Originally posted by: SeaSerpent
I was thinking about
this one.
You know I was sorta in your situation. I bought a new Toshiba tv HD big screen 65" with crt tubes and it conked out in less then 6 months. Toshiba was nice in giving me all my money back since the tv was 2 years old model wise and the one part I needed they no longer made but since it was a refurb and I got a great deal on it I was stumped on what to get to replace it with. there was nothing close to the 65" in that price range and only thing close to what I was getting back was a 52" tv from walmart for $999 and I really didnt want to go smaller and it was a rca to boot.
May I suggest that since most tv's now a days that arnt made by rca costs an arm and leg, and you have to keep replacing bulbs in it every now and then, go all out and buy a projector
Nothing like I had thought it was going to be, like back in the old days that anything you epand out in size and the picture takes a hit. I got the Optoma H31 which after rebate is $599 and a 100" screen from Tiger Direct with no rebate for $59. It looks better then the tv that broke, cost less, and the bulbs for it is cheap too when compaired to other models at $250 @ 3000 hr est life. If you have the room why settle for a smaller tv if your forced into changing bulbs anyway. The PJ sits about 12 feet back so as long as you have a coffee table and a open wall your set really.
And $599 was for a edtv one. You can pick up a HD Optoma H70 for $999 and cheaper if you find a rebate or a sale. Or more expensive then that if you have deep pockets. I searched for 3 months looking for a replacement tv while waiting for the check from toshiba and can say, as far as screens go, I couldnt find more of a selection or better prices then Tiger Direct had. I know its tiger direct but I had a very plesent experance with them and got my stuff in 2 days after ordering.
Just a thought, since like you, found out a projector box models cost so much, and like I said, if you have to change a bulb you may as well go for a bigger screen with a projector type and really bring the home theater home. I am glad my Toshiba broke and so is my family. Game and movie night has never been so much fun since we got this thing .
Things you have to consider now a days when chosing is hd or edtv, LCD or dlp, bulb life, and est hours. And reseach big time to make sure it will give the picture your after. I was so afraid going to a projector it would lose picture quality and to my astonishment it doesnt. My regualr dvd's and xbox look just as good on my 32" as it does at 100".
Just food for thought and costco sells some projectors on thier website. I almost bought the Optoma H27 from them till I found this better deal much cheaper. If your not a member they will still sell stuff to you and tack on thier non-member fees at the end and then there is also tax too. Was the Optoma H27 with a 92" screen. Came out to almost $900 with tax and shipping. I got my set up AR for $650 shipped. OH yeah and unlike the old toshiba the Optoma has a 3 year warranty on it from the manufacture unlike the 1 year or 6 months Toshiba and others give on tvs in a box. Of course that doesnt include the bulb. Thats just unlimited hours and 3 months. I believe Optoma will sell you a 2 year bulb warranty but I couldnt afford it at the time.
EDIT See that tv your intrested in the bulb is $220. Why settle for 56" at $2K you have to keep replacing the bulb in when you can go double that size and more for way less
I mention double size and more because mine has a max diag output of 385". Im not even at half its max projected size at 100" and if you want to go crazy I found a 150" manual pull down screen for $200. PM if you go this route I can save you months of searching for stuff.