Big Guns Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 We have a 61" Samsung LCD RPTV as our main TV and a Metz Atlantis as our second TV. The latter is about to be downgraded as our 3rd TV (for gaming and the like as the existing gaming TV is on its last legs), so I am starting to think about a replacement for the Metz. To fit the existing furniture it probably can't be bigger than 42" as much as I'd like bigger that is going to involve more cost due to having to change the furniture. I would be happy if it did 720p. I would prefer one with a built in HD tuner, unless it is generally regarded as better to have a separate STB (it has been a whiles since I turned my mind to such issues). So what brand/model do you recommend at what price point? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mike62 Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 panasonic 42" plasma model 42PX600A current best price around $2450. Built in HD tuner, great picture, great pricepoint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug1503559538 Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 panasonic 42" plasma model 42PX600A current best price around $2450.Built in HD tuner, great picture, great pricepoint Agree with this choice. If you would buy a CRT without a tuner then by all means go and look for a Plasma without one. Why soem people support this option is just totally beyond me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big_marcelo Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 Agree with this choice.If you would buy a CRT without a tuner then by all means go and look for a Plasma without one. Why soem people support this option is just totally beyond me. large plasmas has in past come without tuners - for me its not an issue since I have 3 PVRs ... a tuner for me would have been a waste of money ... however for smaller TVs 42" and below.. specially 32" where you could put in the bedroom a built in tuner is a great option to have .... I'm a fan of the Sony 32" LCD but its more expensive then the Panasonic ... about $2,500 street price?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjc Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 Why soem people support this option is just totally beyond me. Because once you have a PVR, the inbuilt tuner is not only obsolete but infact annoying! Philip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BribieG Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 In Bris, Acer 32 inch lcd (no tuner mentioned) for 1199 and LG 32 inch with hd tuner 1899. Also LG 42 inch plasma with hd tuner 2499. http://www.wowwicked.com.au/catpages/page2.htm Queensland company but no doubt similar deals nationwide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fRuItCaKe. Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 Because once you have a PVR, the inbuilt tuner is not only obsolete but infact annoying!Philip Not if the PVR can't do HD it's not. We bought the TV with the tuner so we could watch HD without buying another box. Eventually we will get an all-in-one DVD/PVR/HD box but the budget doesn't allow that yet. I didn't want another HD tuner only box as a stopgap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozdoc Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 Because once you have a PVR, the inbuilt tuner is not only obsolete but infact annoying!Philip The best thing about an inbuilt tuner is that when the newbie relatives or babysitter come over, you just give them the plasma remote with channel change and volume up/down, and hide everything else (especially the harmony remote...). No more having to explain the modern wonder of AV setups. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thornton Melon Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 Not if the PVR can't do HD it's not.We bought the TV with the tuner so we could watch HD without buying another box. Eventually we will get an all-in-one DVD/PVR/HD box but the budget doesn't allow that yet. I didn't want another HD tuner only box as a stopgap. Just curious, but the forums are full of STU's and all their broblems, do we not have the same problems with inbuilt tuners??? Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjc Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 We bought the TV with the tuner so we could watch HD without buying another box. Enjoy your HD ads Philip The best thing about an inbuilt tuner is that when the newbie relatives or babysitter come over, you just give them the plasma remote with channel change and volume up/down, and hide everything else (especially the harmony remote...). No more having to explain the modern wonder of AV setups. Will concede this point! Philip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug1503559538 Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 I've got FOXTEL IQ - 2 SD STB's and I'm still going to make sure my next Plasma purchase has an inbuilt tuner. It will just be simpler to operate. I never watched my old CRT television through a seperate tuner (such as a VCR) so have no real desire to continue using STB's to watch digital TV. On the PVR issue - I know that LG already are building PVR's into their Plasma's , won't be long before the quality brands follow suit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fRuItCaKe. Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 Enjoy your HD ads Philip Actually that's the good bit. WIth HD down here we don't get any ad's. Just goes back to the HD loop. Brilliant!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anton-P. Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 Eventually we will get an all-in-one DVD/PVR/HD box but the budget doesn't allow that yet. For your info there's no such beast. If you want a box with hdd, dvd and tuner then the tuner is SD only -- 100% certain. No-one has made a HD pvr with dvd and I don't think they will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wing Nut Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 Because once you have a PVR, the inbuilt tuner is not only obsolete but infact annoying!I have both and for me it's quite the opposite - it'd be annoying not to have a built-in tuner. Just a few minutes ago, while I had the two PVR tuners busy recording Sadam's Palace and Memphis Belle, I wanted to catch the news. Easy with the built-in HD tuner on the plasma - especially with a Harmony to take care of the switching. The PVR (Toppy) is great for anyone au fait with a particular HT setup, but for anyone staying, house-sitting, etc (or even the Mrs who has happily accepted the fact all TVs have had tuners for the last 50 years), a built-in tuner reduces the complication of just sitting down and watching TV. Even if I had two PVRs, I'd rather anyone unfamiliar with my setup or remote didn't have the figure out the PVR aspect with the risk of deleting my unwatched files or carefully set timers. For me it's far from being annoying - it's more peace of mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozdoc Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 For your info there's no such beast.No-one has made a HD pvr with dvd and I don't think they will. Sounds like a Beyonwiz to me. However given the delays, you still may be correct in your assessment.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmaxwell1503559518 Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 I was looking at the 60A but after reading this post the 600A is looking better...just gotta wait for it to get to the magic $2k mark! Surely having an inbuilt tuner is better than not? Coupled with a Toppy or equivelent you got yourself 1 HD and 2 SD tuner/PVRs - gotta be happy with that! And surely down the track Sony will have a Blu Ray recorder/HD Tuner all in one... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fRuItCaKe. Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 For your info there's no such beast. Yeah, I know this It is a dream, but I hope a reality one day....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anton-P. Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 I was looking at the 60A but after reading this post the 600A is looking better...Surely having an inbuilt tuner is better than not? Don't forget the extra oooomph in the 600A sound is also well worth going for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjc Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 I have both and for me it's quite the opposite - it'd be annoying not to have a built-in tuner. Just a few minutes ago, while I had the two PVR tuners busy recording Sadam's Palace and Memphis Belle, I wanted to catch the news. Easy with the built-in HD tuner on the plasma - especially with a Harmony to take care of the switching. The PVR (Toppy) is great for anyone au fait with a particular HT setup, but for anyone staying, house-sitting, etc (or even the Mrs who has happily accepted the fact all TVs have had tuners for the last 50 years), a built-in tuner reduces the complication of just sitting down and watching TV. Even if I had two PVRs, I'd rather anyone unfamiliar with my setup or remote didn't have the figure out the PVR aspect with the risk of deleting my unwatched files or carefully set timers. For me it's far from being annoying - it's more peace of mind. Well done on finding three things on FTA worth watching concurrently! I must say my comment is really pointing out that I have not watched an ad at home since my first PVR and when I am someone elses place to sit through them is very irksome. If I had an option of no inbuilt tuner for $250 cheaper, I would get a SD PVR with the money. The problem is the cheapest HD PVR is ~$800 and the price difference between inbuilt and not is no where near that now (used to be!) Philip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wing Nut Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 Well done on finding three things on FTA worth watching concurrently!Yes, I quite agree - almost as rare as the passage of Comet McNaught! However, the ease of use aspect is probably of more value in most households where the uninitiated might pick up the remote. My nephew was staying last week and although he cycles the latest model projectors, amps and players through his very impressive home theatre system, he was very happy he could just switch on my TV and watch a show without any fuss. I know when I'm at his place it takes me about 10 minutes to get a TV channel sorted and then deal with picture and sound. When he comes home from work he has to reset everything I've touched Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjc Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 Yes, I quite agree - almost as rare as the passage of Comet McNaught! However, the ease of use aspect is probably of more value in most households where the uninitiated might pick up the remote. My nephew was staying last week and although he cycles the latest model projectors, amps and players through his very impressive home theatre system, he was very happy he could just switch on my TV and watch a show without any fuss. I know when I'm at his place it takes me about 10 minutes to get a TV channel sorted and then deal with picture and sound. When he comes home from work he has to reset everything I've touched I'm just lucky in my set-up the Plasma auto turns on when the PVR powers up so the PVR remote does everything required for the uninitiated! The Harmony does tend to bamboozel the inlaws I will admit. Best of both worlds really. Philip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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