Four eyes on RCA, Zenith, Panasonic, Phillips and Sony

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Took the wife to circuit city last night to view HDTVs. I went intent on the RCA38" 16:9 with the built in OTA tuner at $2200, but after an hour of fiddling with the controls, I could not get it to look as good as a Zenith 32" 4:3 (non-progressive, no tuner) that was selling for $1400. (RCA was not as sharp, poor blacks, dim whites, weak saturation)
Next we compared the Phillips 16:9 at $3200. Nice but that price opened up the Sony 40XBR2 at $3500 which blew away everything in the store.
I was able to stand halfway between a Sony 36XBR750 and the 40XBR2 to compare the two. I *think* the 40 was a touch better than the 36, but both sets were so good, and so much better than anything else in the store. The Sony 36 was priced at $2500 (but no OTA tuner).
Next we compared a Panasonic 36XT41 that was sitting right next to the Sony 36. The Panasonic was good, (really good compared to the RCA38), but not as bright, and just a touch softer focus than the Sony. This set was priced at $1999 and is really nice for the price.
The salesman claimed that the Sony 36" was "too sharp" to watch standard video/cable signals - that they were getting that set back from people that did not have satellite. Interesting, but who knows if it isn't just the price point, rather than that set doing worse with cable video than other HDTV sets.
I went in wanting a 16:9 with built in tuner, and came away thinking that 4:3 progressive with no tuner was probably my price point and probably the Panasonic, since HDTV is nice but if I buy a $2000 set, I'll probably be ready to move that to the bedroom in two years and buy a new one for the family room. If I put out the $3500 for the 40", I don't see it going into the bedroom - and since I would have the phenominal Sony picture to compare to everyday, I couldn't buy anything less for the bedroom - that means a lot more money now and in the future. It just hurts to admit I am not willing to pay for the better picture.
Decisions, decisions!

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Topic - Four eyes on RCA, Zenith, Panasonic, Phillips and Sony - Alan 05:12:04 10/26/01 (12)

Re: Four eyes on RCA, Zenith, Panasonic, Phillips and Sony - CarlW 23:25:18 10/26/01 (2)

Re: Four eyes on RCA, Zenith, Panasonic, Phillips and Sony - dfong 11:57:06 10/29/01 (0)

I agree. - BrianH 15:07:45 10/27/01 (0)

I don't understand... - Rich 08:44:24 10/26/01 (6)

Re: I don't understand... - Alan 08:55:34 10/26/01 (5)

I'd... - Rich 12:34:23 10/26/01 (4)

Re: I'd... - SamM 12:56:59 10/26/01 (3)

Rear projection... - Rich 13:09:45 10/26/01 (2)

Re: Rear projection... - SamM 14:26:18 10/26/01 (1)

No... - Rich 14:39:51 10/26/01 (0)

I have the Panasonic 32HX40 and it's a killer! - EdM 07:00:36 10/26/01 (1)

CT-34WX50 is just phenominal - mcdonley 09:42:52 11/27/01 (0)

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