HDTV Help

[Demo24]

So the time has come for us to purchase our first HDTV, currently we've been rocking a CRT Panasonic for many years now and while it's been a great TV it is clearly outdated. However I could use the expert advice of AT-AVHT to help me choose a direction, as even after keeping a mild eye on this stuff for awhile now there is still a lot of info to digest.

Basics:
-~42", maybe up to 50" but for the size room this is not necessary and anything bigger won't really fit in the space we have for it.
-Under $1k, preferably for me more around $800. Anything much over $1k stretches the budget a bit more than I am interested in spending.
-3d does not matter (probably never use it)


For awhile now I've really wanted a Panasonic plasma, seems one can't do much better. However, the room this is going in has a lot of windows and in the summer it gets rather warm and can be rather bright. Thus glare could be a problem and what has made me rethink this plan, much to my dismay. :\ Not a whole lot of TV will be watching during the day, but still if one does it would be nice to be able to see it.

In order to combat this I'm guessing I'll need to go the LCD/LED route which is where I am lost. I need something that will be reliable and looks good, without breaking the bank (being able to order from Amazon is a huge plus too -Amazon prime ).

We already have a Samsung blu-ray player so I have been tempted to get a Samsung tv just to standardize those items, but it doesn't much matter.

Thanks!

 

[sdifox]

cover windows, problem solved.

 

[Entity23]

I'm in the same exact boat as you. I was looking at the Panasonic TC-P50ST30 but they seemed to jump $100+ since before black friday.

 

[NutBucket]

Yeah, thick curtains FTW. That's what we have....south facing windows and DLP requires them.

 

[Demo24]

There are some decently thick shades on the windows closest to it, and in the heat of summer those might get closed anyway. Is plasma really that bad in light rooms, or will it be generally acceptable?

 

[sdifox]

There are some decently thick shades on the windows closest to it, and in the heat of summer those might get closed anyway. Is plasma really that bad in light rooms, or will it be generally acceptable?

depends on if the sun is hitting the screen.

 

[Demo24]

depends on if the sun is hitting the screen.

Not directly no, only chance of that is in the early morning periods but the likelyhood of anyone watching tv then is minimal.

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Basically the TV is at x, that split in the vertical lines is where a 'sun room' joins the living room, and there are over 15 windows there. There is something of a cutout separating the rooms, but no sun will directly pass through. However, it could get rather bright.

 

[sdifox]

Not directly no, only chance of that is in the early morning periods but the likelyhood of anyone watching tv then is minimal.

________
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x

Basically the TV is at x, that split in the vertical lines is where a 'sun room' joins the living room, and there are over 15 windows there. There is something of a cutout separating the rooms, but no sun will directly pass through. However, it could get rather bright.

Then you should be fine. Add thicker curtains if not.

Hint, go with whatever pattern your wife wants the curtain to be. You are not going to look at it. She will.

 

[Demo24]

Then you should be fine. Add thicker curtains if not.

Hint, go with whatever pattern your wife wants the curtain to be. You are not going to look at it. She will.

OK thanks! We've recently redone the shades in these two rooms, the 3 biggest windows along the left side have the heaviest and most light blocking material. Those in the sun room are lighter for cost, but of material that will still block a decent amount of light. Only issue is none of them sit perfectly flush against the trim so some light can get through in the edges.

 

[sdifox]

OK thanks! We've recently redone the shades in these two rooms, the 3 biggest windows along the left side have the heaviest and most light blocking material. Those in the sun room are lighter for cost, but of material that will still block a decent amount of light. Only issue is none of them sit perfectly flush against the trim so some light can get through in the edges.

you should be ok.

 

[Demo24]

After some research I think I'm just going to go all out and get the new ST50. Sadly it doesn't come in 42", but 50 will be ok. Mainly going for the ST because of the new filter which should really cut down on any glare and make it a more suitable candidate for the room. Quite a bit over what I was originally planning, but what the hell might as well do it right the first time!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00752VKW8/

 

[queequeg99]

After some research I think I'm just going to go all out and get the new ST50. Sadly it doesn't come in 42", but 50 will be ok. Mainly going for the ST because of the new filter which should really cut down on any glare and make it a more suitable candidate for the room. Quite a bit over what I was originally planning, but what the hell might as well do it right the first time!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00752VKW8/

Moderate amounts of ambient light should not be a problem for that plasma, which does have some anti-glare treatment. I have an LG plasma with no anti-glare treatment and the thing is like a mirror. Fortunately, my wife does all of the daytime viewing and she could not care less. I watch it at night, when light can be totally controlled.

Even the best plasma anti-glare treatments don't approach what an LCD offers in this specific aspect. However, the plasma anti-glare treatments can make an otherwise totally unacceptable situation something you can work with. It's a really shame the treatments aren't better since I strongly feel that (in general) plasma otherwise handily beats LCD as far as picture quality is concerned. The colors are very rich, there's no ghosting, and the blacks are generally very deep. All of this even on the cheaper plasmas. But glare is an issue.