TV Help
 

Need a new set for the new rec room. No idea what the hell I'm buying and don't want to take the word of some mimimum-wage, pimple-face, commissioned teenager. Was thinking a 42" would be about the right size for the space and it is in the basment, if that matters. Input?

Re: TV Help
 

Make sure it has the capability to plug in your computer as a secondary monitor (DPL?).

You can watch TV while watching Elcova in the Picture in Picture box.:D

Don't get plasma Adam. You'll regret it even when the price nowadays is tempting.

Re: TV Help
 

I just picked up a 57" DLP. It kicks ass.
Your options for HD are DLP, Plasma and LCD.
Plasma being the most expensive.
DLP and Plasma will get you the best picture.
If you want flat, go Plasma, if you don't mind a thicker TV, go DLP.
LCD just isn't as good.
Plasma is super reflective - go to any store and watch a Plasma. If there's one behind it, you see the reflection pretty well. Plus, with Plasma, you can burn pixels and you can never tilt the television.
DLP will give you a damn good pic at a cheaper price, with relatively zero reflection and zero burn in issues...
Here's the one I got:
http://mitsubishi-tv.com/j/i/18326/T...s.html?cid=382

Re: TV Help
 

Just went through buying another TV. It pretty much depends if you want Plasma or LCD. Since it's in the basement I'm guessing not too much sunlight is down there, so either will be fine. There is something about plasma's glass screen that I really like over the matte black lcd screens, though.

I narrowed my choices down to plasma: Pioneer PDP-5070HD (also available in 42") and LCD: 46" Sony Bravia. I went with the LCD because it's in a very bright room and the glare on plasmas there is too much. If there is not much light that will cause glare on a glass screen where ever you mount it, I say go with a Pioneer plasma, they have always been my favorite.

Re: TV Help
 

Best Buy here won't warranty a Plasma for unpredictable burn out reasons. Some can burn out in less than 2 years, some can last it's 20,000 hour lifespan. If you're going Plasma, ask about warranty.

With an LCD rear projection, the picture is pretty good especially with HD channels. When your picture starts to degrade or just old, you change out the bulb($350-$400) and the picture is like new again.

Re: TV Help
 

Plasma: Viewing space best if dark because of highly reflective
screen, not good for video games because of possible
screen burn, considered the richest blacks, I believe
screens are now rated at 20000 hours +++(good),
excellent color reproduction, cost the most, viewing angle
not as good as other types

LCD : Viewing good in dark or room with some light from
windows, doors, room lights, excellent with video games
almost no screen burn, excellent color reproduction,
generally largest size is 50", good viewing angles
cost less then Plasma

DLP : Very similer to LCD in all characteristics, much less
expensive then Plasma & LCD, Plasma & LCD run around 4"
to 6" in depth but DLP generally are from 9" to 16" in depth,
lamp life has improved greatly and cost has come down

Size depend on the size of the room which you didn't mention and how many people normally watch the TV at one time (because of viewing angle. The most recognized brands (Sony, Panasonic, Samsung, Mitshu and several others are the best rated) Your best bet is to pick up a copy of CONSUMER REPORT, the TV issue.

Good Luck

RYD

Re: TV Help
 

I've had this 36" RCA color tube just sitting in the basement and it still works excellent ever since I bought it when I was 16 twenty years ago. And my parents hve this 50 year old B/W that's still maintenece free. Old school.

You can always go tube if depth doesn't bother you. It'll last forever.

Re: TV Help
 

Sony 50" Grand WEGA SXRD Rear Projection
KDS-50A2000

SXRD is a type of LCoS display and is crisper and better than DLP

Re: TV Help
 

Not even close, stupid. and Consumer Reports is for those that don't care what they get.


To clear up the confusion caused by Rubber Dummy:
There's flat screens, which are Plasma and LCD. Then there are Rear projections which are LCD, DLP, LCoS variants, and finally tube. Tube is the absolute best except it's brightness and side viewing is impacted.

LCoS-types (Sony's SXRD) and DLP in a 50" screen or viewed by the less than discernable eye, is close.

Re: TV Help
 

X2 If you read the "other thread" then you know we just got the 60 and it's awesome. Much better than DLP.

Just remember that TV's at Best Circuit Buy City are set up to be seen from across the building and look clear. You really will have a different look when put it in your own home and the set is adjusted properly. There are forums out there we looked at before making the decision.

The only downside is it doesn't have PIP, so the Elcova/TV idea won't work.

Make sure the set has HDMI.

BTW, it's VERY light. The boy and the wife picked it up for me so I could move the stand with the components on it.

Re: TV Help
 

RYD

Re: TV Help
 

Actually, no. I've got the runs today..... but thanks for thinking of me.

Re: TV Help
 

I've got a '42 Toshiba plasma 1080i in my rec room. I love it great picture quality, though the speakers leave alot to be desired but I'm just gonna throw surround in and never have to hear that damn hissing again. Dont let the salsemen sell you in to HDMI it is convient if you are not techno inclined and it does make for a very clean install, but the actual differences in picture quality are very negligable when compared to high quality component cables. Some TV's only have one HDMI input, which means without an HDMI compatible recievcer (like 1000.00+ a few months ago) you can only use one accecsory with HDMI.

Re: TV Help
 

Will you ever shut the **** up?

Re: TV Help
 

Recently, I've had a 43" projection, a 43" plasma, a 50" plasma and now this 60" and of all of them, this one has, by far, the best picture. It's incredible. The 36" Sony WEGA we have in our den is also wonderful and has, probably, the best picture of all our sets, but HD letterboxes so much it's really not cool. Plus, being a CRT, it's heavy as hell.

We also have two other, small, LCD screens in the house and their picture doesn't compare with the SXRD. It's truely incredible.

Here's a link to Sony Style and some info on the SXRD. 2 million pixels per panel and there's 3 panels. Hell, you only need one panel.:eek:

Sony SXRD

Of course this is all mute if you don't want to, or can't, step up to a 50". Size is a concern for each viewing area and you need to size the monitor for it's application.

Re: TV Help
 

Forgot to mention:

If you're going to wall mount the TV, which I doubt you are since you didn't mention it, then get the Plasma. Otherwise, get a rear projection.

Re: TV Help
 

I just had one of these installed: http://www.hometheatermag.com/plasma...ioneerpdp5070/
(It's actually the 5071, which is the same thing, but I think Best Buy created a new nomenclature so that it would not have to price match).

I didn't have much time to research the TV (only about 90 minutes - new baby, work killing me, bought on Christmas Eve, etc...). We got some $600 flexo-wall mount too. Put it up about 4 ft high in a corner. If they make better 50-inch wall-mounted TVs, I'd believe it, but I'd be amazed. It's awesome. Picture on DVDs or HD is unbelievable. My wife and I will never go to the theater again.

That being said, these guys say that DLP does better than Plasma above 6,500 ft: http://www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com/dlpvsplasmatv.html

Re: TV Help
 

Adam,

I have never had a problem with any of the Plasmas that i have for work (22 of them). I know a lot fo people say that there are high altituse issues with them, however, i have not had any. I fi had a chance to do it all over again, i would use DLP. that is what we are using as our "main" tv's going in the new store in Cheyenne. Everything else will be 32-42inch LCD's

Zig

Re: TV Help
 

FWIW I have a 42 inch panasonic plasma in my bedroom and a 50 inch philips plasma in my livingroom and have never had an issue with either one. I wanted to get another panasonic but the wife liked the philips because of the ambilight! I don't know from first hand but have read that if you are really into sports than an LCD is not the way to go. The article said that the image would leave a trail behind it if it was moving fast. Sounds like BS to me. Can anyone confirm?

Re: TV Help
 

I have a 50 inch Pioneer Elite in my great room. A 42 inch Samsung in my bedroom and in my office. I am partial to plasma's myself but I have seen many flat panel LCD's and some DLP's with just as good picture. My main reason for going plasma is simply the ability to mount on the wall and hide all of the wiring behing the wall. I like the clean look.