First apartment warrants first big ass TV

[roguerower]

Just pulled the trigger on my first apartment out of college. After making do with a shitty 32" flat screen it's time to go BIG. Here's the floor plan:

I plan on putting the TV on the wall next to the door to the patio. The couch will be opposite it so the distance will be roughly 9'-10'. Here's an image looking from the kitchen towards the patio:

What size should I get for that distance? What type of screen (LCD, Plasma, LED LCD)? Budget is no higher than $1500. Newegg has Samsung's 50" Plasma PN50C550 for $1070 shipped.

Bigger? Smaller? Bad screen? Should I think about a different layout? I'm open to suggestions.

 

[s44]

That's a lot of light for a plasma. I'd look at a non-glossy LCD, though the sizing skips 50" these days.

 

[kalrith]

What are your sources? If they're predominantly HD sources, then I would go with size. If the room can be light controlled, then I'd go with a projector and ~90" screen. If the room can't be light controlled, then I'd get the biggest rptv you can find (I've seen 73" DLPs go for less than $1300).

I have a 50" plasma from 9-10' away, and I love it. However, if I could go back and do it again, I would've gotten a 73" DLP. I'm keeping the plasma until I can have a dedicated, light-controlled room to sport a projector.

BTW, here's a link to a 73" DLP for $1,600 shipped. If you click on the CompUSA link on that page, you should get $150 cash back in 60 days. If you can wait, Dell will likely have this TV for $1,300 in the near future. They seem to run it for that price every 3-5 weeks, and it's been about 3 weeks since the last deal. If 73" is too big, they also frequently have the 65" version for less than $1,000 every few weeks.

BTW, it might seem that a 73" TV would be less than 50% larger than a 50" TV; however, the size increases exponentially rather than linearly. A 73" TV is MORE THAN DOUBLE the size of a 50" TV 😱. You can compare TV sizes at www.tvcalculator.com.

 

[kalrith]

That's a lot of light for a plasma. I'd look at a non-glossy LCD, though the sizing skips 50" these days.

They make this state-of-the-art product called "curtains" that really really do a great job at blocking light 😛

I have a big picture window in my livingroom, and I keep the curtains closed when I watch TV in the morning. The window faces east, so after about 11:00 or so, the TV looks great even with the curtains open.

s44 is right about light control being something to take into consideration when choosing a TV technology. It also depends on how much TV viewing will be done with light shining in the room. Even with a window in my room, less than 10% of my viewing is when light is shining in, and at least 60% is when it's dark out.

 

[Anubis]

kalrith has very good points. especially about DLPs as they are really cheap for the size you get now. looking at sizing online works but checking them out in a store is always a great idea. a 73in DLP is pretty massive the first time you see one in person

 

[s44]

Given the additional foot closer he'll be sitting due to the set depth, though, 73" might actually be too big. Yes, I'm finally saying that. 😉

 

[Anubis]

They make this state-of-the-art product called "curtains" that really really do a great job at blocking light 😛

I have a big picture window in my livingroom, and I keep the curtains closed when I watch TV in the morning. The window faces east, so after about 11:00 or so, the TV looks great even with the curtains open.

s44 is right about light control being something to take into consideration when choosing a TV technology. It also depends on how much TV viewing will be done with light shining in the room. Even with a window in my room, less than 10% of my viewing is when light is shining in, and at least 60% is when it's dark out.

I agree with you but some people really hate dark lite blocking curtains if the TV is gonna be in a main room of a house and not a dedicated media room

i sit 8-10 feet from my 50inch and anything larger then a 54 would just be too big IMO

 

[kalrith]

I agree with you but some people really hate dark lite blocking curtains if the TV is gonna be in a main room of a house and not a dedicated media room

i sit 8-10 feet from my 50inch and anything larger then a 54 would just be too big IMO

That's true. My wife doesn't like the curtains to be closed at all, whereas I'd like them to be closed whenever we watch TV, so we've come to a compromise on closing them when the sun's shining in. The OP sounds to me like a bachelor that would have no problem with light-blocking curtains and a 73" TV in the main room of the house though. OP, please forgive me if I'm wrong on that.

I sit between 9-10 feet from my 50" TV, and I will say that it's a great size for broadcast TV. However, whenever I pop in a 2.35:1 movie, I find myself wishing it were larger.

So, OP, there's another thing to think about (as if you didn't have enough already 😛). What content will you be watching? If you'll be watching stuff like Oprah, you might not want a larger-than-life Oprah on your screen (sorry for the bad example). If you'll be playing video games or watching movies like Lord of the Rings that IMO beg to be played at a 36° viewing angle, then the larger screen would be better.

 

[Insomniator]

I think if he is going to have the door RIGHT next to the tv a flat screen would be the only option. If I needed a huge tv though the giant DLP's are what I'd get though.

Given those floor plans, that seems like an odd place for a tv. What about the other part of the living space? It looks like there is an indent in the wall back there that could fit a DLP.

 

[s44]

True about the door. My guess is that the right side living space is going to be the bedroom...

 

[kalrith]

I thought he meant it would be on the same wall as the door with the screen facing the kitchen. If he does mean to have it basically in the doorway, then I think that's about the worst placement choice. It would also severely limit speaker placement if he gets an HT system (which, OP, you most definitely should do).

Would you consider placing it in the other livingroom? If so, then you could reduce your viewing distance and go with a smaller screen but better PQ like what you mentioned in your OP (however, order it from Amazon, because they have a MUCH better TV policy than Newegg). That would also leave some money for an HT system.

 

[blackangst1]

That's a lot of light for a plasma. I'd look at a non-glossy LCD, though the sizing skips 50" these days.

Agree completely. I really wanted plasma for my place, but the room is just too bright. I have a similar sized living room with similar viewing distance and I went with a 55...its perfect.

 

[roguerower]

Wow, thanks for all the great input. I'll try to go through and address the issues:

1. The curtains in the picture are open so they are letting the light in.
2. The apartment is basically a studio with a wall separating the "bedroom" from the "living room". The beds going in the right room.
3. I will be by myself. Light blocking curtains is not an issue with me.
4. I will be working long hours (At work by 7, home by 5). The windows will be facing the southwest, but I will be on the first floor so the overhang from the patio should help a wee bit.
5. Usage: Xbox 360, movies (very large ripped library), blu-rays. Cable source is Time Warner HD.
6. I agree that the current setup sucks. Will having the TV butt up to the window be a bad thing so long as I have some pretty beefy curtains for when I watch movies?

Keep sending the help my way. I will definitely check out Amazon now.

EDIT: What manufacturers should I be looking at? Is Samsung still the all around best default choice? No?

 

[kalrith]

6. I agree that the current setup sucks. Will having the TV butt up to the window be a bad thing so long as I have some pretty beefy curtains for when I watch movies?

Can you post a pic of the area you're talking about?

 

[s44]

Plasma: Samsung, Panasonic
LCD: Samsung (but most of their screens are glossy now), Sony (EX500 and EX700 are non-glossy), LG... Maybe Toshiba and Vizio too
DLP: only Mitsu is really making 'em now

 

[roguerower]

Can't post a picture. Imagine the picture i've got up now but rotate to your right 45 degrees.

 

[Anubis]

are you planning on putting it on the short wall to the left of the door or next to the door on the right?

either way that door would most likely need a good blackout blind

 

[Aikouka]

I got a 65" Mitsubishi DLP from Dell. It's been on sale quite often for less than $1000, but you usually gotta jump on these deals ASAP. Keep Slickdeals up constantly 😉.

As for the light issue, also consider the main time you'll be watching it compared to where the sun is. As an example, when I had my computer in my bedroom, the sun was terrible in the morning, but I rarely use my PC in the morning anyway. My room is fairly dark later on since the sun is on the other side of my apartment. Given that my TV is on the same side of the place as my bedroom, it's about the same for me.

 

[kalrith]

Can't post a picture. Imagine the picture i've got up now but rotate to your right 45 degrees.

OK, so it would be rotated to the right 45° and the back would be up against the windows, right? I think you'd be fine with some serious black-out shades. Also, since the light is coming from behind the TV, you'll never get glare on the screen, which is the main problem for DLPs and plasmas. I think that spot is the best choice for your room.

If I were you, I'd do some auditioning to help make the decision. First of all, decide your viewing distance since you changed where you want to place the TV. Then take a measuring tape with you to a nice HT store or a Best Buy with a Magnolia theater. View some good content (like a BD) on a big 1080p screen and see where you like to sit.

My wife and I did this with Planet Earth on a 60" Pioneer plasma at 8' away, and it was breathtaking. Unfortunately so was the price 🙁. I was tempted to just throw all our spare money at the TV but I just couldn't fathom spending $4,500 for a 60" when I got the 50" for $1,900. Like I said earlier in this thread, if I could swap it out for a 65-73" DLP, I'd do that in a heartbeat.

 

[Anubis]

I have my plasma sitting in front of some windows with BO blinds on them and it works fine, however i don't have that door but it should be OK with a blind. However you will still get some slight reflection from the room behind where you sit. overhead lights/lamps but its nothing like window glare

looking at the room diagram its prob the best place to put it unless you want to put it on the long wall opposite the bedroom with a couch on the short wall by the door.

If you have a BB close to you with a Magnolia theater in it I agree with kal in checking it out, the BB people staffing it always seem much nicer and knowledgeable then the normal pimple farmers they have working there. The one close to me has everything from 32-60 inch LCDs/plasmas, a few DLPs 64 and 74 as well as a projector setup.

 

[roguerower]

So it looks like the couch and TV are going to be moving. BO blinds are a must so I'll be shopping for those when I first get there. Now on to the HT portion...

1. I'm thinking a simple 2.0/2.1 setup for starters. Recommendations? I predict a budget of $250-400 dollars.
2. HTPC. I have about 300 movies on a 1tb drive that I want to move over to a dedicated HTPC and was thinking about that Zotec Zbox that was on the front page a couple days back. Have it just boot straight to WMC in W7 and have the 1tb as an external drive?
3. Blu-Ray - have a blu-ray drive in my current pc but dealing with the different software sucks. Just cough up the $100 for a standalone player?
4. Stand...it all has to go somewhere. I made my last one but that's because I was dealing with some weird dimensions.

Thanks...

 

[s44]

I'd keep the movies where they are, use the PC as a server, and stream to either your Xbox or a PS3.

 

[kalrith]

I'd keep the movies where they are, use the PC as a server, and stream to either your Xbox or a PS3.

That's a good recommendation. One thing to keep in mind is that if you stream HD, you'll have to use wired network connections instead of wireless.

You can take the money you save from not building an HTPC and spend it on speakers 🙂. If your budget does top out at $400 for speakers (which is extremely low), I'd recommend getting a cheap used stereo receiver (maybe $50) and spend the rest of the budget on the best bookshelf speakers you can get. You can add a sub, additional speakers, and a better receiver in the future if you want to.

Edit: I started my HT system by spending around $430 for a receiver and two speakers. Since then, I've filled it out to 5.1 and upgraded the receiver. I'll eventually upgrade all speakers and subwoofer and move the current ones into the computer room. Even with my budget setup (~$750 for receiver, 5 speakers, and sub), there's absolutely no comparison to a cheap HTIB and comparing it to TV speakers is laughable.

My FIL has a nice 50" TV and uses the TV speakers. It's a rptv, so it actually has about as good of TV speakers as you can get. The difference between watching a movie at his house and mine is astounding. FWIW I had my same speaker setup with a little 27" CRT before getting my plasma 🙂. I place a huge emphasis on sound, and I think it's every bit as important as video. I'm just flabbergasted when people spend thousands of dollars on a TV and then buy the $99 RCA HTIB with 2" speakers and a 6" sub to accompany it.

 

[Anubis]

. I'm just flabbergasted when people spend thousands of dollars on a TV and then buy the $99 RCA HTIB with 2" speakers and a 6" sub to accompany it.

IDK if its their fault or bad big box sale people not trying to sell them something better. I did however find it humorous that when i picked up my TV there were 7 or 8 others in the pickup area bundled with HTIAB's as well as over priced power strips and all that other junk they sell people. You would figure people would at least get a soundbar, which even tho its not 5.1 im sure as shit its better then a 100$ HTIAB

 

[roguerower]

I've been using a used Onkyo 6.1 HTIB that I picked up for $200 last summer. It worked but is getting long in the tooth and doesn't have any HDMI ports.

What's a good set of speakers for 400-500 bucks?