HDTV info?!

I am going to get my husband a big screen HDTV plasma tv whatever thingy for his 30th birthday which is at the end of July. I have done a little bit of research but I am clueless! I could care less about this kind of thing- I am one of those "we have a tv that works just fine" people, but he is all into the latest and greatest in electronics. He has been lusting after a new fancy TV for a long time now so I figured I would get him one since this is kind of a "big" birthday.

Here's what I know. From what I can gather, LCD is "poor man's plasma." I guess all plasma tvs are flat screen, but all flat screens aren't necessarly plasma. You can get LCD instead. I'm not really sure what the difference is or why plasma is so much better. The other thing I learned is that HDTV is misleading. It can have an HDTV monitor and be "HDTV ready" but you still have to by the HD receiver. Ok, didn't know that. But true HDTVs have that chip or whatever already in them so they are more expensive. I don't know why you wouldn't go that route since you may save $ on the tv, but you would still have to buy the receiver. So why not just get one with all the "stuff" inside it?!

I am pretty sure he'd prefer the largest screen I can afford. So I am thinking I will get LCD and give up the "plasma" part for a larger screen size. And I am leaning towards getting one where I do NOT have to by a separate HD receiver. Oh, and for sure I want the skinny flat screen b/c I like the way they look. :) Is there anyone out there who understands this stuff that can give some advice? Do you have a tv that you like, don't like, wish you would have gotten something else, etc?

I need "techy help" and don't want to put myself at the mercy of the Best Buy guys. I just have to force myself to care about this since it is a big purchase. Too expensive to just buy whatever tv they try to sell me on.

Any and all help is appreciated.

Jamie

Boy, will I be watching this thread...I am in the same position...what to do.....

Help is certainly appreciated...

Hap

We went looking at TV's a few weeks ago.

They way I understood it (and this was a salesman talking! lol) there are indeed 3 main types of big screens. This doesn't include the projection TV's.

The big differences are:

Plasma
The blacks aren't the blackest AND the gases in the tube (panel?) will degrade over time.
So the longer you use it the weaker the picture.
But you get a TV you can hang on the wall and they miles ahead of where they were 5 years ago.
Also you can see them from every angle like a regular tube TV.

LCD Again blacks not as deep as a tube.
Good viewing angles.
The three chips which cause it to work have to be replaced periodically.
This has to be done by a professional and is usually NOT covered under the standard warranty.
The most common type of rear projection TV so the prices are the best.

DLP Best contrast ratio so the blacks are blacker.
Good shadow detail.
Viewing angles are good.
One tube or bulb causes it to work AND you can change it yourself.
The prices for these are high but have 1/2'd in price over last year.
This price should keep coming down.


Looking at the same size TV in all three types we liked DLP the best.
And of the brands Sony stood out in picture quality.


Try going to Circuit City, or a store like that, on Sunday or a Holiday and getting there just after they open.
Tell them you are NOT buying at that time.
And have them walk you thru the formats.
(We had three salesman giving us input.)
Also go over maintenance and warranty info.
Problems they've seen etc are also a must to ask about.
Get his card and let them know you will be contacting them for the sale.

THEN when you decide to buy.
Contact that salesman.
It's only fair that they get the sale credit.

Google TV HDTV TYPES
This will give you a much better understanding of the technical points.
Ric

Thanks Ric! My husband has National Guard duty next weekend so I can sneak over to Circuit City without arousing any suspision. :)

Good to know that "replacement parts" info. And I had heard that the quality of the plasma does go down over time, which makes me wonder why you would drop THOUSANDS of dollars on one! I would rather spend a bit more and at least have a television that I can do something about it when the quality deminishes- replace parts that is.

Ironically, my husband knows this stuff already. But he is the ONE person I can't ask for help. Ha! I have been doing really good at keeping up the ruse. Like when we were in Wal-Mart and he was like "can we just go look at the flat screens?" And I did a fake disgusted attitude towards him and said "I don't know why you want to waste your time like that, you know we can't afford one." I feel so mean but it will be worth it in the end. LOL!

How about the rear projections for me? HUH????

Hap

I'd give him the $$ and tell him to pick out one that he LOVES> Why take a chance on getting something that is not what he wants? Just my 2 cents worth...

Hap the LCD and DLP's are rear projection.
They are just 14" deep or so.
Gone are the days of refrigerator deep boxes.

I hadn't looked at them seriously for a few years and was absolutely amazed at how shallow they are.
Our old 27" tube type is 24" deep.

There are LCD wall hangers but anything bigger than 30" are going to kill you in price.
Because of the manufacturing technology they won't be coming down in price any time soon.

Ric

AH SO,,,,,,,,see how much I Don't know....thanks....will save this for my DH....it's his project to get one....I do think he is going to rob his piggybank and spring for a 57-65 incher....any ideas on them?

Hap

I/we don't really care all that much about the "hang it on the wall" feature. I just want one that is really skinny, which, as I understand it, is NOT just plasma anymore.

Thanks again for the info Ric!

Sarv48- that is a good idea, but he doesn't have his heart set on anything really. He would be thrilled if I just came home with a high def tv bigger than the one we already have. :) Circuit City is doing a 24 month 0% financing deal right now which is why I want to buy it myself. I don't know how one would get the financing approved without actually making a purchase and I don't know how long my husband would have to go get what he wants before that little promotion ends.

I am giving him a surprise 30th b-day party at his sister's new house since she has a pool and all. The last time we were there she was having him and his brother wire all her new electronics and they were both soooo jealous! So my plan is to have his new tv at her house and she is going to tell him she can't get it hooked up right. So as he is just dying over how jealous he is and helping her hook it up, I am going to tell him that he can keep it there if he wants, but it would be easier to watch his new tv from home... :)

Great info! My dh has been lusting after one of these, also!

I'm a 'if I can see it', it's OK' type of person. But, I tell ya, since we've been looking at some of these big screens, they are becoming rather tempting.

I can wait for the prices to decrease; not sure if my dh can, though!