Spend someone else's money on an HDTV
OK, there's nothing more
fun that spending someone else's money. Well, maybe except for winning
the Powerball, so you never have to worry about money again. We don't have any winning lottery tickets, but we do have a high-profile blogger looking for an HDTV. Are you up to the challenge?Last week, I mentioned that Robert Scoble and his wife Maryam are thinking about an HDTV purchase. I took a stab at their budget, but I was way high at $7,500. Robert indicated to me that he'd be willing to spend around three-grand. (Hey, maybe they're getting that wood stove too. It gets cold in Washington State!)
So the "budget committee" has spoken: $3,000 is the rough limit and Robert is thinking 50-inch DLP. If you had that budget to work with, what would you get and why? A smaller sized 1080p display? A mid-sized 720p DLP, LCD or PDP? How about a monster-sized RPTV? C'mon: let's spend Robert and Maryam's money and make sure they get the best HDTV set out there!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
James Varghese @ Oct 10th 2005 11:05AM
I find it pretty amusing that he's going through the same thing I'm going through - with the same budget no less.
As for me, here are the HDTVs I have been looking at, though I prob. have a longer time frame until purchase than they do:
1) Westinghouse 37" ($1600 or so) - On the outs since I am thinking I would pref. a tuner.
2) BenQ DV3750 ($2200) - that def. looks good - if it has HDMI and I get some good reviews on it over at AVSForum, I'll be even more excited.
3) Panasonic 42" HDTV - you can now get the bigger one from CCity $2850, which isn't bad (P.s. I caught the Yankees ESPNHD game on this at a CC this weekend and it was amazing.) Also, if you don't need the extras you can get the 50" professional version for under $3K.
4)A little pricer (about $3600) but I might wait it out is the Sharp Aqous 45" 1080 LCD - I've seen the picture in a couple of stores and I have been stunned by the clarity of the picture.
So there are MY choices and the ones that I am perusing right now...and though I want one (VERY) badly, I might honestly be able to hold off until after CES (so I can see what improvements might be coming down the pipeline and if they are worth it) and for Feb price reductions. Arrrgh - sorry for the long post :)
James Varghese @ Oct 10th 2005 11:16AM
Whoops - guess I was wrong - it doesn't look like the BenQ has a tuner - my bad:
ftp://12.145.38.159/lcd_tv/datasheets/dv3750_specs.pdf
ftp://12.145.38.159/lcd_tv/datasheets/lcdtv_overview.pdf
Buzzcut @ Oct 10th 2005 12:13PM
I was over at Sam's Club, and they had some AKAI 50" plasma HDTV (not EDTV) with built in HD tuner for $2600.
I know, it's a lot of money for an Akai. But it's a steal for a 50" Plasma! They're so sweet.
Mike @ Oct 10th 2005 12:55PM
Do you have any size limitations in the area you plan on placing it? If so, please list because that will greatly affect your decision. If no buy one of the new 50" inch SONY XBR SXRD Sets. 1080P integrated HDTVs. Do you have satellite or cable as that will also affect the decision in some cases.
Andy Sullivan @ Oct 10th 2005 3:19PM
You can pick up a Panny consumer 50'plasma or the hottest new Sony SXRD 50" for less than $3200 on line. Of course you still are looking at around $200 to $300 for shipping but no sales tax. The prices, they are still droppin. Also the Vizio 50" plasma is $2699 at Coctco and has received excellent reviews. It has two HDMI connections.
Gregory McKnight @ Oct 11th 2005 8:02PM
I have both a 36" Sony XBR Flat Screen CRT HDTV and a 46" LG Plasma and the Sony has a superior image. However, the 300 pounds it weighs is a pain. Go with the Sony. This Sony!!
Maryam Scoble @ Oct 12th 2005 1:55AM
You all should come over to my blog and vote for the fire place! :P
Kevin C. Tofel @ Oct 12th 2005 8:24AM
Maryam, I think Robert should foot the bill for BOTH a fireplace AND an HDTV after reading this: http://spaces.msn.com/members/maryamie/Blog/cns!1pJf1AP0KsxqptNL0A6dlsgA!163.entry
:)