Video Asylum

Posted by Aroc (A) on July 01, 2002 at 07:57:16

In Reply to: inexpensive digital HDTV set top box? posted by Aroc on July 01, 2002 at 07:29:36:

A sub $200 digital hdtv tuner maybe still be a pipe dream. Any hopes that I could assemble one, myself, as a kit? MAybe that, too, is a pipe dream. I just bought a 36 inch set (toshiba 36af61) $1231, although it's a nice as the smaller 27inch 27af41 that most friends and family have it kind of overpowers the room. I can only sit 6-7 feet back. I'm thinking of flat out exchanging it for a less expensive 27 inch 27af42 ($499) or maybe the hi-def ready samsung 27inch for $759. These are prices from my local best buy. it wuld be nice to have 720p, and some of the over air content in cleveland is simulcast in digital and/or hdtv.

I currently watch about 4hours/week of broadcast TV and maybe 1-2 movies (vhs or DVD) per week. I also hit the matinees once a week on sunday afternoon. I would actaully prefer a 27-30 16:9 screen (anything bigger is too massive, IMO, for me) with either a built-in tuner or an inexpensive set top box (is sub $200 possible?). max budget is $1400, but I'd rather not spend it all, if I can help it. Considering how little TV I watch.

Or is an HDTV outlay at this time a silly thing to do? I heard about JVC's (was it them?) who plan on future encrypted signals. Any truth to that? if that's the case, I'll exchange my 36af61 and just get the smaller 27af42 instead. And forget HDTV, digital, et al.

Feedback?

aroc@adlt.com