Blew up television, need suggestions for new one

[jtr1962]

Thanks to an improbable set of circumstances I'm in the market for a new television. Last night I was cleaning my room, and rearranging things to accomodate a large used file cabinet which I just finished painting. I had three very small cabinets which were going to be replaced by the large one, and I moved my television to the place occupied by two of them. While hooking up the coax I overtightened and had to open the back of the set to solder a wire which broke off. No problem, or so I thought. After that I plugged it back in and turned it on. Badda boom! Big badda boom!! It turned out the power cord got pinched and ended up shorting across a pot on the main PC board. Besides a melted pot, there was also a chip with one leg burned off, a few blown resistors, and who knows what other unseen damage from severe overvoltage conditions. Needless to say, it makes no sense to get this TV repaired. It is a 19" manufactured in June 1982, and frankly I'm surprised it lasted this long. I was planning to buy a new set within the next few years. This mishap just moved up my schedule a bit. Maybe on a subconscious level I did it on purpose. Who knows?

I'm looking for a few suggestions since I'm not very knowledgeable in this area. What I want is a 32" flat screen with comb filter. I have no room for anything bigger, and really don't want anything smaller. Besides that, what else should I look for? Also, I need best quality for the cheapest price possible. I'm budgeting about $500 but would prefer to spend less. I might go a bit higher if the extra quality justifies it. I'm mainly interested in best possible picture quality(both color and resolution), with sound being secondary since I usually have the volume fairly low anyway. Loads of different types of connectors aren't too important either since I don't even own a DVD player, nor do I plan to anytime soon. Just the usual audio and video(to connect to the VCR) and S-video(to connect with the cable box), will do fine.

P.S. I hope the thread title got everyone's attention. :mrgrn:

 

[Mercutio]

If you're using svideo input, you don't need a (multiple)comb filter. The filter, as I understand things, is only used when input is from a composite or UHF source.

I started a similar thread back in, oh, November or December. Several people suggested JVC, and that's what I bought.

I got my TV from amazon.com. Of course, it was xmas time, but I got free shipping and several other discounts to make my purchase downright inexpensive.

 

[CougTek]

I don't know how much the Zenith (yes, Zenith) 32" flat model cost, but at the time I bought my Trinitron, it was quite a bit cheaper than Sony, while offering a better image. I didn't buy it because there was no demo model on site to look at and I didn't trust the Zenith brand back then. I saw the Zenith later on and heard/read comments regarding its reliability and I regret not to have purchased it instead of the (blurry) Sony.

The flat Panasonic (TAU I think) should also be on your candidates list. Its image quality is also above the Sony. In fact, I think pretty much all other flat tube have better image quality than the Sony Trinitron.

 

[honold]

$500? :/

30" ws hdtv samsungs aren't that much higher...

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=64 is probably your best overall resource, with http://electronics.cnet.com/electronics/0-6342366.html?tag=glnav being a good point to visualize and check general pricing.

 

[Mercutio]

I like the 16x9 32" VGA CRT even better.
I think I'll order one.

 

[CityK]

I picked up a Toshiba Flat screen about a year and a half ago, and have recommended it to several others - both they and I have been extremely pleased. Indeed, when people come over and the TV is on, they always seem to comment on the great picture quality.

Essentially, I bought it as a stop gap solution until a) HDTV becomes prevelant b) plasma/lcd improve c) monster plasmas/lcds become reasonably priced. Given that it was purchased as a short to medium term solution, I didn't want to sacrifice quality, but nor did I want to sink a lot into the purchase.

Given from my experiences then and from research and discussions with others, what I discovered at that time about analog CRT TV's could be summarized as:

Sony Wega's produce the best picture - most accurate colours (especailly noticible in the reds), and they also have better brightness and contrast characteristics then the competition. The caveat - usually the most expensive.

Toshiba Flat models have quite good overall picture quality too, although marginally inferior to the Sony Wegas....but nothing that is certainly worth the difference in price between the two.

Panasonic's Gaos I find are overrated...I find they have poor contrast.

JVC's are hugely overated. Colours are washed out and Sharpness is lacking. I know of two people personally who have had problems with JVC (however, this was not with their iART models), but have heard many other stories.


Anyways that was then, and today, prices have dropped quite a bit and I imagine that there are other viable alternatives too...ie. Samsung.

CK

 

[Mercutio]

*MY* JVC actually has substantially better color control than Toshiba and Panasonic models I looked at.
Also, JVC's color balance is shifted a bit toward red. Don't know why, but I've observed it on five or six different displays.

The 32" 16x9 display (see Honold's link) would be a hair over $900, shipped to Indiana. I'm still wrestling over that little choice.

 

[honold]

30" not 32"

 

[Fushigi]

Of course it's been a few years, but the last time I looked, WEGAs suffered geometry problems severe enough that people were returning sets. The problems could not be corrected via consumer-accessible controls nor by Sony technicians dispatched to people's homes. I presume those bugs have been worked out but it certainly has soured me with regard to Sony TVs. Not that I'm much of a Sony fan anyway.

My JVC, about 6 years old now, is calibrated using the Avia and Video Essentials DVDs. Once adjusted, the colors are accurate and blacks are dark but still reveal detail. Overall I'm quite satisfied and plan on keeping it until plasma sets are cheaper or it breaks down. And if it does break down, JVC's factory repair center is only about 10 minutes away (although getting a 153 pound TV there would be an experience).

- Fushigi

 

[honold]

if you're using avia and mentioning black levels i'm surprised you'd ever consider a plasma

 

[e_dawg]

You can't get a nice flat-square CRT 32" for $500 US, so it's either get a nice flat 27" or your typical "semi-flat, semi-square" CRT 32".

I recommend the Toshiba 27" flat screen CRT (~$500): http://www.toshiba.com/tacp/tv/current/27AF42.html

I have the 24" version and am pleased with everything but the sound quality. The Sonys I've heard have better sound quality. Picture quality... hard to say. But the cost? $100 US more for the same product? Not worth it.

You will love the flat screen when it's daytime and you notice that the glare from the blinds/curtains is noticeably less than on a typical rounded screen. Similarly, when it is nighttime and you have your lights on, there is less glare from your room lighting. Having flat square tubes on both my monitors and TV's, I find I can never go back to that bulbous, spherical tube anymore. The glare (mainly) and the fishbowl geometry just ruins it for me.

If, however, size is more important to you, get a "normal" JVC or Toshiba 32" for ~$550. The JVC's probably provide a little better value as they sell at a lower price point, but Toshibas put out a nice pitcure as well. I would say JVC and Toshiba are relatively good values compared to Sony (especially), Panasonic, etc.

It all depends on what you're looking for. I chose "image quality" (or what I perceive to be image quality) over size. Given a larger room size, it probably would have been the opposite.

 

[Howell]

Given a larger room size, it probably would have been the opposite.

How far away from the TV do you sit when you watch? I have recently obtained enough furniture to sit on in the room with the TV that I'm re-thinking the fun in watching a 19" TV from 12' away.

 

[Mercutio]

I'd say it depends on the size of your TV.

Big TVs look like crap close-up. There's got to be a minimum distance, too.
I'd guess probably 2 feet for every 12 inches of screen.

 

[Mickey]

Hmm. I got a 27" HDTV-ready Samsung maybe a year ago. The newer model is running $700 at BB (non-sale price, with free shipping!). Gorgeous picture. I don't have enough space for something bigger (both physically, and I don't want to sit in the front yard to watch:lol.

Now, if only Comcast would start offering HDTV channels in my area, I'd be happy. At least they finally got rid of that horrid A/B scheme. *shudders*

 

[e_dawg]

Given a larger room size, it probably would have been the opposite.

How far away from the TV do you sit when you watch? I have recently obtained enough furniture to sit on in the room with the TV that I'm re-thinking the fun in watching a 19" TV from 12' away.

I would say 3 feet away for every 12" of screen.

 

[jtr1962]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I'll dig up Mercutio's thread and research some of the links provided here and there. No big hurry since I borrowed my mom's 13" spare TV in the meantime. I'll go to a few stores, compare pictures, choose the set I want, and then wait for a good price on it. BTW, I'm thinking of going with a flat screen HDTV(yes, I know this will run close to $1000 or thereabouts for a 32" screen). Is this worth it, or should I just stick to a standard flat CRT and then buy an HDTV plasma when the prices come down in a few years? My original plan was to wait until the 19" TV failed on it's own and hopefully by then the price of plasmas would have come down significantly, but my mishap threw a monkey wrench into the works. I suppose I could use the 13" if I really still wanted to do that but buying a decent 32" now, and then a plasma in a few years, would make more sense since I could give my mom the 32" to replace her 1984-vintage 19" TV when I buy the plasma.

I'll be watching this TV from about 8 feet away, so by the formulae given here that would make a 32" screen close to optimum. No room for anything bigger, but I might be willing to come down to a 30" if there is a significant price difference. I also agree about the advantages of flat versus bulbous CRTs. I don't want a regular CRT at all. I've looked at them side-by-side with the flats. There's a world of difference.

 

[Fushigi]

if you're using avia and mentioning black levels i'm surprised you'd ever consider a plasma

Well, I'm hoping the technology improves before I make a purchase. It already is much better than when originally released. If it doesn't improve enough, I'll just have to evaluate the available options at the time. A projector is not out of the question either. Desires in a new set:

- Proper color rendering & calibration capable
- Flat
- Thin / Wall mountable
- 50"+ diagnoal
- Widescreen
- HD capable
- Component / multiple S-video / composite / RGB inputs
- Line-level audio out

Price isn't too much of a concern. Obviously the less expensive the better, but if I have to spend more than $4000 to be satisfied, so be it.

Viewing is mostly a mix of DVD & cable/satellite TV. Currently running a Pioneer Elite DVL-91 through a Denon AVR-5700. The occasional VHS or S-VHS through a JVC HR-S9600. Throw in a 20 year old Onkyo turntable for the rare times I listen to vinyl. Speakers aren't quite properly matched; that's my next upgrade barring a component failure. Hopefully next year.

When we finish the basement, part of the design will include a dedicated theater room. Potentially with raised seating for the back row(s). But that's probably 4 or 5 years out.

- Fushigi

 

[SteveC]

BTW, I'm thinking of going with a flat screen HDTV(yes, I know this will run close to $1000 or thereabouts for a 32" screen). Is this worth it, or should I just stick to a standard flat CRT and then buy an HDTV plasma when the prices come down in a few years?

There isn't much content in NYC in HDTV, but that should change in a few months. Right now, only CBS, Fox, and WPIX are broadcasting OTA in DTV, with Fox being their 480P "enhanced widescreen" and WPIX being a low power, VHF signal. The rest are supposed to come online in September, when a combiner/antenna is built on top of the Empire State Building, to replace the antenna on the WTC. You're probably close enough to the ESB that you would only need a small, indoor antenna to receive the signal, once they do come online. The other option is to get them through Time Warner, which, I believe, has the locals, but I'm not sure if you have to pay extra for them.

You may want to check this thread at AVS Forum, for more information on reception in NYC.

 

[Howell]

I'm working with some steep angles as well (a couple of the chairs are close and to the side). Right now the screen is 19-20" away from the wall. Would I have to reach into exotic technologies to find a TV 12" deep max?

 

[Mercutio]

Either that or a very small TV.

LCD TVs are a frickin' scam. You've probably noticed this by now.

 

[jtr1962]

There isn't much content in NYC in HDTV, but that should change in a few months. Right now, only CBS, Fox, and WPIX are broadcasting OTA in DTV, with Fox being their 480P "enhanced widescreen" and WPIX being a low power, VHF signal. The rest are supposed to come online in September, when a combiner/antenna is built on top of the Empire State Building, to replace the antenna on the WTC. You're probably close enough to the ESB that you would only need a small, indoor antenna to receive the signal, once they do come online. The other option is to get them through Time Warner, which, I believe, has the locals, but I'm not sure if you have to pay extra for them.

We're getting Time Warner which includes the local channels. We also have a roof antenna so reception shouldn't be a problem, although the 5" B&W in my workroom can no longer pull in any channels expect WPIX with it's own antenna thanks to 9/11.

My reasons for thinking about HDTV are twofold. First of all, I assume any HDTV is capable of superior resolution even though this isn't taken advantage of with normal NTSC signals. Thus, it can double as a large monitor with maybe 1024x768 resolution for games(i.e. MS Train Simulator ). Second, sooner or later all transmission, whether over the air or cable, will be available in HDTV format, so it won't hurt to have a TV that can display the superior quality video. I've seen some of the large plasma TVs in stores. Of course up close you can see pixelation but from a normal viewing distance they're practically like looking out the window. HDTV eliminates my last complaint about TV(besides mostly poor quality programming)-namely the low resolution picture.