Gadget Gurus: whats the best, thinnest lcd t.v. 40-50"

[SherEPunjab]

i'm thinking of buying a t.v. i don't have a lot of space so narrowed it down to plasmas and lcd's. dlp's have too much depth. plasmas have a less lifespan from what i've researched, and lcd's you only have to replace the bulb after a few years. plasmas apparently contrast better, but the life span of the product prevails in this situation.

now that i've decided on an LCD TV, which one is the thinnest and still under 3500 bucks? and it should be a good japanese brand and be good quality. I've seen some panasonic models that look great, but they are 16 inches in depth. i need something more like a plasma in depth, but LCD technology, hopefully under 8 inches in depth as I'll be hanging it like a picture frame.

suggestions?

 

[MillionaireNextDoor]

Have you looked to see if a Projector would suit your needs?

-MiND

 

[SherEPunjab]

yes, I will get a most probably dlp projector for my home theater, but for everyday t.v. viewing in the family room, i would like a t.v.

 

[DanTMWTMP]

howabout that one 60inch dlp TV deal in hotdeals forums?...

Text

 

[flot]

You are completely contracticing yourself. At that size and price point, your only option for an LCD is an LCD projection set - which cannot be hung on a wall.

If you want to hang it like a picture frame AND you want a 40-50" picture, your only option under $10,000 would be plasma. I believe the biggest picture you'll find on a standard LCD panel is about 30"

 

[SherEPunjab]

Originally posted by: flot
You are completely contracticing yourself. At that size and price point, your only option for an LCD is an LCD projection set - which cannot be hung on a wall.

If you want to hang it like a picture frame AND you want a 40-50" picture, your only option under $10,000 would be plasma. I believe the biggest picture you'll find on a standard LCD panel is about 30"

not really, here is an example: Sharp LCD
but i'm hoping for more options i may be unware of because this is over my budget.


btw, my needs isn't exactly 40" 37" (seems like another popular size) is good enough as well.

 

[3point14]

You want a TV tuner included on the LCD itself. If not, I have gone through several 40" LCDs at work. The NEC is a real nice lookin' one for around 5-6k. I am looking at one right now

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Grand Wega III

Can be had for less than the Sony site.

 

[SherEPunjab]

Originally posted by: WinstonSmith
Grand Wega III

Can be had for less than the Sony site.

i've heard really good things about this one. and the price/performance seems to be very nice.

However, the depth is 14.5" will this pose a problem when i try to mount it? if one is looking dead on, do you think it will give the same flush appearance of a plasma?

and... i just got off the phone with a guy from Tweeter, a high end A/V store in Houston. The man tells me that whoever told me (i read it on the internet) that Plasmas tend to fade, dim, or die within 5-8 years is wrong.

He said good plasmas last very long. Is he bluffin me or what? Plasmas would be ideal in terms of my setup (over a fireplace mantle) because they aren't too thick.

also, he was referring me to pioneer elite. he said stay away from the cheap stuff because they don't provide true HDTV, they provide EDTV. this is all chinese to me, can someone give a brief concise explanation?

thanks.

edit: he tried to sell me this one for $5500. but thats way over my budget and i told him. he seems to think anything less won't do.

edit 2: and another thing, i don't care for sound. I will be using a 6.1 surround sound system with Satellite t.v. - dish network.

 

[edmicman]

you can't spare a foot of depth??

 

[SherEPunjab]

Originally posted by: edmicman
you can't spare a foot of depth??

i don't know how a foot or more will look mounted on a wall. the only screens i've seen mounted have been less than half of that, very thin, like under 6 inches.

 

[3point14]

"Plasmas tend to fade, dim, or die within 5-8 years is wrong"

I have seen plasma screens "burn in" after two months, but I doubt that will happen to you. They only burn in if you are displaying a constant picture for long period of time. If you are using it for watching TV and movies, you will not have these problems. If you were displaying a Powerpoint show with black text against a white background, LCD is the way to go.

That Grand Wega III had an awesome picture when I saw it at Ultimate Electronics. It's quite heavy, so I wouldn't recommend mounting it without the proper supports.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: SherEPunjab

Originally posted by: WinstonSmith
Grand Wega III

Can be had for less than the Sony site.

i've heard really good things about this one. and the price/performance seems to be very nice.

However, the depth is 14.5" will this pose a problem when i try to mount it? if one is looking dead on, do you think it will give the same flush appearance of a plasma?

and... i just got off the phone with a guy from Tweeter, a high end A/V store in Houston. The man tells me that whoever told me (i read it on the internet) that Plasmas tend to fade, dim, or die within 5-8 years is wrong.

He said good plasmas last very long. Is he bluffin me or what? Plasmas would be ideal in terms of my setup (over a fireplace mantle) because they aren't too thick.

also, he was referring me to pioneer elite. he said stay away from the cheap stuff because they don't provide true HDTV, they provide EDTV. this is all chinese to me, can someone give a brief concise explanation?

thanks.

edit: he tried to sell me this one for $5500. but thats way over my budget and i told him. he seems to think anything less won't do.

edit 2: and another thing, i don't care for sound. I will be using a 6.1 surround sound system with Satellite t.v. - dish network.

If you really really want to hang something on the wall, then you either need a plasma, or wait several month for the new lines of RPTVs (DLP and LCD I think) will be thinner. Even then plasma is thinner.

You will have to spend the kind of money he is talking about for a good pic in plasma.

Is your fireplace used? Heat may be an issue.

If there is enough space, and heat in not an issue, then perhaps you could put a LCD IN the wall. Build a recessed in wall cabinet. Even if it is 8 inches deep (what you can do really depends on how that fireplace is constructed) you will have most of it "behind" the wall surface.

Just random suggestions.

Oh HDTV vs EDTV...
EDTV is a lower resolution standard than HDTV. It can't display true 720p or 1080i resolution. You want the HDTV.

 

[EvilYoda]

I suggest going to a local specialty store, as despite how knowledgeable ATOT usually is, they don't seem to have a lot of knowledge about this area. You're probably going to be waiting a few months, for the next line of products to land from CES. Sony had a 32" LCD that they discontinued a while back, and in the size range that you're looking at, LG will have a really really nice display that will probably be the best. Don't forget that mountable DLPs will also be hitting the market, of which, the Samsungs and LGs will be best. The only problem with an LCD at that size is your budget...it won't work

 

[SherEPunjab]

he told me that " non hdtv plasmas are the ones that don't work well after a few years"

true or not?


okay, here are two options i'm seriously considering, plz let meknwo what you think:


Panasonic

and the sharp link (scroll above)