I'm all over the avsforum and some other in my spare time. Great site, lots of great folks there. Some are plasma snobs, but overall lots of smart video guys.

EDTV looking better than HDTV... WTF?! What sets are these people watching?! I know not all people are videoholics, but c'mon!!! The people that cannot tell the difference between a 480P and either a 720P or 1080i signal dezerv to waste their money on an EDTV. The extra detail is insane! Ray Charles would have bought an EDTV, that's about it. Anyone that actually LOOKS at the image, the detail, the background, the depth, would know in an instant what kind of signal they are watching.

As for the plasma's not going 1080i now.. many stations don't even put out a 1080i signal, most are 720Ps. The 720P signal rivals the 1080i for now, but I think when 1080P hits, that'll be the death of 720P. God knows when/if that'll happen. For the 1080 signals the set does get, it converts to 720P anywho... and still looks damn good.

I think the 1080i 42" plasmas for under 2k are more than a few years off... maybe the super value-line cheap-o models, but not anything that's worth a darn.

If I were to buy a TV soon (and god help me I am) it would be a refurbed 37" Sharp Aquos ($3k /w 3-year warrenty), a nice 42-50" DLP projection unit ($2-3k brand new) or I'd go hog wild on a 43" Pioneer Elite plasma ('bout $4k). The Pioneer and Sharp are 720P sets w/ outstanding electronics. The DLPs vary, but many will display a 1080i signal. Its comes down to image quality & space (dlps obviously larger) for the final choice. But no way would I waste money on an EDTV and miss out on all the GREAT HD programming. Most of the BCS bowl games are supposed to be in HD this year...

 

For under $1900, I can get the 37" Panny TH-37PD25U/P EDTV an watch local HDTV broadcasts without an extra tuner. As for me telling a difference between an HDTV set and EDTV, I haven't seen a fair comarison. I don't trust big box stores' feeds and don't know anyone personaly with both. From what I read on AVSforum, for DVD's and SD TV which will be 99% of my media (I don't watch football), EDTV often looks better. So, I'll save myself at least $1k for the same size with still excellent quality.

Check up on the Panny PD25U and the PDW7UY line of EDTV's. Great reputation for a quality picture. Great value. There is more to how the monitors look than the resolution. Considering cheapie 42" EDTV's are $1600. I don't think it will be too long for 1080p 42" plasmas to get to $2k which makes a $1900 EDTV and $3000 HDTV obsolete. your line of thinking for saying 1080(i or p) looks good downconverted to 720p applies to my 720 to 480p reasoning.

 

Yes, since the diff between a PROGRESSIVE scan 720 signal and an Interlaced 1080 sig are close. However, comparing a 480P & 720P is a MUCH bigger difference. Thus, I would never get an EDTV... I know what I'm missing. You will too once you see your 480P feed next to a 720P feed...

So, you'll toss out 2k now, then another 2k in 3-5 years? Why not just blow the 3-4k now and enjoy the HD programming NOW? Even if the 1080P format is released, most stations & companies have already invested in their equipement and are not going to toss more money away. Maybe the new stations will use it, but now we are talking many, many years out.

The order of image quality:

1080P <---- Doesn't really exsist yet, nor is there anything even produced in this format!
1080i
720P <--- nearly a tie with 1080i
720i <---- rarely used
480P <---- DVD quality
480i <--- roughly equivalent to a normal analog TV picture

Now, I'm not denying the Panny EDTV has a great picture when playing DVDs and the such... however, why invest in a near obsolete TV and miss out on the fantastic HD programming that is availble right now? Nearly all of prime time is in HD, NFL, some NBA, Golf, BCS games, Superbowl, etc... it rocks!!!

I guess I'm one of those folks that has seen and enjoyed a ton of HD programming and realize just how crappy SDTV is, and how EDTV is just marginally better. HDTV is the ONLY way to go if your purchasing a new set, IMHO. Otherwise, just keep you current set!

 

 

I don't agree that an EDTV is near obsolete. It will look much better than a $1000 tube "HDTV".

My main TV is dying. It had crappy quality anyway. It will need replacing soon as itis the main for broadcast shows. I haven't decided if I replace it with a $200 crappy TV or a better quality one yet. I'm just doing research right now.

We'll have to agree to disagree about HDTV vs EDTV. IMHO, buying a TV that cannot accept 1080i or 720p feeds is wasting money, like a $200 TV. For you, there is a lot of HD interesting content. For me, there currently is not. That's how I can justify throwing away $2k and then replacing my other SD TV with one better than EDTV in a few years if the price/performance is worth it to me. This one will become a secondary TV if that happens.

If I end up with an EDTV, you'll be welcome to check it out, although it won't be side by side with an HDTV.

 

ARRRRGGGHHHH!!! We must go shopping. At a good store. A store that has calibrated their sets, and can show you an HD show next to a ED show. I KNOW you'll be convinced.

Right there... nearly all primetime broadcast shows are in HD!!!

YES!!! Buying an EDTV IS A WASTE OF MONEY!!! You agree!!

I'm confused...

 

Panny EDTV accepts and converts both 1080i an 720pvia the ATSC tuner.

 

Accepting and displaying properly are two different things... as is upconverting and downconverting...

 

some of you seems to know a lot about the subject. what do you think of this model 32" Sharp Aquos for the price, $2849.00, quality compared to something else. it is a perfect fit, in a cabinet, i'm replacing a 18yr old Sony 32" Trinitron. the Sony had 2FT of water in it, when our house flooded. i let it dry out for about a week, and it has continued to work for about 10years.

http://www.sharpusa.com/products/Mod...8,1389,00.html

 

The Aquos line is hella-cool. LCDs are still pricey but the quality is outstanding, plus you can't find any other flat panels in a 32" set.

Can save money at http://www.refurbdepot.com/productde...roduct_ID=3345

 

Thanks!, looks like some sweet deals over there.

 

Just get a warrenty to be safe. Manufacture's refurbs are 90-day only.

 

Toshiba recently released a tube 30" HDTV for just $900. I'll try to find the model number...

 

400lbs, 40" deep, consumes 4000W...

 

I have this tv hanging on the wall in the bedroom.

http://www.audiosound.com/visovp42plwi.html

I am very satisfied with it.