Decision time - Sony 34 or Toshiba 46

[Scott Walburn]

I have been monitoring this forum for a while reading every thread I could read about various sets. I was on a budget of about 1000, and I was dead set on a Sony 32hs420 or a 30hs420. Low and behold I received so many gift cards for Christmas I may be able to expand my budget to about 1500. I can get a Toshiba projection (46h84) or the sony 34hs420 for under that amount. I am really torn between which set to get. I live in an apartment, and my viewing area is about 8 feet from the screen. I have always liked the look or tube TV's. I had a Mitsubishi projection set, and that was great, but standard cable looked so awful most of the time. I will be signing up for HDTV, but that is still only about seven channels. I watch lots of DVD, and I am salivating over the thought of HD ESPN. Basically, I'm just looking for input on which set to get. The toshiba is lighter, bigger, and cheaper, yet for some reason I am drawn to the sony. I think the Toshiba even has more lines of resolution. Both sets have an HDMI input. I recently picked up stand from ikea that is silver for 60 bucks, and I measured and both sets will fit on the stand. I think I'm just concerned how digital cable will look on the toshibas. My Mitsu set was 5 years old, and I'm curious if technology has advanced enough where the standard cable will look better on the projection than it did 5 years ago. Basically I'm just looking for any opinions or insight people want to offer.

I understand that this is a forum for tube TV's, but this decision involves both tube and projection sets, so I apologize if I should have posted in a different forum. I'm just looking for insight. Thanks in advance

[jhammer221]

I'm not sure where you are located, but American TV (http://www.americantv.com/elec/e_detail.html?xid=1104248135156484&sku=023002710) has the 46H84 for $988 this week. Almost bought one. Here are their locations. (http://www.americantv.com/index.php?page=stores&xid=1104248135156484)

Later

Jason

[Scott Walburn]

Thanks, but I'm in Pennsylvania. It is still good to know though. I know some people got the set for around a 1000 at best buy around thanksgiving. I'm sure I can get best buy down to at least 1200. There are a ton of places that have the set cheaper than best buy, but all my gift cards are from best buy. Anyways, I'm not that worried about the price because I will do some major haggling, and I've always been very successful at best buy.

[Jim McC]

How long do you think you'll be living in an apartment?
The reason I ask is that a 34" screen is rather small if you move into a house in the near future. I could never spend that kind of money on a small screen like that.

[Scott Walburn]

I doubt we will be in a house for at least a couple years. I really love the Sony's, but the Toshiba is bigger, cheaper, and lighter. My main concern is that the SD cable channels are going to look really junky. I've just always liked the pictures on CRT tube sets. I still have no idea which set I will get. The fact that the Sony is about 200 lbs doesn't sound very appealing, especially since we may not be done moving for a while. Right now I'm 50-50, I really can't make up my mind about these sets.

[sixdoubleseven]

This is just my opinion.

To me, the difference between a RPTV and a tube TV, both displaying HD signals, is like SD vs HD on the tube. I've got just about the same budget as you (actually a couple hundred less) and I'm holding out for a 34" around 900 - 1200.

**Disclaimer: None of the TV's I've seen have been prof. calibrated**

[Scott Walburn]

I agree with you about the tube's picture. I'm not really an audiophile, but I just can't get over how well the tube HDTV pictures look. I have no idea why either. I hear everyone on the forum speak of lines of resolution and unless you get one of the more expensive sonys, the most resoultion you will get is around 850 by 1080 out of a tube set. I took a look at the 34 XBR with HDTV, and I couldn't tell a difference between the resolution on that and a hs420. I've heard some say you have to be very very close to the screen to really notice a difference. I tried to stay about 8 feet away so I could simulate my sitting conditions. Anyways I loved the picture on the hs420, and to be fair the Toshiba looked great with HDTV, but it didn't look as good as the tube. Probably because I was looking at it from about 8 feet, and the bigger screen is obviously going to show more imperfections. Anyways, I will just pick one pretty soon. I just want to make sure I have every piece of information available. Thanks for the replies.

[CrocHunter]

If picture quality is importanat to you, then i'd say the sony then.

But also HD looks better on bigger screens so the toshiba is a good hit too.

It's really a matter of how big you want it, and once you have it you hopefully won't have to move either set for a while.Like me i choose the sony 34" 34hs420 and i live in a house and don't plan on moving, so i picked the sony, and it's a bedroom tv by the way, and later on will save up for a set for the living room once prices go down a bit on the dlp sets.

[Spikem]

Originally posted by Jim McC
How long do you think you'll be living in an apartment?
The reason I ask is that a 34" screen is rather small if you move into a house in the near future. I could never spend that kind of money on a small screen like that.

I was amused (not in a smarmy way!) that you feel a 34" screen is small for if you move into a house.

I'm in a house and we have a 27" TV. (I'm looking to upgrade and will likely go to a 32" or 36" TV, but that's another issue.)

[gilster23]

the 34 inch Sony is GREAT. I love the Direct Tubes for a couple of reason. 1 they last longer and 2 I am a video game junky and did not want to worry about burn ins.

When I hooked my PS2 Madden to the Tube, my friends was amazed, it looked awesome.

I have friends with Projections, and unless you have DLP, LCD or Plasma, you can tell the difference in darkness in the corners and where you sit. Just my opinion.

I know peeps says bigger is better, I disagree. Quality is what I look for and the Sony has it.

[Scott Walburn]

You guys are killing me. I still haven't made a decision. I am purchasing one of these TV's tonight, and I'm still not sure which one. Best buy wouldn't budge from the 1500 for the 34 sony. I was really surprised about that. I got them down to 1329 for the Toshiba. With sales tax the 34 sony will be over 1600, and the toshiba will be just over 1400. Right now the Toshiba is the frontrunner, but I really am flip flopping. Yesterday, I was certain I was just going to get the 32 sony for 900 bucks. I have been watching Buffy non stop on DVD and I just don't want to watch it stretched. I just can't believe there is over 600 bucks difference between the 32 sony and the 34. The 32 will still give me a 29.5 inch widescreen picture, and save me a pretty penny. Additionally, my SD will look much better on the 32. My fiance wants the 46, and to be honest it looked great with HD material. Oh well, I'm sure I'll change my mind at least 3 or 4 times before tonight. Thanks for all of your opinions

[blackngold19]

Originally posted by Scott Walburn
You guys are killing me. I still haven't made a decision. I am purchasing one of these TV's tonight, and I'm still not sure which one. Best buy wouldn't budge from the 1500 for the 34 sony. I was really surprised about that. I got them down to 1329 for the Toshiba. With sales tax the 34 sony will be over 1600, and the toshiba will be just over 1400. Right now the Toshiba is the frontrunner, but I really am flip flopping. Yesterday, I was certain I was just going to get the 32 sony for 900 bucks. I have been watching Buffy non stop on DVD and I just don't want to watch it stretched. I just can't believe there is over 600 bucks difference between the 32 sony and the 34. The 32 will still give me a 29.5 inch widescreen picture, and save me a pretty penny. Additionally, my SD will look much better on the 32. My fiance wants the 46, and to be honest it looked great with HD material. Oh well, I'm sure I'll change my mind at least 3 or 4 times before tonight. Thanks for all of your opinions

I'd rather hack off a limb that own CRT RPTV. Viewing angles are lousy, and the glare issue is horrible. I'd have to go with a tube if I were you. My advice to you would be to spend another thousand and get the Sony 42WE655. You'll be much happier in the long run. Yes, some issues can only be solved by throwing money at them!!!:) :D :D

[Scott Walburn]

I was lusting after that sony 42 LCD as well as the 46 Samsung DLP. They are just out of my price range right now. The sad part is my fiance just got her christmas bonus. The second she got it I starting looking at the more expensive sets. At the end of the day we are being responsible and staying within our budget, and using the bonus to pay bills. At least thats what she tells me were doing. She didn't have a problem when I dropped 3500 on her engagement ring. I constantly remind her I could be watching my DLP right now, but thats a different discussion all together.

[i_dream_of_japan]

Scott,

I have a Hitachi 51swx20b, a toshiba 50h81, and my buddy has a Samsung 50HLP DLP Tv... Focusing on pure Video Pic quality, the Sony Tube Tv has a definate edge. It is the only format of the 3 that has no picture flaws in any modes. The Dlp my buddy has is great, but for Dvd the black levels are poor; more along the lines of grey. My 2 projection sets are great for the big room and football season. They have viewing angle minuses, and focus on a proj will never be as nice as on a direct view.

You have a choice. Size vs. pic quality. I'm not saying the projectors have bad pic quality in any way, just that they are inferior to my Sony 34hs420. Read my Sony 34hs420 master thread for more info.

Regards,

Christopher

[blackngold19]

Originally posted by Scott Walburn
I was lusting after that sony 42 LCD as well as the 46 Samsung DLP. They are just out of my price range right now. The sad part is my fiance just got her christmas bonus. The second she got it I starting looking at the more expensive sets. At the end of the day we are being responsible and staying within our budget, and using the bonus to pay bills. At least thats what she tells me were doing. She didn't have a problem when I dropped 3500 on her engagement ring. I constantly remind her I could be watching my DLP right now, but thats a different discussion all together.

Hmmm. Sounds like someone is whooped!! Hope it's worth it. :)

[Scott Walburn]

She's at work right now, while I'm at home doing research on TV's watching the bowl games......yeah its worth it.

[Trent]

Originally posted by Scott Walburn
She didn't have a problem when I dropped 3500 on her engagement ring. I constantly remind her I could be watching my DLP right now, but thats a different discussion all together.

Ha, ha... My wife and I joked about getting an engagement TV instead of a ring after we dropped $3k on it. I was patient and got both.

Good luck with your decision, and don't let those sales people tell you that they can't go any lower in price.

[blackngold19]

Originally posted by Scott Walburn
She's at work right now, while I'm at home doing research on TV's watching the bowl games......yeah its worth it.

Good, I'm glad it's worth it. Answer this...Are you a perfectionist.?Could you be happy with CRT RPTV.?There are alot of drawbacks.

[blackngold19]

Scott if you have messenger you may add me to discuss this further.

mikman27@charter.net

[Scott Walburn]

I just got back from Best Buy. What a pain. I finally got them to watch the 1329.99 price that sears had on the Toshiba set. I had to go through 3 chains of command before I got a yes. I had the printout with the salesperson's number and everything, and they still were fighting me. They still would not budge on the 1499 price for the sony 34 or 32. My haggling skills must be diminishing or I'm just getting old. I'm going to make my decision later, but at least I know where I stand right now. I have over 600 dollars of Best Buy gift cards, and if I didn't I be shopping somewhere else. Anyways, I'm leaning towards the Toshiba. I had a Mitsubishi 46805 projection from about 5 years ago. It was good set. I left it with my parents when I moved out. The viewing angle never bothered me, and as sad as it is I always enjoyed doing the convergence on the picture. The main thing was that analog cable was very very bad. However, when that set was good it was phenomenal. DVD was just amazing. I really do miss having the big screen for sporting events and movies, and I will now have the 27 in in the bedroom. Another thing that ticks me off is that best buy had a horrible SD cable signal going to the tube sets. They are really trying to push the big expensive LCD, DLP, plasma sets. I had to see the sony 34 with HD at Circuit City, and man did it look great. The 32 at best buy only had a SD signal, and it looked better than any tube set there. It had by far the best SD picture I've seen. Anyways, that's enough commenarary for now. Thanks again for the words of wisdom.

[Mathew J]

Originally posted by Spikem
I was amused (not in a smarmy way!) that you feel a 34" screen is small for if you move into a house.

I'm in a house and we have a 27" TV. (I'm looking to upgrade and will likely go to a 32" or 36" TV, but that's another issue.)

Yeah I was kind of like "you've got to be kidding" with this one also....

My wife and I just moved into a townhouse and upgraded from a 19" Panasonic which is now in our bedroom along with a 13" POS in our kitchen and the 34" Sony is down in our finished basement and it is more than enough....I can't even imagine having the 34" in our bedroom as someone else mentioned above as IMHO that would be a bit much.....but I guess to each their own.

I have the 34 sony and personally I love the picture...good luck in whatever you choose.

[overboosted]

Scott, check your PM