between 5-10 years depending on a bunch of things.

The best projection-type (big screen) TVs are made by Mitsubishi, Toshiba, and Hitachi. The best standard (under 36") are by Mitsubishi and Sony.

Mitsubishi far excels everyone in this catagory in the large screens, as does Sony in the small screensand. The prices are good for what you get (quality). HH Gregg (Best Buy, Circuit City type of store) has a Platinum Series 55" 16:9 Mits for $2099 this past week, well worth it. They also have a gold series, which is older and doesn't have the built in HDTV decoded. It's worth the extra $400 to $500 for the platinum.

On a side note, stay away from Zenith. They are junk...even though your parents or grandparents had one that laster forever, the company isn't the same. In the 90's they finally folded, and someone else bought the name rights...now placing cheaply made junk into stores with a Zenith logo.
 
Originally posted by mdnky
1.) No, component is higher quality connction method. If you have a high quality TV and a progressive scan DVD, you'll see the difference with the component connection.
Click to expand...

Alright, I get'ca.

2.) If you will use the HDTV, it's better to buy one with the built-in convertor. Many are HDTV ready, but require an externa decoder similar to those old cable boxes from the 80's and 90's. Figure on an extra $500 to $1200 bucks for one of those.
Click to expand...

OOoooo. Thanks a bundle for mentioning that. I was looking in my Sunday paper's BstBuy catalog and they had some really nice looking TV but almost all of them said HD Ready and I had no idea that's what it meant. Hmmm, doesn't make their deals look the grand anymore. :confused:

3.) Widescreens are nice if you watch alot of movies. Even though it's a 16:9 you will NOT get rid of all the black bars on the top, though they will be far less noticable. Most movies on DVD today are displayed in anamorphic (2.35:1) ratio, which is 21.15:9 (on a 16:9) or 7.05:3 on a (4:3). Also, future regs will be replacing 4:3 broadcasts with full 16:9 broadcasts in the US. It was supposed to be done by now, but has been pushed back. Might as well get a 16:9 one now if you're planning on keeping this for awhile.
Click to expand...

I see. Well really I dind't really plan to get one as of now. They cost twice as much as a none widescreen. But if that broadcast thing takes off in the future I'll be sure to get one then.

Mitsubishi far excels everyone in this catagory in the large screens, as does Sony in the small screensand. The prices are good for what you get (quality). HH Gregg (Best Buy, Circuit City type of store) has a Platinum Series 55" 16:9 Mits for $2099 this past week, well worth it. They also have a gold series, which is older and doesn't have the built in HDTV decoded. It's worth the extra $400 to $500 for the platinum.
Click to expand...

Basically what I was aiming for was something in the 27" range. I wouldn't have room nor the money to get something that fancy. But I will keep all that in mind. What do you think of the Panasonic brand for a small HDTV?
 
As far as being twice as much, only in the smaller TV range....and more like 30% more, not twice as much (also, you're getting better internals as most old 4:3 projections don;t have the newer technologies).

Another note, if you aren't buying a large screen then it isn't going to be enconomical to buy one with the HDTV preinstalled (2-3 x the price!). Better off with a good HDTV ready one with a high quality filter (3dy or 3-line comb).

I personally would buy this if I was looking for a 27" TV:
Sony WEGA 27: KV-27FS100

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...38592&type=product&productCategoryId=cat03003
 
I'd also say keep an eye on DVD recorders. These are just like VCR's, except they record onto DVD-R's, which have obvious advantages over VCR's. Currently, I believe they run for about $500, which is quite down from what they were a couple years ago. Just like everyone and my grandmother has a VCR now, everyone will have a DVD recorder in a few years, so if you decide not to get one now, keep an eye on them.
 
Though, to take Arden;s point a bit farther, don't bother with a VCR if you don't have alot of home movies you routinely watch.

Get a DVD, just all around better. Besides, it's not far off that you'll see CHS tapes phased out. A year ago a Blockbuster store had 20% DVD and 80% VHS, now it's more like 60% DVD and 40% VHS. Imagine what it'll be in 2 years from now. VHS is going the same way as Cassettes have...into the History books.
 
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