Researching a new TV purchase

[Genx87]

Entertainment centers are the bane of expansion. I would never buy one unless it had a place for a 130 inch projection screen.

 

[kalrith]

Originally posted by: Genx87
Entertainment centers are the bane of expansion. I would never buy one unless it had a place for a 130 inch projection screen.

Like I said in a previous post, there's always room for the projection screen in front of the entertainment center . I somewhat jest, but it looks like that would be the OP's only possible option for a large screen.

 

[BoomerD]

I agree that the G10 is superior to the X14/S14 models at Costco, and to the X1/S1 models found elsewhere.

The Costco X14 50" model is the one that got this thread going again. We've looked pretty hard at that model...and with Costco's 2 year warranty, it's not a bad deal. HOWEVER, the G10 model is in many ways a far better set.

 

[s44]

The entertainment center is a long, long outdated relic.

 

[kalrith]

BoomerD, how deep is your entertainment center? They make wall mounts that extend a full 37" from the wall: http://www.chiefmfg.com/productdetail.aspx?MountID=55. Maybe you could get one of those. I'm sure your wife would love a 50" TV plastered to the front of the entertainment center

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: kalrith
BoomerD, how deep is your entertainment center? They make wall mounts that extend a full 37" from the wall: http://www.chiefmfg.com/productdetail.aspx?MountID=55. Maybe you could get one of those. I'm sure your wife would love a 50" TV plastered to the front of the entertainment center

ROFL! I told her I could get some hardware and just hang the big screen on the front...I thought it'd work pretty well

She didn't see the humor (or utility) in that idea.

 

[kalrith]

Originally posted by: BoomerD

Originally posted by: kalrith
BoomerD, how deep is your entertainment center? They make wall mounts that extend a full 37" from the wall: http://www.chiefmfg.com/productdetail.aspx?MountID=55. Maybe you could get one of those. I'm sure your wife would love a 50" TV plastered to the front of the entertainment center

ROFL! I told her I could get some hardware and just hang the big screen on the front...I thought it'd work pretty well

She didn't see the humor (or utility) in that idea.

That's funny. Did you mention the idea of a projector screen that could be retracted (even into the ceiling) when not in use? You could even have a basic $50 CRT behind it if you're just going to watch something unimportant or just for a few minutes and pull down the projector screen for the more-important viewing.

 

[OutHouse]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
I agree that the G10 is superior to the X14/S14 models at Costco, and to the X1/S1 models found elsewhere.

The Costco X14 50" model is the one that got this thread going again. We've looked pretty hard at that model...and with Costco's 2 year warranty, it's not a bad deal. HOWEVER, the G10 model is in many ways a far better set.

who makes the G10?

 

[kalrith]

Originally posted by: Citrix

Originally posted by: BoomerD
I agree that the G10 is superior to the X14/S14 models at Costco, and to the X1/S1 models found elsewhere.

The Costco X14 50" model is the one that got this thread going again. We've looked pretty hard at that model...and with Costco's 2 year warranty, it's not a bad deal. HOWEVER, the G10 model is in many ways a far better set.

who makes the G10?

Panasonic. You can see the G10 in the Butterfly Photo link in my previous post. That link allows you to get Bing cashback and bring the price down to $1364 with free shipping and no tax (except for New York) after you receive the $43 in cashback (in 60-90 days). The 54" model is $1705 after cashback.

The G10 is Panasonic's current top-of-the-line set and is very highly rated among professional reviewers. The X14, S14, X1, and S1 models are all inferior to the G10 models.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: kalrith

That's funny. Did you mention the idea of a projector screen that could be retracted (even into the ceiling) when not in use? You could even have a basic $50 CRT behind it if you're just going to watch something unimportant or just for a few minutes and pull down the projector screen for the more-important viewing.

Nah, not interested in a projection screen set-up.



Here's the current Panasonic line-up.
http://www2.panasonic.com/cons...02_7000000000000005702


One thing that I don't understand...I chatted with one of the Panasonic reps a few days ago and they told me that even though the X14 is only 720p resolution, and the first page for that set says "720 Lines of Moving Picture Resolution ," it actually has "Moving Picture Resolution 900 lines or more," which is what it says in the "technical specs" for the set. (quoted areas are from the Panasonic site)
http://www2.panasonic.com/cons...00000005702#tabsection

I freely admit to being a total noob at this "new tv teknoldgee" stuff...but how the hell can it have more lines of resolution for "moving pictures" than it's native resolution?

 

[kalrith]

Originally posted by: BoomerD

Originally posted by: kalrith

That's funny. Did you mention the idea of a projector screen that could be retracted (even into the ceiling) when not in use? You could even have a basic $50 CRT behind it if you're just going to watch something unimportant or just for a few minutes and pull down the projector screen for the more-important viewing.

Nah, not interested in a projection screen set-up.



Here's the current Panasonic line-up.
http://www2.panasonic.com/cons...02_7000000000000005702


One thing that I don't understand...I chatted with one of the Panasonic reps a few days ago and they told me that even though the X14 is only 720p resolution, and the first page for that set says "720 Lines of Moving Picture Resolution ," it actually has "Moving Picture Resolution 900 lines or more," which is what it says in the "technical specs" for the set. (quoted areas are from the Panasonic site)
http://www2.panasonic.com/cons...00000005702#tabsection

I freely admit to being a total noob at this "new tv teknoldgee" stuff...but how the hell can it have more lines of resolution for "moving pictures" than it's native resolution?

This is a really good read. Basically, a TV can claim to be 1080P if it can display that resolution with a still picture, but its resolution will be lower with a moving picture. I haven't looked into it in a long time, but I remember reading some studies that put plasmas WAY ahead of LCDs in this regard, to the extent that 720p plasmas had a higher moving resolution than 1080p LCDs. This was a couple years back, so things might have changed since then.

I'm glad you mentioned this. There's a ton of talk about 720p vs 1080p but very little about the moving resolution, when that resolution is what really matters (unless you use your TV as a 50" digital photo frame ).

Edit: I just found this pdf, which lists the observed motion resolution of lots of different TVs. You can see that some 1080P TVs have almost three times the motion resolution of other "1080P" TVs.

 

[s44]

Do any of your (wife's) friends still have entertainment centers? Seriously, the whole idea is outdated.

 

[BoomerD]

kalrith, thanks for the links. I've been reading over at AVS quite a bit, but hadn't seen that one yet. It still doesn't REALLY make sense...but at least I understand some of the "why."

Originally posted by: s44
Do any of your (wife's) friends still have entertainment centers? Seriously, the whole idea is outdated.

Actually...yes...but then again, so are we...we're old.

Seriously, how the hell can people stand to look at the FUGLY black "shapes" they call TV stands nowadays? Gimme some solid oak with cabinets for "stuff" and glass doors for my stereo.

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
Actually...yes...but then again, so are we...we're old.

Seriously, how the hell can people stand to look at the FUGLY black "shapes" they call TV stands nowadays? Gimme some solid oak with cabinets for "stuff" and glass doors for my stereo.

If you don't like the black stand look (metal / glass) and prefer an "entertainment center" type look, get something like this. The is a modern look and not some 1980s old school grandma furniture. If you don't like that particular model, check out some of the other models JSP offers. They have great stuff.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: JackBurton

Originally posted by: BoomerD
Actually...yes...but then again, so are we...we're old.

Seriously, how the hell can people stand to look at the FUGLY black "shapes" they call TV stands nowadays? Gimme some solid oak with cabinets for "stuff" and glass doors for my stereo.

If you don't like the black stand look (metal / glass) and prefer an "entertainment center" type look, get something like this. The is a modern look and not some 1980s old school grandma furniture. If you don't like that particular model, check out some of the other models JSP offers. They have great stuff.

Fuck...There's no fucking way she'd even allow that in the house...and since I think it's even too ugly for firewood...it won't be an issue.

We both kind of like this one:
http://www.maxfurniture.com/Fu.../1464/103-139-1101.asp (saw a used on on CL) and they have some other nice offerings on the site.
We ARE old school...and she IS a grandma...

 

[newnameman]

Originally posted by: JackBurton

Originally posted by: BoomerD
Actually...yes...but then again, so are we...we're old.

Seriously, how the hell can people stand to look at the FUGLY black "shapes" they call TV stands nowadays? Gimme some solid oak with cabinets for "stuff" and glass doors for my stereo.

If you don't like the black stand look (metal / glass) and prefer an "entertainment center" type look, get something like this. The is a modern look and not some 1980s old school grandma furniture. If you don't like that particular model, check out some of the other models JSP offers. They have great stuff.

Errrrr, that thing is pretty ugly. :laugh:

 

[s44]

I think the wooden plasma hanger is cool.

Now BoomerD's... That looks like the one my Dad got.
Not sure why you can't just go for the console version, though -- the full EC leaves no room for *speakers*, much less the inevitable TV expansion.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: s44
I think the wooden plasma hanger is cool.

Now BoomerD's... That looks like the one my Dad got.
Not sure why you can't just go for the console version, though -- the full EC leaves no room for *speakers*, much less the inevitable TV expansion.

Hell, I'm probably your dad's age...or older if you're like the majority of members here...

Nothing is decided yet, and we'll probably buy things in pieces...TV first, entertainment center of some sort, then a new stereo.
She doesn't LIKE that idea...but she says she'll accept it as long as I promise to get a decent stand for temporary...then a quality entertainment center.

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
Fuck...There's no fucking way she'd even allow that in the house...and since I think it's even too ugly for firewood...it won't be an issue.

We both kind of like this one:
http://www.maxfurniture.com/Fu.../1464/103-139-1101.asp (saw a used on on CL) and they have some other nice offerings on the site.
We ARE old school...and she IS a grandma...

Just because you're old, doesn't mean you have to act like it. You may LOVE 1960s lime green shag carpet, but it's not the 60s anymore and it's awful looking. The cabinet you picked out is not awful looking, it's just dated. But it really is a matter of taste. If that is what you like, go for it.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: BoomerD

Originally posted by: kalrith

That's funny. Did you mention the idea of a projector screen that could be retracted (even into the ceiling) when not in use? You could even have a basic $50 CRT behind it if you're just going to watch something unimportant or just for a few minutes and pull down the projector screen for the more-important viewing.

Nah, not interested in a projection screen set-up.



Here's the current Panasonic line-up.
http://www2.panasonic.com/cons...02_7000000000000005702


One thing that I don't understand...I chatted with one of the Panasonic reps a few days ago and they told me that even though the X14 is only 720p resolution, and the first page for that set says "720 Lines of Moving Picture Resolution ," it actually has "Moving Picture Resolution 900 lines or more," which is what it says in the "technical specs" for the set. (quoted areas are from the Panasonic site)
http://www2.panasonic.com/cons...00000005702#tabsection

I freely admit to being a total noob at this "new tv teknoldgee" stuff...but how the hell can it have more lines of resolution for "moving pictures" than it's native resolution?

1,366 x 768 is the native resolution. Ignore the rest.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: JackBurton

Originally posted by: BoomerD
Fuck...There's no fucking way she'd even allow that in the house...and since I think it's even too ugly for firewood...it won't be an issue.

We both kind of like this one:
http://www.maxfurniture.com/Fu.../1464/103-139-1101.asp (saw a used on on CL) and they have some other nice offerings on the site.
We ARE old school...and she IS a grandma...

Just because you're old, doesn't mean you have to act like it. You may LOVE 1960s lime green shag carpet, but it's not the 60s anymore and it's awful looking. The cabinet you picked out is not awful looking, it's just dated. But it really is a matter of taste. If that is what you like, go for it.

Actually, that one's not what we've picked out, merely posted as an example...If people like the FUGLY stands made from black wood and glass...they should buy them. We prefer something that looks like furniture...not something the cat threw up on the carpet.
The "modernistic" look of those types of stands just doesn't appeal to us...and in our 34 years of marriage...we've never had lime green shag carpeting...it was more of a chartruse... (shag carpet sucked back then too)

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
Actually, that one's not what we've picked out, merely posted as an example...If people like the FUGLY stands made from black wood and glass...they should buy them. We prefer something that looks like furniture...not something the cat threw up on the carpet.
The "modernistic" look of those types of stands just doesn't appeal to us...and in our 34 years of marriage...we've never had lime green shag carpeting...it was more of a chartruse... (shag carpet sucked back then too)

You know you don't HAVE to have a stand or cabinet, right? Just wall mount your new TV and put all your "stuff" in a closet, including your "stereo." In wall speakers would be nice too, and if you need a decorative place to put picture and things like that, just get a standard furniture piece under your TV. In the end, it should look like a picture frame on your wall. You'll have a nice cleaner look, and not something out of the 1980s.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: JackBurton
You know you don't HAVE to have a stand or cabinet, right? Just wall mount your new TV and put all your "stuff" in a closet, including your "stereo." In wall speakers would be nice too, and if you need a decorative place to put picture and things like that, just get a standard furniture piece under your TV. In the end, it should look like a picture frame on your wall. You'll have a nice cleaner look, and not something out of the 1980s.

Hell, I'm time-warping like crazy...in just a couple of posts, I've jumped from the 60's to the 80's...

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: BoomerD

Originally posted by: JackBurton
You know you don't HAVE to have a stand or cabinet, right? Just wall mount your new TV and put all your "stuff" in a closet, including your "stereo." In wall speakers would be nice too, and if you need a decorative place to put picture and things like that, just get a standard furniture piece under your TV. In the end, it should look like a picture frame on your wall. You'll have a nice cleaner look, and not something out of the 1980s.

Hell, I'm time-warping like crazy...in just a couple of posts, I've jumped from the 60's to the 80's...

Before you know it you'll have some style.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: JackBurton

Originally posted by: BoomerD

Originally posted by: JackBurton
You know you don't HAVE to have a stand or cabinet, right? Just wall mount your new TV and put all your "stuff" in a closet, including your "stereo." In wall speakers would be nice too, and if you need a decorative place to put picture and things like that, just get a standard furniture piece under your TV. In the end, it should look like a picture frame on your wall. You'll have a nice cleaner look, and not something out of the 1980s.

Hell, I'm time-warping like crazy...in just a couple of posts, I've jumped from the 60's to the 80's...

Before you know it you'll have some style.

Style? Whatchoo talkin about style?

http://www.whodah.com/albums/BoomerD2/aaf.sized.jpg