Widescreen vs. 4:3 - Can't decide

I watch a fair mix of regular TV and DVDs, and at the moment I can't decide between the Sony KV-30HS420 (30" HDTV) and the KD-36FS130 (36" 4:3). I like the improved picture quality of the HDTV, but the small picture when viewing 4:3 images is a big turnoff. I know that with the 36", when viewing widscreen images it would be the equivalent of a 30" (basically), so I guess it's down to the tradeoff of picture quality vs. small viewing area for regular TV.

Unless the HDTV has a wonderful "stretch" mode which I'm not aware of that will fill most of the screen without distorting the image.

My budget will not allow me to spend more than what I would be for the 36". Thanks for your input :)

Have you considered a 34" widescreen (or is that more expensive than the 36" 4:3s)? The only word of caution I would have is that eventually, all TV will be HD, which means it will all be widescreen. Most everything is 4:3 now, but 3-4 years from now you could be looking at all 16:9.

34" widescreen would be more expensive than the 36" 4:3.

34" widescreen would be more expensive than the 36" 4:3.

I hope that you are aware that the Sony KD-36FS130 is an SDTV, not an HDTV. It is essentially the older analogue KV-36FS120 model with a separate digital tuner added. OTOH the KV-30HS420 is an HD monitor with an analogue tuner but no digital tuner.

Yes, and that's my quandry. Do I go for the improved PQ with the HDTV and tolerate the smaller picture when watching 4:3, or do I go with the larger picture (and decent 16:9 picture size) and forego quality?

Yes, and that's my quandry. Do I go for the improved PQ with the HDTV and tolerate the smaller picture when watching 4:3, or do I go with the larger picture (and decent 16:9 picture size) and forego quality? Never sacrifice picture quality when it's within your reach. Stick with the the 16:9 HDTV...DVD experience is better...prime-time TV programs are already all in HD and more programs will be switching over to HD format over the next year. :)

I also took a step down in screen size from my old 27" SD 4:3 TV to a Toshiba 30" HD 16:9 TV. I calculated a 34" would have given me an SD image about the same as my old set, but I could only fit a 30".

We found the bands on the side of the SD image distracting, so we always use the non-linear stretch that keeps the center about normal and gradually gets wider to the sides. At this point we watch little SD material, once you get hooked on widescreen DVD's, you'll never go back...

I have to say, I've never heard anyone say "I sure am glad I bought the 4:3 model." Now, I'll sit and wait for someone to come along and say "I bought a 4:3 model, and I love it."

Go with widescreen there is no reason at all to watch stuff formated to fit a smaller screen.If you are a movie buff go widescreen that's how we pay see them at the box office.Are you buying locally or off the internet.Go here to find the lowest price possible...and some Sears price match internet prices...even if they have to order the tv.
http://www.streetprices.com :hithere:

I'd never choose a 30" widescreen over a 36" 4x3, unless I were expecting to watch it from just a few feet away. The 30" widescreen will have so little vertical height in comparison. Even if it's high def - it would be like watching a 20" 4x3 in terms of image height.

Drock, thanks for the link. It's interesting, if you search for the 34" Sony, you get these (http://www.streetprices.com/x/search.cgi?query=KV-34HS420) results. I can't tell if there's a difference between the KV-34HS420 and the KV-34HS420N. It seems to be the same TV, but I've never seen that set for $879, that's a hell of a price. It doesn't say anything about it being refurbished or anything.

Anyone know if there's a difference between the two?

If you don't mind the letterboxing, then a larger 4:3 screen which would display widescreen material at pretty much the same image size as a smaller 16:9 screen is a reasonable solution. Since the Sony 4:3 set has Component video inputs and an HD tuner, you don't have much to lose (as long as it supports progressive scan).

How large a widescreen can you fit/afford? A 36" 4:3 wouldn't fit in our entertainment center, but I can say we find our 30" 16:9 far superior to watching our previous 27" 4:3 even though the SD picture was larger on the 27".

Since I've been a SONY man since about '89 I would say the diffrence could be as a little as having pip to having an additional connect.If the lower priced one has the connections your looking for go with it.

A quick search of LGDSuperstore.com turns up some pretty nasty complaints, they seem to be a fairly shady business. Oh well, I thought that price was too good to be true.

"I'd never choose a 30" widescreen over a 36" 4x3, unless I were expecting to watch it from just a few feet away. The 30" widescreen will have so little vertical height in comparison. Even if it's high def - it would be like watching a 20" 4x3 in terms of image height." I must disagree.My 30" CRT is more than ample for my space and seating distance.One thing I hate more than anything is an enormous screen in a room with close seating,kills my eyes.I think he should also take into consideration his room size and seating distance.

I'll be approximately 10 feet from the TV. My living room is 13 feet wide, figure I'll be 1 foot away from the wall on my sofa, the TV will be about two feet away from the opposite wall. From everything I've read, I will be a bit further away than I'd really want to be, correct? By the way, I think I've decided on the Sony KV34HS420N.

That is a bit too far from the TV for a 34" screen but you may find it ok. Not a bad choice for the Sony...let us know how it turns out. :)