Video Asylum

Posted by Joe Murphy Jr (A) on April 02, 2002 at 20:03:55

In Reply to: HDTV, Flat Panel, Wide Screen, Plasma, - need some help posted by chris on April 02, 2002 at 18:18:00:

#1 Read a few issues of WidescreenReview magazine to get a feel for what HDTV, widescreen and Home Theater can bring to your home

#2 Log on to www.thedigitalbits.com and access the icon for "Anamorphic Widescreen" as it will explain "anamorphic" and "why" anything but widescreen is unacceptable to the "informed"

#3 If you get an HDTV-ready model, you will have to get an outboard HDTV receiver to get the HDTV programming (if it's available in your area), but an HDTV has the HDTV tuner built in

#4 If HDTV is not available in your area, find out when it will be
If it's not expected any time soon (2 years or less), then get an HDTV-ready model and the HDTV tuner can be purchased later

#5 Both of the above models usually have better parts and, while you won't notice an enormous difference, they will look better than the average television/monitor

#6 The sales of plasma monitors increased 80% last year by units sold, but only increased 35% by dollar amount (ie; prices are dropping due to: economies of scale, technology advances, parts availability, parts supply, etc)
Don't count plasma out as an option due to price and be sure to check around -- you don't have to pay retail (ie; 15K)