Need a New TV: Need Input

[scout]

Very disapointed my Mitsubishi wide screen's picture starting to bow (haven't had it looked at, but guessing its not good). Five years and $2,000, not like the old days of tv. Anyways, heard the LCD's are better then the plasmas. Without getting really technical, can anyone provide some input in what I should buy.

[PatsWickedPissah]

Go to the AVS Forum and read up.
Offhand (my HDTV is an old tube SONY) I'd say go with LCD unless you want a really big display.

[JoeSixPat]

I'm interested if anyone has any long term input as well - LCDs and Plasmas both have their downsides - and Plasmas are still way too expensive

But it does look like the prices on all of them are coming down

I'm in no big rush since we don't have digital cable anymore - though eventually I would prefer a high-def DVD player to watch movies

[italia44]

Originally Posted by scout

Very disapointed my Mitsubishi wide screen's picture starting to bow (haven't had it looked at, but guessing its not good). Five years and $2,000, not like the old days of tv. Anyways, heard the LCD's are better then the plasmas. Without getting really technical, can anyone provide some input in what I should buy.

The new Sony 60" SXRD (xbr2) is Excellent,this the new SXRD rear projection technology.This is the 3-Chip instead of lamps,very advanced.
About $3700 for the 60"----- 1080p

Just below this is Sony SXRD(A2000)Little less bells and whistles,but a fine TV,same 3-chip design.....1080P
50"-$1800
55"-$2200
60"-$2500

I also like Samsung 61"(6188w) rear proj.....1080P
This is about $3000.....$400 less for the 6187w
Excellent Tv

I like the Mitsubishi 65" rear proj...1080P for about
$2600......but I would be worried about Mitsu's past quality problems with their Tv's.

Get a Tv that will accept and display 1080p signals
Plasma........too expensive,LCD also.
Get the biggest screen that will fit in your room,it will look extraordinary for Football games.

If you get DLP rear projection,get a UPS device(uninterruptible power device) to operate the cooling fan,in case of a power failure,otherwise the lamps could cause major damage to the Tv.

Good breakdown of the various technology at:

Crutchfield.com

Go to cnet.com for reviews of TV's.

Send me a private message if you need more info,
I'll help you out

[DarrylS]

Have a 42" Sony, LCD had it for two years.. very satisfied, HD works great and most folks say it is better than plasma.

[CTPatsFan]

Originally Posted by italia44

Get the biggest screen that will fit in your room,it will look extraordinary for Football games.

italia44, for this reason primarily (room is only 12'x14' with a fireplace cutting into the floorspace) and disposable cash secondarily (Christmas with 4 kids is a killer!) I'm looking for something a bit smaller.

Any recommendations in the 30-36", $1000 price range?

[Michael]

Plasma produces a richer more saturated image than LCD but, was always more prone to "burn-in" than LCDs. Don't fool yourself into thinking you must have a 1080 resolution it is virtually indistinguishable to the eye from 720p. So look at ones at 720, at the size you want, and buy the one that looks good to you.

Here's some advice from a tech expert Leo Laporte. click here and then look for KFI Tech Guy 307. Then click on 0:20:29 .. and listen.

[fleabassist1]

Originally Posted by GJAJ15

Have a 42" Sony, LCD had it for two years.. very satisfied, HD works great and most folks say it is better than plasma.

Hi-Def is definitly the way to go.

You can see every blade of grass on football games.

[italia44]

Originally Posted by CTPatsFan

italia44, for this reason primarily (room is only 12'x14' with a fireplace cutting into the floorspace) and disposable cash secondarily (Christmas with 4 kids is a killer!) I'm looking for something a bit smaller.

Any recommendations in the 30-36", $1000 price range?

Hi CT......didn't really know what Scout was looking for so I quoted a bunch around $3000.

You can get some nice LCD Tv's 720p for about
$1000-1200

The Samsung 32" Lcd and the 32" Sony Bravia-Series LCD,go for about $1000.
They both have HDMI inputs for HD like Comcast or Direct TV,and an input for a PC if you want to use it as a monitor,also.

LCD's have good side-to-side viewing,also,better than DLP's(rear proj.).

Also,these HDTV's are all screen,little box,so you
can use a pretty large display in your room.
Believe me,as soon as you see HD,you'll want as
big a screen as you can handle financially.

Check out Circuit City and Best Buy,all these TV's
are on sale,free delivery,special financing options,etc.

Don't forget the stand for the TV,just get the cheapest to fit....you don't have to get the same stand as the TV maker.

If you go LCD,I wouldn't bother with an overpriced extended warranty......with a DLP,which has heat lamps,I would.

Lastly.....take your time,don't rush......If you need
more info,let me know,I've spent a lifetime,buying
the best Audio and Video equipment and I'm by no means,well off(live on SS disability),but I do know what's the best value.

Good Luck!

[CTPatsFan]

Originally Posted by italia44

Hi CT......didn't really know what Scout was looking for so I quoted a bunch around $3000.

You can get some nice LCD Tv's 720p for about
$1000-1200

The Samsung 32" Lcd and the 32" Sony Bravia-Series LCD,go for about $1000.
They both have HDMI inputs for HD like Comcast or Direct TV,and an input for a PC if you want to use it as a monitor,also.

LCD's have good side-to-side viewing,also,better than DLP's(rear proj.).

Also,these HDTV's are all screen,little box,so you
can use a pretty large display in your room.
Believe me,as soon as you see HD,you'll want as
big a screen as you can handle financially.

Check out Circuit City and Best Buy,all these TV's
are on sale,free delivery,special financing options,etc.

Don't forget the stand for the TV,just get the cheapest to fit....you don't have to get the same stand as the TV maker.

If you go LCD,I wouldn't bother with an overpriced extended warranty......with a DLP,which has heat lamps,I would.

Lastly.....take your time,don't rush......If you need
more info,let me know,I've spent a lifetime,buying
the best Audio and Video equipment and I'm by no means,well off(live on SS disability),but I do know what's the best value.

Good Luck!

Thanks man. That definitely helps me narrow things down. This will really be my first "good" tv purchase. I've had a bunch of Mitsu's in the 25-27" range over the years that have treated me well but I've never spent over a $400 for one.

With all of the kids, needless to say, going to the movies isn't usually a possibility so we've started renting more and more and it would be nice to be able to watch them on a decent screen. I wish I had the room for a bigger one, but the room is just too chopped up with the fireplace.

We'll be adding on to the house in a couple of years and then I'll have my great room for my big screen

Thanks again!