HD Monitor or HDTV? What's the difference? Help?

Question

I just recently purchased a "Hitachi 51F59 CRT projection HD Monitor" (that's what they call it, they don't call it a HDTV). I got a good deal on this television but now am wondering if I made a good buy. I'm concerned whether or not it's really a HDTV as I thought.....it has no built-in HD tuner.....but I use cable anyway and am told I'll need a set-top cable box if I want to subscribe to HD programs in the future.

I have 30 days to decide if I want to keep this Hitachi (it has a great picture and I don't really want to put out more $ unless I should).

I'm wondering if I should return the Hitachi and get the 50" Samsung that's on sale now with an additional $150 off. The Samsung is the 50" DLP HDTV (HL-T5075S).

Is the Samsung that much better than the Hitachi? The Samsung will cost me $580 more than the Hitachi did (that price includes the $150 off).

That means the 50" Samsung DLP HDTV will cost nearly twice as much as I paid for the 51" Hitachi CRT rear projection HD Monitor. What do you guys think? Any advice? Sure would appreciate hearing from someone. By the way, I hear you have to buy a $200 to $250 tube every 2 years with the DLP televisions.

Please help me make a decision based on features of the two televisions.

Composite inputs 5
S-video inputs 3
Component video inputs 2
DVI (Digital Video Interface) 0
HDMI inputs 1
VGA/SVGA input No
CableCard No
RF inputs 1

The above are for the Hitachi....in answer to gkk_72's question.

Can someone who's handy with electronics change the DLP bulb? If not, why not?

Is it just one bulb/lamp?

Answer 1

What you are paying for with the Samsung, is the DLP technology your Hitachi does not use. CRT technology is much less expensive because it's been around for 50 years. HDTV monitor usually means your TV set does NOT have the ATSC Digital tuner built into the TV. This means you will need either a HDTV cable box, or satellite system to actually get the HDTV broadcasts. This must have been a "back stock" item, because last year the Federal Government made it a REQUIREMENT for all TV sets 27" and above to have the ATSC tuner built in. Check the manufacturing date on the rear of the set. While I am certain your Hitachi shows a great picture, it is NOT HDTV, just HD ready. Samsung sets are good sets, since they moved their operations to Greeneville,TN. I would not have given them the time of day 10 years ago. I have since become a warranty service station for Samsung, and have seen their quality go up by leaps and bounds. Hitachi is no slouch, though. I have been authorized Hitachi service since 1992. They don't give much trouble either, but they have always been like that. BTW, your higher priced Samsung has the ATSC tuner in it already. I just looked up the specs on the Samsung model you list. Be careful, it's only capable of 720p resolution. We sell one that does 1080p, which is the best resolution offered. 720p is only mid-range resolution. I looked at the price, that's why $1200.00-$1400.00. Our 1080p set cost $2999.00. Your Hitachi will go 1080i resolution, but you will need a HDTV source. If you go for the DLP set, I would also go for a battery backup unit of around 1000va so the lamp will not get caught off guard in a power outage (suddenly NO cooling fan), I would also spring for the extended service plan that will cover the lamp. It WILL pay for itself! A 5 year contract will usually pay for 2 lamp replacements, a lamp replacement now costs around $200.00-$250.00 (DYI). The service plan we sell is $299.00, by the time you figure 2 replacement lamps, that a great buy. Even better if you lose the light engine, or a signal board! I looked up the specs on your Hitachi, these are a great set, just no ATSC tuner. This means it is old stock. They do not build ANY CRT based sets anymore, neither does Sony, Toshiba, Samsung, or Mitsubishi. This does not mean your set is obsolete, it just means they don't make them anymore. I would be interested to know where you got this set. The last of the CRT Hitachi projection sets we sold was last December, about 6 months AFTER they were discontinued. We sold them cheaply to get them out of stock.

Answer 2

They call it a monitor rather than HDTV because it has no tuner. A tuner is only needed if you are using an antenna or if you don't need a cable box. Since your plan is to use a cable box for HD in the future a tuner seems unnecessary. The only thing I might be concerned about is the type and number of connections your set has. Does it have at least one HDMI connection? If you don't have HDMI then do you have DVI? What about component video? Count the number of components you plan on hooking up to your monitor and make sure you have enough inputs for all of it.

Personally, If I had to choose between Hitachi and Samsung I'd pick Hitachi. They have been in business making reliable TV's for a very long time. You're right about rear projection DLP - it uses a lamp to project the image which needs replacing about every two years and can cost $200 or more to replace.

Answer 3

HDTV "Monitor" means that the display is capable of displaying HDTV signals, but it does not have an internal tuner for HDTV reception. Don't worry it is still a "HDTV". It is really a silly and confusing distinction. If you have cable, and you want all the fancy features like OSD ("Program Guide") and DVR functionality ("Tivo") then you will need to get a set-top box anyway, so a tuner is really useless (IMHO). The "tuner" in an HDTV either means OTA (over the air, like with an antenna) or Cable Card (where your provider gives you a chip to put into your TV) but this does not provide you with on screen display or DVR. Don't worry about it. Keep it.

However, you will get a better value with a DLP projector rather than a CRT projector (what you currently have). First off it is brighter, smaller (depth wise), has better picture, and will suffer from none of the traditional problems of CRT (burn in, reduced light output over the years). The replacable lamp feature is actually a blessing in disguise, as it means your TV's light source will never fade away. Also, the "lamps" or "bulbs" (not tubes) that you need to replace will be much cheaper than 200-250, and if you get the extended service agreement (depending on where you buy it) these are usually covered for the life of the plan.

Short answer: yes, pay the extra money and do it right. The Samsung DLP is going to be better than the Hitachi you have currently.

Regarding your additional info:

The bulb is user replacable. All you need is a screwdriver and the instructions. It is required that you replace it roughly every 2-4 years (based on how much you use the TV).

-IR

Answer 4

The Hitachi HD Monitor is just that a monitor. It can accept a HD (High Definition) signal from another source ie. HD cable box or HD Satellite, or HD dvd. The Hitachi has a non HD tuner it meaning that if: you dont send it signal from another source your not getting an HD Picture.
You mentioned the Samsung DLP (WOW) really it is FAR superior than the Hitachi. It has a HD tuner built in (and you recieve HD Signals via Roof top antenna - so long as your antenna has a clear line of sight to TV towers sending the signal) as well as from your cable/satellite provider. Also DLP is a trade mark of Texas Instruments which is capable of a FAR superior picture than the projection hitachi. Yes the DLP Bulbs are about $250.00 and up, but YOU can change it in about 20-30 minutes, plus when a DLP bulb goes out it usually gets dimmer (picture not as Bright) so you can see it ebbing away. With enough time to get a replacement, b4 it dies. Blow a color gun in the hitachi-----Call shop, schedule p/u or delivery to shop, if still under warranty you'll be without your tv from 1-3 weeks. If out of warranty - same amount of time and add $400-700 to replace color gun and labor.
My opinion: Return the Hitachi while they still will let you and Buy the Samsung. You will be much happier in the long run.
*****Just one guys opinion*****