Large Screen TV's

[adx]

I have the 42" Vizio GV42LF LCD from Sears for only $1100 and love it. IMHO, the worst thing to look for is the contrast and #1 thing to look for is how well blacks looks on the set. The contrast is a worthless number since most of them are now "dynamic" contrast ratios which you should just turn off anyway.

When you go to the store to look at them pick out the sets you want to see and then turn every set off. Look at each set with that one on only. That way you don't get pulled in when they put the $4000 set next to the $1000 one. If they balk at you turning off the sets just walk out of the store. They don't deserve your business anyway.

Also, never, ever, ever buy cables from a store. Go to monoprice.com and get them. You can get a really good HMDI cable for $10 compared to the $40 piece of crap at the big box places and digital audio cables for $8 for something you would pay over $60 for around town.

Once you get you set home go to avsforum.com and find the settings for your gear. Once you get it all setup correctly what ever you get will blow your mind away.

 

[NitrouStang96]

I'm going to second the projector recommendation.

I have a 100" screen from a 1024x576 16:9 source that is very bright, and while it's not fully high def, it is fantastic. Got the projector on a steal for about 1/3 of its retail price, and I built the screen myself for $150 from pro screen material, wood from home depot, and black velvet from the fabric store.

I have some better pics but can't find them, so here's me playing solitaire with 9" cards.

 

[Orpheus]

SWMBO got me a TV for Christmas. My first instinct was to go with at least a 42" set or bigger. After I did some research and sober thinking, I decided to go with a smaller 32" LCD 720p set.

The only place a big set would fit is in the basement, and nobody goes down there. It's my brew room and swmbo's exercise room, so putting it down there would really be a waste.

The 32" will fit perfectly into a bay built into a half wall in our family room. I went with a Panasonic, as it got high marks from Consumer Reports and also from all the consumers who purchased one on many websites.

The absolute cheapest price I found was online. It was $999 in Best Buy, but I got it at newegg.com for $799 with only $49 shipping and no tax. They tried to deliver it yesterday, but we were out and missed it by 5 minutes. I'm picking it up after work on Monday and I'll let you know how it looks.

 

[rfidd]

I got the Phillips 47" LCD from costco, and I think it is great. In my house I have windows opposite of the best place for the tv, so glare was a big issue for me. I was replacing a rear projection tv with a very shiny surface and lots of glare. The LCD seemed to have less glare than the other models at Costco, so that helped with my choice.

Rick

 

[Reidman]

LCD looks sharper to me than plasma in the stores...anyone else think so..?

I know the colors are richer on a plasma though....

Right now I have a pretty nice Sony Wega 50" and while I absolutely love the screen and resolution, the thing is a monstrosity in our living room so I'm looking to get a flat panel to hang on the wall...

Seems they are coming way down in price..

 

[Desert_Sky]

i went the DLP route. I was a bit hesitant at first because from what Ive heard people say I wasnt sure how good it would look. I think I must have spent about 2 hours walking back and forth between TVs at SEARS. I finally pulled the trigger and went with the 61" Samsung 1080p DLP. It really is super bright and the picture quality is top notch. 9/10 in my book, I just wish the speakers were a bit better, but I guess thats what the next thing on the list.

 

[Hopleaf]

We bought a 52" LCD for Christmas.. I was told by someone more knowledgable than me that plasma goes out in 4-5 years... we got the Phillips 1080p one from Costco and love it

 

[Bobby_M]

I've seen plasmas and LCDs side by side and I couldn't see one bit of difference. No, the plasma didn't have better contrast to my eyes. These were both 1080p current models. LCDs have really come a long way. With HD available to everyone and HD DVDs now a reality, don't bother with a 720p set.. it's just inferior on anything bigger than 40".

 

[buckrogers71]

I have a 50" Sony Rear Projection LCD. Love it! I got it as a "scratch and dent" at 1/2 the price. What was nice is that the warranty was the same as a new one and got the extended warranty through BB for the bulb and that was considerably cheaper as well.

I looked at the plasma in the stores and will agree that the colors are a little more vibrant, but what good is that if you have glare. FWIW, I have a panny 32" in the basement that is LCD as well. I should really upgrade that so I dont have the eye strain between the 50" upstairs and the 32" downstairs

I will also second Monoprice for cables. Much cheaper than other stores.

 

[Bernie Brewer]

Ok guys I'm going to hijack this thread just slightly here: I have a 51" sony projection (like it a lot, works great) and I get my HD over the air with an antenna. I have an external digital tuner for the HD, since there is none in the TV. My question is: is there a DVR out there that will record with an over-the-air signal and NOT charge a subscription fee???. I'm sick and tired of watching shows recorded on a VCR when I could be watching them in the original HD quality that they are broadcast in. Any thoughts?

 

[SuperiorBrew]

There is always TIVO but you pay something like $8 a month, if you watch any amount of tv its worth it. If you record the shows you can watch an hour long show in 40 minutes. Pause, rewind. it rocks.
I think you can get lifetime subscriptions still but not sure.

Or google DVR and see if they have any new ones with out subscriptions now

 

[adx]

You can always build one with MythTV and a HD tuner or the HD Homerun. It's going to cost more upfront, but you may recoup after a few years of not paying a monthly charge.

I have a HD TiVo connected to my FiOS TV connection and love it. I prepaid for 3 years of service and got a deal on the TiVo.

 

[Blender]

Ok guys I'm going to hijack this thread just slightly here: I have a 51" sony projection (like it a lot, works great) and I get my HD over the air with an antenna. I have an external digital tuner for the HD, since there is none in the TV. My question is: is there a DVR out there that will record with an over-the-air signal and NOT charge a subscription fee???. I'm sick and tired of watching shows recorded on a VCR when I could be watching them in the original HD quality that they are broadcast in. Any thoughts?

I use SageTV. You will need a computer to record but it is a really good program with great support through the Sage Forums.

 

[wihophead]

I built a PVR using BeyondTV

 

[BigNick73]

And.....after 15 months, I lost my first bulb last night. SWMBO and I were playing rock band and just about jumped out of our seats when that thing blew up. It took me a half hour to get the damn new lamp in and remounted. We both immediately noticed a huge difference in brightness (just in time for playoff football I might add ).

At this rate, so far I've spent a total of 1000 bones on this projector. I figure after 3 more bulbs I'll be up to the price of a decent LCD or plasma and will probably have close to 5-6 years of service from it. I can certainly live with that. A 100 inch HD screen of NFL football greatness sure helps sway the costs of buying that new bulb.

Now, to order another, just in case.

Speaking of projectors and expensive bulbs, anyone seen the forums at http://www.lumenlab.com before? I been thinking of building one for a while now just haven't gotten around to it. Best part is they're using $30 bulbs.

 

[Bobby_M]

If you're happy with a 480 panel and don't need HD resolutions it's probably decent.

 

[MikeFlynn74]

52" Toshiba DLP

LOVE IT

I want a 60" now

 

[Desert_Sky]

OMG! Guys check this out


I may just take my new TV back and wait for this

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=972648

 

[mot]

if you have alot of windows that will probably be your answer to lcd or plasma...lcd does not have as much glare.
Video games? Plasmas can burn the image in easier, lcd can to but I have yet to see it as bad as plasma.

For the price of dlp's I still like the flat screens or projections

I have a phillips LCD and love it. Just bought my parents a vizio for christmas and that one looks really good to.
Plasma will have a little better color or clarity, make sure you flip through some channels and compare, Blacks are way better on plasma than LCD. Nuetral tones and such can look a little blotchy or pixelated on some LCD I have seen

 

[mot]

OMG! Guys check this out


I may just take my new TV back and wait for this

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=972648

thats nothing to the one pioneer I think makes...130 or something inch plasma or lcd (cant remember which it is) retails for around 50,000

 

[NitrouStang96]

Panasonic 150"

http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/63717

 

[rdwj]

I'm going to have to make a new TV decision here soon too. I'm torn between getting a smaller TV for the family room and moving the 55" to the basement or getting a new projector for the basement.

I'm leaning toward the projector, but since it's a walk-out, I do have some light issues. Because the screen will be in a spot where no direct light will hit it, I think I'm in good shape.

Any advice is greatly appreciated. Also, looks like entry level HD projectors are in the $800 range. Any comments on the preformance of these models?

 

[mot]

Panasonic 150"

http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/63717

yep thats the one

 

[Desert_Sky]

thats nothing to the one pioneer I think makes...130 or something inch plasma or lcd (cant remember which it is) retails for around 50,000

No you missed it. Not LCD, not Plasma....but Laser projection. new this year! Better more vivid colors for the same price as DLP


Plus 3D capable

 

[NitrouStang96]

If you get a projector that's bright enough, you won't be dissatisfied with a some light in the room.

Your screen choice is what makes the biggest difference, however, which is something most people don't think about.

 

[mot]

No you missed it. Not LCD, not Plasma....but Laser projection. new this year! Better more vivid colors for the same price as DLP


Plus 3D capable

well there are a few others around that are lcd and plasma that size

 

[Dude]

I'm going to have to make a new TV decision here soon too. I'm torn between getting a smaller TV for the family room and moving the 55" to the basement or getting a new projector for the basement.

I'm leaning toward the projector, but since it's a walk-out, I do have some light issues. Because the screen will be in a spot where no direct light will hit it, I think I'm in good shape.

Any advice is greatly appreciated. Also, looks like entry level HD projectors are in the $800 range. Any comments on the preformance of these models?

I'd recommend lurking around www.avsforum.com. it is the best place around for knowledge and research.

If oyu have light issues--seriously consider not doing a projector. An important element to look for when researchign projectors are lumens, which obviously the more lumens the brighter the end result. However, anythign more than 2500 lumens you'll be paying out the a$$ for. Mine is 2100 lumens, the Sharp XR-10X. They make a XR-30X now and the price is around $800 I believe. That would be a stellar entry level projector that won't break the bank.

I was a little disappointed in my projector's bulb life--but that goes with the territory I guess. I paid 750 for my projector, and the bulb lasted 15 months on a pretty bright setting. It would still take the cost of 3 more bulbs to get into the 50 inch Plasma or LCD price range--so you take that for what its worth I guess. If this projector lasts me 5-6 years and I buy 4 bulbs in that time--it'll be time to upgrade to new tecnology anyway--just like always.

I will say one thing--I'll always have a projector of some sort from here on out. Movie night is amazing. We turn off all the lights in the room and it is like our own theater.

Sports is amazing too.

 

[Desert_Sky]

well there are a few others around that are lcd and plasma that size

but LCD and Plasma aren't 3D or have colors that laser TVs are capable of

 

[Yanos]

^from my understanding there are a few DLP's that are 3D now

 

[NitrouStang96]

Sports is amazing too.

You have anyone setting up lawn chairs in their front yard and watching the packer game through your living room window yet?

We keep our windows open to let light in (projector is quite bright), and no matter if I have friends over watching the packer game or if I'm home alone watching a movie or writing up a reply on HBT, there's this lady who stops and watches for a minute every time she walks by. I heard her making a "drive in theater" comment once. It's flattering but pretty creepy.