Westinghouse LVM-42W2

[waterhead]

Mwave has this model for $1299. I have heard good things about Westinghouse HDTV's.

Is this a good model?
Is this a good deal? (considering shipping charges)
Can it be purchased locally at a competitive price?

I have yet to get my first HD TV or monitor, and am itching to buy.

Here's a link to the offer:
http://www.mwave.com/mwave/skusearch.hmx?SCriteria=AA51710

[waterhead]

My own research finds that this is only a monitor.

Best Buy web site has a Westinghouse W4207 for $1234.99. Don't know if they are comparable models.

I really want a tuner built in, so thanks anyway.

[brewtownska]

If you can wait until April, there are new Westinghouse models coming out that have 1080p, an ATSC/NTSC/ClearQAM Tuner, and connectors that include: four HDMI, two Component, Composite, S-Video and 1 VGA.

I read that somewhere else, but found something similar at:
http://www.hwhpr.com/pr/westinghouse/CES07/TX_1080p.html

I'm also eyeing up one of these, so I hope they look as good as they sound.

Mike

[Gregg Lengling]

If they are as good as the 720p models it's very nice. I have a 32" 720p integrated with DVD in the bedroom. Great Picture.

[waterhead]

Thanks.

I actually was looking at them at the Westinghouse web site.

Best Buy has the 47" listed on their web site:
Westinghouse LVM-47w1 47" 1080P monitor (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7898331&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat95100050044&id=1158317794037)
Not a bad price - $1899.99

I have a HD tuner, so I really don't need one inside the TV. I think this would make a nice "First HDTV" .

[Snard]

I thought that all TV's that 25" or larger, manufactured since 7/1/06, had to include a digital tuner. Has this set been around longer than that?

Also, the description at that site mentions "Clear QAM" in the specs. I've never seen a set that had a built-in QAM tuner but didn't include an ATSC one. Very odd.

[Gregg Lengling]

I thought that all TV's that 25" or larger, manufactured since 7/1/06, had to include a digital tuner. Has this set been around longer than that?

Also, the description at that site mentions "Clear QAM" in the specs. I've never seen a set that had a built-in QAM tuner but didn't include an ATSC one. Very odd.

Not really there is a loophole in the rule. If the TV has NO Tuners, it is called a monitor and you don't need one.

[waterhead]

I'm actually considering getting the LVM-42W2 42" 1080P monitor from mwave. With ground shipping it is $1366. I've purchased computer stuff from them and have been totally satisfied. But, buying a 42" HDTV is totally different.

Can anyone give me some pros and cons of buying something like this online.

[Gregg Lengling]

I'm actually considering getting the LVM-42W2 42" 1080P monitor from mwave. With ground shipping it is $1366. I've purchased computer stuff from them and have been totally satisfied. But, buying a 42" HDTV is totally different.

Can anyone give me some pros and cons of buying something like this online.
The pros are the price and direct to your door delivery via UPS or whatever. The down side is if the box looks perfect but there is damage inside or the set doesn't work, you can't exchange it you have to use a Warranty Repair Shop. If you buy something like this locally you always want to inspect it at the store (have them open the box so you can see if there is a problem, a lot of stores require this, I know Colder's does), if it is DOA or has a problem a local store will exchange it if you return it within a 72 hours.

I guess you have to weigh all the options. I bought my 32" Westinghouse from Buy.com and had no problems.

Oh and a last item, depending on the Website you buy from, it depends if they collect Wisconsin Sales Tax or not, if they don't your saving another $50.00 or more dollars. However if they don't collect, legally you are supposed to report this sale on Wisconsin Income Tax return and submit the sales tax to the state (don't want anyone to get into trouble).

[StarvingForHDTV]

However if they don't collect, legally you are supposed to report this sale on Wisconsin Income Tax return and submit the sales tax to the state (don't want anyone to get into trouble).

I'm sure everyone does this for all of their internet purchases :rolleyes:

:rofl:

[waterhead]

I have to confess, I've been going back and forth on buying this. I actually don't currently have the room ready to put a big screen TV in it. I need to install trim and baseboard. I should be done by spring, just in time for the 1080P sets with tuners.

Since I've waited this long to buy a set, a little longer won't hurt me.

[mrmike]

Both this set and the 37" version are very nice for what they are. They're not going to match a 3.5K screen on all counts, but they have good color balance and they do a very accurate greyscale. I'm currently using the 42" version as my TV. There's some minor banding (not visible with most program material) and the black level is higher than some of the newer generation sets, but it does what I ask of it including syncing up with my PC at 1080p for games and the occasional downloaded content.

-MM

P.S. the 4207 is not 1080p, it's one of those 1366x768 displays.

[waterhead]

Well, I quit waffling and took the plunge. I just ordered the Westinghouse 42" 1080P LVM-42W2 from Mwave.com.

My only worry is it getting damaged in shipment. It will come in about a week.

The thing that finally made me decide was the newest Consumer Reports. Although it is not rated as the best HDTV, it is listed as a good buy. The Olevia 37" is listed as the best buy.

[picopir8]

Im not sure about mwave but I ordered the same set (1080p version) through crutchfield about 6 months ago (w/ free shipping). The box did come with a small dent in it, the delivery guy tore open the box and found a very small knick (1/4 inch long and about the thickness of a lip of a can) in the paint on the very top of the set. Crutchfield offered to exchange it and cover all the shipping costs. They gave me 30 days to decide what I wanted to do so I opened it up, tried it out. It worked perfectly and since LCDs dont have any moving part the could eventually go bad, I decided to keep it. I called back and they offerd me a $350 credit since is was effectively a "scratch and dent". I took a black sharpie to the knick and you cant even tell that anything was ever wrong.

As far as the set goes, it has a beautiful picture. The bad thing is there are not many controls to fine tune the video/audio but you do not need them. The sets are nearly dead-on calibrated out of the box. These sets look better than many more expensive sets.

Steve

[Doug Mohr]

Well, I quit waffling and took the plunge. I just ordered the Westinghouse 42" 1080P LVM-42W2 from Mwave.com.

My only worry is it getting damaged in shipment. It will come in about a week.

The thing that finally made me decide was the newest Consumer Reports. Although it is not rated as the best HDTV, it is listed as a good buy. The Olevia 37" is listed as the best buy.

I just bought the same unit last week from Newegg. It will be delivered Thursday. I have no need for a tuner and would rather buy just a monitor.

I'm looking forward to seeing what this unit looks like.

Doug

[waterhead]

I got mine last week. The picture is excellent! But this being my first HDTV, I have nothing to compare it to. So, it should look excellent.:)

I am using my Samsung SIR-T451 tuner. I set the output to 1080i, and it seems the best resolution I get is 1920x540. I thought that HDTV had a higher resolution. I guess it depends on the input.

[Doug Mohr]

I got mine last week. The picture is excellent! But this being my first HDTV, I have nothing to compare it to. So, it should look excellent.:)

I am using my Samsung SIR-T451 tuner. I set the output to 1080i, and it seems the best resolution I get is 1920x540. I thought that HDTV had a higher resolution. I guess it depends on the input.

I'm not familiar with tuner boxes, my gear all runs off of HTPCs so I don't know what to tell you on that, but I'll check with mine when it comes in.

BTW: Did it come with a DVI cable? Otherwise, I'll have to pick one up before it gets here.

[markd]

BTW: Did it come with a DVI cable? Otherwise, I'll have to pick one up before it gets here.


Don't pay too much for your cables. If you haven't used them yet, definitely check out Monoprice! (http://www.monoprice.com)

-mark

[Mikey]

Another great place to buy cable that I can personally attest to is Blue Jeans Cable (http://www.bluejeanscable.com/).

Though you have to do the transaction via PayPal, which is really no big deal.

[markd]

I'm certainly not knocking Blue Jeans cables since I have never used them but I can attest to the quality of 24AWG and 22AWG, 50' HDMI cables from monoprice at half the price! I have also purchased short (3' and 6') 28AWG HDMI cables, toslink cables, and component cables from monoprice. I have no idea how they sell so cheaply but they won numerous awards last year for the quality, prices and service.

-mark

[waterhead]

I'm not familiar with tuner boxes, my gear all runs off of HTPCs so I don't know what to tell you on that, but I'll check with mine when it comes in.
I should have thought of that. I have a WMCE 2005 PC hooked up to it. I have the resolution set to 1920x1080, and the monitor says that's what I'm getting when that input is selected.:)

BTW: Did it come with a DVI cable? Otherwise, I'll have to pick one up before it gets here.
It does not come with any cables. I got a DVI to HDMI cable from Best Buy. It is priced at $70, but I got an open package for $40. There is only one HDMI input, so my other input is a DVI to DVI cable.

[Doug Mohr]

I should have thought of that. I have a WMCE 2005 PC hooked up to it. I have the resolution set to 1920x1080, and the monitor says that's what I'm getting when that input is selected.:)

I was thinking about this today. I wonder if 1080i is designated on that display as 1920x540 since interlaced resolutions only repaint half of the horizontal lines each pass (1080/2=540).

[waterhead]

I meant that when I set the PC to 1920x1080, the monitor says that it is 1920x1080. Your suggestion may be true for my HDTV tuner box, though.

[Doug Mohr]

I meant that when I set the PC to 1920x1080, the monitor says that it is 1920x1080. Your suggestion may be true for my HDTV tuner box, though.

I just quoted the recent message instead of the original one regarding your HD box. Just me being lazy.

[Gregg Lengling]

I was thinking about this today. I wonder if 1080i is designated on that display as 1920x540 since interlaced resolutions only repaint half of the horizontal lines each pass (1080/2=540).

I meant that when I set the PC to 1920x1080, the monitor says that it is 1920x1080. Your suggestion may be true for my HDTV tuner box, though.

I just quoted the recent message instead of the original one regarding your HD box. Just me being lazy.
Then just learn some of the new features of this version of the Board and use multiple quotes.....Badger Badger

[Mikey]

I'm certainly not knocking Blue Jeans cables since I have never used them but I can attest to the quality of 24AWG and 22AWG, 50' HDMI cables from monoprice at half the price! I have also purchased short (3' and 6') 28AWG HDMI cables, toslink cables, and component cables from monoprice. I have no idea how they sell so cheaply but they won numerous awards last year for the quality, prices and service.

-mark

Monoprice is an excellent cable vender also, I just thought I'd toss another name out there. Blue Jeans does silver plated on all their HDMI cables. To compare like cables, well, you can't on their websites.

Blue Jeans only sells 24 AWG silver plated at 50' (and all other lengths, all silver plated), monoprice sells gold-plated up to 15ft @ 24awg, and above 15' they sell tin-plated.

The closes comparison would be the 22awg from monoprice at 50ft that is silver-plated, listed at $94.24. Blue jeans is 24awg, for same length/silver plated is $96.00.

So, once you look at it, it is basically a horse apiece where hdmi cables are concerned. What I like about Blue Jeans is you can choose your length (I ordered two 5 foot cables myself) so as to help eliminate the clutter of cords we all have to deal with relating to our home theatre "hobby".

[Doug Mohr]

Then just learn some of the new features of this version of the Board and use multiple quotes.....Badger Badger

I have enough new things to learn everyday... :D

:Smash: