HD TV's - what will it all cost?

[Anonymous]

I want to get an HDTV, probably 37". The prices are really getting reasonable, but I'm trying to do some comparison shopping and research. Bestbuy.com seems to have a lot of reviews, but who knows if they're spammers or real - so I know this board has a lot of good input!

1. Do I need 1080p or is 720p almost as good at a 37" screen size?
2. I know we need to get HD from Verizon FIOS but do we also need an HD DVD player? Is the PS3 an HD player?
3. What else do we need to upgrade, if anything?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
1. Do I need 1080p or is 720p almost as good at a 37" screen size?
2. I know we need to get HD from Verizon FIOS but do we also need an HD DVD player? Is the PS3 an HD player?
3. What else do we need to upgrade, if anything?

1. 720p
2. no. yes.
3. no

[Anonymous]

Thanks! I am trying to decide now between an Olevia 37" for $719 or a Vizio 37" for $749. I think both are 720p but I just don't know those brands.

[Anonymous]

Aren't there increased electricity costs to owning an HDTV?

[Anonymous]

You can get HD service from satellite tv or cable too. No requirement you have Fios, which isn't even available in my neighborhood anyway.

I've never heard of the brands you mention either. I went with Philips. You can get a pretty good price on Philips and Magnavo through Philips Direct. You can get access to Philips Direct through some credit card and employer discount programs.

[Anonymous]

You can get many HD channels over the air without cable or satellite. It is truly amazing the number of channels here in the DC area. Trust me -- it is nothing like the old analog channels over the air that you remember from your childhood. FWIW, we kept our old satellite service and just have a switch to switch between regular satellite (I refuse to pay the high cost that they want for HD service -- sames goes for cable) and HD over the air. It works well for us and is much cheaper. Just to let you know that there are options out there for HD without having to pay for HD cable or satellite.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Aren't there increased electricity costs to owning an HDTV?

no there aren't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks! I am trying to decide now between an Olevia 37" for $719 or a Vizio 37" for $749. I think both are 720p but I just don't know those brands.

i'd buy whichever brand costco carries.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, Costco has the Vizio 720p and Target has the Olevia which turns out to be 1080p. Normally, I'd go with Costco too for their 2 yr warranty, but the pixels are better on the TArget TV... toughie.

[Anonymous]

Whichever you buy, the best investment you can make is an HDMI cord that you connect with your cable box to your TV. We have a comcast HD box (no extra cost) and the HDMI cable (about $50-$80) makes a HUGE difference!!! You can also get an HDMI cord from your DVD player to TV so you don't need an HD DVD player. Best Buy guys can explain the benefits of the HDMI cord.

[Anonymous]

I own the Olevia 37". I bought mine on Black Friday though so I only paid $550. I love it. It looks great and I've had no problems with it. I have friends that have much larger name brand sets and they do look better but I am perfectly happy with my Olevia set.

If you have any more specific questions about the Olevia set, I'd be happy to answer them if I can.