Did i make the right decision? (TV Related)

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hey i'm in the same boat as you...i thought i wanted plasma for a while and i was set on getting the panasonic 500U now 600U but when i saw the Samsung 4692D with the beautiful piano black finish and really cool styling with awesome PQ, i had second thoughts...the panasonic now just looks so bland/boring with it's silver/gray color...i think panasonic should get with the program and have an all black plasma...they will be losing business based on the style factor alone since PQ is pretty much on par now.


and i'm somewhat of a gamer (not hardcore but I could play 2-4 hours straight) so i'm kinda scared of the potential burn in on plasma sets...i don't really want to have to worry about it or switch channels cuz a graphics been on too long...what a pain...as i compare the panasonic plasma and the samsung LCDs, i really don't see much difference...in fact i think that the LCD gives a brighter picture that pops to me...decisisions, decisisions...now i'm just waiting to see what the 96 series Samsungs are gonna be like...i might hold out for that...the design is a little different (glass on the bottom which I like) and it's full HD 1080p.


anyway, post back when you get it and have a chance t play games on it. i also only have regular cable that comes from the wall! i hope the shows that are shown on HD will be in HD on the samsung w/just regular cable! let me know if that's the case as well.


thanks!

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Sorry to break it to you, but you'll have to get digital cable from your cable provider along with the HD package in order to receive those channels in HD. This will involve a set-top box that you connect to your TV via either the component or HDMI cables.


Alternatively, if you get a set with a QAM tuner, you'll be able to receive any unencrypted digital HD channels your cable provider carries by plugging the cable into the back of your TV like you do now (usually just the local stations, though). The Samsung you mentioned doesn't have one, and I don't think the Panasonic does either. Of the ones you mentioned, the Sony Bravia KDL-V32XBR1 and Sharp AQUOS LC-32D40U have a QAM tuner (I think one Toshiba model does as well).

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I have Comcast Cable (analog service) and added their STB with a DVR last winter. Although Comcast says you need to have digital service for the DVR to work, that's not true. DVR works fine as does i-guide. When I purchased my HDTV two weeks ago, I got even better news. I recieve all non-premium HD channels.


If you don't want the DVR, I think you can still rent the STB for a few dollars a month and get all the HD programming offered by your cable company without paying the additional $25/month ofr digital.