Cheap HDTV with HD Tuner at WalMart

[oz]

I came across this deal on one of the "hot deal" websites I'm addicted to.

Sanyo 30" Widescreen HDTV with Integrated ATSC Tuner for a low $562.00. I think the price recently crept up to $598 but Wal-Mart seems to roll-back the prices fairly often. I think this is a pretty good deal if you want a tube TV (no burn-in issues), especially with the built-in HD tuner. Supposedly it has gotten a lot of praise on the AVS Forum.

Save on shipping by buying from your local store. You can also purchase a 3-year service plan on walmart.com (whether or not you bought it in-store or online) for only $40.52. I know Wal-Mart and Sanyo aren't necessarily the most respected names in the business, but this is a nice way to get into the HD scene for cheap.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=2601425&sourceid=41278331050731190766

[Ralph Kramden]

I guess it depends on how far you sit from the screen, because that's a pretty small set.

[kevbeck122]

I just bought one, and so far I think it's a great set for the money.  You get 1 HDMI, 2 component, and 2 composite/svideo inputs.  It also has an optical audio out for hookup to a 5.1 receiver.  Walmart.com has it advertised for $598, but in stores it is rolled back to $562.  It seems like many of the Walmarts in SE WI are down to either one set or out of stock.

The sets manufactured before January 2005 (I believe) have a built in QAM decoder, so I can pickup the local HD channels that TWC is carrying and so far I'm pretty impressed with the quality.  Right now the only problem I'm seeing is with my PS2.  I notice a waviness in graphics (except when I'm in 1080i mode on GT4), which seems to be the case for many people over at the AVS forum.  I can't see why it's the TV though, because when I hook up either a progressive or non progressive scan DVD player via components, the picture is fine.

[gparris]

I just reduced the asking price of my 65" Mitsubishi set with 2 firewire, 3 component inputs and built-in HD OTA tuner to $895...complete with warranty.

If  you bought the set for that much, consider a something a little bigger at very least as you will probably have to sit closer to the screen to make the HD viewing a worthwhile experience, IMO.

[kevbeck122]

It's in my bedroom, so it's not a huge problem as far as distance is concerned.  I live at home with my parents, still in college and my older 27" Zenith TV died.  I figured I'd go with an HD set but couldn't afford anything other than a CRT.  That is a good price for your TV though.

[gparris]

Great you got a digital set for your bedroom...no old technology analogue set for you!
You remind me of the time I was in college, living with my parents...I did the same thing only then it was a 17" Sony Trinitron (latest and greatest then) and my cheapo parents decided to take it for themselves
-after I lent them it...big mistake...never got to watch it again, until I left the house. They said I should be studing more...heck, it was the only thing I could do after 2 jobs and school (watch colourTV) !

If you ever do move away, it could be an excellent second set or again, for the bedroom...thanks for the kind thoughts on the set I was selling...it's sold, now.

[kevbeck122]

Yeah I'd like to move away in a few years, but in order to do so I need to stop buying the expensive toys

Anyways, back on topic... I've noticed that the component jacks aren't the best.  It started with the PS2 and now that I have a box from TWC I also notice some noise (flickering black lines) depending on what I'm watching.  I see it mostly in the darker scenes on shows and movies on the HD channels.  Brighter things like outdoor shows on Discovery and PBS have no problems.  I'll probably call Sanyo to see what they have to say, otherwise I think I'm going to try DVI on the 3510HD (hopefully it's active) since I hear the HDMI port on the TV won't give me this problem.

It's not bad enough to make me want to take the TV back, but it is noticeable.

[Mark Strube]

I think your problem is either with the component cables or the ports on your tv. I've never noticed this problem. I have a friend who had a 16:9-supporting 4:3 tv (if that makes any sense) and it had component jacks, and I noticed the picture would flicker some.

[kevbeck122]

Yeah I'm guessing it's the jacks.  I just don't know why the DVD players worked fine.    For my PS2, I'm using the official Sony cables and for the STB I'm using the cables TWC gave me.  I suppose I could try some better cables we have on another TV and see if that helps any.

[kevbeck122]

Alright... called up Sanyo, got the typical trained employee who doesn't know much about the technical stuff about the TV (like customer service at TWC).  He told me to call TWC and ask them... haha I know I'm not gonna get anywhere through that route unless someone knows a direct number to the technical people.

He said he knows about the PS2 problem.  He told me it's a combination PS2/TV issue, but wouldn't go into any further details.  Does anyone else have any problems with PS2 using component cables on an HDTV?  And, like in my experience, he said that nobody has had an issue with DVD players.  I have no idea what to think... I mean are the TWC box and PS2 sending out poor signals, or do I have crappy jacks on the TV?

I guess I'll mess around in the service menu to see if I can find anything in there.

[Mark Strube]

I would say your best route is to test the PS2 on another TV with component jacks and see if the problem is still there. Also, if you could do that with the cable box (might have to be used in your house, not sure) that would be good too. I highly doubt there's problems with both the PS2 and cable box, and since you're using 2 different cables, I doubt it's the cables. It's the TV, and if it's under manufacturer warranty, I'm pretty sure they're obligated to fix this.
Tell them the problem is the same on both inputs with 2 different component video sources with 2 different brands of cable. That will root out any other problems BUT their television.

[kevbeck122]

I tried PS2 with components on a regular TV and it works fine.  I'm the only one in the house with an HDTV, so I really can't test it in a similar environment.

[kevbeck122]

Ok... the HDMI to DVI cable fixed the box problem.  I bought a new PS2 and that fixed most of the problems with that other than the 480p waviness.  I guess I can live with that, wait and hope PS3 comes with HDMI.  If the problem gets worse I can always take it back.  People on the AVS forum just say these component jacks are bad, quality wise or the power supply (cheap) could be interfering with them.