Need Advice for New TV; Regular or Digital?

[MN Cummins Lvr]

This is for all you electronics gurus... I am shopping for a new TV (about 27") for my "newly bombed" family room in the basement and I am wondering if I should spend the extra $$$ right now and buy a digital TV or if I can get by with a regular one for now.



I just don't want to buy a reg. TV now and have the thing completely obsolete in six months I would still like to have a little $$$ leftover for new furniture too to keep wife happy



Thanks for your help!



Paul

 

[rmrc]

Unfortunately, I'm not up on the most current information on this subject, although I've also made the decision that when my current 48" Sony dies, I'm going to replace it with the latest digital offering ( within reason regarding price).



Supposedly, we still have around 6 to 8 years before all transmissions will go digital. I'd say that your decision at this point mainly rests on how much you're willing to spend. If my time frame is correct, (I'm sure other more well informed members will respond), you can still be safe in purchasing a standard TV without the fear of it becoming obsolete due to digital transmissions.



I've also heard that a seperate digital converter box will be available to enable the older format TV's to receive the new signals. You won't get the better resolution that the newer sets are capable of, but at least your old set will still be of service!

 

[RonaldLarson]

Hmmmmm

We be finishing our basement, too, and looked at the current crop of digital and analog. I did not see enough difference to go digital, BUT, with the onset of digital broadcasts, and the constant improvements in receivers, I'd suggest waiting a couple of years and then going dogital. Best we saw was Toshiba.

Ron

 

[klenger]

IMHO, it's still too early to be investing in HDTV and digital TV. Prices too high and compatability does not seem to be finalized. Most of the systems require an addition digital receiver to complete the system when they are available.



I haven't been following this too closely, so the more informed are encouraged to correct me.

 

[work2muchplay2little]

Another angle

If you like watching DVD's and want to take full advantage of their video resolution, a progressive scan DVD player coupled with a digital ready TV would be very nice.

 

[xplorer]

Get a Sony Vega. It is not digital, but the next best thing. I would get at least the 32 inch with the pic in pic. You will love it.

 

[Jeff H]

I'd wait a little longer before you invest in an HDTV. I plan on getting one when they go under a grand. I'm gonna get one of those widescreen jobbies. Then I'll get one of those DVD players.

I just bought a pair of Definetive Tech BP 2002 loudspeakers. Wow do they rock.

 

[Chad Sheets]

Hi guys! I just did my basement too. The carpet goes in next week. That means next weekend its off to the TV store. I think I will go ???? I dont know! I would like to put a BIG screen TV down there. You know, one of those where the people on the screen are as big if not bigger than you. Then again, the HDTV sets that are smaller are much "crisper". I have a good friend who works for RCA and is going to treat me to the company store for a highly discounted shopping spree. I need to get on the net and find out what the best is RCA has to offer.

 

[MN Cummins Lvr]

Thanks for all of your responses. I saw a 27" GE reg. analog in the Wally Mart flyer for $200. 00 so I'll probably just buy that. It will be good enough because we don't watch that much TV anyhow and I get most of my entertainment from being on here Besides, I am sure this TV will be better then the old Setchell-Carlson black and white wooden box I remember watching in grade school



Thanks Again,

Paul

 

[Chad Sheets]

Thats a good TV. I just picked one up myself from wally world Christmas Eve. Our old 27" went ape that morning so I shot it with the . 45 and went to Wally world. The wife had the mess cleaned up and everything when I got home with the new one. Very happy with it.