Are HDTVs over rated?

Home ▸ Archive ▸ Serious Business ▸ Are HDTVs over rated?
MANAZE's avatar

MANAZE

Senior Member

1,055 posts
Feb 22, 2010 12:58 AM
I keep looking at HDTVs and it seems they are really over rated. I like the idea of buying a tv and letting it sit where it goes for 10-20 years. With out having to buy bulbs or worrying about a picture getting burned into it.
Feb 22, 2010 12:58am
LJ's avatar

LJ

Senior Member

16,351 posts
Feb 22, 2010 1:04 AM
So buy an lcd?
Feb 22, 2010 1:04am
MANAZE's avatar

MANAZE

Senior Member

1,055 posts
Feb 22, 2010 1:06 AM
LCD? what makes them better?
Feb 22, 2010 1:06am
I

I Wear Pants

Senior Member

16,223 posts
Feb 22, 2010 1:08 AM
They don't get burn in.

Also, most modern HDTVs including plasma and LCD don't have bulbs or anything to replace. They will loose brightness and quality over extended periods of time (Just like normal tube TVs do) but the burn in thing is mostly taken care of now too.

And no, they aren't over rated, they're awesome.
Feb 22, 2010 1:08am
hasbeen's avatar

hasbeen

Excuse me, Flo?

6,504 posts
Feb 22, 2010 1:09 AM
I love my HDTV. It's well worth it.
Feb 22, 2010 1:09am
MANAZE's avatar

MANAZE

Senior Member

1,055 posts
Feb 22, 2010 1:11 AM
my tvs are on for a good 20 hours a day. I sleep with them on. Would HDTVs be ok for something like that?
Feb 22, 2010 1:11am
End of Line's avatar

End of Line

It's Clobberin Time!

6,867 posts
Feb 22, 2010 1:11 AM
Well worth it, go get one.
Feb 22, 2010 1:11am
F

Free_is_better

Senior Member

252 posts
Feb 22, 2010 1:18 AM
MANAZE wrote: my tvs are on for a good 20 hours a day. I sleep with them on. Would HDTVs be ok for something like that?
You may see an increase in your electrical bill because most hdtv's use more power then a regular tv.
Feb 22, 2010 1:18am
hoops23's avatar

hoops23

Senior Member

15,696 posts
Feb 22, 2010 2:09 AM
Hell yes HDTV's are worth it.. Especially if you love sports in HD.. Or gaming or watching blu-rays..
Feb 22, 2010 2:09am
Firad's avatar

Firad

Senior Member

1,525 posts
Feb 22, 2010 2:19 AM
Free_is_better wrote:
MANAZE wrote: my tvs are on for a good 20 hours a day. I sleep with them on. Would HDTVs be ok for something like that?
You may see an increase in your electrical bill because most hdtv's use more power then a regular tv.
Some HDTVs have power saving modes so that could help out bill wise if you keep it on a lot. I know the HDTV I just bought my parents has power saving mode however mine does not. Just something you'd have to find out about the TV before you buy it.
Feb 22, 2010 2:19am
T

trackandccrunner

Senior Member

1,283 posts
Feb 22, 2010 2:25 AM
My 2 good friends both have HDTV's and they are just amazing. I wish I had the money to get one.
Feb 22, 2010 2:25am
believer's avatar

believer

Senior Member

8,153 posts
Feb 22, 2010 2:36 AM
I recently replaced an old-style 26" CRT TV (which lasted 15 years) with a 32" flat screen HDTV for about $350 recently. Well worth it.

And as the prices continue to drop I'll probably move the 32" to my bedroom and invest in a 46" or 52" for the family room.

I enjoy the high-def sports programs

The largest disadvantage I see with HDTV's besides price is power consumption and life span. HDTV's have a reputation for lasting just a few years.
Feb 22, 2010 2:36am
Bio-Hazzzzard's avatar

Bio-Hazzzzard

Senior Member

1,027 posts
Feb 22, 2010 8:59 AM
I would go with the LCD and not the plasma IMO. And if you do buy stay away from LG it gave us problems before the factory warranty expired. Currently I have a black line that is 10" long and 1" wide portruding down from the top of the screen. Total POS.
Feb 22, 2010 8:59am
bases_loaded's avatar

bases_loaded

Senior Member

6,912 posts
Feb 22, 2010 9:05 AM
Plasmas no longer have burn in problems
Feb 22, 2010 9:05am
voewoody's avatar

voewoody

Senior Member

280 posts
Feb 22, 2010 9:06 AM
^
This
Feb 22, 2010 9:06am
Thunder70's avatar

Thunder70

Senior Member

748 posts
Feb 22, 2010 9:23 AM
To answer the OP's question...no, they are not overrated. If anything, they are underrated. I will never watch TV without HD ever again...
Feb 22, 2010 9:23am
Goldenboy26's avatar

Goldenboy26

Senior Member

164 posts
Feb 22, 2010 9:30 AM
I never watch tv unless it is in HD, it really makes a huge difference
Feb 22, 2010 9:30am
bases_loaded's avatar

bases_loaded

Senior Member

6,912 posts
Feb 22, 2010 9:37 AM
Thunder70 wrote: To answer the OP's question...no, they are not overrated. If anything, they are underrated. I will never watch TV without HD ever again...
I wanted to gauge my eyes out having to watch the USA game on standard def last night.

And for your money plasmas are a better deal right now you can get more screen for less money.
Feb 22, 2010 9:37am
Thunder70's avatar

Thunder70

Senior Member

748 posts
Feb 22, 2010 9:52 AM
To me, it all depends on where the TV is going. If its going in a basement or darkly lit room...Plasma. If a living room or other room with lots of light...LCD.
Feb 22, 2010 9:52am
brutus161's avatar

brutus161

The Navy Guy

1,686 posts
Feb 22, 2010 9:56 AM
I have both a plasma and a LCD, I prefer my plasma. My next TV purchase will be a Samsung LED.
Feb 22, 2010 9:56am
G

gut

Senior Member

15,058 posts
Feb 22, 2010 10:15 AM
brutus161 wrote: I have both a plasma and a LCD, I prefer my plasma. My next TV purchase will be a Samsung LED.
An LED? Haven't heard much about them.

People say plasma is better than LCD. I have a plasma, but I don't know. The higher brightness of an LCD just seems to be a bit better picture, IMO.
Feb 22, 2010 10:15am
TBone14's avatar

TBone14

Senior Member

6,383 posts
Feb 22, 2010 10:18 AM
Goldenboy26 wrote: I never watch tv unless it is in HD, it really makes a huge difference
Agreed. I don't even look at my guide for non-HD channels. If its not on in HD I don't watch it.
Feb 22, 2010 10:18am
dwccrew's avatar

dwccrew

Not Banned

7,817 posts
Feb 22, 2010 10:24 AM
HDTV's are sweet. As others have said, if you watch a lot of sports, you'll notice the difference.
Feb 22, 2010 10:24am
Fab1b's avatar

Fab1b

The Bald A-Hole!!

12,949 posts
Feb 22, 2010 10:29 AM
Went with a Sony 50' plasma after comparing numerous LCD/Plasmas when I purchased mine. Haven't regretted that decision one bit!!
Feb 22, 2010 10:29am
M

MontyBrunswick

Feb 22, 2010 10:34 AM
You can't appreciate the difference between HDTV and analog until you see them side-by-side.

And whoever said HDTV's use more power needs to do their homework. Smaller sets (under 32") probably use less than a 19" CRT would. If the OP has a smallish set, he'd actually save electricity if he bought a flat-panel. (But on the flip side, the bigger the set, the more expensive it becomes)
Feb 22, 2010 10:34am