I want a new TV!

[Caustic Saint]

(Sorry, Kamome, not the one you posted about.)



The Philips 30PW8402

Now, I know I can't expect to find it at this price (this site is selling a refurb model, after all), but can I get anything even close to this price/features combination in Japan? (List price from Philips is $879.)

Philips info page

30" Widescreen HDTV
supports 480p/1080i
flat tube
tons of connections:
AVI :AV in,CVI/YPbPr
AV2 :AV in, S-Video
AV4 :HDMI (2fh auto)
AV5 :YPbPr/RGB 2fh

This would be a killer TV for movies and games, which is all I really use a TV for anyways. Can I get anything comparable to this in Tokyo without going broke?

[Caustic Saint]

I did a little digging on kakaku and Bic Camera to see if there was anything close. I came up with 4 models, but since the specs and features are all in Japanese, I can't really tell what's what. Anybody have an opinion on any of these four sets?

Sony KV-28DA55

28ZP58

C-28W50

28ZB27

They're all 28" widescreen sets, but as far as hookups, resolution and HD/analog I can't tell. Help?

[Skankster]

-
-
Easy. Everybody has a TV like that. No sarcasm intended

[American Oyaji]

Need a TV?

Try THIS on for size.

[Cubed]

Need a TV?

Try THIS on for size.

Hey that's just like the Solid State Hitachi TV we had when I was a wee laddie :

[elricky]

With the help of kakaku.com, rakuten.com, and a Japanese-speaking friend, I just ordered the KV-28DA55 for use here in Kyoto. It's a 16:9 28" WEGA. As I understand it, it does not support 480p (same as 525p, right?) or higher resolutions. It does support "D1" input, which I believe is digital and can also accept component. Price was about $425.

To get support for 1125i/750p/525p/525i in a Sony, or "D4," looks like you would need to pay at least $775. Sony models with integrated HDTV (Hi-Vision) tuner seem to start around $1200.

I am not an expert, but for Sonys, you might check out:
KV-29DX650 (a 29" 4:3 set that has D4, or support for 1125i/750p/525p/525i)
KV-28DA55 (mentioned above)
KV-28DX650 (a 16:9 set with D4)
KV-32DX650 (as above, but larger)

While I can't read Japanese, I have found it helpful to type model numbers into kakaku.com's search engine to find general user ratings and prices.

TV should arrive this week. If you're interested, I can give a quick review.

[AssKissinger]

Need a TV?

Try THIS on for size.

$39,065.00 U.S. List Price

Can that TV blow you or something?

[mr. sparkle]

Need a TV?

Try THIS on for size.

$39,065.00 U.S. List Price

Can that TV blow you or something?

Naw, that's a Pro HD video monitor and not for home use. This is for video geeks like myself that are looking for ways to charge even more outrageous prices for our services to unknowing clients.

I would avoid any plasma displays, they just don't have staying power. Already, I see them burning out.

The best deal is for HD projectors where you can make the picture as big as you like (within reason). However, with the average size of a J-apato, you may be SOL as far as getting a decent throw.

[Caustic Saint]

With the help of kakaku.com, rakuten.com, and a Japanese-speaking friend, I just ordered the KV-28DA55 for use here in Kyoto. It's a 16:9 28" WEGA. As I understand it, it does not support 480p (same as 525p, right?) or higher resolutions. It does support "D1" input, which I believe is digital and can also accept component. Price was about $425.

Sweet deal. I can definitely live with that price. Once the new digs have been acquired, there'll be a need for a new (second) set.

[Caustic Saint]

The best deal is for HD projectors where you can make the picture as big as you like (within reason). However, with the average size of a J-apato, you may be SOL as far as getting a decent throw.

I'm bumping this up as I'm in the market for a TV now. I definitely want a widescreen set, 30" or bigger, but don't think I need full-on HD. Component or D-terminal inputs are a must.

Sparks, I'm thinking of projectors (and actually have a big enough room to make use of one), and could use some tips. How much would a decent one (and a screen - no good wallspace in the direction it'd be shooting) run me? Any particular brands to look for or avoid? What are the must-have features in a projector?

[FG Lurker]

I'm hoping to hold on to my 28" Toshiba for a few more years until OLED TVs arrive:

Samsung said its 21-inch OLED display features 6.22 million pixels in wide ultra-extended graphics array (WUXGA). The OLED offers brightness of 400 nit, contrast ratio of 5,000:1, color gamut of 75 percent and fast response times, making it ideal for high definition video, Samsung said.

(Whole Article)

Would love to have a 21" for my PC and a 30" for home entertainment.

[Caustic Saint]

I'm really digging the idea of a projector right now. I've done a lot of reading up on various models and their reviews, and have pretty much decided an Infocus ScreenPlay 4805 is the one I want to get. Great reviews, long bulb life, good inputs and not a total bank-breaker.

Now...anybody know a good place in Tokyo to check out projectors and screens?

[FG Lurker]

I'm really digging the idea of a projector right now. I've done a lot of reading up on various models and their reviews, and have pretty much decided an Infocus ScreenPlay 4805 is the one I want to get. Great reviews, long bulb life, good inputs and not a total bank-breaker.

Now...anybody know a good place in Tokyo to check out projectors and screens?

I don't think Infocus is sold in Japan. I've not seen it anyway...

You can get a good idea of prices on kakaku.com. This page shows the projectors sorted by brand.

Good luck with your shopping!

[Caustic Saint]

I've been digging through Kakaku and have come up with some decent models. Toshiba makes one that's got pretty much the same guts (resolution and processing chip) as the InFocus I like.

Now - where to go check them out in person?

Besides Bic, are there any other chains or stores that are good for mid-range home theater gear? Some place where I can browse around and check out specs? I know most projectors are geared towards the computer market, but there are some that are targeted to home theater use. I just don't know where to go look for them in Tokyo.

Any suggestions?

[FG Lurker]

I've been digging through Kakaku and have come up with some decent models. Toshiba makes one that's got pretty much the same guts (resolution and processing chip) as the InFocus I like.

Now - where to go check them out in person?

Besides Bic, are there any other chains or stores that are good for mid-range home theater gear? Some place where I can browse around and check out specs? I know most projectors are geared towards the computer market, but there are some that are targeted to home theater use. I just don't know where to go look for them in Tokyo.

Any suggestions?

Yodobashi in Osaka usually has a good selection on display. I imagine Tokyo would be similar. Also a lot of the smaller (but not tiny) shops here have home theatre rooms with multiple projectors on display.

[cstaylor]

I've been digging through Kakaku and have come up with some decent models. Toshiba makes one that's got pretty much the same guts (resolution and processing chip) as the InFocus I like.

Now - where to go check them out in person?

Laox's Video store in Akihabara is very good.

[Kuang_Grade]

While a new projector sounds pretty nice, the guy at the tokyo damage report is offering a used 22 inch TV for FREE if you pick it up (he's apparently located near shinjuku)
.
http://www.harmful.org/homedespot/newtdr/currentpage.htm

[Caustic Saint]

While a new projector sounds pretty nice, the guy at the tokyo damage report is offering a used 22 inch TV for FREE if you pick it up (he's apparently located near shinjuku)
.
http://www.harmful.org/homedespot/newtdr/currentpage.htm

Yeah, I know him. In fact, I'm the one who suggested he offer it up for free on his site. (I also said he should autograph it. )

I've got a 24" in my place right now that was supplied by my school, but want something bigger. I found a nice 30" 16:9 flat tube at Kojima Denki for just under 70,000 yen, but I figure if I'm going to spend that much I may was well drop a few more man yen and get something really cool.

[Caustic Saint]

Now - where to go check them out in person?

Laox's Video store in Akihabara is very good.

Would you happen to know which Laox that is? There are about 15 of them in Akiba.

[cstaylor]

Now - where to go check them out in person?

Laox's Video store in Akihabara is very good.

Would you happen to know which Laox that is? There are about 15 of them in Akiba.

The one that sells audio/visual equipment, not the computer one.

[Caustic Saint]

Laox's Video store in Akihabara is very good.

Would you happen to know which Laox that is? There are about 15 of them in Akiba.

The one that sells audio/visual equipment, not the computer one.

Thanks for narrowing it down...

[cstaylor]

Thanks for narrowing it down...

What am I, a map?

[NeoNecroNomiCron]

[Caustic Saint]

46inch and can be use as a monitor.

46"? That seems a tad small.

I made my purchase last week. The end result?

Sanyo LP-Z3 projector and an 80" screen:


(15" iMac DV/SE for size comparison)

I sense another FG movie party in the near future...

(Yes, I know the image isn't quite filling the screen in that picture, but what the hell. Once the picture gets that big missing a few extra inches isn't that big of a deal.)

[emperor]

Sony OLED (video ...the presenter will surprise you)

3mm thick
11" diagonal screen

small enough for ya?

[ttjereth]

I want a Digital tuner that doesn't require me to sign anything for NHK

Anybody know of anywhere to pick up a (Japanese) digital capable tv tuner/capture card/usb device for PCs?

Seems like in Japan you can only get them preinstalled in name brand systems with all kinds of crappy DRM technology and the U.S. ones don't work here...