Need help with recent HDTV purchase, please

Kingphoenicia · 07-25-2005, 05:49 PM

I just purchased a Samsung 40", flat panel, high definition plasma TV from a well known retailer (that goes by the initials of BB), in lieu of buying the Samsung 40" EDTV version that costs about $800 less. This was on the BB salesperson's strong recommendation that I get HDTV now because of the coming changeover to HDTV, and on his representation that Charter Communications in my area (the only currently available cable broadcasting service here) has HDTV cable broadcasting available.

I discovered today that, in my viewing area, Charter only broadcasts about eight of over a hundred fifty of its available channels in HDTV. According to the Charter representative, the number of stations that Charter will broadcast in my area in HDTV will increase over time, but the representative was fairly clear in stating that this might take years, i.e., through 2008. Meanwhile, the BB salesperson had informed me that, even if HDTV broadcasting were not currently available in my area, the HDTV I purchased will get better reception (i.e., definition) than the comparably sized Samsung EDTV, in that it has about 25% more pixels than the EDTV version.

This information is directly contrary, however, to what an apparently knowledgable customer in the store told me when I was looking at the two TVs- that if HDTV service is not offered or is severely limited in my viewing area, then the better course at present is to go with the EDTV, in that it will get better overall reception from current broadcasts - particularly if the broadcast is of an action event, such as football or dirt bike racing - because the current HDTV technology requires an HDTV broadcast to maximize its reception capability, whereas EDTV technology does not. Make sense...?

I am therefore not sure if I purchased the right TV for where I'm at now, or if I got oversold. The BB salesperson is not on commission, on the one hand, and he seemed pretty sure of what he was telling me. Meanwhile I've noticed a "grainy" appearance to some of the stations I'm pulling in from Charter. Any thoughts/recommendations? Should I take back the HDTV and get the EDTV instead? Thanks in advance

rickbbb · 07-25-2005, 07:23 PM

I bought the Samsung 40 inch LCD HDTV about 2 weeks ago.

I don't think we own the same Samsung model or type of tv..but I do think Samsung makes Excellent televisions !

My advice to you is..return the tv if you have any major doubts about it. Get the tv you want.

The tv I have is just as good or better than anytube HDTV I ever owned.

Samsung actually makes some of the parts for expensive Sony LCD HDTV's and Other models.

RSawdey · 07-27-2005, 01:25 PM

An HDTV has more than TWICE the pixels of an EDTV...

07-25-2005, 05:49 PM	#1
Kingphoenicia What is HD? Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 3	Need help with recent HDTV purchase, please I just purchased a Samsung 40", flat panel, high definition plasma TV from a well known retailer (that goes by the initials of BB), in lieu of buying the Samsung 40" EDTV version that costs about $800 less. This was on the BB salesperson's strong recommendation that I get HDTV now because of the coming changeover to HDTV, and on his representation that Charter Communications in my area (the only currently available cable broadcasting service here) has HDTV cable broadcasting available. I discovered today that, in my viewing area, Charter only broadcasts about eight of over a hundred fifty of its available channels in HDTV. According to the Charter representative, the number of stations that Charter will broadcast in my area in HDTV will increase over time, but the representative was fairly clear in stating that this might take years, i.e., through 2008. Meanwhile, the BB salesperson had informed me that, even if HDTV broadcasting were not currently available in my area, the HDTV I purchased will get better reception (i.e., definition) than the comparably sized Samsung EDTV, in that it has about 25% more pixels than the EDTV version. This information is directly contrary, however, to what an apparently knowledgable customer in the store told me when I was looking at the two TVs- that if HDTV service is not offered or is severely limited in my viewing area, then the better course at present is to go with the EDTV, in that it will get better overall reception from current broadcasts - particularly if the broadcast is of an action event, such as football or dirt bike racing - because the current HDTV technology requires an HDTV broadcast to maximize its reception capability, whereas EDTV technology does not. Make sense...? I am therefore not sure if I purchased the right TV for where I'm at now, or if I got oversold. The BB salesperson is not on commission, on the one hand, and he seemed pretty sure of what he was telling me. Meanwhile I've noticed a "grainy" appearance to some of the stations I'm pulling in from Charter. Any thoughts/recommendations? Should I take back the HDTV and get the EDTV instead? Thanks in advance

07-25-2005, 07:23 PM	#2
rickbbb Phillips 47 Inch LCD HDTV Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Southern California Age: 51 Posts: 2,108	I Own A Samsung 40 Inch LCD HDTV I bought the Samsung 40 inch LCD HDTV about 2 weeks ago. I don't think we own the same Samsung model or type of tv..but I do think Samsung makes Excellent televisions ! My advice to you is..return the tv if you have any major doubts about it. Get the tv you want. The tv I have is just as good or better than anytube HDTV I ever owned. Samsung actually makes some of the parts for expensive Sony LCD HDTV's and Other models. __________________ \

07-27-2005, 01:25 PM	#3
RSawdey Mr. Wizard Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ferndale, Michigan Age: 61 Posts: 5,981	An HDTV has more than TWICE the pixels of an EDTV...