Researching a new TV purchase

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

So this is for the dedicated theater room?

If you can light control it, I would highly recommend front projection then. It sounds like the 27" if for everyday viewing and the theater room will get used infrequently, but exclusively for movies?

Another thought if you're so inclined:
You could get a pull-down screen mounted to your ceiling that would pull down in front of your entertainment center if you did front projection in the main room.

You can get a great 1080p front projector with high lumen output (will make viewing with some ambient light doable) for under $2000.
(Epson 8100 for example)

 

[Bonesdad]

I'm in a similar situation as BoomerD is in...sans humongous "Entertainment" Center. Going from a 10 year old 27" Toshiba tube set to a...LCD? Plasma? We don't watch a ton of broadcast TV (catch reruns of 2.5 Men...watched Battlestar Galactica faithfully when it was out (nothing has replaced it yet). But we watch movies (just DVD so far, no BR, but that will come in time). Viewing distance is 9-11 feet.

After reading some background material, I'm still confused about why you NEED a 50-60" TV from this viewing distance. I understand the closer I get, the more I would be able to discern a 720p from a 1080p resolution...but if I got a 720p or a 1080p 42-46" set, wouldn't they look about the same from that viewing distance? I also understand the "immersion" effect of having a larger screen in front of you...but I don't really care about immersion, since this is a TV, not a home theater setup. I'm 45 years old, and I have an interest in the technology, but not a passion for it, I just want the best picture I can get for between $900 and $1200, without getting a monster TV (our living room is only 13 feet wide...)

As for the question LCD v Plasma...I'm undecided. I was heavily leaning toward LCD since I don't have good light control in the living room (lots of windows, I like it that way), and I'm concerned about glare off a shiny plasma screen (why are all plasmas shiny anyway?).

So there you have it...any advice is appreciated

good thread btw

 

[BenSkywalker]

Anyone have any input/information on them? How do they compare to the plasma sets, and to the Mitsubishi DLP sets?

LED backlit LCDs in general are superior to their CCFL backlit counterparts, local dimming makes this even more apparent although LED backlit displays are more expensive anyway so that must be taken into consideration. The best LED backlit displays have decidedly better contrast then 'normal' LCDs but their price is significantly higher. The Sony XBR8s(XBR9s aren't even close to the same quality) and Sammy 9 series LCDs can best the cheaper plasmas in overall IQ, but cheaper plasmas are a fraction of their price and the higher end plasmas still have overall superior IQ in situations where they aren't hindered due to ambient lighting. Cost is the big drawback to them, and it is a considerable markup.

DLP, I'm going to play one side of this argument, others will give you their perspective. Every single DLP I have ever laid eyes on is absolutely terrible from my perspective. Sony used to have a slightly different version of that line of technology called LCoS which I actually really liked, but every Mitsu and Sammy I have ever seen using 'normal' DLP looks like absolute rubbish to me. To me no matter what angle, what distance I sit at(including from 50' away) I see a very noticeable screen door pattern, and on the non laser sets have a funky rainbow swirling across the screen. They seriously give me a massive headache after a minute of looking at them. Most people don't seem to have this issue at all, I would absolutely reccomend that you check them out for yourself. If you do not notice the issues I'm talking about, they are the best way to get a large display for a good price. For the record, last I was aware all of the DLP fans were in agreement that Mitsu's offerings were absolutely terrible. The display market has changed around a lot in the last decade, Samsung is slugging it out with Sony, Panny and Pioneer on the high end, Mitsu mainly is WalMart level quality. Also, like plasmas, DLPs are very poor if dealing with a lot of light(LCD is pretty much the only decent option for those situations).

I just want the best picture I can get for between $900 and $1200, without getting a monster TV

I can completely understand your line of thought, but there is a bit of a catch. The better contrast, color reproduction, detail level, all lost because of size of the screen. What will give you the best picture from 3' away is never going to be the same thing that gives you the best picture from 20' away- and the TVs themselves are designed with this factor in mind. Pixel pitch for TVs designed to be viewed from a closer distance is a much, much larger concern then it is for one designed to be viewed at a greater distance.

 

[BoomerD]

DLP, I'm going to play one side of this argument, others will give you their perspective. Every single DLP I have ever laid eyes on is absolutely terrible from my perspective. Sony used to have a slightly different version of that line of technology called LCoS which I actually really liked, but every Mitsu and Sammy I have ever seen using 'normal' DLP looks like absolute rubbish to me. To me no matter what angle, what distance I sit at(including from 50' away) I see a very noticeable screen door pattern, and on the non laser sets have a funky rainbow swirling across the screen. They seriously give me a massive headache after a minute of looking at them. Most people don't seem to have this issue at all, I would absolutely reccomend that you check them out for yourself. If you do not notice the issues I'm talking about, they are the best way to get a large display for a good price. For the record, last I was aware all of the DLP fans were in agreement that Mitsu's offerings were absolutely terrible. The display market has changed around a lot in the last decade, Samsung is slugging it out with Sony, Panny and Pioneer on the high end, Mitsu mainly is WalMart level quality. Also, like plasmas, DLPs are very poor if dealing with a lot of light(LCD is pretty much the only decent option for those situations).

Gaad I don't like the way vBulletin drops quotes within quotes...:\


I haven't had the opportunity to sit and watch the Mitsubishi DLP for any length of time, maybe 10 minutes at Costco, but under their lights, the picture looks very good. Unfortunately, Costco doesn't have the DLP set up next to the LCD/Plasma sets for direct comparison, but it's only about 30 feet away, so comparison is pretty easy. Maybe it's the difference in the input source, (different programming on the DLP as compared to the LCD/Plasmas) but the picture on the Mitsi looks FABULOUS...IMO, better than any of the LCD/Plasma sets they have. (again, that could just be from a better programming source, such as blu-ray)

I almost dropped the hammer tonight on a 65" Mitsubishi DLP, but once again, the 1000 lb elephant in the room (entertainment center) reared its ugly head...<sigh>

I actually want to put the TV in a different room than where the entertainment center currently is, but it's quite a bit smaller...and I'm not sure how it will work in there. (not yet anyway...I'm going to be cutting some large cardboard pieces to build a mock-up):biggrin:

 

[BoomerD]

I finally found a deal that even the wife couldn't say NO to...

Panasonic TC-P50X1 720i set for $669. That's about $150 cheaper than the "club model" at Costco, and $200-$300 cheaper than I could find it anywhere else.

Not exactly what I was wanting...but a great first step.
(should be here before New Year's Day)
WOOT!!

 

[ManBearPig]

I finally found a deal that even the wife couldn't say NO to...

Panasonic TC-P50X1 720i set for $669. That's about $150 cheaper than the "club model" at Costco, and $200-$300 cheaper than I could find it anywhere else.

Not exactly what I was wanting...but a great first step.
(should be here before New Year's Day)
WOOT!!

congrats, enjoy it!

 

[sdifox]

I finally found a deal that even the wife couldn't say NO to...

Panasonic TC-P50X1 720i set for $669. That's about $150 cheaper than the "club model" at Costco, and $200-$300 cheaper than I could find it anywhere else.

Not exactly what I was wanting...but a great first step.
(should be here before New Year's Day)
WOOT!!

720p, not 720i... It should be good enough though. Unless you are less than 5 ft away, you really can't notice the difference between 1080p and 720p (on a 50") that much.

 

[BoomerD]

720p, not 720i... It should be good enough though. Unless you are less than 5 ft away, you really can't notice the difference between 1080p and 720p (on a 50") that much.

OK...720 something...gazillionhertz?
When I placed the order, they told me expected delivery date was on the 28th, but then the order confirmation email said the 30th...

Oh well, still before my birthday on the 31st...

Yesterday, I get a phone call from a "concierge service" wanting to arrange delivery...TODAY!

Ordered on Saturday with free shipping, delivered on Thursday.

THAT'S great service.

Thumbsup to Dell for that.

 

[sdifox]

OK...720 something...gazillionhertz?
When I placed the order, they told me expected delivery date was on the 28th, but then the order confirmation email said the 30th...

Oh well, still before my birthday on the 31st...

Yesterday, I get a phone call from a "concierge service" wanting to arrange delivery...TODAY!

Ordered on Saturday with free shipping, delivered on Thursday.

THAT'S great service.

Thumbsup to Dell for that.

Wish I can get that... it's frigging C$1000 here +13&#37; sale stax...oh and I forgot the environmental surcharge.

 

[BoomerD]

Wish I can get that... it's frigging C$1000 here +13% sale stax...oh and I forgot the environmental surcharge.

I think the Dell sale ended on the 19th...it was $669 with free 3-5 day shipping.
NewEgg has it for $719 with free shipping. (looks like it's not available up there in the frozen north)

 

[sdifox]

I think the Dell sale ended on the 19th...it was $669 with free 3-5 day shipping.
NewEgg has it for $719 with free shipping. (looks like it's not available up there in the frozen north)

we get shafted all the time. Right now Canon is running a promo on DSLRs but that is only available in the USA...

 

[BoomerD]

we get shafted all the time. Right now Canon is running a promo on DSLRs but that is only available in the USA...

sheesh...get in your car and make the short drive...