Speaking as a longtime VIP corporate customer, I'd recommend against B&H for nonprofessional equipment. Their selection and prices on consumer products is pretty crappy, and their customer service is on the obligatory side.
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Jessica - Jan 26, 2007 9:47:49 am PST #417 of 25496
And then Ortus came and said "It's Ortin' time" and they all Orted off into the sunset
Tom Scola - Jan 26, 2007 9:49:28 am PST #418 of 25496
Mr. Scola’s wardrobe by Botany 500
A recent issue of Scientific American said that all TV broadcasts would be digital-only as of this time in 2009. Does that sound right? I mean, we'd have to get a new TV (ours is ca. 1990), and get cable, to get any TV at all at that point, right?
You will be able to get an external ditigal tuner (which would presumably be cheaper than a whole new TV), or again, use a cable box or a TiVO, and keep your existing TV.
Jessica - Jan 26, 2007 9:50:12 am PST #419 of 25496
And then Ortus came and said "It's Ortin' time" and they all Orted off into the sunset
A recent issue of Scientific American said that all TV broadcasts would be digital-only as of this time in 2009. Does that sound right? I mean, we'd have to get a new TV (ours is ca. 1990), and get cable, to get any TV at all at that point, right? That would kinda suck.
This date has already been pushed back so many times, I wouldn't worry about it too much.
NoiseDesign - Jan 26, 2007 9:51:12 am PST #420 of 25496
Our wings are not tired
I'd say avoid the tube TV's. They really are obsolete technology at this point. The LCD's also run cooler and use less energy.
Sean K - Jan 26, 2007 9:53:46 am PST #421 of 25496
You can't leave me to my own devices; my devices are Nap and Eat. -Zenkitty
Thanks for the input, everyone. I feel I can make a slightly more informed purchase now.
Maria - Jan 26, 2007 10:01:05 am PST #422 of 25496
Not so nice is that I'm about to ruin a Friday morning for a bunch of people because of a series of unfortunate events and an upset foreign government. - shrift
Sean, also check Costco. The 32" LCD from VIZIO is $699. I just bought the 37" and you can't beat the features and picture quality for the money. It's got 2 HDMI inputs, 2 Component, 1 DTV, and a bunch of lesser quality hookups.
You also can't beat their return policy, if you decide you don't like it once you get home.
Sean K - Jan 26, 2007 10:03:26 am PST #423 of 25496
You can't leave me to my own devices; my devices are Nap and Eat. -Zenkitty
Thanks, Maria!
I don't have a Costco membership though. How much does one of those run?
(I think we might know someone with a membership, but I don't know who, and I doubt they're available to go TV shopping today.)
NoiseDesign - Jan 26, 2007 10:04:54 am PST #424 of 25496
Our wings are not tired
Vizio has been getting very good reviews for the budget LCD lines. We've got a 27" Westinghouse that we've been pretty happy with. I'm kinda meh on my ESA 42" Plasma, but it's also a few years old and only EDTV, not HD. The picture quality is pretty good, but the controls leave a lot to be desired.
-t - Jan 26, 2007 10:07:05 am PST #425 of 25496
I am a woman of various inclinations and only some of the time are they to burn everything down in frustration
If you are considering monitors, Sean, be sure and check that the connectors are compatible with your other equipment. I could get by without a tuner, but my receiver has no outputs that a monitor will accept, which takes surround sound out of the picture.
Tom Scola - Jan 26, 2007 10:07:37 am PST #426 of 25496
Mr. Scola’s wardrobe by Botany 500
I've got a 37" Westinghouse that I'm happy with, too. They seem to be a good value.