Originally posted by KJ:
I was wanting a the Mitsu 53 inch widescreen for awhile but might have to go HDTV as we are getting a digital box hooked up tonight. They (cox) brought out three analog boxes before finding out I have digital ran to the house. Oh well, once I get the SVT fixed I can think about getting other toys.
Having digital cable and utilizing HDTV are two very different things.. Currently, about 6 stations broadcast in HDTV, and only a few programs are currently beind sent HD. Furthermore, you require an additional set-top box to utilize the HDTV with your TV, which costs anywhere from $500-1000. Most cable companies don't support HDTV yet, so your two options are a 72" antennae on your roof (which will give you NBC, ABC, and CBS), or a disc (Dish Network gives you HBO-HD, and DirectTV gives you a sports channel package in HD). Both require special HDTV-specific set-top boxes, which start at $600.
Now, given all that info, HDTV is good to have if you think you're going to have this TV for awhile, and figure the HDTV mess will get standardized in the near future. They also provide a slightly better picture because of the comb filters used in the TV.
Otherwise, a non-HDTV is a much more cost effective solution. Also realize that while DVDs are all widescreen these days, TV itself won't be widescreen until at least 2006. So deciding on what TV to get should depend on your viewing habits. The way I looked at it, is that I watch alot of TV.. So 4:3 made more sense to me.. A 55" 4:3 watching a widescreen moving gives you the equivalent picture of a 49" widescreen. Which is still big. And you save some money, and normal TV doesn't look retarded and stretched, or with funny grey bars on the side.
My 2 cents worth. I know WAY too much about these TVs. And short of the Pioneer Elite series ($6000 and up), I'd say the Toshiba HDTV sets offer you a better picture, at a better price, fwiw.
