Best TV for under $3000?

[Red Storm]

I've decided to get a new TV, and it's been quite a while so I'm not sure what's best and what's not. I'm willing to spend up to $3000, but no more than that. It doesn't make a difference if it's DLP, LCD, or plasma, nor if it's flat panel or not. I'm just looking for the best quality for TV/movies. Any suggestions?

 

[rpf717rpf]

For TV/Movies I would still give the edge to Plasma, LCD's are quickly catching up (and are apealing for using a HTPC. However strictly Movies/TV I would aim for a 50" plasma: Panasonics & Pioneers are excellent, NEC has a couple of Dark Horse cult favorites as well.

Do you need a tuner and speakers built into the TV or just a "monitor"?

for full "TV" check out:
Pioneer PDP-5070HD and Panasonic TH-50PX600U

If you just need a monitor Panasonic TH-50PF9UK

 

[mshan]

With your budget, you could get a DLP projector for movies (e.g. Infocus IN72) and watch movies on an 8 ft. diagnonal screen or plain white wall.

Then just get an LCD or plasma tv for watching tv (screen size will depend upon distance from seating and to some extent your viewing preference).

Movies look a lot better when the image is large, while tv, at least to me, looks fine on smaller (say 37 or 42 inch widescreen lcd) at a viewing distance up to 10 - 12 ft. YMMV.

 

[Jaanpunjab]

I would go for a DLP HDTV. I think you really get the most for your money with a DLP.

Didn't really check around for cheaper prices, but this is a 61" 1080p DLP for $2599.99 at BestBuy
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp...yId=pcmcat95100050004&id=1138085317167

Plasma would definitely have the best picture, but a DLP will also give you a very good picture and larger size for less $$.

I wouldn't go for a projector unless you have a theater room. Otherwise you're gonna need a very effective way to block out your windows and all outside light.
Projectors are complete crap unless the room is good and dark IMO.

 

[Red Storm]

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I already have a set-top box, so the TV doesn't need to have a tuner, but I am looking for built in speakers. I like the idea of a projector, but this TV will be in the main living room which has a lot of windows (and so gets a lot of light), so I don't think that'll work. One thing I forgot to mention is the space where the TV will be going. There is a "slot" in the wall for the TV to fit into. Now it's 56" wide, so plenty of space there. However, it only has 34" of vertical space, so the bigger TVs just won't fit. I haven't been able to find any TV larger than 46" that'll fit in at 34". Is this the biggest I can go?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Not that AT doesn't have some people that know what they're talking about, but I would check out AVSforum as another great forum resource for picking out a TV.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=9

 

[MJGlo]

I second the AVS forum.
I think I read somewhere that plasma doesn't do well in a bright room, LCD might be a better choice for you.

Mike

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: MJGlo
I second the AVS forum.
I think I read somewhere that plasma doesn't do well in a bright room, LCD might be a better choice for you.

Mike

My plasma looks fine in a bright room. I shopped around and looked at the LCDs. To a set, they all looked washed out, grainy, and horrible.

 

[Beatnik]

I have a 50" Pioneer plasma. It's pretty damn good.

You can get one in the $2500 range these days. Amazing.

http://www.tvauthority.com/orderform.asp?options=&dept=1&prod=4273

TVAuthority has just about everything, and they are experts.

As for "best quality", we all know it is CRT, but the best you can do there is a 36" diagonal, and then you are at 250lbs or something. My pioneer is in the 80lbs range, so I can actually move it by myself. And plasma just performs better (to my eye) than LCD. On the other hand, the LCD will last forever.

If you have a Sears, they tend to do a reallly good job of balancing quality and price. Check them out. BestBuy... is... the... worst. Avoid them at all cost. Last one to check is CostCo, they tend to be behind the curve, but their prices are good.

 

[jkresh]

looks liek that pioneer should just fit and pioneer does make some of the best plasmas (50inch 1080p plasma for 2500 is crazy, prices have fallen so far and so fast). The 34inch vertical limit you have is severely limiting because all displays have borders and any kind of rear projection display has a stand which takes up a lot of that space. Basically you can only go with plasma or lcd if you want to go as big as possible and 50inches is likely to be your limit with either. How far away are you sitting (if its much more then 10 feet you wont be able to tell 1080p vs 720p so you could save some money there but since its in your budget a 1080p plasma is probably your best option).

 

[syzygy]

DLPs are generally dimmer than plasmas. but among them, the sony 2006 sxrd, even the 60 incher, can be had under your price ceiling.

you can also take a look at the westinghouse 1080P LCD, 47 incher; it usually retails for around 2K.

as for plasmas, nothing is better than a pioneer.

 

[Muse]

At the risk of getting the rasberry I'll say that the best TV for under 3 grand is no TV. :laugh:

I will add, though, that the best bang for the buck may be projection. Check out AVS Forums.

Edit: OK, checking it out I see that OP has ruled out projection due to ambient light conditions. Myself, I have a controlled light room for my projector (virtual darkness any time of day). 5.1 or headphones. Big screen!