HDTv questions

[Steve St.Laurent]

Ok guys, I'm about to make the plunge. One of the top criterias is affordable so keep that in mind. Looking at a 37" screen for space considerations. We're moving up from a 32" tube TV so pretty much no matter what we do it'll be an improvement. We live in the sticks and all our programming comes over Dish Network so I'm questioning whether we need a tuner in the TV at all - I don't think we do, please tell me if I'm wrong. I'm looking at this Toshiba - Toshiba 37HLC56 37 in. HDTV-Ready LCD Television Specifications at AudioReview.com or this LG - LG 37 in. LCD Integrated HDTV - Model 37LC7D at Sears.com . I can get the Toshiba delivered for $770 - it doesn't have a built in tuner and has a 1,000:1 contrast ratio. It looks like that is the native contrast ratio and then it has a "HD Dynamic Contrast function". The LG would be $953 and has a built in tuner and an 8,000:1 contrast ratio advertised but I'm sure that's the dynamic ratio and they don't tell you what the native ratio is. The $770 price for the Toshiba looks real good to me and I think it will serve us well. We'll be upgrading our Dish receiver to a HD DVR along with it and it supports over the air receiving as well so we can hook an antenna up to it to receive the local channels in HD (I believe - again tell me if I'm wrong).



Thanks for the input.



-Steve

 

[2Rowdy]

I have a 65" toshiba dlp with dish network sat. and I get the local channels. Out of the 6 or so local channels only 3 have stong enough signals for me to receive the hd over the air. The DVR is the nuts

 

[mberry]

Depending on what Dish system you have, you will need a tuner in your TV. For example, the TV in my daughters room requires the TV to be on channel 73. The TV in the living room comes through the composite video since we have the DVR and HD channel package. The TV in our bedroom requires channel 3 or 4, I'm not sure which.

Good luck.

 

[Byershome]

SuperPricedElectronics Store | Super prices, Outstanding Electronic Products



My Westinghouse 37" has been a champ for 7 months now and the picture is great. It has a built in hdtv tuner

 

[p-Bar]

Just to add to the mix: For High def you need no tuner because you will use the component outputs out of the sat box. You will need a tuner if you are picking up local broadcast with tv antenna, hook that directly to the tv

 

[Byershome]

It has also been reported that over the air Hi Def is superior to satellite if it is available in your area for local channels so having a built tuner can be a plus.

 

[donnier]

A word of caution when you get the set, get the extened warrenty with it.

The reason I say this is we have had a 32" Sony for about two years.

Wife turned it on the other day and heard a "pop"and no tv.

Called the repair dept at Best Buy and when the repair guy got here, he found the main tube had blown.

Inormed me the tube alone was something like 250bucks.

To me exended warrenty is the only way to go on high end stuff.

 

[DJW]

donnier, check to see if the main tube is included in the extended warranty, for instance I understand that for a DLP tv the Lamp is not covered in the extended warranty that's a separate item. As with everything really read the Warranty and don't assume anything.

 

[bighammer]

Steve, I have DISH with HD service and my old Mitsubishi 65" does NOT have the HD tuner in it. There's a set of component jacks on the back that the DISH box connects to. (newer sets HDMI type as well)

What sucks is I have the old DISH HD tuner that only gives me about 8 channels. They said I would have to buy the newer box to get all the HD they offer now. I'm thinking about just dropping my service because I rarely ever turn on the TV.

 

[donnier]

Thats what irriated me with Dish.

I have gotten several offers from them that included a free DVR.

I called and they said I didnt qualify because I wasnt a new customer.

I asked what could they do for an existing one? They said Nothing.

When ATT got FIOS here, I went for it.

Called to cancel Dish and the operator asked why I was dropping them?

Told him I got a better deal.

They didnt like to hear that.

Only thing now is what to do with two old Dish boxs and antenna?

Target practice??