My 12 year old Sony 27" TV finaly died last night.

Any suggestions on a new TV ? I would like to have a wide screen format which could support my progressive scan DVD player. I don't have much space in my living room so a smaller set is best. I had a 27" and it was fine. I would like to spend under $1000 but I am willing to go higher if need be.

If anyone has some good sites which can get me up to speed on all the different technology these days that would be helpful also. I need to study up quickly so I can replace my set.

What should I be looking for in my new set ?

I am usually partial to the look of Sony sets.

Here are a few quesions I have from my search so far.
1) Should I get a HDTV capable set or is HDTV compatable (no tuner) enough for now ?
2) Sony has a 27" TV model KV-27FS210 which claims to have a 16:9 Enhanced Mode which displays anamorphic widescreen content in its full detail. Is this hype ? How can a standard TV display anamorphic widescreen ? Their description reads "16:9 Enhanced Mode --- delivers maximum picture quality by concentrating all viewable scan lines (up to 1080i on Hi-Scan® circuitry equipped models) within the letterbox image. Displays anamorphic widescreen content in its full detail. " This set is only $499 so might be a candidate.

I have the Panasonic 47" Widescreen HDTV. I've had it for 3 years and have not had a single problem. There is a forum (panny.tv) that shows you all the tweaks to make it perform to it's top potential. Everyone comments on how good of a picture my set has. I noticed this weekend that Wal-Mart here in Louisville, KY has it for $1100. That's a deal.

I haven't bought one yet, but what I'm looking for in a TV are the inputs. Right now, if the TV doesn't have a DVI-HDCP input on it, well, I think you're going to end up having to replace it in a few years. DVI is really where all the HDTV stuff is heading toward. Actually, they're going toward HDMI but I think you might be able to get away with just DVI. Right now, Zenith is offering a 32" HDTV set with dual HDTV tuners built-in with a DVI interface for around $1000. If you go over to AVS, there's also a great article about why you might want to stick with a 4:3 ratio set as compared to a widescreen set.

I've also heard not so great things about the "FS" line of Sony TVs. I think the quality of those is just not up to that of their upper series.

At this time, video just has sooo many options. If I had to buy a set right now, I don't know how I would do it without making some sort of compromise.

Which model do you have ?

I just bought a Samsung TXN2668WHF at Sears monday evening. $599. No interest, no payments until March 2005. It's a 26" widescreen, CRT, HD monitor (with regular CATV tuner) that has replaced an 18 year old Toshiba 26" 4:3 that has died (is dying?). Fits perfectly on the chest of drawers where the Toshiba used to live. Picture with analog CATV and non-progessive DVD is beautiful.

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pat----

email: pat@sklenar.info ---===--- home page: Grumpy's Lair

An opinions on the Sony KV30XBR910.

I can get it for $1749 with a free stand.

Looks interesting. I will have to go to sears and check it out. Thanks.

I increased my budget limit and decided on the KV30XBR910. So far I love it ! Exceptional video with 1080p source. I am now seeing the video flaws in DVD's I kept reading about in DVD reviews. With my old basic TV I didn't get what they were talking about.

Wow...I just looked up the specs on your new set...very impressive!

Now, I'm jealous!

Thanks Jason. You mentioned the DVI-HDCP port in your previous post. What is it for ? My set has one and my HD-Cable box has one but I don't know what it does. I have the set hooked up with component cables.