Is it too early to get an HDTV?
November 26, 2005 6:29 AM Subscribe
Is it too soon to buy an HDTV?
Lately I've been fantasizing about a larger TV in my living room. I'd like to go with a 42" or larger DLP tv. Thickness isn't really an issue because I have an existing entertainment center.
However, I'm learning that there is still relatively not a whole lot of HD content. I also found out that it would be an arm and a leg to upgrade my DirecTV/Tivo reciver and a new HD dish.
Some co-workers have told me that regular DirecTv looks crappy when 'upsized' to a larger HDTV screen. And even if I were to upgrade my DirecTv service, not all the channels are in hi-def as far as I understand.
I also would use this TV to play Xbox and watch the occasional DVD.
Is it too soon to upgrade?
As a sidenote, I'm also interested to hear peoples' experiences/opinions with DLP and plasma, etc.
Lately I've been fantasizing about a larger TV in my living room. I'd like to go with a 42" or larger DLP tv. Thickness isn't really an issue because I have an existing entertainment center.
However, I'm learning that there is still relatively not a whole lot of HD content. I also found out that it would be an arm and a leg to upgrade my DirecTV/Tivo reciver and a new HD dish.
Some co-workers have told me that regular DirecTv looks crappy when 'upsized' to a larger HDTV screen. And even if I were to upgrade my DirecTv service, not all the channels are in hi-def as far as I understand.
I also would use this TV to play Xbox and watch the occasional DVD.
Is it too soon to upgrade?
As a sidenote, I'm also interested to hear peoples' experiences/opinions with DLP and plasma, etc.
The Xbox 360 is supposed to be cool on regular tv and glorius on an HD set. Not that you can get one for retail, but you may someday.
posted by jmgorman at 7:13 AM on November 26, 2005
posted by jmgorman at 7:13 AM on November 26, 2005
The real questions are:
"Do you want a big screen TV right now? Or are you happy to wait a few years?"
"If you bought a non-HD one today, would you be willing to buy another TV within the next five or six years?"
HD will be everywhere within a few years, and I reckon you'll be kicking yourself if you've got a big TV that can't display it, and no budget to afford a new HD set.
posted by chrismear at 7:33 AM on November 26, 2005
"Do you want a big screen TV right now? Or are you happy to wait a few years?"
"If you bought a non-HD one today, would you be willing to buy another TV within the next five or six years?"
HD will be everywhere within a few years, and I reckon you'll be kicking yourself if you've got a big TV that can't display it, and no budget to afford a new HD set.
posted by chrismear at 7:33 AM on November 26, 2005
Will films eventually be released on HD? I presume there's more than enough detail in the original prints. Will everybody replace their DVD collection with HD version on blu-ray?
posted by Huw at 7:36 AM on November 26, 2005
posted by Huw at 7:36 AM on November 26, 2005
Considering that you now can get a 50" plasma at Costco (Vizio?) for $2600 or for the same price get an 62" Mits DLP, go for it. I have had HD for about 5 years now and never regretted a minute of it even if Wheel of Fortune is still in SD ;-).
/Peter
posted by Ferrari328 at 7:46 AM on November 26, 2005
/Peter
posted by Ferrari328 at 7:46 AM on November 26, 2005
I have a 26" LCD and it's sharp as hell. There's enough HD content right now to satisfy me. FX in SD looks fine. I prefer LCD over plasma as I have light/window issues in my viewing room and there's less glare with the screen cover. I purchased a smaller one a few years back with the intention of putting it in the basement in a few years. I can't see going over 40-45 inches with the next one.
posted by docpops at 8:00 AM on November 26, 2005
posted by docpops at 8:00 AM on November 26, 2005
Huw the HDNET movie channels run films in 1080i HD, they look beautiful -- like being at the theater. The difference between HD film and and upscaled DVD player is incredibly noticeable. I'm surprised HD movie technology (Blu-ray, HD-DVD, whatever) was not launched this Christmas season. It should be out in a year.
Chrismear I don't think they even sell large SD tv sets. I have not seen one at the major box stores.
PS I would buy a 1080p set if you can afford it.
posted by geoff. at 8:02 AM on November 26, 2005
Chrismear I don't think they even sell large SD tv sets. I have not seen one at the major box stores.
PS I would buy a 1080p set if you can afford it.
posted by geoff. at 8:02 AM on November 26, 2005
My parents got an HDTV while I was away at college, and I just saw it for the first time on Tuesday night. The regular channels don't look so bad, although if you stand really close you can see some imperfections (think JPEG artifacts).
There's still not a ton of HD programming, but as others have said, that's set to change. I think this is one area where you'd be smart to either buy the HDTV now or wait for it to become popular. I'd find it hard to justify purchasing an "old" TV, with HD on its way in.
posted by danb at 8:28 AM on November 26, 2005
There's still not a ton of HD programming, but as others have said, that's set to change. I think this is one area where you'd be smart to either buy the HDTV now or wait for it to become popular. I'd find it hard to justify purchasing an "old" TV, with HD on its way in.
posted by danb at 8:28 AM on November 26, 2005
I'm starting to think it's too early, based upon my own criteria.
My criteria are:
1) I don't want to buy another set for 7-10 years.
2) I don't want to spend over $3,000
3) I want to be as future proof as possible (and I think that 1080p is a future-proof requirement).
4) I refuse to buy something that might require expensive repairs in a few years due to normal wear and tear. I don't think anyone knows for sure what the future holds for some of these technologies reliability-wise.
5) I refuse to buy something that offers less viewability options for my TV room than my regular CRT TV does. My TV room requires some 45 degree viewing angles, and there's no getting around it.
6) I'd like to see the various interconnect technologies become more standardized so that I can be confident that my home system will be end-to-end compatible.
7) I'd like my TiVo thingy to be HD
I'd be grateful if any HD-expert 'fites can contradict me here, but I think we're a couple years from meeting my criteria. It just feels like you need to be an expert in TV technology (which I'm not) in order to make a purchase that you won't regret in a few years. And $2,000 is too much money to gamble with for me, especially when I know for sure that the asset will most likely be totally worthless in a few years.
posted by popechunk at 8:31 AM on November 26, 2005
My criteria are:
1) I don't want to buy another set for 7-10 years.
2) I don't want to spend over $3,000
3) I want to be as future proof as possible (and I think that 1080p is a future-proof requirement).
4) I refuse to buy something that might require expensive repairs in a few years due to normal wear and tear. I don't think anyone knows for sure what the future holds for some of these technologies reliability-wise.
5) I refuse to buy something that offers less viewability options for my TV room than my regular CRT TV does. My TV room requires some 45 degree viewing angles, and there's no getting around it.
6) I'd like to see the various interconnect technologies become more standardized so that I can be confident that my home system will be end-to-end compatible.
7) I'd like my TiVo thingy to be HD
I'd be grateful if any HD-expert 'fites can contradict me here, but I think we're a couple years from meeting my criteria. It just feels like you need to be an expert in TV technology (which I'm not) in order to make a purchase that you won't regret in a few years. And $2,000 is too much money to gamble with for me, especially when I know for sure that the asset will most likely be totally worthless in a few years.
posted by popechunk at 8:31 AM on November 26, 2005
According to wired, there's a new HD technology that gives brighter pictures and even thinner screens. The longer you wait, the better you'll be able to get.
What do you lose by waiting?
posted by dial-tone at 8:48 AM on November 26, 2005
What do you lose by waiting?
posted by dial-tone at 8:48 AM on November 26, 2005
1. Yep, that's a huge problem. Flat screens (plasma/lcd/dlp) wear out a lot faster than plain-jane CRTs. It's particularly annoying because you're spending shitloads more for the privilege.
2. Prices have dropped a bit. You can get a kick-ass plasma for a couple grand these days.
3. 1080p is a good future-proof requirement.
4. Reliability-wise, they're still no match for CRT. That will change. I figure by the time you can get a 40" screen for under a grand, they'll have figured out how to make them last.
5. Head down to your local Best Buy and check out their plasmas. They're pretty glorious.
6. I think the reasoning against this is, "If you've got two grand to spend on a television, surely you've got another couple hundred to buy Widget™ Systems Interconnection System.
7. Don't know about TiVo, but you can DVR HD television already with PC cards.
And $2,000 is too much money to gamble with for me
I think this is the real issue. A television is not an asset, it is a frivolous expense. If you're made of money, this won't be an issue. I'm in the same boat you're in. Right now my computer monitor is my HD TV, but it suits my purposes fine for the time being. I'd rather spend the two grand on travel.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 8:55 AM on November 26, 2005
2. Prices have dropped a bit. You can get a kick-ass plasma for a couple grand these days.
3. 1080p is a good future-proof requirement.
4. Reliability-wise, they're still no match for CRT. That will change. I figure by the time you can get a 40" screen for under a grand, they'll have figured out how to make them last.
5. Head down to your local Best Buy and check out their plasmas. They're pretty glorious.
6. I think the reasoning against this is, "If you've got two grand to spend on a television, surely you've got another couple hundred to buy Widget™ Systems Interconnection System.
7. Don't know about TiVo, but you can DVR HD television already with PC cards.
And $2,000 is too much money to gamble with for me
I think this is the real issue. A television is not an asset, it is a frivolous expense. If you're made of money, this won't be an issue. I'm in the same boat you're in. Right now my computer monitor is my HD TV, but it suits my purposes fine for the time being. I'd rather spend the two grand on travel.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 8:55 AM on November 26, 2005
6. I think the reasoning against this is, "If you've got two grand to spend on a television, surely you've got another couple hundred to buy Widget™ Systems Interconnection System.
I know I'm going to want my stereo receiver, DVR thingy, TV, and cable/sat box to all interconnect smoothly and support all the same stuff transparently. And that will translate into big bucks, I'm guessing. And the other problem with these pieces of equipment is that they all have different expected life cycles.
And I don't want to have to watch HD stuff over the air with no DVR capability. Today, football is pretty much the killer app for broadcast HDTV (for me), and watching football without pause/skip would be a bummer.
7. Don't know about TiVo, but you can DVR HD television already with PC cards.
I was under the impression that all of the Myth-like cards only supported broadcast HD, but not set-top-box HD.
I'm well aware that I'm speaking for all of the cheapskates out there, rather than the audiophile/DINK crowd. Surely everyone who doesn't mind plunking down kilobucks every few years to watch TV will already own an HDTV in a few months anyhow. And hopefully those folks will keep inviting us tightwads over to watch the Big Game and admire your bitchin' TV set :-)
posted by popechunk at 9:59 AM on November 26, 2005
I know I'm going to want my stereo receiver, DVR thingy, TV, and cable/sat box to all interconnect smoothly and support all the same stuff transparently. And that will translate into big bucks, I'm guessing. And the other problem with these pieces of equipment is that they all have different expected life cycles.
And I don't want to have to watch HD stuff over the air with no DVR capability. Today, football is pretty much the killer app for broadcast HDTV (for me), and watching football without pause/skip would be a bummer.
7. Don't know about TiVo, but you can DVR HD television already with PC cards.
I was under the impression that all of the Myth-like cards only supported broadcast HD, but not set-top-box HD.
I'm well aware that I'm speaking for all of the cheapskates out there, rather than the audiophile/DINK crowd. Surely everyone who doesn't mind plunking down kilobucks every few years to watch TV will already own an HDTV in a few months anyhow. And hopefully those folks will keep inviting us tightwads over to watch the Big Game and admire your bitchin' TV set :-)
posted by popechunk at 9:59 AM on November 26, 2005
Chrismear I don't think they even sell large SD tv sets. I have not seen one at the major box stores.
My mistake. Here in the UK backwaters there are still plenty about, since we're at very least a year behind the USA in the HD stakes; no one's even broadcasting in HD yet.
posted by chrismear at 10:42 AM on November 26, 2005
My mistake. Here in the UK backwaters there are still plenty about, since we're at very least a year behind the USA in the HD stakes; no one's even broadcasting in HD yet.
posted by chrismear at 10:42 AM on November 26, 2005
There's never a "perfect" time to buy new tech: assuming your finances are sorted out, you still have to weigh the value of having an HD set to use now vs. the opportunity cost of waiting. There will always be something better on the way.
I tend to agree with those who feel that an HDTV upgrade is a fairly discretionary move: the improvements are significant, but still not enough to make this an essential purchase, at least not for me. (I do still hope to upgrade well ahead of the 2009 sunset date, however.) I'm a huge movies fan, and not so much of a gaming or sports fan, so YMMV.
Repeating some already-mentioned items, here are the main things I'm personally keeping an eye out for before getting more serious about buying an HD set:
Of course, my feelings could change overnight should my trusty 11-year old 27" CRT set decide to quit working tomorrow (knock, knock)...
posted by skyboy at 11:17 AM on November 26, 2005
I tend to agree with those who feel that an HDTV upgrade is a fairly discretionary move: the improvements are significant, but still not enough to make this an essential purchase, at least not for me. (I do still hope to upgrade well ahead of the 2009 sunset date, however.) I'm a huge movies fan, and not so much of a gaming or sports fan, so YMMV.
Repeating some already-mentioned items, here are the main things I'm personally keeping an eye out for before getting more serious about buying an HD set:
- More 1080p options
- More-efficient flat-panel display technologies, with contrast range, picture quality and viewing angles rivaling CRTs (here's winking at you, SED)
- Improved scalers to render various formats more seamlessly (I'm still not happy with the level of SD artifacts/macroblocking I've seen on many sets, and I've heard tales of bad A/V sync problems on some others)
- HD TiVo or equivalent set-top DVR... or HD-cable-ready versions of common HTPC solutions (MythTV, Windows MCE)
- Two-way CableCARDs
- More-prevalent use of HDMI
- Better understanding of HDCP issues (ugh) -- I don't know much about this, but it seems like it could affect my programming choices
- Lower prices and more HD programming, naturally
Of course, my feelings could change overnight should my trusty 11-year old 27" CRT set decide to quit working tomorrow (knock, knock)...
posted by skyboy at 11:17 AM on November 26, 2005
1) Find a friend with an HDTV
2) Watch the Discovery Channel in HD.
3) $$$
You can see individual whiskers on a lion twitch. It's glorious. Buy an HDTV.
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 11:47 AM on November 26, 2005
2) Watch the Discovery Channel in HD.
3) $$$
You can see individual whiskers on a lion twitch. It's glorious. Buy an HDTV.
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 11:47 AM on November 26, 2005
Another reason to wait, if a Media Center PC is in your future.
posted by zanni at 12:52 PM on November 26, 2005
posted by zanni at 12:52 PM on November 26, 2005
I've spent relatively little cash, on an HD solution that has completely changed how I watch TV. I'm in Canada, in a market with no over-the-air HD signals (we're a little behind), in a household that already had digital cable. So:
- El cheapo 27" LCD at Wal-Mart: C$799
- Cable company's HD set-top box with DUAL-TUNER DVR: $15.99/month
- Cable and adapter to connect DVI to HDMI
- Back to Wal-Mart for the cheapest 5.1 speaker setup money can buy
- Package of 11 HD channels: $5.99/month - These include the big 4 US networks plus PBS, the 3 main Canadian networks, Discovery HD, the two major sports networks here, and a movie channel
I'm under no illusions about the likely reliability of this particular TV. But it was a relatively small cost for a huge difference in my TV experience.
posted by evilcolonel at 1:57 PM on November 26, 2005
- El cheapo 27" LCD at Wal-Mart: C$799
- Cable company's HD set-top box with DUAL-TUNER DVR: $15.99/month
- Cable and adapter to connect DVI to HDMI
- Back to Wal-Mart for the cheapest 5.1 speaker setup money can buy
- Package of 11 HD channels: $5.99/month - These include the big 4 US networks plus PBS, the 3 main Canadian networks, Discovery HD, the two major sports networks here, and a movie channel
I'm under no illusions about the likely reliability of this particular TV. But it was a relatively small cost for a huge difference in my TV experience.
posted by evilcolonel at 1:57 PM on November 26, 2005
Oops. That's 12 channels.
posted by evilcolonel at 1:58 PM on November 26, 2005
posted by evilcolonel at 1:58 PM on November 26, 2005
Is there any particular type of HDTV which has a problem with burn-in?
I've heard certain types (Plasma? DLP?) should be avoided for gaming but I can't remember which one is a problem. Or is my information out of date?
posted by pandaharma at 4:53 PM on November 26, 2005
I've heard certain types (Plasma? DLP?) should be avoided for gaming but I can't remember which one is a problem. Or is my information out of date?
posted by pandaharma at 4:53 PM on November 26, 2005
My husband and I have had our HD set for about a year now. We bought a discounted Samsung floor model at Best Buy and have been pretty happy with it. Our cable provider in Oklahoma is Cox, and our HD service includes ABC, NBC, CBS, Discovery, ESPN; two channels of INHD, which mainly show IMAX films, some live concerts and random films like "ABBA: The Movie". We also subscribe to HBO and Showtime, so we get those in HD as well. Their HD channels observe the same schedule as their main counterparts; HD versions of the extended HBO and Showtime channels such as the East/West/Family/Comedy, etc. are not available in HD. Starz is also available, but we don't subscribe, which makes me sad because I noticed they are showing "The Life Aquatic" tonight..
The networks mainly save their HD programming for the prime time shows. ABC recently did a special broadcast of "Good Morning America" in HD, which strangely did not show up in HD on our ABC HD channel. Not sure how that happened. Saturday college football games are hit and miss; CBS seems to have better HD football coverage than ABC, but maybe this is a perceived difference rather than actual due to the bitterness I suppress b/c we never seem to get coverage of OU games in HD (unless it's a bowl game.
Recently, they added Universal HD, which has been fairly useless to us as we're not really fans of "Law and Order", which seems to be in constant rotation. However, we stopped complaining when they started showing reruns of season one "Battlestar Galactica" in HD. They haven't shown season two HD reruns yet, but hopefully will.
We've got the HD DVR box; I've noticed it hiccups occasionaly when recording HD channels. For example, there have been a couple of episodes of "The West Wing" in HD I've recorded that had intermittent, or no sound when I played them back. I had similar problems with HD episodes of "Entourage" and eventually gave up trying to record them in HD, and would just catch them on the HBO On Demand channel.
The biggest disappointment for me was not getting our local PBS station in HD. Cox doesn't broadcast it and we can't get an antenna big enough to get the signal from our OKC PBS station down here in Norman. We also don't get our local Fox affiliate in HD, because they apparently are unable to strick a deal with Cox. I'm told that Tulsa's Fox affiliate was able to strike a deal, so Cox subscribers in Tulsa apparently do get Fox in HD.
Bottom line: Do I wish they had more HD programming? Yes. Do I regret buying an HD set? Absolutely not.
posted by Dr. Zira at 5:30 PM on November 26, 2005
The networks mainly save their HD programming for the prime time shows. ABC recently did a special broadcast of "Good Morning America" in HD, which strangely did not show up in HD on our ABC HD channel. Not sure how that happened. Saturday college football games are hit and miss; CBS seems to have better HD football coverage than ABC, but maybe this is a perceived difference rather than actual due to the bitterness I suppress b/c we never seem to get coverage of OU games in HD (unless it's a bowl game.
Recently, they added Universal HD, which has been fairly useless to us as we're not really fans of "Law and Order", which seems to be in constant rotation. However, we stopped complaining when they started showing reruns of season one "Battlestar Galactica" in HD. They haven't shown season two HD reruns yet, but hopefully will.
We've got the HD DVR box; I've noticed it hiccups occasionaly when recording HD channels. For example, there have been a couple of episodes of "The West Wing" in HD I've recorded that had intermittent, or no sound when I played them back. I had similar problems with HD episodes of "Entourage" and eventually gave up trying to record them in HD, and would just catch them on the HBO On Demand channel.
The biggest disappointment for me was not getting our local PBS station in HD. Cox doesn't broadcast it and we can't get an antenna big enough to get the signal from our OKC PBS station down here in Norman. We also don't get our local Fox affiliate in HD, because they apparently are unable to strick a deal with Cox. I'm told that Tulsa's Fox affiliate was able to strike a deal, so Cox subscribers in Tulsa apparently do get Fox in HD.
Bottom line: Do I wish they had more HD programming? Yes. Do I regret buying an HD set? Absolutely not.
posted by Dr. Zira at 5:30 PM on November 26, 2005
Considering that you now can get a 50" plasma at Costco (Vizio?) for $2600 or for the same price get an 62" Mits DLP, go for it.
$2600 is approximately five times more than what any TV of any size is ever worth.
posted by kindall at 11:46 PM on November 26, 2005
$2600 is approximately five times more than what any TV of any size is ever worth.
posted by kindall at 11:46 PM on November 26, 2005
I'm delighted by my HDTV, which is a 32" Sharp Aquos LED. I have digital cable (SF Comcast), not a dish, though. The big 3 networks, ESPN, and the major cable channels all have 24 hour HD feeds, as well as the Discovery Channel and a couple HD-only channels that show things that seem designed to take advantage of the HD set. In particular, pro football just looks awesome - you can see every little clod of dirt and blade of grass sticking to some guy's helmet.
DVDs look good on it, too, even though they're still dicking around with figuring out the HD-DVD format. And it makes a kickass computer monitor.
posted by ikkyu2 at 12:10 AM on November 27, 2005
DVDs look good on it, too, even though they're still dicking around with figuring out the HD-DVD format. And it makes a kickass computer monitor.
posted by ikkyu2 at 12:10 AM on November 27, 2005
$2600 is approximately five times more than what any TV of any size is ever worth.
Oh, go back to your books.
posted by chrismear at 3:05 AM on November 27, 2005
Oh, go back to your books.
posted by chrismear at 3:05 AM on November 27, 2005
I have had HD for about 5 years now and never regretted a minute of it even if Wheel of Fortune is still in SD ;-).
Forget it! I'm waiting. I want to maintain Vanna's youthful illusion for as long as I can. ;-)
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 5:00 AM on November 27, 2005
Forget it! I'm waiting. I want to maintain Vanna's youthful illusion for as long as I can. ;-)
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 5:00 AM on November 27, 2005
This thread is closed to new comments.
Note this is all experiences with RoadRunner not DirecTV, and you might want to explore your cable options as it only costs me ~$15 more a month for the HD/DVR package.
There seems to me a lot of hoopla over there not being a lot of HD channels, and I never found this a concern. It will be a long time until all those cable channels get on the HD bandwagon, probably not until they have to and then six months after that. I really equate it to putting on glasses for the first time, I never watched TV before and now I'm a regular TV bum.
posted by geoff. at 6:53 AM on November 26, 2005