Dave_7

I'm thinking about getting a tube TV (space reasons... width, specifically). When I'll have more room, I could maybe move this new tube TV up to the bedroom, or something.

I saw a Philips 32" widescreen tube TV for about $1250. But I've seen some online that would fit in the width that I have available with scree sizes upto 36".

Just looking for some input (no pun).

Any thoughts will help... thanks.



Dave.

Dave_7

Correction... it was a 34" Philips.

Sorry.

That VGA feature is very... VERY tempting. The Philips didn't have a VGA-in, that I could find, and had only one set of component-ins.

EDIT: Looks like it has two component inputs.

See link...


What I need is one that is less than 39" wide (overall)... but as big of a screen size as possible . Height and depth allowances are more generous.

The viewing distance will be about 8 feet.

Link



Dave.

Tommy Boomfiger

i dont understand why you are looking for this specifically. if only the width is an issue than you can get a 4:3 tv which supports 1080i and be the same width. this way when you are watching widescreen it will be the same size, but when you are watching full screen you will get a much bigger picture. i dont know about pricing, but a 4:3 screen could be cheaper.

bachviet

Have to go with widescreen since most DVDs are in widescreen format.

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attgig

4:3 is definitely cheaper. it'll give you bigger picture with normal broadcast stuff.

however, if you got the widescreen fetish...can't stop ya.
for most manufacturers, i believe 34" is the largest you're going to get with the tube widescreens. then it's 30" then....not worth buying.


so that 34" is the biggest you're going to get.

__________________

Tommy Boomfiger

but you can watch a widescreen dvd on a 4:3 screen the same as a 16:9 screen. you just cant do it the other way around.

the way im thinkin, a 40" that runs 1080i 4:3 is going to be a lot nicer than a 34" 16:9 especially if they are both around the same cost and the same width (sorry, dont feel like doin the math right now, but just thinking about it seems like they would both be around the same).

make sure, but a 34" 16:9 might be a bit bigger than 39" wide, the speakers on the side take up a lot of room. you might have to step down to 30" 16:9 or 36" 4:3

bachviet

Yes you can.

Tommy Boomfiger

no, the picture will be either smaller or stretched.

bachviet

Same with 16:9 movie on 4:3 TV (black bands on top & bottom).

Tommy Boomfiger

but its not any smaller and its not distorted.

if you have a 40" 4:3 and a 34" 16:9 the 16:9 image will always be the same size but the 4:3 image will not. it will be larger on the 40" and smaller or streched on the 16:9. yes you will have black bands, but for the same price you are getting more real estate on a 4:3.

example using msrp on sony XBRs. obviously msrp isnt relevant in real life but i dont feel like going around looking for the best price.

Sony KV-40XBR800
40" FD Trinitron Wega™ XBR® HDTV-ready TV
retail price: $2,499.99
width: 43 1/8"
height: 33"

Sony KV-34XBR910
34" FD Trinitron Wega™ XBR® HDTV-ready TV
retail price: $2,499.99
width: 39 1/8"
height: 25 5/8"

note that the width is the whole tv and not just the screen so a 40" 4:3 is about the same width as a 34" 16:9

a better example is shown below



the blue border is a 4:3 screen (200x150 pixels).
the red area is a 16:9 screen with the same width as the 4:3 screen (200x113 pixels).
the grey are is an unstreched 4:3 video on the 16:9 screen (150x113 pixels).
(113 because i had to round up from 112.5 in mspaint)

so unless you watch 16:9 exclusively youre losing a lot of space with a 16:9 when watching 4:3 video.

Tommy Boomfiger

now that i think about it, the 34" widescreen would be more comperable to a 36" 4:3 screen like this one with a width of 40 inches and a height of 30 inches. i couldnt find any current sony 36" XBRs, so i guess they discontinued them. i guess if they did still make one it would be a much better value than getting the 34".

nomoney

I went with the 36" XBR for the reasons Tommy states above. I know 4:3 its gonna be outdated in the next few years but I dont really care. Any current widescreen direct view TV is going to look extremely small when watching 4:3 content or really distorted. I dont mind watching widescreen content on my 4:3 at all. I dont know why the black bars bother people that much. That said, I would never buy a TV larger than 40" that was not widescreen.

People get into the 4:3 Vs 16:9 argument all the time. You just have to go with what works for you and suits your viewing style.

Dave_7

Hey, y'all... given all the talk about standard shaped tube TVs, what do you think of this one Link

It will fit in the space I have (less than 39").

It seems to have lots of inputs... including 2 components and a DVI. That's the same as what all the geForce4 cards have, right?


EDIT: By the way... the black bars on top and bottom of wide screen movies never bothered me.




Dave.

nomoney

I have seen a Similar model to the Tosh at Costco. Looked pretty good. If I were you (and there was a local costco) I would check and see what they have. You just cant beat the Costco warranty and the prices.

Dave_7

Got one! Toshiba 36" HD tube.

Floor model from Fry's.

$799.90.

Added a 3-year total coverage warranty for $99. Wouldn't have, but since this IS a floor model...

Couldn't believe it. It was just the right size, too.

Two sets of component-in's, also S-Video. No DVI... but I can deal with that.

Especially for the price.

Yee-haw!



Dave.

attgig

which model?

bachviet

Congrats...

I would think it's one of the discontinued model since 36" tube HDTV doesn't come cheap.

nomoney

WOW! Thats a great price! Enjoy