Should I buy a HDTV?

[BroadcastTVnot]

I only watch movies on my ten year old 25" RCA TV. So far the local video rental store has very few Blu Ray movies -- maybe a dozen. I assume Block Buster would have more, but I haven't looked since the video store I go to is cheaper at $1 a week for an older movie. I don't get broadcast TV reception at my house because of being located in the mountains, and don't want to spend the big bucks for a satellite subscription right now; so basically, I just watch standard DVD movies on my ten year old RCA TV.

I would like to get a bigger screen TV that has surround sound. However, would it be worth buying an expensive HDTV with so little HD programming? I want to put the TV into a big, very bright family room and was thinking of a 40/46" HDTV. I like the Samsungs, but need a matte-non-glare screen probably a 630. The Sonys are OK but more expensive. I could buy a smaller, cheaper set now - perhaps 32" - wait a year or so to buy a bigger set and move to the small HD set to another room. Of course, the cheapest alternative is to wait until I have more access to HD programming.

So, would it be worth to upgrade cost to watch non-HD movies.

[kpkelley]

At the very least an hdtv would be widescreen and give a larger image at a higher resolution even for the dvd's that you would be playing on it. If the room is brightly lit, then an lcd would be well suited. If you have ambient light control I would suggest a Plasma as they give the best pq IMO. If you want to go larger without paying as much you should look into a DLP set as they would give you your best bang for your buck.

[Audiophile_At_Birth]

Buy a decent HDTV now with HD capabilities, like a 37". Don't spend so much on it. With technology, it advances so fast, that what you buy now will be outdated within two years at most. So when you're finally ready for blu-ray and HD Sat tv, you can go ahead and purchase a Samsung and put the 37" in a bedroom. You can always buy a nice HDTV with a nice upconvert DVD player that will make your DVD's look better for now. But as Blu-ray goes mainstream, your going to want that Nice Samsung and blu-ray player.

and +1 on Kpkelleys opinion.

[BluRayNick]

yes time for a up grade my friend! Try a 50inch Panny! lol

[callas01]

Like kpkelley said, getting a bigger tv now with better resolution, and as audiophile said, get an upconverter for now, then you can at least inexpensively watch movies and have a better looking image with more detail. Since it sounds like you have a budget, get the TV you want now, therefore you're not having to upgrade again, and save an extra $80 for an upscaling DVD player, then you can add as you go, surround sound, blu-ray player, etc. If you buy from amazon.com you could prolly save yourself a couple hundred dollars too.

[Roland1919]

Yes! Of course you should! GO, GO NOW! Dress like MEL GIBSON in BRAVEHEART and charge into BEST BUY Screamin..." YARRRRRRRRRRRR..:I want me HDTV (Oh wait I lapsed into PIRATE); (In Scottish)"Oh maddam, its a good TV, Isle's a take it." rock:

[RazorFromHRSnet]

Originally Posted by callas01

and save an extra $80 for an upscaling DVD player, then you can add as you go, surround sound, blu-ray player, etc. If you buy from amazon.com you could prolly save yourself a couple hundred dollars too.

I'd disagree with this part. You can get a BluRay player for $200 now. Skip the upconvert all together. Your current player is probably progressive scan, so us it, and with $80 you're almost halfway to a BluRay

[raven1138]

Originally Posted by Roland1919

Yes! Of course you should! GO, GO NOW! Dress like MEL GIBSON in BRAVEHEART and charge into BEST BUY Screamin..." YARRRRRRRRRRRR..:I want me HDTV (Oh wait I lapsed into PIRATE); (In Scottish)"Oh maddam, its a good TV, Isle's a take it." rock:

This^

But seriously what I did was buy a cheap Olevia 37" last year, saved my money and this year I am getting my 40" Samsung (Samsung LN40A650). I just couldn't go without 120htz. But for SDVD or "oldray" any HDTV should be fine.

[steve1971]

Upgrade to HD now my freind. Buy an HDTV thats a good name brand so you wont have to update every 2 years or so. I think upgrading every year or 2 years just to keep up is stupid and a waste of money. Blu Ray players are now very affordable so upgrade in that area as well. Once you experience all that HD has to offer you wont be sorry.

[dadkins]

Yes.
I did recently.
Remember, even with DVDs, the current DVD players, Blu-ray players, and even computer playback software do a fairly good job of upconverting DVDs.
Many newer HDTVs have some really good tuners built in as well - my new HDTV pulls in all the standard analog cable channels and the ClearQAM digital channels.
*INCLUDING* the local HD channles.
Super Bowl XLIII - NBC - in 1080! Yeah Baby!

Plus, when you do go Blu, having HD will be a major plus.
There are some great deals happening right now, even on the 1080p sets.

[doctorsteve]

Do NOT buy an HDTV set. You don't want it. It's completely not worth it. You don't want top quality sound and picture. You don't want a Blu-ray player that upscales your DVD's to give a good picture on a hi-def set. These are not the droids you're looking for. Being in the mountains, you never stay home to watch movies, but when you do, you prefer sitting 6 feet from your TV to see them on a small screen. You do NOT want to heave a sigh of pleasure everytime you turn on your 52" Bravia XBR4, boot up your PS3, and power on your Onkyo 805 with Polk speakers. You just DON'T need that kind of joy in your life.

(This message brought to you by the Foundation for Reverse Psychology and Mr. Subliminal)

"Don't buy an HDTV! (whatareyouwaitingfor)" - Mr. Subliminal

[kev.s.lim]

You should definitely get a HDTV. Go big or go home!

[lettucenpico]

I have the 630, it's amazing. But it's up to you man. There's always gonna be newer and better lineups on tvs every 6 months or a year. No rush.