My 17 year old tv is on its last leg. I would be fine with a $100 tv from wally world, but my wife likes to watch it enough that I want to get a fairly good one. Can any one splain HDTV, LCD and plasma?

 

Gotta have money to spend if you want one of those. I'd say buy a cheapie until the prices come down a bit more.

 

Buy what you can afford. TV's are a little like computers, they are always changing and coming out with better ones. A regular set will do you just fine.

 

Watching television to some is like listening to music. Some get enjoyment listening to a clock radio; while others require the full blown stereo system.

This spring I bought a rear projection 51" HDTV. If the show is broadcast in HDTV: the difference in the picture quality is like going from National Enquirer to National Geographic. I guess the bottom line would be how much TV you watch, how critical a perfect picture is to you and what you feel comfortable blowing on a TV.

 

LCD and plasma are types of screens.
HDTV is a new standard in resolution, 1080 lines per inch verse the old standard of about 500. not all broadcast are in HD yet.

 

This link is to a High Definition web forum, plenty of good information there. Hope it helps you out.
http://www.highdefforum.com/

 

I would go with a regular flat screen for right now. Oh, wait, I just did go with one. Our old set gave up a few months ago and after doing a lot of research, the conclusion is that for now, there is not enough HD content and the prices are still to high.

Another couple of years and it may be a different story. I paid under $400 for a 32" flat screen. Looks great with Dish Network.

 

You will be fine with a $100 TV from Wally World. Just get a "name" brand so when you lose the remote you can easily program the replacement. Consumer Reports is a good source on reliablity. Some of the worse are Emerson, GE, RCA. Some of the best are Sony.

 

I'm looking for a new one too. My dilemma is whether to get a wide-screen or "regular" TV. If you watch closely, alot of commercials are broadcast with the black strips on the top and bottom of the screen. Therefore, some of the screen isn't being used. I'd just assume this will happen more and more, so I want to go with a widescreen version. Of course they are more expensive, but I think only because the stores are discounting the old 'square' TV's because they will soon be obsolete.

Buy the best one you can afford.

 

Here is a pretty good straightforward site on plasma vs lcd.

Those are still pretty expensive, but the CRT high def TVs have come down in price quite a bit in the last few years.

 

I work at a TV station so I may be able to give you some insight... The FCC mandated switch from the current analog signal referred to as "SD" for Standard Definition is 2006. But, stations are not required to quit broadcasting in SD until 2008. All of this is likely going to be pushed back because the industry is complaining to the FCC and Congress that they aren't ready. My station is ready or very nearly ready. Most are just procrastinating because it is costing millions to change out transmitters. HD is great, but there is a bit of a misconception: The switch is from Analog to Digital. This doesn't necessarily mean High Definition. It simply means a different way of transmitting. This is to open up frequencies for the gov't to use/lease as they see fit. Think military use and cell phones.

 

After all that, what I guess I'm trying to say is, Don't waste money on an "HD Monitor" that doesn't include a tuner or has an analog tuner and no digital tuner. Be very careful. And sorry, but the sales people at the stores don't know what they are talking about. They are not educated in what the TV Stations are being forced to do. Don't let them sell you something you aren't sure about. Do your own research ahead of time, so you know when they are lying. Kinda like buying a car.

 

Here's a federal website that explains DTV "Digital Televison"
http://www.dtv.gov/

 

I agree with what has been said and just buy a regular tv for now. I can't see spending big bucks for a high end tv when with over 100 channels or so.....there is still nothing to watch!

 

Many computer video cards have the capability of translating signal to a monitor - five years ago you could watch TV in a smaller window on your desktop while you worked or gamed if it was configured for it (and you had a TV signal feed).

I watch all of my DVD's on a PC screen, because I get that vaunted high definition, without the cash outlay. I noticed this a long time a go. I bought a TV-OUT capable card when they were first available (ATI ALL-IN-WONDER).

I thought I would throw my PC games up on the much bigger and cheaper 27" TV monitor I had, but the script letters came out noticeably less readable - in fact blocky looking. I found myself turning to the 14" PC monitor I was also running to read titles at the end of "Under Siege" (the movie) and from that point on, I just watched movies on my desktop!

There are some huge monitors out there for far less than a plasma or hi-def screen, and the money is well...

- Bounce them off eachother yourself.

Then there is PC screen PROJECTION...

The highest rezz is always going to be with a PC, IMHO. HI-DEF was an option for broadcast TV years ago, but they spaced on it. HI-REZ is the annual goal of every monitor manufacturer and always has been - they will always be lightyears ahead of POT (Plain Old Television!) Take a hard look at the video options in both directions, you may find that the great big ugly eye in your living room was outmoded quite some time ago.

~Greywolf