Help me with my first HDTV purchase (The Bargain Edition) - Blu-ray Forum

-black · 11-27-2008, 01:59 AM

Long time lurker, but I just decided to register on the boards. Im a college student that still has a tube TV and a ps2 but I will be joining the HD-club this week for Black Friday. I'm on a pretty strict budget, so I will only be able to get the ps3, a game and blu ray, HDMI cable, and a TV (with the warranty). I really would like a bigger brand TV, but i will settle for something a little cheaper as long as it still offers a solid HD experience.

I've done a lot of looking around, and these two TV's are in my price range.

The first is a 26 inch Vizio for 397 at walmart.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=5623471

The other is a 32 inch Dynex for 399 at Best Buy.

Which TV would you recommend? and about how much should I pay for a HDMI cable? I've seen some that are like 10 bucks and others over 100.

Also would 26 inches be adequate for a TV bedroom?

Thanks and look forward to hearing your responses

crackinhedz · 11-27-2008, 02:10 AM

I have a 32" Dynex ...I cannot say enough about it. I'm very pleased with it. My PS3 looks sweet on it.

Id get as big as economically possible.

crackinhedz · 11-27-2008, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -black

and about how much should I pay for a HDMI cable?

3ft HDMI

6ft HDMI

10ft HDMI

pick your lengths.

-black · 11-27-2008, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

I have a 32" Dynex ...I cannot say enough about it. I'm very pleased with it. My PS3 looks sweet on it.

Id get as big as economically possible.

did you calibrate it yourself or get a professional?

crackinhedz · 11-27-2008, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -black

did you calibrate it yourself or get a professional?

myself.

ISF calibration would almost cost as much as the TV itself.

-black · 11-27-2008, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

myself.

ISF calibration would almost cost as much as the TV itself.

cool beans. If I get no other responses, I think that is the one I will go with

If I do get it, would you be able to help me with the Calibration lol?

crackinhedz · 11-27-2008, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -black

If I do get it, would you be able to help me with the Calibration lol?

Sticky: Calibrate Your HDTV

OTHER BRANDS: Share Your Custom Display Settings

My settings are in there, but I watch in a fairly dark room....so your viewing may require your own personal adjustments.

-black · 11-27-2008, 02:29 PM

thanks alot Fam. Now go dance with the devil

crackinhedz · 11-27-2008, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -black

thanks alot Fam. Now go dance with the devil

You talkin to me William?

-black · 11-27-2008, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

You talkin to me William?

lol.....

callas01 · 11-27-2008, 03:14 PM

my 32" vizio I like a lot, it is now in the kids room, but for a long time i had it in the computer room to play video games on & hooked up to an upconverter dvd player, it always looked good, and for TV when on the computer. I liked playing video games on the vizio more then my sammy, also the pic on the 32" vizio is better then the pic on the 42" vizio in my bedroom... Go figure?!?

I don't think there is too much of a difference between these two tv's as far as PQ, but I suggest you look at the 2 of them.

Uniquely · 11-27-2008, 03:21 PM

Chances are.... it being your first hdtv...... you will be thrilled with it any way you go. It will be a while before you learn to see the flaws and evaluate the picture quality of various sets.

I bought that 26" Vizio for my mother in law who lives in a nursing home. It's nice for what I paid for it and does a good job with SD which is all she can hook up to it. (I got her an hdtv because they are limited to 19" crt's or 26" flat screens in the home.) If you won't have an hd source other than your PS3 and will be watchin any quantity of SD television on it...... you may want to ask them to play some SD material to see how well it handles it because some hdtv's make SD look like butt.

Bottom line? Either will be better than your current sdtv, so most likely you will be happy with it; so go for size.

-black · 11-28-2008, 11:21 PM

I ended up not getting an extended warranty and going with the 32 inch Sony for 498.00 from Target.

I hooked everything up (I just got through watching spiderman 3 on blue ray

) and everything it great. Only question I have is, why was I unable to get free over the air broadcast? I dont have cable at the moment, but I assumed I would be able to get FOX, ABC, NBC, CBS, etc since the TV said it came with a digital turner. But when I first plugged up the TV, it searched for channels and none came up.

Is it suppose to be like that? Do I need an antenna to be able to get HD FOX and whatnot (I want to watch football this weekend on the TV). If I do need an antenna, then what exactly is a digital turner?

I'd appreciate all the help I can get.....

crackinhedz · 11-28-2008, 11:24 PM

does it have an ATSC Tuner? and yes you would need an antenna.

what model is it?

-black · 11-28-2008, 11:28 PM

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=9252002

Sony 32" Class Bravia LCD HDTV with Digital Tuner, KDL-32L4000

The tuner can receive conventional analog channels (NTSC) and the new digital channels (ATSC), including over-the-air HDTV broadcasts where available, and unscrambled digital cable channels

crackinhedz · 11-28-2008, 11:30 PM

yeah, just get an antenna.

...and nice choice by the way!

-black · 11-28-2008, 11:36 PM

Ok thanks man. Im about to go to walgreens to get some meds (im kinda sick) but I will pick up an antenna from radio shack while im out. Does it matter what type of antenna I get? (im still amazed at how much of a difference the HDMI cord made when i switched it from the cable that came with the ps3)

crackinhedz · 11-28-2008, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -black

Does it matter what type of antenna I get?

well, I would like to say no...but some antennas get better reception. How to determine? I have no idea.

11-27-2008, 01:59 AM	#1
-black Member Member since:Nov 2008	Help me with my first HDTV purchase (The Bargain Edition) Long time lurker, but I just decided to register on the boards. Im a college student that still has a tube TV and a ps2 but I will be joining the HD-club this week for Black Friday. I'm on a pretty strict budget, so I will only be able to get the ps3, a game and blu ray, HDMI cable, and a TV (with the warranty). I really would like a bigger brand TV, but i will settle for something a little cheaper as long as it still offers a solid HD experience. I've done a lot of looking around, and these two TV's are in my price range. The first is a 26 inch Vizio for 397 at walmart. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=5623471 The other is a 32 inch Dynex for 399 at Best Buy. Which TV would you recommend? and about how much should I pay for a HDMI cable? I've seen some that are like 10 bucks and others over 100. Also would 26 inches be adequate for a TV bedroom? Thanks and look forward to hearing your responses

11-27-2008, 02:10 AM	#2
crackinhedz Super Moderator Member since:Feb 2007 Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray reviews:8 Trading Score:19	I have a 32" Dynex ...I cannot say enough about it. I'm very pleased with it. My PS3 looks sweet on it. Id get as big as economically possible. Last edited by crackinhedz; 11-27-2008 at 02:21 AM.

11-28-2008, 11:24 PM	#14
crackinhedz Super Moderator Member since:Feb 2007 Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray reviews:8 Trading Score:19	does it have an ATSC Tuner? and yes you would need an antenna. what model is it? Last edited by crackinhedz; 11-28-2008 at 11:29 PM.

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11-27-2008, 02:29 PM	#8
-black Member Member since:Nov 2008	thanks alot Fam. Now go dance with the devil

11-27-2008, 03:14 PM	#11
callas01 Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Jun 2008 Location:Riverside, CA Home Theater Gallery:42 Blu-ray collection:230 DVD collection:47	my 32" vizio I like a lot, it is now in the kids room, but for a long time i had it in the computer room to play video games on & hooked up to an upconverter dvd player, it always looked good, and for TV when on the computer. I liked playing video games on the vizio more then my sammy, also the pic on the 32" vizio is better then the pic on the 42" vizio in my bedroom... Go figure?!? I don't think there is too much of a difference between these two tv's as far as PQ, but I suggest you look at the 2 of them.

11-27-2008, 03:21 PM	#12
Uniquely Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Sep 2008 Location:Mobile, AL Home Theater Gallery:14 Blu-ray collection:171	Chances are.... it being your first hdtv...... you will be thrilled with it any way you go. It will be a while before you learn to see the flaws and evaluate the picture quality of various sets. I bought that 26" Vizio for my mother in law who lives in a nursing home. It's nice for what I paid for it and does a good job with SD which is all she can hook up to it. (I got her an hdtv because they are limited to 19" crt's or 26" flat screens in the home.) If you won't have an hd source other than your PS3 and will be watchin any quantity of SD television on it...... you may want to ask them to play some SD material to see how well it handles it because some hdtv's make SD look like butt. Bottom line? Either will be better than your current sdtv, so most likely you will be happy with it; so go for size.

11-28-2008, 11:21 PM	#13
-black Member Member since:Nov 2008	I ended up not getting an extended warranty and going with the 32 inch Sony for 498.00 from Target. I hooked everything up (I just got through watching spiderman 3 on blue ray ) and everything it great. Only question I have is, why was I unable to get free over the air broadcast? I dont have cable at the moment, but I assumed I would be able to get FOX, ABC, NBC, CBS, etc since the TV said it came with a digital turner. But when I first plugged up the TV, it searched for channels and none came up. Is it suppose to be like that? Do I need an antenna to be able to get HD FOX and whatnot (I want to watch football this weekend on the TV). If I do need an antenna, then what exactly is a digital turner? I'd appreciate all the help I can get.....

11-28-2008, 11:28 PM	#15
-black Member Member since:Nov 2008	http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=9252002 Sony 32" Class Bravia LCD HDTV with Digital Tuner, KDL-32L4000 The tuner can receive conventional analog channels (NTSC) and the new digital channels (ATSC), including over-the-air HDTV broadcasts where available, and unscrambled digital cable channels

11-28-2008, 11:30 PM	#16
crackinhedz Super Moderator Member since:Feb 2007 Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray reviews:8 Trading Score:19	yeah, just get an antenna. ...and nice choice by the way!

11-28-2008, 11:36 PM	#17
-black Member Member since:Nov 2008	Ok thanks man. Im about to go to walgreens to get some meds (im kinda sick) but I will pick up an antenna from radio shack while im out. Does it matter what type of antenna I get? (im still amazed at how much of a difference the HDMI cord made when i switched it from the cable that came with the ps3)

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