big c Posted March 13, 2004 Share Posted March 13, 2004 I have a $2000 budget for a rptv. I went to bb and cc. My options are toshiba 51h83 and hitachi s500. Any one familiar with these model or any model that meets my budget? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicholtl Posted March 13, 2004 Share Posted March 13, 2004 Sony's 43" RPTV's also fall into this range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TauRus Posted March 13, 2004 Share Posted March 13, 2004 Big, since a budget is of major concern, try your local Costco or Sams' Clubs. Not always, but often they have great gear for very decent prices. Besides, their return policy, especially at Costco is very flexible and you can always return your unit to them if not satisfied, even after a few months of use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffinator Posted March 13, 2004 Share Posted March 13, 2004 ---------------- On 3/13/2004 1:50:55 PM TauRus wrote: Big, since a budget is of major concern, try your local Costco or Sams' Clubs. Not always, but often they have great gear for very decent prices. Besides, their return policy, especially at Costco is very flexible and you can always return your unit to them if not satisfied, even after a few months of use. ---------------- Indeed. I know someone who picked up a 65" Toshiba closeout model for $1500 at Sam's Club. That said, beware of the "deals" you see there. I've seen three-year-old models pop up at Sam's for dirt cheap - but three-year-old models aren't going to have the crucial features (quality scaling, DVI interfaces, etc) that you get on the newer ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easylistener Posted March 13, 2004 Share Posted March 13, 2004 You won't be sorry with the s500 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ygmn Posted March 13, 2004 Share Posted March 13, 2004 Try some local high end places...and see if they have any old stock for cheap....close outs...demos etc...you can get a good TV that way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slowjoe24 Posted March 13, 2004 Share Posted March 13, 2004 I love my Sony 46". Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TauRus Posted March 13, 2004 Share Posted March 13, 2004 Big, I also want to second Hitachi. I am not familiar with this exact model, but i have seen a few other units, and still own one of the oldest HDTV ready Hitachi 43" model. You know, I often see other CRT RPTVs at friends places, and each time I realize how good the Hitachi screen is, and one feature in particular - wide viewing angle. I can basically watch my Hitachi almost from any reasonable angle, while at my friend's house who has one of the latest large Pioneer RPTVs, I had to always find some sweetspots, it looked like seating a little outside of the good viewing angle significantly decreased color saturation and brightness. My 2c. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big c Posted March 20, 2004 Author Share Posted March 20, 2004 First, thanks for all the inputs. I ended up buying the Toshiba. Not only did I get a better deal, but I got the 51hx83(which is their cinema series) instead of the 51h83. Picture wise, HDTV & DVD look excellent. Cable on the other hand is just ok. One more question, for the price($500+) is professional calibration a must or is it overated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenratboy Posted March 20, 2004 Share Posted March 20, 2004 $500 for a calibration job? He.. NO!!! You might be able to get a local shop to do it for $100-200 tops (2 hours at the most, maybe more like one) - but $500 seems absolutly redicilous unless it took 10 hours and there were additional costs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easylistener Posted March 20, 2004 Share Posted March 20, 2004 First off let the tv burn in for at least 100 hours before you do anything. 500 is a little high for a calibration. Make sure he is ISF cert. 300 range would be more like it. It does make a differnce. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
space_cowboy Posted March 20, 2004 Share Posted March 20, 2004 I'm partial to Hitachi, but glad you got what you wanted. Hold off on the calibration for a while. Maybe try your own set up with Avia or DVD Essentials first. $500 is way out of line, try a $30 DIY first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big c Posted March 20, 2004 Author Share Posted March 20, 2004 It sounded kind of high to me too. They are isf certified and insured. I was also told they would do all the inputs. But I'm going to shop around for a better deal and wait about 100 hr. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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