Agonizing over HD TV

[Firebert05]

so i'm in the HDTV market, and i was thinking getting a 42" plasma screen. The problem is I brought this up to my friend (who works at an electronics retail store) who said DLP was a better bang for the buck (more resolution and screen size for the $). I know resolution i'snt really a big deal (contrast ratio and color saturation/accuracy is, so i hear).

I dont need to hang it from the wall, i'm not going to use it as a PC monitor. I just want to watch tv, dvd's and next gen video games (1080p is not important to me). What would you get?

 

[Pacfanweb]

Listen to your friend. DLP can't be beat in that size for the price. You have to go way more expensive for a 42" plasma that looks as good.

Then again, go look at them for yourself. What looks good to me might not be what you look for in a "good" picture.

I personally have never seen a plasma for under 5k that could hang with the sharpness of DLP. The screen door effect just drives me nuts.

 

[keeleysam]

Get a 1080P Samsung DLP. You will NOT be disappointed.

 

[Ramma2]

I was in the same boat, but went with plasma so we could wall mount it.

 

[CTrain]

If its for purely watching TV, then go for plasma.
Since you're looking at a 42", the price difference between plasma vs DLP is minimal.
Remembered, with DLP you have to replace the bulbs so price will even out.

At Costco, they got 3 42" plasma for cheap.
$1199 for the Vizio and $1299 for Panny and Phillips.
Only 42" DLP I know of is the Samsung and its around $1100+.

Can't go wrong with buying stuff at costco.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Originally posted by: CTrain
If its for purely watching TV, then go for plasma.
Since you're looking at a 42", the price difference between plasma vs DLP is minimal.
Remembered, with DLP you have to replace the bulbs so price will even out.

At Costco, they got 3 42" plasma for cheap.
$1199 for the Vizio and $1299 for Panny and Phillips.
Only 42" DLP I know of is the Samsung and its around $1100+.

Can't go wrong with buying stuff at costco.

Go look at the PQ of those plasmas vs. the DLP. Big difference.

 

[Slew Foot]

Ive got the Samsung 50" DLP, looks beee-yoo-tiful. Dont have anything else to compare it too, but football in HD comes in really clear.

 

[CTrain]

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb

Originally posted by: CTrain
If its for purely watching TV, then go for plasma.
Since you're looking at a 42", the price difference between plasma vs DLP is minimal.
Remembered, with DLP you have to replace the bulbs so price will even out.

At Costco, they got 3 42" plasma for cheap.
$1199 for the Vizio and $1299 for Panny and Phillips.
Only 42" DLP I know of is the Samsung and its around $1100+.

Can't go wrong with buying stuff at costco.

Go look at the PQ of those plasmas vs. the DLP. Big difference.

Actually I have experience both.
I own a plasma and my buddy has a DLP.
I like the PQ of the plasma better.

And you're questioning the PQ of a Panny plasma ??
They make some of the best plasma on the maket.

 

[gooseman]

I love my 50" DLP!

 

[biggestmuff]

DLP! I have two Samsung DLPs; a 720P 42" and a 1080P 61".

 

[RossMAN]

Your friend is correct. DLP is the way to go.

What size DLP would fit the area? 50" seems to be the "sweet spot"

What's your budget?

Do you have a CostCo, Sam's Club, Fry's Electronics or Micro Center in your area?

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

DLP is the best picture you can buy. Samsung is good. Mitsubishi has everyone beat right now.

If you really want a flat panel stay away from plasma. The new crop of LCD (Samsung, LG, Sharp, Mits) rocks.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
DLP is the best picture you can buy. Samsung is good. Mitsubishi has everyone beat right now.

Don't forget about Toshiba :thumbsup:

I :heart: my 50HMX96 after researching Samsung and Mitsubishi.

CostCo was selling a Panasonic 56" DLP with TV stand for $1499, if that was available in my area I would have bought that. In retrospect I'm glad I didn't since 50" is the perfect size for our viewing distance (around 8-10 feet).

 

[jpeyton]

It's the mirrors.

 

[Sureshot324]

The real question is DLP or LCD. Plasma is going to be obsolete in 5 years.

 

[Thraxen]

Originally posted by: Sureshot324
The real question is DLP or LCD. Plasma is going to be obsolete in 5 years.

Those aren't the only players. There's LCoS/DILA as well. Anyway, by 5 years DLP and LCD will likely be obsolete as well. If SED every makes it to the market everything else currently on the market is done.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Thraxen

Originally posted by: Sureshot324
The real question is DLP or LCD. Plasma is going to be obsolete in 5 years.

Those aren't the only players. There's LCoS/DILA as well. Anyway, by 5 years DLP and LCD will likely be obsolete as well. If SED every makes it to the market everything else currently on the market is done.

If the Sony SXRD continues to kick ass, my next TV will probably be an LCoS.

I finally saw the new 2006 SXRD @ CC yesterday running off the overpriced BluRay player, WOW.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
DLP is the best picture you can buy. Samsung is good. Mitsubishi has everyone beat right now.

Don't forget about Toshiba :thumbsup:

I :heart: my 50HMX96 after researching Samsung and Mitsubishi.

CostCo was selling a Panasonic 56" DLP with TV stand for $1499, if that was available in my area I would have bought that. In retrospect I'm glad I didn't since 50" is the perfect size for our viewing distance (around 8-10 feet).

Pretty sure Toshiba is still using an RGB color wheel... Of the 1080p DLP sets available I've always looked at Toshiba as the annoying little brother to Mits and Sam... always getting their hand-me-down technology. The samples I've seen at other stores haven't turned me on.

Samsungs look great with their RGBCY color wheels and the Mits with the RGBCYM wheel is the best picture I've ever seen in an RPTV. By far.

I don't know when you bought your Toshiba but they are way behind the times as of right now.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: Thraxen

Originally posted by: Sureshot324
The real question is DLP or LCD. Plasma is going to be obsolete in 5 years.

Those aren't the only players. There's LCoS/DILA as well. Anyway, by 5 years DLP and LCD will likely be obsolete as well. If SED every makes it to the market everything else currently on the market is done.

If the Sony SXRD continues to kick ass, my next TV will probably be an LCoS.

I finally saw the new 2006 SXRD @ CC yesterday running off the overpriced BluRay player, WOW.

LCoS color breaks down over time. Specifially blue. The new DLPs with the RGB+ color wheels are much better than LCoS.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
DLP is the best picture you can buy. Samsung is good. Mitsubishi has everyone beat right now.

Don't forget about Toshiba :thumbsup:

I :heart: my 50HMX96 after researching Samsung and Mitsubishi.

CostCo was selling a Panasonic 56" DLP with TV stand for $1499, if that was available in my area I would have bought that. In retrospect I'm glad I didn't since 50" is the perfect size for our viewing distance (around 8-10 feet).

Pretty sure Toshiba is still using an RGB color wheel... Of the 1080p DLP sets available I've always looked at Toshiba as the annoying little brother to Mits and Sam... always getting their hand-me-down technology. The samples I've seen at other stores haven't turned me on.

Samsungs look great with their RGBCY color wheels and the Mits with the RGBCYM wheel is the best picture I've ever seen in an RPTV. By far.

I don't know when you bought your Toshiba but they are way behind the times as of right now.

July 2006 and for the price I paid ($1600) I'm satisfied. If this TV lasts me 4-5 years with 1 bulb replacement then I've got my moneys worth. Then I'll either sell it for $400 or give it away as a gift. Who the hell am I kidding? I'll probably replace it by summer 2008

 

[Thraxen]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
If the Sony SXRD continues to kick ass, my next TV will probably be an LCoS.

I finally saw the new 2006 SXRD @ CC yesterday running off the overpriced BluRay player, WOW.

Yeah, despite the current hate for Sony (and they deserve much of it), their HDTVs may the best on the market currently. You pay a premium for them though.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Originally posted by: Thraxen

Originally posted by: RossMAN
If the Sony SXRD continues to kick ass, my next TV will probably be an LCoS.

I finally saw the new 2006 SXRD @ CC yesterday running off the overpriced BluRay player, WOW.

Yeah, despite the current hate for Sony (and they deserve much of it), their HDTVs may the best on the market currently. You pay a premium for them though.

They're not... DLP has surpassed LCoS in range of reproducible colors, dynamic range between black and white, longevity and overall picture quality. Next year when you start to see the laser driven DLP engines the gap will be even greater.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
DLP is the best picture you can buy. Samsung is good. Mitsubishi has everyone beat right now.

Don't forget about Toshiba :thumbsup:

I :heart: my 50HMX96 after researching Samsung and Mitsubishi.

CostCo was selling a Panasonic 56" DLP with TV stand for $1499, if that was available in my area I would have bought that. In retrospect I'm glad I didn't since 50" is the perfect size for our viewing distance (around 8-10 feet).

Pretty sure Toshiba is still using an RGB color wheel... Of the 1080p DLP sets available I've always looked at Toshiba as the annoying little brother to Mits and Sam... always getting their hand-me-down technology. The samples I've seen at other stores haven't turned me on.

Samsungs look great with their RGBCY color wheels and the Mits with the RGBCYM wheel is the best picture I've ever seen in an RPTV. By far.

I don't know when you bought your Toshiba but they are way behind the times as of right now.

July 2006 and for the price I paid ($1600) I'm satisfied. If this TV lasts me 4-5 years with 1 bulb replacement then I've got my moneys worth. Then I'll either sell it for $400 or give it away as a gift. Who the hell am I kidding? I'll probably replace it by summer 2008

At $1600 it must have been a 720p. That's a good price for what you got. I just sold off my 720p Mits. Not a bad TV but there were better models available when I got it. (I'm a Mits dealer so Free>Better model from someone else )

 

[Thraxen]

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
They're not... DLP has surpassed LCoS in range of reproducible colors, dynamic range between black and white, longevity and overall picture quality. Next year when you start to see the laser driven DLP engines the gap will be even greater.

Hah... that's not the opinion of many. Also, I think you are wrong about LCoS color fading. Each of the technologies has their own faults though.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
DLP is the best picture you can buy. Samsung is good. Mitsubishi has everyone beat right now.

Don't forget about Toshiba :thumbsup:

I :heart: my 50HMX96 after researching Samsung and Mitsubishi.

CostCo was selling a Panasonic 56" DLP with TV stand for $1499, if that was available in my area I would have bought that. In retrospect I'm glad I didn't since 50" is the perfect size for our viewing distance (around 8-10 feet).

Pretty sure Toshiba is still using an RGB color wheel... Of the 1080p DLP sets available I've always looked at Toshiba as the annoying little brother to Mits and Sam... always getting their hand-me-down technology. The samples I've seen at other stores haven't turned me on.

Samsungs look great with their RGBCY color wheels and the Mits with the RGBCYM wheel is the best picture I've ever seen in an RPTV. By far.

I don't know when you bought your Toshiba but they are way behind the times as of right now.

July 2006 and for the price I paid ($1600) I'm satisfied. If this TV lasts me 4-5 years with 1 bulb replacement then I've got my moneys worth. Then I'll either sell it for $400 or give it away as a gift. Who the hell am I kidding? I'll probably replace it by summer 2008

At $1600 it must have been a 720p. That's a good price for what you got. I just sold off my 720p Mits. Not a bad TV but there were better models available when I got it. (I'm a Mits dealer so Free>Better model from someone else )

Yep it's a 720p.

I was disappointed that Toshiba advertises their 1080p DLP's as 1080p when they're not really. IMHO that's misinforming or deceptive marketing.