Big Screen TV: LCD or Plama? Which Brand? (page 2)

UnConfused

So if I don't pay the extra $20 per month for the HD channels from DISH will I hate the picture on an LCD or Plasma TV?

Big Tex

Check this out:

http://reviews.cnet.com/Televisions/2001-6475_7-0.html?tag=ont.tv

I've got a 42" plasma from Panasonic. Love it. We've had it now for 2 years and only 1 problem this Christmas (a circuit board went out) but it was under warranty so no sweat.

I'll back up what I've read here but add this: if you want to go LCD, it's got the better picture but anything over 32" and the picture degrades (you see pixels). I chose plasma because I could go bigger and still get an HD picture. Now the downside of course is they don't last as long as LCD for a variety of reasons.

A true HD picture by the way is found on the big screen TV (which look almost exactly like analog ordinary TV) but they only go up to 32". I don't like projection TV's because it's hard to see the picture if you're sitting at an angle. Some peole swear by DLP, but I'm not sold on it.

I did research and weighed cost vs. size vs. picture quality and that's how I chose what I did. Now if/when I get some spare cash and I go HD in my bedroom I'm probably going to buy an LCD because I'll want a smaller screen (say 25-27") in my bedroom.

BTW we've got DirecTV and we pay an extra $10 a month for HD channels. They truly are remarkable (there's nothing and I mean nothing like the NFL in HD!). Like I say, weigh how much you're willing to spend against picture quality and size of the screen. I'm not a big fan of extended warranty but I bought on on my plasma and I think it's worth it with this technology since it is so new. Generally you can get one that goes for 3-4 years and that should get you past any issue.

Chris

Big Tex

Oh forgot one thing. Once you upgrade to an HD receiver (whether DISH or DirecTV or cable), you'll be disappointed by the picture on regular analog channels. The reason is they broadcast in a much lower resolution. High definition is a much higher resolution so it picks up every flaw on a lower range broadcast. But the future is HD, and I believe all channels are mandated by Congress to broadcast in HD by 2009 or 2010? Something like that.

UnConfused

Thanks.

R - besides the Sharp what other models were your "close" choices

Tex - thanks.

Restrangled - Can I come over to lay on the 15' couch and watch the giant TV?

bonnzo

if you're not going to mount it on a wall, get a full HD(1080dpi) rear projection tv. for the same price, or close to it, as a plasma or lcd, you can get a larger screen and just about as thin. go to crutchfield.com to find some more info.

New Worldly Translation

I've been researching HDTV's for a while too before I risk buying one.
The conclusion I came to was Pioneer make some of the best Plasma's but they are pricey. Panasonic are very good too and more reasonably priced.
For LCD Sony and Samsung are very good.

If the weight and depth isn't a major factor I still reckon DLP produces some of the best quality pictures on a HDTV. DLP seems to have lost a bit of ground versus LCD & Plasma but the tech is great and Texas Instruments who I think invented it are rolling out 3D DLP soon. Something to watch out for.

restrangled

Unconfused, your welcome anytime

r.

RubaDub

Personally, I went the rear projection route with a 46" Sony. The price was right ($975) just before Christmas at a local discount chain (Brandsmart). The same TV was going for $300 - $500 more at some of the other major stores.

The downside of rear projection is that the bulb is only good for 4,000 to 10,000 hours, depending on who you ask. At 5 hours per day, that's somewhere close to 2,000 hours per year. So I guess I should figure on 2 to 5 years or so before the bulb needs replacing.

The bulb replacement is susposedly a simple installation. I see the bulb currently costs a little under $200.

I am VERY impressed with the picture. If you don't mind the fact that rear projection TV's are a little "thicker" than LCDs or Plasmas (mine is about 17"), I think rear projection is the way to go. When the bulb eventually burns out, you replace it with a brand new one, something you cannot do with the more expensive plasma. Plus, you don't have that annoying out-of-focus effect you get from an LCD TV when you are watching something move quickly or the camera is panning quickly, especially noticeable with fast-moving sports like football.

Rub a Dub

Rooster

The downside of rear projection is that the bulb is only good for 4,000 to 10,000 hours, depending on who you ask. At 5 hours per day, that's somewhere close to 2,000 hours per year. So I guess I should figure on 2 to 5 years or so before the bulb needs replacing.

I have a 52" sony rear projection. I use to play video games on it and destroyed it. Ended up throwing it in the trash.

RubaDub

By the way, my wife and I popped in a DVD the first week we had our HDTV and ... ahhhh ... may I just say, watching Jenna Jamison perform her majic on the wide screen was incredible. Just ask my wife!

Rub a Dub

Big Screen TV: LCD or Plama? Which Brand?

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