[Havic]

I want to get a new TV, I currently have a working 32" JVC tube and lots of JVC electronics (I really like the AV-Compulink, it make things simple for when mom comes to visit). Anyway it only has 1 S-Video and when sending a computer image to that it looks really bad.


If I'm going to get a new TV, then I should get a bigger/better one. But do I get a 36ish tube, a widescreen tube, RP or D-ila?


The most import thing to me is durability. I want a TV that is going to last and not require upkeep funds. Which is why I don't simple do a projector, or plasma or even LCD (I understand they have relatively short life spans).


The tube make that most sense to me but the current line of JVC HDTV/DVI/HDMI is small and really limited in the local area.


Going RP or D-ila is more expensive but there are several things I'm worried about.


1. Given that same input do the JVC RP or D-ila have better image quality than JVC tubes?


2. Is there still a concern about burn in for the JVC RPTVs and or D-ila sets? I don't want to stretch the image if it 4:3 (and most TV images are 4:3).


3. What's the lamp life for the D-ila compared to the RPTV? What's the cost of replacing them?


4. The JVC manual says they do not support displaying from computers. Yea, fine, so given a DVI/HDMI connector on the back of the TV is there any real world reason I can't get a sharp image on the TV (playing MPEG/AVI videos). Is all DVI the same when playing MPEG/AVI? Is there a noticeable quality difference between computer video cards displaying via DVI?


5. Lastly if I want to get a particular JVC TV that is not available locally. Can anyone recommend a reputable internet site to buy from? Are the extended warranties really worth anything from internet stores?


If anyone can give me some insight into these questions I'd appreciate it.


Thanks

 

[navychop]

From your comments I believe the set you really want to buy is a new model JVC D-ILA. See this JVC CES press release dated 1/5/05. More info on the sets is at the TV Authority site.


I personally am replacing a 36" JVC direct view CRT with a JVC 61Z786. I have one on preorder from TVA. ESD is March 2005. I like the compulink system too.


TVA is a forum sponsor and has a good rep for selling at good prices. They have a store in CA and do phone/internet sales also. Shipping of TVs is normally thru partial truck load and can take a couple of weeks, but they'll deliver it inside. Too big for UPS.


As you can see, there are several sizes available, with ESDs starting in March and running thru Fall.


The D-ILA units do not use organic materials like LCDs do, so that aging is not a concern. Frankly, for most of us, LCD aging is not a big problem.


"1. Given that same input do the JVC RP or D-ila have better image quality than JVC tubes?"

Matter of opinion. Some CRT types will swear everything else is garbage. But if you want to actually watch in DAYLIGHT, CRT RPTVs are not for you. Direct views are nice, but the small size does not allow full appreciation of HDTV or even, I submit, DVDs. You certainly want widescreen. HD is here, and the conversion from NTSC to ATSC is happening a lot faster than most expected. More and more, there will be widescreen productions. Most major network prime time stuff is now widescreen HD. All HD is widescreen, and some SD is also.


"2. Is there still a concern about burn in for the JVC RPTVs and or D-ila sets? I don't want to stretch the image if it 4:3 (and most TV images are 4:3)."

There is not and never has been a burn in concern for JVC D-ILA units. 4x3 watching is fine, and IMHO the JVC D-ILA sets do a better job of displaying SD content than the other microdisplay technologies. Burn occurs in phosphor based units like CRT and plasma. No phosphors in D-ILA/LCoS or LCD. Well, LCD has phosphors in the flourescent tube, but that's not a burn in concern.


"3. What's the lamp life for the D-ila compared to the RPTV? What's the cost of replacing them?"

I've read 6,000 to 8,000 hours. At an average of four hours per day, that's about 4 to 6 years of use. New bulbs $250-$300. Pop in a new bulb and it looks good as new.


"4. The JVC manual says they do not support displaying from computers. Yea, fine, so given a DVI/HDMI connector on the back of the TV is there any real world reason I can't get a sharp image on the TV (playing MPEG/AVI videos). Is all DVI the same when playing MPEG/AVI? Is there a noticeable quality difference between computer video cards displaying via DVI?"

Several people have successfully connected their PCs to the JVCs and have posted how in this forum. In any event, the new models also have VGA inputs and are presumably even more computer compatible. You should get fine images and no audio/video lag/mismatch. Different PC graphics cards have different memory and capability, so yes, some cards are better than others.


"5. Lastly if I want to get a particular JVC TV that is not available locally. Can anyone recommend a reputable internet site to buy from? Are the extended warranties really worth anything from internet stores?"

See above, I strongly recommend TVA. Good prices, good policies. Just be aware up front that shipping is not 3 days, it's more like 2 weeks and shipping status is not up to UPS quality- this is how the trucking industry works, no fault of TVA. They may say it's shipped, this means released to shipping and it could be a day or two before the truck takes it out of their warehouse. Then it's on it's way to you, possibly via an intermediate warehouse.


BUT- you'll get a GREAT TV. The current models are fine, the new ones will have certain improvements, like VGA, firewire, ATSC tuner, cablecard, improved electronics, etc. And it's BRIGHT. I think the 720 models up to 61" are just fine. At 70" I'd go with the 1080 model, should a large bag of money fall at my feet (and I get to it before the wife does).