New Direct View CRT 4:3 TV

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

I really could use some suggestions from all of you good people.

My mother's old analogue TV is failing and she will be getting a new direct
view CRT TV soon. She watches mostly 4:3 TV (off the air) and on rare
occasions she watches DVD's. When it becomes available, I plan on buying
the 5th generation LG/Zenith ATSC receiver for her.

In some of my research, I have seen direct view CRT TVs that are 4:3 and
labeled HDTV ready. I have also seen 4:3 TVs that are labeled 16:9
Enhanced. I have no idea what the distinction is between those two terms
when it comes to a 4:3 TV. What is the difference? What kind of 4:3 TV
should she get? I think she would like to keep the price at $1000 or less.
She probably would be happiest with a screen diagonal between 28" and 32".

Please feel free to make suggestions that go beyond what I have described.
If you have any links that can help me, that would be good too.

Sincerely,

Neil
Salem, MA USA

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

> Under $1000, 28"- 32" is a standard analog TV not an HDTV.

Perhaps your definition of HDTV is more stringent than the manufacturers?
Maybe you shop poorly? Whatever the reason, this statement is not generally
true.

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

Neil wrote:
> I really could use some suggestions from all of you good people.
>
> My mother's old analogue TV is failing and she will be getting a new direct
> view CRT TV soon. She watches mostly 4:3 TV (off the air) and on rare
> occasions she watches DVD's. When it becomes available, I plan on buying
> the 5th generation LG/Zenith ATSC receiver for her.
>
> In some of my research, I have seen direct view CRT TVs that are 4:3 and
> labeled HDTV ready.
"Ready" means you need to buy an additional HDTV receiver
I have also seen 4:3 TVs that are labeled 16:9
> Enhanced.
"Enhanced" means it displays at 480p maximum resolution
I have no idea what the distinction is between those two terms
> when it comes to a 4:3 TV. What is the difference? What kind of 4:3 TV
> should she get? I think she would like to keep the price at $1000 or less.
I purchased a Sanyo HT32744 32" HDTV from Walmart for $747. It displays
all programming at 1080i (true HD - not enhanced). Has a built in OTA
HDTV tuner - just connect an antenna to receive SD and HD programming.
Mom will need only one remote. Many Walmart stores are now selling this
set for $699. I love this set for the price. Best of luck.

Dave - N2LAK

> She probably would be happiest with a screen diagonal between 28" and 32".
>
> Please feel free to make suggestions that go beyond what I have described.
> If you have any links that can help me, that would be good too.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Neil
> Salem, MA USA
>
>

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

On Mon, 04 Oct 2004 02:56:54 GMT, "M Schmidt"
<martinschmidt57@hotmail.com> wrote:

>> Under $1000, 28"- 32" is a standard analog TV not an HDTV.
>
>Perhaps your definition of HDTV is more stringent than the manufacturers?
>Maybe you shop poorly? Whatever the reason, this statement is not generally
>true.
>

New year, new sets

There's a lot of 26-32" hdtv out there these days, but not at all
stores.

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

Just saw a Samsung (I think) "34 HD-ready set at Target for $699.

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

"Neil" <ThisIsNotARealAddress@xyzabc1234.com> wrote in message
news:FN%7d.315800$Fg5.183182@attbi_s53...
>I really could use some suggestions from all of you good people.
>
> My mother's old analogue TV is failing and she will be getting a new
> direct view CRT TV soon. She watches mostly 4:3 TV (off the air) and on
> rare occasions she watches DVD's. When it becomes available, I plan on
> buying the 5th generation LG/Zenith ATSC receiver for her.
>
> In some of my research, I have seen direct view CRT TVs that are 4:3 and
> labeled HDTV ready. I have also seen 4:3 TVs that are labeled 16:9
> Enhanced. I have no idea what the distinction is between those two terms
> when it comes to a 4:3 TV. What is the difference? What kind of 4:3 TV
> should she get? I think she would like to keep the price at $1000 or
> less. She probably would be happiest with a screen diagonal between 28"
> and 32".

There are some good 27-30" 4:3 HDTV sets in the sub-$1000 price range.
Mostly these now are a pretty good buy: while they are a few hundred dollars
more than a non-HD set of the same size, the price isn't too outrageous.
Most of them now also tend to make regular TV look a little better, if only
because they can eliminate the visible scanlines and smooth out the image
slightly. And they are ready for HD if and when she starts to get such
signals, so it can last longer than a regular non-HD set would.

The "16:9 enhanced" sets are regular 480-line 4:3 TV sets. However, they
have a mode in which the electron gun scan pattern is vertically compressed,
so those 480 lines are "painted" in a smaller height, such that it displays
an aspect ratio of 16:9. This is good for 16:9 (enhanced for widescreen)
DVDs. It may also provide better DTV viewing than other 4:3 analog TVs. For
instance, standard-definition 16:9 digital TV (widescreen 480i/p or EDTV,
which appears to be quite common) should look quite good on these sets, and
even HD should look a bit better than on a regular 4:3 set (it will be
displayed with 480 lines vertically instead of 360), though it still won't
be HD.

Some people will recommend a 16:9 set. Unless your mother is planning to
subscribe to an HD package over digital cable or satellite, or set up an
antenna and buy a receiver to try to pick up local DTV broadcasts, this
would be a waste of money and probably frustrating to her. And it would
reduce the height and overall size of 4:3 images, which is what you say she
mostly watches.