There's been a lot of talk about HDTV, even here on the forum, and I know that I'll probably end up getting one myself within the next year. Because of that, I'm trying to find a book or website that really gives me a hands-on guide to knowing what to look for; what kind of DVD-player I should have to help with "upgrading" my current DVDs the best; and what will serve me in the long-term.

Although I've gone through all the previous trends, from Beta/VHS to Laserdisc to DVD-Recorders, frankly I'm feeling very iffy about the whole HDTV thing and think I have a huge sucker sign on my face whenever I even dare to look at one at the stores.

Can anyone recommend a book, magazine or website that would give me a better idea of what I'm getting involved with here? A forum or two would be fine to mention as well, but I'm looking more for single voices to help guide me.

Also, anyone else feeling kind of awkward about the changes comin' around? I'm only in my early 40's and I feel like I'm an old fogey about all of this! :lol:

Thanks!

You might want to try digging around over at the hometheaterforum. As for a good upconverting DVD player to make your DVDs look the best they can on a new HDTV, I love my Oppo. They're a great brand that's been getting a lot of praise for their incredible bang-for-the-buck upconverting DVD players, and at least two of the models (the 970 and 971) can easily be hacked to be region free. I'm not sure what the status is regarding their new 1080P upconverting player, though, but the same hack works on both the 971 and 970, so I'm guessing it probably works on the new player as well.

Vincent

The HiDef Forum is good, too, at http://www.highdefforum.com/. We were gifted a Sony Bravia HDTV last November and I'm still getting used to it; to my eyes, some things in HD look great on it, others, not altogether preferable to standard-def (DVDs look a lot better on the Sony Wega we have; I can't get them to look right on the Bravia. May need to get a new or different player). But you're not a sucker; it is indeed a new way of seeing TV and I like exploring it.

I read that if you have an HDTV, there's no reason to get a DVD player that claims upconverting...

Is this the case?

Anyway - I recently took the plunge into Plasma HDTV. But I didn't want to break the bank yet I was worried about quality. I found an independent brand at Circuit City called Vizio, which, picture-wise rivaled with high-priced upper tier plasma units.

I had them play CITIZEN KANE as a demo and saw no digital artifacting in the B&W image - all was clear and good. I had them pop in CARS for grins and the clarity blew me away. So I bought a 50-inch for a decent price (just under two grand with a three-year warranty). Now I know this thing probably can't compete with some of the top o' the line units, but yowza...this set's a pip.

Vizio Inc.

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone! I've since added the other forums to my favorites to check out every so often. I also appreciate the kind words about my own worries about getting knee-deep into HDTV. Just don't want to look back in four-five years and think I made mistakes in what I eventually get!

Within four-five years I'd put money on that most people will upgrade yet again - particularly when a 50" set will probably be the smallest available and a TV over 100" will be affordable to the masses...and - as we know - HD will become mandatory...

My advice - buy now!

The latest issue of CONSUMER REPORTS focuses on HDTVs -- well at least they focus on LCD, Plasma, and Rear Projection HDTVS.

Looks like the CRTs are on the way out (at least temporarily) -- walk into you local TV store and there are not many HDTV/CRTs on the shelves.

I am planning to purchase a CRT before they are all gone -- a SONY KD-XBR is calling to me every time that I visit Best Buy.

I have no hard evidence, but I suspect that folks that purchase Plasma TV's are going to be very angry in a few more years. Why? ...I just feel like those things are not built to last. I guess that stems from reports that I have heard of Plasmas having a half life... (There is probably plenty of contrary evidence. I have been wrong before in these kinds of situations...)