New TV's..

[exploder3211]

Ok.. I need a new TV.. I wanted a 27" Tv that was like a NORMAL tv (ya know rounded tube and heavy in the front??)Well, i whent out shopping, all i found was LCD Flat SCreens and Flat Screen Tube TV's. I bought a $145 24" Sylvania from sears that will work for right now (made by Funai Electronics) but i really wanted a JVC or Phillips/Magnavox or Sanyo or Toshiba.. Nobody at all had one. Where would i find such a beast??? Or am i SOL??? I am willing to buy another one if i can find what i want

 

[oxydolfan1]

you're in luck

sanyo tube tv's are harder to find, inexpensively, in stock
but several philips and toshiba models are steeply discounted
even at places like target

kmart has a new house brand, ILO
i know nothing of them, and they look cheap
but may be worth checking into, for rockbottom price
avoid anything durabrand like the plague

toshiba used to be a big step above philips, rca, etc.
but sadly this is no longer the case
on certain toshiba models
be steadfast on price for newer toshiba tube tvs

oxydolfan ADORES certain jvc flatscreen crt models
they are tagged with a moniker that contains "d'art"
or something similar
regrettably they are difficult to find on the east coast

also consider, unbelievably, a sony in that diagonal range
may only be a few dollars more, but are usually worth it

toshiba is frequently discounted well at sears

sanyo is actually really good quality, but walmart is always out, and they supply the lion's share

i really dislike the newer sylvania sets

for general information to all, avoid the 30" samsung hd slimfit close out at select best buys for $749 or less

i have the lg 30-incher, and it is far better, for $799 now

also be advised that philips and magnavox are now yoked only by
corporate umbrella, they are sold under seperate nameplates

the philips is somewhat more reliable than the magnavox

 

[DADoES]

After one gets accustomed to flat-screen display, whether CRT or otherwise, non-flat screens appear a bit distorted.

My plasma panel is coming up on 5 years old, still love it, love it, love it! (except wish it was larger)

 

[danemodsandy]

New TV's and 2009

Some models of TV are in short supply right now, because there is a new FCC regulation in force, as of March 1st of this year. All TV's and TV equipment with a broadcast tuner (VCRs and DVD recorders) must now have a digital tuner conforming to the ATSC standard. Old TVs had what is known as an NTSC tuner. The new ATSC tuners are what are called "DTV" (Digital Television) tuners.

The old, analog NTSC signal will go dark on February 17th, 2009; NTSC TVs will not be able to receive broadcast TV after that date, though they will continue to work with cable and satellite boxes.

The new regulation applies to TV's MADE (not sold) after March 1st of this year. If you want a TV capable of receiving broadcast signals after February 17th, 2009, make certain that the TV has an ATSC tuner. Do not rely on a salesperson's word; be sure the ATSC tuner is listed in the specifications. There are a lot of stores and salespeople dancing around this issue in order to unload leftover stocks of TVs and TV equipment that will be obsolete in less than two years.

If the specs don't specifically state "ATSC tuner" then the TV will not get broadcast after the analog NTSC signal goes dark. Such weaselly phrases as "digital-ready" mean that the TV will have to have a converter, or be connected to cable or satellite, in order to display a picture.

Within a month or two, supplies should return to normal, as manufacturers catch up. The ATSC tuner should not add much, if anything, to the price of a TV; it's a matter of one chip vs. another chip. Some TV's have a dual-chip tuner, capable of getting NTSC broadcast signals now, and ATSC digital signals after the NTSC cutoff. Those are okay, too.

 

[sudsmaster]

Separate ATSC tuners are available, although in limited models. I expect that more will become available as the deadline approaches, so that consumers can receive the digital tv signal and reformat it to NTSC for their 4:3 sets.

Additionally, new VCR's imported into the USA after July 1 2007 will have to have ATSC tuners built in. It may be a simple matter of getting a cheap VCR or less cheap DVDR and hooking your NTSC set to the NTSC coax or composite output. After failing to find a good discrete ATSC tuner, that's what I'm waiting for. I get great antenna reception for both SF and San Jose, and am looking forward to free digital TV.

Also, some HDTV satellite receivers (such as from Direct TV) also have terrestrial ATSC tuners built in.

Another option is FTA, or "Free To Air" satellite receiver with ATSC tuner. Currently they seem to run about $400, but that may be worth it to save $50/month in satellite subscription fees. Of course, what's available for free from satellite isn't going to get you HBO etc, but it will have a wider selection of PBS and other such stations, as well as international stations.

 

[exploder3211]

Thanks Guys.. I think the Sylvania i got will hold out 2 years and then it will go visit the Kurb and i will buy a nice new TV then