Help with new HDTV Set!

[greg_brady]

As of this morning, I am in the market for a new television.

I am new to the world of HDTV, so I am looking for any advice you may have to offer.  I am looking at the Panny 53", a sony 46" and a Hitachi....

I talked to Time Warner - they said I can get an HDTV receiver with my digital cable for no extra charge???  I assume some people on this board are using this receiver - how many different models does TW offer and which one should I request?  

As I mentioned above - any advice is appreciated.  I am really looking forward to this purchase but I don't want to be too anxious - I am willing to wait for the next model or a great deal on a set...but football season is right around the corner!!!

Thanks,

Greg

[gparris]

Welcome to the forum. If you will notice that there are many threads in this forum that can help explain many of your questions. You can never be TOO up-to-date, as technology changes. So buy what you can afford and what will fit your viewing area. Besides that, think of what you will be using it for.

As for what folks in this forum buy, rear projection is the most cost-effective, bang-for-the-buck you can get. It can produce some of the darkest blacks of any display and it holds up well.  Of the brands, Mitsubishi and Hitachi, along with Toshiba seem to be the better sellers, although many in of the forum have RCA, SONY and other brands as well.

For HD providers, it depends on where you live and what you can afford in outlays. Some folks cannot get satellite or afford the cost of a sat HD box after buying an HD ready set and so instead chose a HD-integrated set with its own ASTC digital tuner to pick up locals over the air. This still requires some sort of antenna.
Others use satellite in combination with local HD sources over the air in combination satellite/over the air boxes they purchase.
Some, like myself, cannot do either and resort to the least expensive alternative at least in the short-run: cable.
Cable from Time Warner Cable has no big outlays for boxes or setup, just the price of basic service for the HD locals unless you want HBO and Showtime (at extra charge) in HD and the HD cable box for an additional monthly fee of $6.95 plus tax and franchise fees.
 A good component video cable and a coaxial (TWC) or optical (satellite) digital cable for the digital sound are a must for your HDTV set and sound amp to get the best picture and sound.
We are told by TWC workers who are members in this forum that more HD channels are on the way by what seems to be, right now, before the end of the year.

Hope this gives you some information.
Check the threads and other site links on the main page for other websites about HDTV for further information.
Happy shopping!:)