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View Full Version : Which HDTV would you choose?


PhilipO38
11-28-05, 02:04 PM
In the next few days i'm getting a WS HDTV that would double as maybe the main HDTV or a second HDTV(den), as right now i have a Samung(03' model) 4:3 27" HDTV and while it's solid, for WS broadcasts or 360 gaming, it's of course out of ratio. So that's why i'm looking into a WS now as the main or for a second HDTV.(<--X360)

The only 30" that would fit in my LR's entertainment center is this Toshiba:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7064909&type=product&productCategoryId=cat03002&id=1110265591659


This below 26" Panasonic, i believe is the best choice for a 26" choice, as i prefer it above the Toshiba or any other brand. (i had a 20" Tau a few years back and i loved it's picture quality). And while it lacks 720p upconversion, my DVR upconverts 720p signals to 1080i and i can easily set my Xbox360 to 1080i as well.

http://circuitcity.com/ssm/Panasonic-26-HDTV-Monitor-CT-26WX15-/sem/rpsm/oid/123799/catOid/-12867/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

The 26" is now on sale for $400, while the 30" runs $800..so for me that extra 4" of screen may not be worth the extra $400, if everything else is basically the same.

The one advantage i see in the Toshiba is it's upscaling of SDTV from 480i to 960i, as the Panasonic just line doubles 480i inputs to 480p.(much thanks for the reply earlier informing me of how it upscales SDTV from 480i-->480p)

What worries me about the Toshiba is the amount of threads complaining about ithe Toshiba line of 26",30" and 34" sets and how many are defective or have some kind of PQ problem.

btw" My entertainment center can only handle a 35" wide set, and the Sony and Panasonic 30" sets..and all other 30" CRT's are just barely wider then 35", some by only 1/2"

TIA, guys for your opinions.

kny3twalker
11-28-05, 08:17 PM
the toshiba does not upscales 480i to 960i
thats incorrect only Sonys do this


the toshiba does have the ability to display 540p though for 1080i sources
but any video content will look better at 1080i (even the manual says so)

540p is only for progresive scan sources, maybe like a PC, I would guess
but I do believe the Toshiba upconverts all sources to 1080i
so maybe thats the misunderstanding


the higher quality set is probably the panasonic
but having a larger screen would be nice

what will be your viewing distance?

Pete7874
11-29-05, 12:12 PM
I'll jump on this thread as I'm also considering this 26" Panasonic unit.

My viewing distance is going to be about 8 feet. I am currently using a 4:3 20" old JVC CRT, so even the extra 6 inches of the Panasonic will be an improvement. I, too, can't justify paying an extra $400 for the additional 4 inches at the moment. For me, it'll be a midterm solution until I can afford a 42" plasma.

In the $400 price range, is this Panasonic TV the biggest bang for the buck right now?

Primevil702
11-29-05, 12:30 PM
I'm buying the Panasonic in question today from CC. I've been looking around for awhile and recently had to choose between the $549.99 26" Widescreen Toshiba or the Panasonic.

I've seen both and can easily say the Panny has some damn nice Picture quality, deep blacks, great colors and crisp. The Toshiba wasn't bad... but this TV is only 400.00, I mean that's a steal IMO.

I'm going to get it tonight, I'll let you guys know how it performs.

chaarlieee
11-29-05, 12:45 PM
Don't buy a 26" TV if your viewing distance is that far.. 8 feet is too far away to see the TV.

The Panasonic deal at CC right now is a good deal, and I think this Philips deal is even better:

Factory Renewed Philips 30" Widescreen HDTV CRT Monitor with HDMI input & Dolby@ $359 (http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?t=162029 )

kny3twalker
11-29-05, 12:54 PM
I doubt you will be very happy with the performance of the philips
and weight difference between the 26" and 30" will not be enough to break you
both TV have to be about 100 lbs either way

for an extra 100 over the Toshiba 26", you can have the panasonic 30"
and the panasonic is the nicer of the TVs

are you sure the panasonic will not fit your EC?

yohnhimself
11-29-05, 02:46 PM
The CC price for the Panasonic 30" is back above 800 bucks. No question now that the best value is the 26".

The 26" has no headphone jack which is a major concern for me, is there any kind of adapter or cable that can convert one of the inputs that it does have into a headphone capable input?

Pete7874
11-29-05, 03:04 PM
Sure. You can get a 2x RCA into a 3,5mm stereo mini-jack (female) cable at RadioShack or most other electronics stores.