For those considering upgrading to flat panel TVs

[welst10]

I just bought a townhouse and am considering upgrading my bulky CRT to a big flat panel. Yahoo today has a pretty nice ariticle for people in my position.
Article

 

[flot]

That article said almost nothing.

Go do some reading on AVSForum. Of course, every opinion on there you have to take with a grain of salt, but there is more than plenty of info out there if you want to educate yourself on the various technologies.

 

[Rufio]

great article.

we were strongly considering getting a 50" panasonic plasam..

but i guess back to the drawing board!

 

[GtPrOjEcTX]

cliff notes:

Of course, any large LCD TV will cost significantly more than its similarly sized CRT TV counterpart. There's good news, however: Industry experts expect the prices on 30-inch LCD TVs to drop drastically as manufacturers ramp up production of oversized LCD panels: The market for TVs will soon look very much like that for desktop monitors. Over the period of just three or four years, flat-panel LCD displays went from being the height of cool technology to an everyday commodity.

When it comes to buying an LCD TV, the question really is: How long can you wait?

 

[GasX]

wow - the gist of it (as I read it) is that Plasma is not good buy... hmmmm.... but a 30" LCD is $4K!

 

[welst10]

Originally posted by: GtPrOjEcTX
cliff notes:

Of course, any large LCD TV will cost significantly more than its similarly sized CRT TV counterpart. There's good news, however: Industry experts expect the prices on 30-inch LCD TVs to drop drastically as manufacturers ramp up production of oversized LCD panels: The market for TVs will soon look very much like that for desktop monitors. Over the period of just three or four years, flat-panel LCD displays went from being the height of cool technology to an everyday commodity.

When it comes to buying an LCD TV, the question really is: How long can you wait?

It's true that TV technology is going thru a revolution. Never before there're so many different tyeps of TVs - plasma, LCD, traditional rear projection, DLP, front projector, and the old CRT. Then there're HDTV vs. EDTV vs regular, widescreen vs. regular. It's just confusing and make you wonder whether it's the right time to upgrade.

EDIT: oh, I forgot, there're also many type of connections - lastest DVI, component video, s-video, the old composite video, Ughh.

 

[Doggiedog]

Michael Desmond is a freelance writer and author of Office 2003 in 10 Simple Steps or Less. He still kicks himself for buying a 36-inch Sony CRT that weighs 230 pounds and takes up more floor space than a vintage Volkswagen Beetle.

Doggiedog still kicks himself for buying a 36-inch Sony CRT that weighs 230 pounds that broke on him in under 2 years and got left hanging by Sony. :frown:

 

[Viper GTS]

Bah on all the Sony haters.

😛

Their image quality is still #1 in direct view CRT.

I'm in the market for a direct view HDTV, Sony has a couple new models that interest me.

Viper GTS

 

[welst10]

Originally posted by: Doggiedog

Michael Desmond is a freelance writer and author of Office 2003 in 10 Simple Steps or Less. He still kicks himself for buying a 36-inch Sony CRT that weighs 230 pounds and takes up more floor space than a vintage Volkswagen Beetle.

Doggiedog still kicks himself for buying a 36-inch Sony CRT that weighs 230 pounds that broke on him in under 2 years and got left hanging by Sony. :frown:

Sony is no longer what it used to be like 10, 20 years ogo. In my household, I only have one Sony - a 4 yr old VCR. ALL my purchases in last 4 yrs are non-sony brands. Not that I hate Sony, it's just I can always find something of better value.

 

[welst10]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
Bah on all the Sony haters.

😛

Their image quality is still #1 in direct view CRT.

I'm in the market for a direct view HDTV, Sony has a couple new models that interest me.

Viper GTS

True that CRT HDTV is still best w.r.t. picture quality. But they're 200+ lbs! It's just scary.

 

[EvilYoda]

Everybody has their opinions...I have a Pioneer Elite Pro910 and Pro1110 going out this week, so I'm a happy man that some people are still buying plasmas, seeing as how they're such a horrible buy.

*note: I didn't read the article as it's too damn long, I'm just going by what other people responded with ^_^

 

[EvilYoda]

As for direct-view CRTs, Viper GTS...you're right, the Sonys have a great picture! Other companies make good sets too, but if you're willing to spend the extra $$$, Sonys are a solid buy. Loewes also have an excellent picture, but their light engine and processing are kinda weird at times...

 

[CPA]

Originally posted by: welst10

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
Bah on all the Sony haters.

😛

Their image quality is still #1 in direct view CRT.

I'm in the market for a direct view HDTV, Sony has a couple new models that interest me.

Viper GTS

True that CRT HDTV is still best w.r.t. picture quality. But they're 200+ lbs! It's just scary.

I have a 36" Sony Wega and that sucker weighs 300 pounds. Good TV though. I also have a 55" Mitsu WS HDTV. That thing is enormous. Want to replace it, but not sure how to get it downstairs without breaking something.

 

[PanzerIV]

Originally posted by: CPA
I also have a 55" Mitsu WS HDTV. That thing is enormous. Want to replace it, but not sure how to get it downstairs without breaking something.

I'll help you move it....









into my truck! 😛

 

[welst10]

Originally posted by: CPA

Originally posted by: welst10

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
Bah on all the Sony haters.

😛

Their image quality is still #1 in direct view CRT.

I'm in the market for a direct view HDTV, Sony has a couple new models that interest me.

Viper GTS

True that CRT HDTV is still best w.r.t. picture quality. But they're 200+ lbs! It's just scary.

I have a 36" Sony Wega and that sucker weighs 300 pounds. Good TV though. I also have a 55" Mitsu WS HDTV. That thing is enormous. Want to replace it, but not sure how to get it downstairs without breaking something.

I guess you're stuck there at your current house. You're gonna need a 4-person team to move!

 

[Ornery]

I'm supposed to spend how much more for a flat panel, just to save space and weight?! :roll:

I don't know about you, but our living room is 20' long. An extra few inches in TV depth ain't gonna effect anything! Our 36" WEGA was put in a cabinet a couple years ago, and not moved since. Our 27" Mitsubishi was put in its place about 12 years ago, and not moved since. How often do you move your damn TVs anyway?

 

[Koing]

Hopefully in the new year we'll have a Plasma screen 😀.

LCD is too pricey and too small for the price. We already have a 32" Sony Wega but we want bigger now. The LCD image I don't like, compared to Plasma.

£3k for a 42" HD plasma in the New Year will do nicely 😀.

Note I'd LOVE to buy at $ but I live in England so I am raped with the £ 🙁

Koing

 

[welst10]

Originally posted by: Ornery
I'm supposed to spend how much more for a flat panel, just to save space and weight?! :roll:

I don't know about you, but our living room is 20' long. An extra few inches in TV depth ain't gonna effect anything! Our 36" WEGA was put in a cabinet a couple years ago, and not moved since. Our 27" Mitsubishi was put in its place about 12 years ago, and not moved since. How often do you move your damn TVs anyway?

People in this country move every 5-7 years, on average. But that's not all the point. It's about look, style. Why do people buy $50K Mercedes when a $20K Honda lasts longer? CRT and bulky rear projection units are just HUGH and ugly.

 

[Mday]

sorry to say this, but the article is completely useless. it makes no mention of dead pixels, or reduced brightness of the backlight.

 

[welst10]

Originally posted by: Mday
sorry to say this, but the article is completely useless. it makes no mention of dead pixels, or reduced brightness of the backlight.

Is dead pixels really an issue for TV? I understand that many people can be annoyed by dead pixels on a PC monitor. But you're not sitting 1 foot from TV. From 10-foot away, a few dead pixels is like non-existent to the eyes.

 

[Ornery]

Originally posted by: welst10

Originally posted by: Ornery
I'm supposed to spend how much more for a flat panel, just to save space and weight?! :roll:

I don't know about you, but our living room is 20' long. An extra few inches in TV depth ain't gonna effect anything! Our 36" WEGA was put in a cabinet a couple years ago, and not moved since. Our 27" Mitsubishi was put in its place about 12 years ago, and not moved since. How often do you move your damn TVs anyway?

People in this country move every 5-7 years, on average. But that's not all the point. It's about look, style. Why do people buy $50K Mercedes when a $20K Honda lasts longer? CRT and bulky rear projection units are just HUGH and ugly.

Look numbnuts. Our TV is in a cherry cabinet that can be closed when not in use. Does the LCD have as good color, response or viewing angle? Makes zero sense to me!

 

[welst10]

Originally posted by: Ornery

Originally posted by: welst10

Originally posted by: Ornery
I'm supposed to spend how much more for a flat panel, just to save space and weight?! :roll:

I don't know about you, but our living room is 20' long. An extra few inches in TV depth ain't gonna effect anything! Our 36" WEGA was put in a cabinet a couple years ago, and not moved since. Our 27" Mitsubishi was put in its place about 12 years ago, and not moved since. How often do you move your damn TVs anyway?

People in this country move every 5-7 years, on average. But that's not all the point. It's about look, style. Why do people buy $50K Mercedes when a $20K Honda lasts longer? CRT and bulky rear projection units are just HUGH and ugly.

Look numbnuts. Our TV is in a cherry cabinet that can be closed when not in use. Does the LCD have as good color, response or viewing angle? Makes zero sense to me!

It sure makes sense to me, you old moron. If you don't like new technologies, then STFU about other people liking it.

 

[konakona]

Originally posted by: Ornery

Originally posted by: welst10

Originally posted by: Ornery
I'm supposed to spend how much more for a flat panel, just to save space and weight?! :roll:

I don't know about you, but our living room is 20' long. An extra few inches in TV depth ain't gonna effect anything! Our 36" WEGA was put in a cabinet a couple years ago, and not moved since. Our 27" Mitsubishi was put in its place about 12 years ago, and not moved since. How often do you move your damn TVs anyway?

People in this country move every 5-7 years, on average. But that's not all the point. It's about look, style. Why do people buy $50K Mercedes when a $20K Honda lasts longer? CRT and bulky rear projection units are just HUGH and ugly.

Look numbnuts. Our TV is in a cherry cabinet that can be closed when not in use. Does the LCD have as good color, response or viewing angle? Makes zero sense to me!

LCD monitors make sense if you are not much into watching videos and such... but tv is a whole different story tho... why pay more for inferior IQ?

 

[Ornery]

"It's about look, style..."

You probably own a Mac for the same stupid reasons, you swishy fvck.

 

[Fingolfin269]

Originally posted by: welst10

Originally posted by: Ornery

Originally posted by: welst10

Originally posted by: Ornery
I'm supposed to spend how much more for a flat panel, just to save space and weight?! :roll:

I don't know about you, but our living room is 20' long. An extra few inches in TV depth ain't gonna effect anything! Our 36" WEGA was put in a cabinet a couple years ago, and not moved since. Our 27" Mitsubishi was put in its place about 12 years ago, and not moved since. How often do you move your damn TVs anyway?

People in this country move every 5-7 years, on average. But that's not all the point. It's about look, style. Why do people buy $50K Mercedes when a $20K Honda lasts longer? CRT and bulky rear projection units are just HUGH and ugly.

Look numbnuts. Our TV is in a cherry cabinet that can be closed when not in use. Does the LCD have as good color, response or viewing angle? Makes zero sense to me!

It sure makes sense to me, you old moron. If you don't like new technologies, then STFU about other people liking it.

What kind of argument is that? At least explain why your liking of 'new technologies' makes sense to you. I think LCD tv's look kind of neat but they don't look neat enough to pay that much extra for.

Give me a 65" widescreen Toshiba/Sony/Samsung/Mitsu/etc. over a 42" LCD any day.