Just replying back to Jeff’s questions here:

1. HDTV Ready usually means it’s capable of displaying one of the resolutions below (be careful to check it at least does 480p, 720p.

2. Simplifying… EDTV is 480p, HDTV is 720p, 1080i, and 1080p. I = interlaced which is every other line. P = progressive, every line in order.

3. I’ve put two on my credit cards for friends so I could get points. Both bought Samsung DLP’s one a 46″ another a 56″. 46″ was from Circuit City, it was the 4663W iirc, so DNIe 3, paid $2001 after tax and telling them we’d take it right then if they gave us $100 off. 56″ was from Best Buy. CC delivered next day.

4. Depends on your devices. The Samsung’s came with 2 component inputs, you’ll need at least one for the Xbox. It also came with DVI for your MCE. Basically what you care about is DVI (which seems to be dying on TV’s but is replaced by…) HDMI, basically the same as DVI but adds support for protected content. There are cables to convert HDMI to DVI. Component which are the red green and blue cables. The rest of the inputs S-Video, Composite, are usually a given. Not sure about your Comcast box. Am guessing it’ll be Component, check for the RGB bits. At any rate, you may need a switch, can recommend one once I remember the name of the one the guy who bought the 56″ purchased. It had support for 6 devices, via component and spdif.

Recommend reading something along the lines of
http://money.howstuffworks.com/tv-buying-guide.htm
before you buy. If you go to Best Buy ask to see an Xbox plugged into it from their break room before you buy it. Also find out if your DVD player is a progressive scan DVD player (they look better).

Most importantly it’s highly advisable that you ask if the TV has a CableCard slot. These will be the future of DTV over cable for many as they replace the cable box giving you HDTV directly into your TV over cable. Comcast (especially in this area) is likely to be one of the first to provide the service.

When I was shopping with the two friends I generally found that LCD’s were by far the sharpest and most brilliant to look at when watching movies, like DVD’s, etc. Plasma’s were equally nice, not quite as sharp, but much brighter. Problem with LCD’s was when you had the Xbox on it, the refresh rate was poor and when comparing it to a DLP it really didn’t seem as smooth. Problem with all of them is how well they upscale SDTV. This is something you’ll definitely want to check. Go to Magnolia and ask them everything you can think of.

Hope that helps, any questions shoot me an email or look me up in the GAL

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