[DM-MUG] HDTV shopping in DSM

[Matt W]

This is probably more than you wanted to know, but some of my info  
might help. I've already owned one HD set and returned it for reasons I  
won't go into here. A good place to shop is Audio-Video Logic in  
Urbandale (100th Street just North of Arby's). They do everything,  
mostly high-end but their prices are very competitive and I bought a  
set there that beat even online prices. Also shop Best Buy and American  
TV for prices and extended warranty if you already know what you want.  
Understand that very few people (any salesperson included) will know as  
much about a set as you will once you decide which one you like and  
research it. Sales is about selling, not about knowledge...unfortunate  
but true--even in the high-end shops. Hopefully you can find someone  
"smart" enough to help you get started.

FYI, If you buy ANY HD set, you really should consider getting it  
calibrated in the room in which you install it (see links below). Why?  
In short, all TV's are set at the factory to "look better than the next  
set on the shelf." If you buy plasma or CRT, you're going to have a  
shortened picture life due to over-bright settings and you'll  
definitely have incorrect color. "Out-of-the-box" is not the best way  
to watch HD in any room. I got a significant boost in image quality  
from a calibration of my HD-ready Toshiba.

I'm currently looking at a small Sony CRT at 34" (my room is small).  
It's the Sony KD-34XBR960 and very well-reviewed in this month's  
Widescreen Review (my fave HD mag). Perfect Vision is another good one.  
I don't like Sound & Vision because they love EVERYTHING they review.  
YMMV.

Sony KD-34XBR960 Info

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/ 
SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start? 
CategoryName=xbr_tube&Dept=tv&ProductSKU=KD34XBR960

Why calibrate?

http://www.dvdfile.com/news/special_report/production_a_z/ 
isfcalibration.htm
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/article/ 
0,,2076_4129_21141095,00.html
http://www.keohi.com/keohihdtv/isf/isf.html

Matthew


On Dec 16, 2004, at 11:18 AM, Victoria L. Herring wrote:

>> In Des Moines, channels 8, 11, and 13 are available in HDTV over the  
>> air with
>> just a pair of rabbit ears (but don't tell PETA). You should talk to  
>> the folks
>> at Traviss AV, as I think you'll get much better information than  
>> from a
>> salesperson at a big box store.
>
> We don't want to get a dish (we have cable) but the idea of going to  
> Travis or Stogdills or some such is a very good idea....thanks much!
> -- 
> Victoria L. Herring, Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.A. Attorney at Law,  
> Consulting in and handling civil rights,  discrimination and  
> employment law matters:  http://www.herringlaw.com;   Owner,  
> JourneyZing!, Your Source for Customized Trip & Travel Research:  
> http://www.JourneyZing.com;  blog:  
> http://homepage.mac.com/victoriaherring/blogwavestudio/
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