Any CRTs under $1000 with an ATSC tuner?

[tostada]

I'm looking at the Sony XBR970, but that's a tad much (and everybody here would recommend I pay even more for the XS955N). What I would really like would be the Samsung Slimfit 30" -- under $800 and weighs half as much -- but apparently those are just terrible.

I currently have a 27" Toshiba that's about 7 years old, and about the only thing I watch is DVDs and maybe Conan or Jeopardy a few times a week. I'm moving, and I don't think I'll bother getting cable at my new apartment since ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, PBS and WB are all available in HD and broadcast about 7 miles from my new apartment. So, I could get a $200 - $250 ATSC tuner and just hook it up to my current TV, but this is a good excuse to get a 16:9 screen for movies.

One thing I've noticed is that there's a ton of info on these various CRTs, but I don't see anybody saying anything about the built-in ATSC tuners. People constantly complain about set-top ATSC tuners, whether it's problems with the guide, how long it takes to change channels, or trouble with various broadcast formats, but I haven't seen anybody giving any info one way or the other about the built-in tuners on popular TVs.

So:

Question 1: Do I have any options under $1000 for anything with an ATSC tuner which would hopefully be 16:9? It seems like such a waste to get a $200 ATSC tuner box and then use it with a non-HD screen (and if it came down to that, I'd probably be better off paying $13/mo for limited network-only cable).

Question 2: Does anybody have info on how the built-in ATSC tuners compare the the set-top ones? The only set-top ones I know of with decent reviews are the Samsungs.

[Ratman]

The majority of HDTV's now have built in ATSC tuners. They are just as good as external tuners.

[greenland]

[QUOTE=tostada]I'm looking at the Sony XBR970, but that's a tad much (and everybody here would recommend I pay even more for the XS955N). What I would really like would be the Samsung Slimfit 30" -- under $800 and weighs half as much -- but apparently those are just terrible.

I currently have a 27" Toshiba that's about 7 years old, and about the only thing I watch is DVDs and maybe Conan or Jeopardy a few times a week. I'm moving, and I don't think I'll bother getting cable at my new apartment since ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, PBS and WB are all available in HD and broadcast about 7 miles from my new apartment. So, I could get a $200 - $250 ATSC tuner and just hook it up to my current TV, but this is a good excuse to get a 16:9 screen for movies.

One thing I've noticed is that there's a ton of info on these various CRTs, but I don't see anybody saying anything about the built-in ATSC tuners. People constantly complain about set-top ATSC tuners, whether it's problems with the guide, how long it takes to change channels, or trouble with various broadcast formats, but I haven't seen anybody giving any info one way or the other about the built-in tuners on popular TVs.

So:

Question 1: Do I have any options under $1000 for anything with an ATSC tuner which would hopefully be 16:9? It seems like such a waste to get a $200 ATSC tuner box and then use it with a non-HD screen (and if it came down to that, I'd probably be better off paying $13/mo for limited network-only cable).

Question 2: Does anybody have info on how the built-in ATSC tuners compare the the set-top ones? The only set-top ones I know of with decent reviews are the Samsungs.[/QUOTE]

You will probably be able to negotiate for the Sony 970 for about a thousand. Call ABT Electronics and ask for a quote. If you live a long distance from them, they will still do free delivery and no sales tax. If you want to deal with someone close to where you live, get some email quotes from places such as ABT, and take the low bid,in writing, to the big box chains, and ask for a price match. With some of the occasional weekly 10%. off specials that crop up in the sunday ads, you should be able, within the near future, to get the 970 for under a grand. Just as a starting point: call Sonystyle, and ask for their best offer on the unit.
.

[biker19]

Besides the Samsungs having geometry problems, they also lack a QAM tuner which may come in handy.
If weight/size is a big deal - the LG slim fit seems OK. Otherwise you can't go wrong with the Sony 30XS955 - if you can still find one.

[tostada]

Thanks for the replies.

I was able to find a little info on the KD30XS955 and a few places selling them well under $1000. That looks like a great one. That's actually a SFP tube?

Apparently it's a model from 2004. What kind of warranty would I get from Sony on one of them? One year from when I purchase it?

Is the ATSC tuner on one of them going to have a channel guide like if I bought a Samsung set-top tuner?

[justsc]

[QUOTE=tostada]Thanks for the replies.

I was able to find a little info on the KD30XS955 and a few places selling them well under $1000. That looks like a great one. That's actually a SFP tube?

Apparently it's a model from 2004. What kind of warranty would I get from Sony on one of them? One year from when I purchase it?

Is the ATSC tuner on one of them going to have a channel guide like if I bought a Samsung set-top tuner?[/QUOTE]
It does indeed have the SFP tube.

I believe you get a one year warranty from date of purchase.

There is an on-screen channel guide.

[tostada]

Do all the Sony 16:9 30" CRTs have about the same dimensions?

I ask because the stand for the KD30XS955 is harder to find and costs more than the other Sony stands.

SU30XBR1 stand = $150, designed for KV-30XBR910
SU30HS1 stand = $150, designed for KV-30HS510
SU-30HX1 stand = $250, desngned for KV-30HS420 and KD-30XS955

[1080P Input]

My suggestion is the Philips 30pw9110d It has the ATSC tuner tons of connections for all the bells and whistles and for far less than the Sony's. (I got it for $526 at Circuit City as a price match of Walmart's price) The HD channels are awesome and the SD channels are watchable. The thing that sold me was the 70 pounds lighter than the sony's which meant I saved even more by using my existing stand.

[tostada]

[QUOTE=1080P Input]My suggestion is the Philips 30pw9110d It has the ATSC tuner tons of connections for all the bells and whistles and for far less than the Sony's. (I got it for $526 at Circuit City as a price match of Walmart's price) The HD channels are awesome and the SD channels are watchable. The thing that sold me was the 70 pounds lighter than the sony's which meant I saved even more by using my existing stand.[/QUOTE]

The Philips 30pw9110d is listed at $699 at CC. How'd you get them to match Wal-Mart when the only Philips CRT Wal-Mart even carries is a 20"? By the time you consider tax at CC, that makes the Philips only $85 cheaper than a KD-30XD955 ... so the price match is pretty important.

That Philips looks like the type of thing I'm looking for, but it looks like it might just be a 30PW8420 in black with an ATSC tuner, and the 30PW8420 has some horrible reviews.

[biker19]

I've seen that Philips in Walmart - not sure about the price. At $526 it might worth taking a look - at $699 you're better off with the Sony.

[InYourEyes]

tostada, there are several new models with ATSC tuner this year: Sony KD-34XBR970, LG 30FS4D SlimFit, Samsung SlimFit, and Toshiba HF66 series.

[tostada]

[QUOTE=InYourEyes]tostada, there are several new models with ATSC tuner this year: Sony KD-34XBR970, LG 30FS4D SlimFit, Samsung SlimFit, and Toshiba HF66 series.[/QUOTE]

The only place I can see the 30FS4D is on Best Buy's site ... is that getting better reviews than the Samsung SlimFit? Looks nice.

Still, that's $800, and if I can get a KD-30XS955 for a hair more than that, it's probably the way to go.

I was looking at the XBR970 today, and I can't imagine the picture getting too much better than that. I mean, I definitely want HDTV (not just SDTV with an ATSC tuner) if I'm going to bother getting a new TV, but even on the XBR970, text is very clear, and the compression artifacts in the video were very apparent at Circuit City. I don't think my eyes are good enough to appreciate anything much better than that. Still waiting on ABT to get back to me with a quote on a 970.

I was also looking at the Philips 30pw9110d. Seemed pretty good. Under $600 it would be really good. I think the Philips and the XBR970 were the only HD tubes that CC had except a Sony that was 4:3 aspect and the heavily discounted Samsung SlimFit.

[hearditontheX]

I just picked up a KD30XS955 display model (at BB) for around half retail.

[tostada]

Does a TV have to specifically say it has a QAM tuner to be able to get HD stations broadcast on regular cable? The KD30XS955 says it has a Cable Card slot and an ATSC tuner, but it doesn't mention a QAM tuner. Is that a bad thing?

[Ratman]

If it has CableCard... it has a QAM capable tuner.

[RalphArch]

[QUOTE=tostada]Does a TV have to specifically say it has a QAM tuner to be able to get HD stations broadcast on regular cable? The KD30XS955 says it has a Cable Card slot and an ATSC tuner, but it doesn't mention a QAM tuner. Is that a bad thing?[/QUOTE]

I assume its like my KD36XS955. This set's QAM tuner was great directly off the cable (no STB for several months while my cable company was testing ADS and it was in the clear (only thing the QAM tuner will tune - it can't do encrypted). So I was getting about 250 digital channels directly off the tuner.

About a month ago right before officially going ADS they encrypted the whole lineup, and all I had left was the local DTV stations in HD of course and for some odd reason they left the SOAP channel in the clear also.

Now I watch via a cable card to get my subscribed content. The cable card is still a free (no rent) approach

[Ratman]

[QUOTE=RalphArch] The cable card is still a free (no rent) approach[/QUOTE]

The majority of cable providers charge a monthly rental fee for CableCard. Usually <$5...

[1080P Input]

[QUOTE=tostada]The Philips 30pw9110d is listed at $699 at CC. How'd you get them to match Wal-Mart when the only Philips CRT Wal-Mart even carries is a 20"? By the time you consider tax at CC, that makes the Philips only $85 cheaper than a KD-30XD955 ... so the price match is pretty important.

That Philips looks like the type of thing I'm looking for, but it looks like it might just be a 30PW8420 in black with an ATSC tuner, and the 30PW8420 has some horrible reviews.[/QUOTE]


If you go into walmart they have the philips listed for $526. Ofcourse most don't have them in stock at that price. I was lucky enough to have an employee search the data base and find the one store in my area that had one. They had it because the box was torn to pieces and nobody was going to touch the tv. I had them put it on hold for me and then went to circuit city and they called the walmart to confirm the price and that they were holding it for me. Then they price matched it and I got a 5 year extended warranty and walked out the door for less than the $699 price they have on it.

[STEELERSRULE]

Just thought I would mention this, even though you are interested in a HDTV, but Sony makes Digital TV's in the 32" and 36" size that have a built in ATSC/QAM tuner in them.

They are the 32FS130 and the 36FS130 sold at BB(I know that the 36" is definitely there, but the 32", which may also have a different model #). the FS130 models have the built in QAM tuner, while, I think, the newer FS170 models only have the ATSC(Over the Air digital) tuner only, no QAM. But these TV's also only show a 480i digital picture, no HD. Hence the cheaper price.

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?CategoryName=tv_size_30%22to42%22&ProductSKU=KD36FS130&TabName=feature&var2=

Or, if you want, since it is going to be DVD's and either OTA/QAM HD you will be watching, you "could" decide to get either a 26" or 32" LCD(nobody get in a snit. I know he mentioned CRT's, and we love them, but providing other options doesn't hurt).

The picture they provide in either HD(excellent) to SD/digital(very good) to DVD(again, I think excellent) is very good. Analog cable will be a little harsh, but it isn't awful like some would make you believe.

The Direct-view CRT provides the best overall picture from any source, no doubt. But the new(last years models included) LCD's provide an excellent picture as well.

Now they cost, on average(especially for the 32" models) about $500-$600 more than the 32" CRT counterpart.

Now since you don't want to go over a $1000(or slightly over with tax included), you could go with a 26" widescreen LCD(since you currently use a 27" Toshiba) which would be a good fit.

I would recommend these:

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/LG-26-LCD-HDTV-26LX1D-/sem/rpsm/oid/118409/catOid/-12869/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Sharp-26-AQUOS-LCD-HDTV-LC-26D40U-/sem/rpsm/oid/147393/catOid/-12869/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do (NO QAM TUNER IN THIS ONE. JUST ATSC/OTA)

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Samsung-26-Widescreen-LCD-HDTV-LN-S2641D-/sem/rpsm/oid/147653/catOid/-12869/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do (NO QAM TUNER IN THIS ONE. JUST ATSC/OTA)

And there 32" equivalents. They are all on www.circuitcity.com/ You could also check Best buy, and Sears as well.

The reason why I mention those(and again this is up to you) even though they are above your price range is because a very good way to get these tv's is through financing through the store themselves.

CC just ended it's 24 months free financing(it will be back soon). This way you could get a more expensive tv and pay it off easily in less than 2 years. Save your $1000 bucks, pay $100/month(remember no interest for the first 2 years) and pay it off within 16 months. You could even pay less per month and still pay it off in 24 months if you want.

Now you have to qualify, but unless your credit FICO score is in the crapper(or your debt/credit ratio is in the crapper as well. Meaning you are deeply in debt) you should qualify. But then again, I don't know your credit situation, or you may just hate the idea of being in debt all together.

But this way you don't spend $1000 or more out the chute. You get a better overall tv, and you keep the $1000 and continue to make more money why you pay the $100/month to cover the cost of the TV.

Just food for thought.

[tostada]

[QUOTE=STEELERSRULE]Just thought I would mention this, even though you are interested in a HDTV, but Sony makes Digital TV's in the 32" and 36" size that have a built in ATSC/QAM tuner in them.[/QUOTE]

If I give up on the HD aspect, I will almost definitely be getting the KD-27FS170 (or I guess if the FS130 is better, I think BB may have still had some of them for even less).

That 36" one is 227 lbs. 5 oz. Holy crap!

I don't have a problem with LCD, but even those 26" ones are all around $1100. If I'm going to break $1000, I'm really not seeing anything that's a better bang for the buck than the XBR970. I would say that the order of my priorities is:

1) ATSC (and I doubt I'd get something without QAM)
2) screen size (although I don't have much use for > 42" in my apartment)
3) PQ (mostly for DVD and ATSC HD sources)
4) general look/style/portability (to a point I don't care, but over 150 lbs. is pushing it)

So, as I see it now, the leaders at different price points are:

$400 = Sony KD-27FS170 = 27" 4:3 SD CRT (but no QAM?)
$600 = Philips 30pw9110d = 30" 16:9 HD CRT (have seen questionable reviews)
$800 = Sony KD-30XS955 = 30" 16:9 HD CRT
$1100 = Sony KD-34SBR970 = 34" 16:9 HD CRT
$1600 = some kind of a 42" 16:9 ED plasma

So should I get the 955? Should I pay another $300 for another 4"? Should I pay double for a 42" plasma? Should I give up and save a lot of money just getting the 27" Sony and wait till I can get something that's 42" that's not just EDTV? Save $200 and get the Philips (their CRTs have some terrible reviews on Amazon)?

In the end, the problem is that I'd really want a good quality 42" plasma (better than EDTV), but I just can't spend too much money right now (I'm moving to a new apartment in a week and I'd also like to take a vacation this summer). Besides, I'm not thrilled with the idea of plasma -- what will plasma do for me? Do I drill holes in the wall of my apartment to mount it? That would just make it farther from the couch when I really don't need the space. So, I should go with the Sony HDTV, but I also don't want to spend a lot of money on something that's going to feel like an outdated boat anchor in just a couple years (and any CRT over 27" has a pretty big boat anchor factor in my mind).

[qwest]

I have a 30xs955 set. Can anyone recommend a sturdy tv stand for this? The Sony stand is impossible to find now.

[InYourEyes]

Don't forget about the Toshiba 30HF66. It's under $1,000 and has a built-in ATSC tuner.