Need Advice on new TV

[mmalaney]

Hey All,

Ive been trolling these forums for awhile and dont make many posts but I just ran into a good chunk of change and Im looking for a new TV.

I am stuck between a smaller Plasma or a Nice DLP.

I get a deal at Colders due to working for TWC so im kinda looking towards there TV's

I like in a 3br apartment with 2 roomates. We have a nice size living room that could handle any TV. We currently only have a 27" regular old Tube TV.

When I went to the store to look around 50" sometimes looks small but i think if I would bring home something bigger than 50" or so it would be too big.

I think my choices are ranging from a 42" Plasma or a 50-55" DLP TV.

I really like the Sony DLP TV, i cant remember the model number off hand, I didnt get to write it down but it looked very nice.

But also I recently was at my boss's house and he had a 50" Toshiba 50HPX Plasma I believe was the model number and it absolutely blew me away.

I have about 3k to work with, but I also want to get a TV stand and DVD player and Audio system with that 3k, of course the stand/dvd/surround sound dont have to be the best.

Well looks like I went overboard with rambling here.

My main question after all of that is, I have 3k to spend on all components and such. I dont want to skimp and get a OK plasma when it would be better to get a Amazing DLP. Do you have any suggestions of TV's for me, DLP or Plasma?

I really need to stop drinking so much coffee at work  :bang:

[picopir8]

Why are you looking at plasmas and DLPs? What draws you to one or the other? Are you prefering something flat but do not want to spend a lot?

Usually people consider plasma or lcd flat pannels if they want something flat.  Or dlp/crt/lcd if they look at projection.  You seem to be looking at two different ends of the spectrum.

My personal preference with projection is DLP.  It tends to offer much better blacks and a crisper picture than the others.  So I think you are on the right track looking at DLP projection sets.

For flat pannels, its a real tossup.  I think you are doing yourself a disservice if you do not consider LCD as well.  And LCD does not have any risk of burn in.

Also, consider what resolution you want.  Most sets on the market are 720p (except for CRT sets which are 1080i).  However a number of newer sets are 1080p.  1080p delivers over twice (9/4 to be exact) the pixel count as 720p.

There is a lot to consider, so if I were you, I would just list the things you want in the order you want them then see where the different sets fall on your list.

BTW, if you are open to LCT flat pannels, check out the one I recently picked up for my computer room.  It has an excellent picture, color is almost dead on before any sort of calibration, its 1080p, it has a very high rationg, and its cheep.  They just got them in stock but they always seem to sell out within a day or two.
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-J4m7REQYUXK/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=146350&I=647LVM42W2

[mmalaney]

ya what draws me to the plasma is the size of it (width) and the picture seems brighter to me. What draws me to the DLP is the Price is lower for a bigger tv then say Plasma's. I have nothing against LCD Projections, just seems when I was looking at them they seemed darker than the DLP's.

Very true about the 1080p, I just read more about that, and I think the PS3 will be 1080p which will be better to have a 1080p tv obviously.

Prolly the reason I thought only plasma was because I saw my boss's TV and it was a plasma and looked amazing.

(heads of to the internet looking at lcd flat panels too) too many choices  :bang:

[mmalaney]

wow all the 1080p ones seem alot more expensive almost hitting my price ceiling, plus i would still need sound/stand/dvd


wow after looking at plasma's all morning, now im looking at projection 1080p sets, there so fat :p  but they prolly weigh less then my old 27" tube

[mmalaney]

any thoughts on this one?

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-FIInWGmo0Xb/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=146350&tab=essential_info&i=13342PX60U#Tab

[mmalaney]

any thoughts or problems with the dell tv's?

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/category.aspx?c=us&category_id=5914&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

[hormy_83]

A couple things - first of all Sony doesn't make DLP TVs.  Theirs is a type of LCD rear projection called LCoS.  Also I don't know if Colder's carries Sony TVs - in the past they didn't, but that may have changed recently.

But if you're looking for the best picture for your dollar my vote would go towards the new Sony SXRD A2000 line.  They offer that in 50, 55, and 60 inch.  I would think the 50 should fit your budget.  I ended up buying the 50 inch over a month ago and absolutely love it.

[mmalaney]

Ya, I just looked on Colder's site and they didnt have Sony listed, must of been American that I saw the Sony I really liked. I believe it was a 50" for about 1700 if i remember right.

[SRW1000]

I'd recommend the biggest DLP you can afford.  I've never particularly liked plasma or LCD (screen door effect is to bothersome to me).  The Sony SXRD sets also look very sharp to me.

LCD flat panels are very nice, but they're still more expensive for their size.  This will change over time, but for now they're still at a premium.

I bought a 50" DLP a year and a half ago.  If I were to buy again, I would definitely go bigger.  If you're a gamer, there's no such thing as too big, as long as you've got the room for it.

When you're shopping around, look at each set from the actual distance you'd be viewing them from at home.  Make sure you look at different options.  You can read specific reviews online or in forums, but everyone has their own preference.  Find something that looks great to you.  Then read what others are saying about it, and see if any of their negatives would bother you.  If you still like it, that's the one to buy.

Scott

[jimbop99]

I know you are looking at DLPs, LCDs, and plazmas but have you considered a good old rear projection CRT. It will save you some big money to put towards your other toys and I think they have an excellent picture. I have a Toshiba and it puts out a very nice picture and has some of the best stretch modes in the business.

[erikslee]

any thoughts on this one?

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-FIInWGmo0Xb/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=146350&tab=essential_info&i=13342PX60U#Tab

I have this and LOVE it. My brother-in-law also owns it. If you went with this you would never be dissapointed.

Picture is beautiful, blacks are awsome. Before you are scared off by plasma burn-in, do some reading. No worries. Check out AVS forum.

[steve053]

I have the same modle panny in the 50" and love it!

CC has the 42" in stock at the same price as crutchfield AND they have an extra 10% off coupon for internet only purchases 100416869 - but hurry, the coupon expires 9/30/2006.  After tax and delivery it comes to $1865 - pick it up yourself and save an extra $75.

The nice thing about CC is you have 30 days to return it if it isn't exactly what you want.

Steve