Very seriously considering buying the Loewe Aconda 38". Anyone have one out there?

I wish. Have you checked [Link: hometheaterspot.com]

I've got one and love it. Anything in particular you want to know?

Couple of things:

1. Are you able to control the TV with regard to 4:3 and 16:9 transmissions. Some of the TVs out there lock in the format based on the way the signal comes through the receiver and its out of your control or extremly cumbersome to change it to the way you want it (e.g., view 4:3 as 4:3 not stretched or panoramic).

2. I notice it will upconvert to 540p but not 720p. Do you think there is a downside to that or any benefit? I know most are only 420p and 1080i. Just curious.

3. Have you had any maintenance problems?

Where did you buy it?

Bose and Loewe have just teamed up and they are now available in the Bose Stores but otherwise pretty hard to find. Seems like the price is pretty well fixed at $5,500. Know of any place for less?

Thanks!

This set has 3 zoom and one stretch modes. Press one button on the remote and then the arrow keys cycle through the modes. I normally watch 4:3 in one of the zoom modes. Cuts off a little of the top and bottom of the screen but for regular tv it looks fine to me. All the modes seem available regardless of input.

All my HD comes through a Dish 6000 receiver. The 6000 in HD mode converts everything to 1080I. OTA 720p from the local ABC (again through the 6000) looks great to these eyes. I've watched 24 on fox a couple times and it looked good but not great. I'll see what the Super Bowl looks like tomorrow. On regular satelite channels I switch the 6000 to SD and the Loewe upconverts to 480p. I think the Loewe must have a darn good doubler because most stations look good to me even in the zoom modes I use for 4:3 viewing.

I've had the set since early December and have had no problems so far.

I'm in Houston and got the set from Home Theater Store. Actually had it pre-ordered since last summer. Used to live in Florida and a chain called Sound Advice over there carried Loewe.

I had read Sensory Science had dropped Loewe and hadn't seen before the Bose connection. Not sure what that will mean if I need service.

Overall I'm quite happy with the set. DVD and HD looks great. SD, even zoomed SD looks real good to me.

Thanks for the input! I think I am sold. Just need to save up now!