Video Asylum

Posted by agram (A) on May 28, 2003 at 23:27:28

I've been around the block for about 3 decades with high end two channel sound. I keep waiting for HDTV to have a more reasonable price tag.They say that HD broadcast will be mandatory by 2006 and hopefully prices will come downto real levels. My viewing habits are maybe renting a movie DVD about once a month and watching it on my 27" Mitsubishi NTSC TV while listening through a 20 year old Kenwood Stereo receiver into two relatively cheap speakers on top of my entertainment center. I'm really way more into watching a lot of regular network drama (24, NYPD Blue, ER, and any of the Law & Order shows)now supposedly available in HDTV broadcast, I guess. The dinosaur thumping and rewatching Pink Floyd DVD's in concert can only be watched for so long. This is obviously not state of the art stuff I have. Since my viewing isn't as critical (to me) as my two channel high end stereo.....I'm looking into get started into something better that won't "break the bank." I've been following , somewhat this forum, and reading a few of the HT mags when I'm in a DR's waiting room etc. I've picked up on a few recommended best buys like Outlaw....etc What I'm getting at is trying to understand all the jargon and what's really important, especially not obsoleting myself in the near future. How reliable is rear projection vs direct view tubes? Plasma looks fabulous but the dollars are criminal. How many inputs and outputs should I consider when buying a HT receiver
( I can't see going into separates for the $) What is 1080i vs other resolutions, what is 3:2 pulldown? (something to do with simulating real movie projector smoothness/)

WHAT I'M GETTING AT IS THERE'S A LOT OF CONFUSING INFO OUT THERE, AND I'M NOT REAL HAPPY WITH TRYING TO TRUST A SALESPERSON AT THE LOCAL BEST BUY OR ULTIMATE ELECTRONICS ETC. ANY SUGGESTIONS ON "ARMING " MYSELF WITH REALLY USEFUL INFO AND CUTTING OUT MOST OF THE CRAP IS WHAT I NEED HELPIN.

Thanks, didn't mean to rant on, but this whole home theater thing is frustrating

agram