My old tv is on it's last legs. So I thought I'd ask since I remember a lot of people have these things. What's better, Plasma, LCD, Rear projection, DPL. There are so many optons out there and so many opinions. I have a Sharps LCD in my bedroom. It's okay but I'm not thrilled with it. So I would appreciate any thoughts.

We bought one last January, and went with Mitsubishi. IF I remember right, it's already HD. It's nice, but he had an antenna installed and never switches over to it; just uses the cable box.

Chip, if you still use a VCR, check into a RCA big screen. I love the one we have, it has a Tivo-like onscreen TV guide. You just click on a show you want to watch on the onscreen guide and it turns on your vcr for you and tapes it. You can tell it to tape it every week or just once.
I also think the picture is fantastic for a big screen.

Chip, we have 60 inch rear projection hitachi and love it--but when I was in the market for a new TV
like you prices for the Plasma and LCD were still in the sratosphere...however, now they have come down...U can get a plasma for near $2000 (Sony or Dell)..check this link out...have fun shopping.

www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/living/10012179.htm

I'm a plasma owner myself - the display technology really works for me and the display "pops" like nothing else on the market but there are some pros and cons to all display technologies.

Things to consider - budget, desired screen size, seating distance away from the screen, intended usage (movies, gaming, computer hookups, etc.)

Masaki

Chip, I work in television and all the techs here say the best possible picture comes from an old fashion glass picture tube in a high definition (HD) TV. Of course, they take up much more space than the plasmas or LCD's. Many people want the thin TV's because they look cool. But they don't always provide a better picture.

Picture quality improves this way, regular old TV -- plasma -- LCD -- high definition (HD) with glass picture tube. Plasmas and LCD's are also high definition but their resolution is not quite as good as you'll get with a glass tube. It's somewhere in between regular TV and true HD. I'm told that plasmas have a life of about seven years which may be less that you wanted to wait before buying another TV.

You should ask yourself how you are going to use the TV. Will you watch HD television or regular TV? HD is available over the air but it's only on some cable and direct satelite systems. If you have an HD TV connected to a cable system that doesn't transmit in HD then you're not getting the benefit of having an HD TV. And do you watch a lot of movies and DVD's which are shot in a wider screen format? A wide screen would be useful here and if it's HD you'll be able to take advantage of the slightly higher resolution of DVD's as compared to regular TV signals. And how much space do you have for the TV? Do you realy want or need a space-saving thin TV.

The best thing to do is go to a store like Best Buy or Circuit City where you can campare different models and choose which one is best for your needs. I hope this hasn't left you even more confused. Good luck. Tom.

The problem is that CRTs max out at about 40 inches. Anything bigger, you're looking at other technology. Frankly, you wouldn't want a CRT bigger than 40 inches anyways - talk about a boat anchor!

Masaki

I recently purchased twelve 42 inch Zenith Commercial plasmas last July, appx cost was $2400.00 each, these are designed to be on 24-7 we put them in one of our video dance clubs and they are amazing, I have been told that the price has dropped again and now the price includes built in speakers also. I have done quite a bit of research on these and have been told that if your going to go bigger say 50 inch plasma then spend the extra money and get the Pioneer: I thinks its too much because you can buy two Zeniths for the price of the pioneer, the deals on the 42inch are getting better and are supposed to keep dropping through the holidays.

Hope this helps
Frank V

I'm looking for a 60 maybe 70 inch. I'm using a direct tv HD tuner. I've heard the plasma's lose brightness as time goes on. And the Direct TV logo has burned in on my old projection TV. I don't need a flat one to fit into entertinment center and those get really expensive. I have a 32 inch Sharp LCD and that really looks like it's better at graphics than movies. I'm looking at the Soney or Hitichi rear projection LCD maybe they are better than Sharp's.

Our Mitsubishi is 55 inch, they had a 65 but it would be too tall to fit in the space we wanted it for (light switches determined the television height) and it's rear projection. It has an awesome picture, even when it is running from the cable box.

Consumer Reports rated the 50" Sony and Hitachi rear projection LCD's one and two in that order. If you go to 57" then it's Toshiba, Hitachi and Sony, but they're not LCD's. The LCD's seem to cost about $1,000 more than the others.

I'd better buy another house or knock down some walls. I don't have a room large enough for more than a 27" TV. Tom.

I wouldn't trust Consumer Reports for AV gear ... their ratings have been mocked on AV forums. And honestly, don't understand the criteria that they were rating the plasmas on when I was doing my research so I wouldn't necessarily believe what they say about LCD RPTV as well.

chip - you may also want to take a look at DLP technology. DLP RPTV is rated also quite highly - comparable to LCDs in many ways with better brightness. The Samsungs get raves from their owners. If you get a chance to see one at your local electronics/TV dealer, it might be worth your while. For something as big as 60-70 inch, if you can control the ambient light within the room, front projection LCD/DLP may also be worth a look as well - you'll definitely get more bang for the buck that way. Only problem is, don't know how practical it'll be for you - definitely more suited for MNF and movies than everyday watching.

BTW, on a completely aside note, plasma technology has advanced considerably. They're reporting 10+ years to half brightness which would not be apparent visually to most people. By then, you'd be looking at upgrading your TV again anyways ... :) Burn-in has essentially become a non-issue with proper set up and being reasonable about usage. I know people that have had their plasmas for 5+ years now with no decrease in quality of the picture. But as I said, this is completely aside the point since you won't find a 60 inch plasma at a reasonable price point.

Masaki

an associate of mine purchased an 60inch Plasma for around 7k last year, I know they have gone done in price since then, and this is a commercial grade, he uses it in his sportbar and believe me this thing gets way more use than anyone would ever use it in Residential use. I currently have a 55 inch Mistubishi HDTV cinema series, I think the picture is amazing, but the plasmas just keep getting more popular.

[img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0SAAAAMkUa9pN7d9aC6NcWhf4Db8fi2HqsZgtxGl22OTd6vhX3rhEQEB3l*yYbHoOgb7y04yj21NCHxdVQY!ofr1o2TPIAQ78CUF2tVp8DksAAAAAAAAAAA/DSC_0747.JPG?dc=4675498453844650437[/img]

I will submit this information to the one that's the most hard to please.

BTW, Frank - good to see you around. :)

Masaki

Hello Masaki, hope all is well,

Frank

Chip, I love the dog will decide which tv to get! Dogs really do love to watch it and that keeps them company when we are not home. Great photo!
Jan

Chip, I have a 20 inch Panasonic in the kitchen, and a 23 in Sanyo in my bedroom, both regular TV's, both purchased at either Sam's Club or Circuit City. Funny how some of us stay in the Stone Age and never know we're there. This has been a very interesting thread with all the expertise there is on this board!

Okay, I am so confused! My mother is looking for a television for Christmas, and she is confused even after talking with the sales people in Best Buy.

If you skip the plasma, and go for HDTV, do you have to pay more for HD each month? For instance, if you have a cable company that offers HD, do you pay more than your basic cable rates for the HD? Is the HD a separate charge?

Also, do you pay for an HD tuner for your television??

The salesperson told her (?) that if she gets HD, she can't get the cable channels! That makes NO sense to me at all!

In other words...HELP!! :D

Sheri most high end TV's are HD. Satilite TV has HD channels but you need a HD sat receiver. Many TV stations broadcast in HD and I don't think you need anything extra, just an HD TV. I have long since rid myself of cable but I would imagine you would have to have an HD cable box.

If you don't get off air HD chanels from your local TV sations(some cities have them, some don't) get a satilite dish. There are many HD channels, CBS and NBC now broadcast in HD now.

I have a Pioneer Plasma, and a Samsung DLP. The DLP is about 1/2 the price of a plasma, and about 1/2 the size of a regular tube TV. Unless you plan to hang it on the wall & run all the wiring behind the wall, I'd go with the DLP set due to price & a picture quality that is pretty close to what I get on the Plasma.

Trying to launch sig line

AMG!! Be still my heart!

We also have a Pioneer Plasma in our bedroom and it is great... especially in HD... we also have a Runco and I think it is a DLP in the theater (though it was twice the price of the plasma)... needless the HD is also awsome... before that we had a Runco 3 gun and I think that the DLP is much better and easier to control and adjust...

um which is which? the picture in the den is better.

Ronnie - you guys have a Runco??? I'm coming over for Christmas!! :D

Sheri - cost for HD depends on the cable company. Our cable company (Time Warner Cable) does charge extra for the HD channels.

Masaki

Runco? Yikes...I am SO far behind the times when it comes to television equipment! I still have a tv in my basement with a turn knob on it!!! :eek: :ohmy:

Masaki,
Your invited... Electronics is Chucks area, I just get to enjoy!!!! The person who does all of our installations always goes for the best...

Do not have HD TIVO yet as he says that there are still problems with them... probably in the next couple of months... that should be great as you know there is a hugh difference between HD and Satelite and we never watch live TV... hate commercials...

An inexpensive 17 inch is the GoVideo LCD... we have one on our boat and the pictures is very good ... though not large a highly rated unit...

Sheri, we just recently gave away the last set we had with the turn knob on it. The only reason we did that was that we moved a different television into that room and needed the space for toy storage (with three grandkids, toys take up some space!). It was about 23 or 24 years old, and still working just fine, although we did have to hold our mouth just so to make it work with cable.

Know a computer geek who just bought the latest 42" Sony LCD rear projection and likes it a lot. Since you want big, I'd go for that technology. I have a 34" Panasonic tube TV, which gives a fantastic pictures using COMCAST Hi-Def as the source. The "box" has a built-in dual turner TIVO that can record 2 programs simultaneously in Hi-Def and 5:1 surround sound--pretty neat.

I have HD tivo and it great. Holds 200 hours of regular programing. Some people have had problems with them but I never have. The perfect solution to not missing any programs while your on your cruise. You may have to ad a few days to your vacation to watch it all when you get home.

We love TIVO in our house... they are in every room and 2 in some... this way when we are out of town we can not miss anything... also tend to record same programs in theater and masterbedroom so that we can watch it either place...

Chip, we have 2 HD Tivo's on order... glad to hear that your experience is great!

I would LOVE to get HD Tivo if they would release a version that works with cable equipment ... (sigh) Suffering now with an inferior cable company supplied HD DVR instead. I still use my old Tivo for everything else besides HD though.

Masaki

Masaki,
Switch to DIRECTV and then get HD TIVO...

Can you get Direct TV in Hawaii?

Chip,
I would think so but Masaki should know... it comes from space so I assume as long as you point the dish in the right direction it should work... but then again, I am not the electronics wizard in our family...

From the DTV website...

HAWAII RESIDENTS --
ENJOY UP TO 3 ROOMS FREE

Because of Hawaii's unique equipment and programming needs, we've set up a special toll-free telephone number just for you.

Just call 1-877-897-8131 to order any of our DIRECTV® System equipment.

Aloha to great deals!

R (loves his Diterctv)

robert - thank you for the phone number. :)

The problem with DTV in Hawaii is that since the satellites are at odd locations in the sky here, to receive HDTV off of the DirecTV satellites, I would need 3 (three) 36 inch dishes. The prospect of cluttering our roof with that many antennas and what our community association might say scares me to no end ... :(

Masaki

Bummer...oh well, maybe one day.

R

FYI Masaki
Under FCC rules, HOA's or community associations can not stop you from installing a satelite
dish(es).