buying a 4:3 set versus a 16:9? (1 Viewer)

[Keith_R]

hey all, as some of you may know I'm looking towards purchasing a moderate 27 inch hi def tube Tv. I believe I've got my search narrowed down between two models, the 27" Sony KV-27HS420 which is 4:3 with a 16:9 stretch mode, and the Toshiba 26HF84 26" which is 16:9.

I've pulled up a comparison chart of each set and aside from one inch (and the fact the Tosh is $100 cheaper) they are basically identical except that the Tosh is 16:9 and the Sony is 4:3 w/ a 16:9 stretch mode. I've done some research on the matter but can't seem to decide on which aspect ratio would be better. I know most Tv is shot in 4:3 and will be window-boxed on the Tosh but it seems as though Tv is generally moving in the direction of going 16:9, I guess I feel that if I go 4:3 this time I'll still be behind for the future even if my set has a 16:9 enhancement mode.

What is the advantages of purchasing a 16:9 Tv over 4:3? will I see a change in resolution or picture quality if I choose widescreen over 4:3? will I be left out for full HD enjoyment in the future if I go 4:3? thanks.

 

[GabeP]

it is hd, so if ur gonna watch hd, it will be in widescreenh

 

[ChuckSolo]

Here's some answers for you.

1. HD TV broadcasts are in 16x9
2. Though a widescreen TV will not eliminate all the letterbox bars on a DVD depending on the aspect ratio, it will make them smaller than on a 4:3 set.
3. You're not gonna notice much difference in the two size wise except that the 4:3 Sony probably looks much bigger because of the taller tube.
4. I doubt you are going to see much difference in resolution since they are either natively 720p or 1080i which are pretty darn close to each other.
5. At 27" things are gonna look pretty sharp both in HD and in STD. That's because of the small screen area not blowing up imperfections in the media/medium you are watching.

Both brands are very good. I have had both Sony and Toshiba direct view CRT TVs and they both lasted well over 10 years each. So, for 100 bucks less and widescreen to boot, I would go with the Toshiba.

 

[Mark Larson]

So do you want a 25" widescreen image or a 21" 4:3 image?

 

[GabeP]

u mean do u want a 21 inch screen when not watching hd, or do u want a 27 inch screen. Also, do u want a 26 inch screen when watching hd or a 25?

 

[Mark Larson]

And also, some HD is in 4:3, not 16:9.

 

[ChuckSolo]

I have yet to see an HD broadcast in 4:3 and if there are, I doubt there will be for much longer. I think most here on these boards would recommend a widescreen TV. I personally would never go back to a 4:3 TV now that I have experienced a widescreen. But, ultimately you are the one who will have to decide. I still say the Toshiba is a better buy.

 

[Jeff Gatie]

No true native HD program is in 4:3. By definition, HD is 16:9. Some 4:3 programs are upconverted to HD, but that is not HD, it is upconverted 480i. This is probably what you are seeing, but there is a big difference between this and HD. Also, this "upconverted" material will display on a HD-capable 4:3 TV as a "windowbox" with bars on all four sides, so the fact that "some" HD is "4:3" (not really) does not apply here, since it will never fill the full 4:3 screen. All HD programs that are filmed or transfered (movies) to true HD are 16:9, with the exception that some 2.35:2 movies have bars at the top and bottom (the actual content, including the bars, is 16:9, however)

 

[Keith_R]

I've done some thinking and am really starting to prefer the Toshiba (though, in comparison to the Sony I hate the remote). The widescreen appeals to me though.

My biggest problem right now is fitting the thing into my entertainment center. Unfortunately, my entertainment center is older and was made before digital Tv's and widescreen were considered for living rooms. I'm kind of tempted to purchase a new entertainment center or stand for this new Tv but I'm concerned it may take this upgrade a little bit out of my price range.

Thanks for the help!

 

[ChuckSolo]

have you tried moving the shelf separator on the entertainment center? My Dad had an entertainment center that would only accommodate a 27" TV but we did some creative cutting and moved a verticle shelf separator a few inches to accommodate his new 32" TV. The surgery looks like it never happened.

 

[Keith_R]

I'm actually looking at doing what you've said. A good friend of mine has evaluated doing just that and said that we could do that and that he'd be willing to help me with it as soon as I got the Tv. One problem is that my entertainment center is kind of bowed down because of the added weight from components, if we "creative cut" it we're going to try to add some support to that shelf to stop this bowing down problem.

 

[MichaelWalsh]

16:9 all the way baby! I'm a new convert (as of the last 24 hours), but once you go 16:9 I don't think you can ever go back. In fact, I think I'll have to pour coffee down the back of the 4:3 in the bedroom just so I have an excuse to buy a 16:9 set for there too!