Zenith TV?

[slug420]

So im looking to buy a TV. for $1000 or less, 32 or 36" and the best one I have found is a zenith.

My only problem with it is that it doesnt say sony

I have always loved sony TVs and monitors but they are more expensive and have fewer features.

anyone here have a zenith TV and if so what do you think of it?

 

[servoeyes]

I don't like Zenith nearly as much as Sony or, moreover, toshiba.

You could get a widescreen HD that's 30" or so for right around 1k...but there aren't too many.

Honestly, I would try to get a Toshi of a Sony if I were looking for a CRT...maybe a JVC. Only your eyes can decide, though.

 

[SpicyMchaggis]

i said this once before..zenith sucks..

 

[jersey_emt]

Every Zenith TV someone I know has owned has broke in less than 5 years.

 

[servoeyes]

Every Zenith TV someone I know has owned has broke in less than 5 years.

My parents had an old Zenith that lasted like 15yrs...our new one (yes...another Zenith)has lasted at least 8. Actually...we have another one that I forgot about...no remote...that one's still going at about 13yrs on it as well.

 

[slug420]

i briefly considered a widescreen but i think its kinda foolish.

even if i DID pay more for a HD tuner and for HD service (which i wont) only a very limited number of the programs I watch are even in HD. So the rest of the time I am watching TV with the top and bottom chopped off (which I wouldnt do) or window-boxed. Personally, I cant stand watching something windowboxed, letterboxed is much better IMO.

The zenith is 850 and has the following features to name a few:
1080lines
DVI
PiP
HD-TV ready
Progressive Scan....etc etc

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1060003352146&skuId=5910124&productCategoryId=cat03002&type=product

Now if I had that TV, and I did want widescreen HD, I could do it, and my 32" tv would be letterboxed and I would be watching the equivalent of a 29" widescreen which isnt bad. But if I got a widescreen 27" which is around the size you could get for 1000, that would be windowboxed 90% of the time im watching tv and playing video games and it would only appear as a 22" 4:3 TV..........When I look at the numbers like this, unless im going to be exclusively watching widescreen format media, widescreen TVs seem to be a foolish choice.


That having been said, this zenith has a flat screen just like the sony trinitrons, is HD ready, progressive scan, has DVI and a whole bunch of other crap a 1000 dollar sony just doesnt offer.

Toshiba is pretty close in price to the sonys also...


If I buy the best buy service contract which I will probably do no matter what TV I buy do I even need to worry about reliability or whatever with the zenith?

 

[Greg S]

i briefly considered a widescreen but i think its kinda foolish.

Just remember that the FCC has mandated that all transmissions be digital by 2006 and almost all HD content, what everything is going to, is in 16:9 widescreen and many old movies being shown on TV and satellite are being shown in the original letterbox versions now. Most movies now coming out are in 2.35/2.40:1, anamorphic widescreen, so on a 4:3 TV they'll be an even smaller image than something that is in 16:9. Also most widescren TV's have various strech modes to fill the screen so you don't have bars on the sides or top and bottom no matter what the source material's aspect ratio is. Unless you don't plan on keeping the TV for long don't do yourself the diservice of getting a 4:3 TV. I can tell you this, we don't even sell 4:3 TVs where I work anymore, except for a few of the 13-20" LCD panels and even those are transitioning to widescreen. We've got a great LG 17" LCD HDTV with PC inputs that goes for $999 but it's a lot smaller than what you are looking at. I think Phillips has a fairly inexpensive 27-32" widescreen model and it's pretty good. I work a high end AV store so most of our sets start around $1500 and up, actually we barely carry tube TVs any more, I think we have one left on display. Do youself a favor and visit a small high end A/V retailer so that you can get a perspective on what is available out there, not just what Best Buy and Circuit City carry. you don't ahve to buy a set there but you will be able to see what really can be done with a TV and sound system. If you are just looking for something to hold you over or just want an entry level set then by all means get one from a big box stores, but if you want to see what can be done and really have someone help you figure out what will work best for you in your situation then visit a store where the sale person has a real interest in what you are trying to acheive.
Now before someone who works at Best Buy or Circuit City starts bashing me, I worked and managed for Circuit City and have many friends who work at both companies so I am talking from experience from both sides of the fence and there really is a difference between a box store and a small independent retailer, htere is good and bad on both sides.

 

[servoeyes]

i briefly considered a widescreen but i think its kinda foolish.

even if i DID pay more for a HD tuner and for HD service (which i wont) only a very limited number of the programs I watch are even in HD. So the rest of the time I am watching TV with the top and bottom chopped off (which I wouldnt do) or window-boxed. Personally, I cant stand watching something windowboxed, letterboxed is much better IMO.

The zenith is 850 and has the following features to name a few:
1080lines
DVI
PiP
HD-TV ready
Progressive Scan....etc etc

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1060003352146&skuId=5910124&productCategoryId=cat03002&type=product

Now if I had that TV, and I did want widescreen HD, I could do it, and my 32" tv would be letterboxed and I would be watching the equivalent of a 29" widescreen which isnt bad. But if I got a widescreen 27" which is around the size you could get for 1000, that would be windowboxed 90% of the time im watching tv and playing video games and it would only appear as a 22" 4:3 TV..........When I look at the numbers like this, unless im going to be exclusively watching widescreen format media, widescreen TVs seem to be a foolish choice.


That having been said, this zenith has a flat screen just like the sony trinitrons, is HD ready, progressive scan, has DVI and a whole bunch of other crap a 1000 dollar sony just doesnt offer.

Toshiba is pretty close in price to the sonys also...


If I buy the best buy service contract which I will probably do no matter what TV I buy do I even need to worry about reliability or whatever with the zenith?

It's still all about the picture in the end...and for me, the Toshiba really can't be beat. Don't just buy on the features, Chris...go to the store and look at the TVs side by side. It's just as important as listening to speakers before you buy them.

 

[noclue119]

It's still all about the picture in the end...and for me, the Toshiba really can't be beat. Don't just buy on the features, Chris...go to the store and look at the TVs side by side. It's just as important as listening to speakers before you buy them.

did u check pricewatch.com there are alot better stuff u can get

 

[BacDoc]

I'm going with Samsung DLP. I don't think you can get it for $1000 but you never know.

 

[slug420]

well i went back to bestbuy today to check out the zenith again.

I went in just to compare the picture and found a couple o things interesting

firstly, as i was looking at it, try as i might to see it differently, the zenith looked 5 times better than any 32 or 36 toshiba or sony i saw. i couldnt believe how much more clear it looked.

also, as it turns out, the zenith has a built in HD tuner so if I buy a 50 dollar antenna I can watch all broadcast networks in HD (like CBS and ABC....hmm, football anyone?)

 

[servoeyes]

well i went back to bestbuy today to check out the zenith again.

I went in just to compare the picture and found a couple o things interesting

firstly, as i was looking at it, try as i might to see it differently, the zenith looked 5 times better than any 32 or 36 toshiba or sony i saw. i couldnt believe how much more clear it looked.

also, as it turns out, the zenith has a built in HD tuner so if I buy a 50 dollar antenna I can watch all broadcast networks in HD (like CBS and ABC....hmm, football anyone?)

That's cool, man...see...it's all in the eyes! For me...I always loved the look of Toshis and Zeniths were just ok. Even RCAs can look alright, though...just get whichever you like best that fits into your budget, eh?

 

[jlanger]

Had a Zenith die on me in less then 5 yrs. (lost my red color thingie) Anyway replacement was a 32 inch Samsung HDTV pretty nice but no PCI??? connection. Not missing it too much yet. Progressive Scan DVD and Playstation looks absolutely awesome. Even Directv reg service (DVR) looks great. If you can afford to get HDTV, I'd go with it, even without HD services, the picture is amazing.

 

[Stickee]

Zenith of today is different than the old Zenith. I believe LG now owns the Zenith name. Those are LG televisions that say "Zenith" on them.

For lots of good help, check out www.avsforum.com and go to the Direct View section: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=64

 

[Captain KRM P5]

Zenith of today is different than the old Zenith. I believe LG now owns the Zenith name. Those are LG televisions that say "Zenith" on them.

For lots of good help, check out www.avsforum.com and go to the Direct View section: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=64

this is true - Zenith is actually putting out some high grade stuff nowadays. One brand I would stay away from - for anything really - is GE. GE tvs are the biggest pieces of junk around.

 

[mixmaster_matt]

I have a Zenith 27" flatscreen, and I love it..The picture is great. Now I have only had it for ~2 years, but it still is great. I also have a Zenith DVD player that absolutey kicks ass (mj)