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Help me narrow down my HDTV quest.

shilala

shilala

Lifer
I'm looking into a new tv for the livingroom.
I'd like to run MCE2005 on an htpc, do some gaming from it, play xbox on it and watch my dvd's.
I only sit about 6-7 feet from the screen, so I need something that will look good, not too big.
I'm clueless whether to choose from lcd, plasma or rear projection.
The room has a big window and is very well lit. The incoming light shines on the tube that sits there now and really screws up viewing pleasure.
Help me narrow this down, wiil ya guys?

Edit:
I'd like to get this done for around $2,000. I could throw a little more at it if necessary.
 
I've heard good things about Syntax Olevia LCDs, especially the LT32HV in the "bang for the buck" category. I'm probably going to grab either that one or the 37" in the next 6 months.

Link
 
Around $2k, with a 6-7 foot viewing distance, in a non-light controlled environment, with a HTPC, I'd suggest a 42" plasma (ie. 42" V.Inc P42HDe) or 43-50" DLP (ie. Toshiba 46HM84).
 
With static screens, I would lean towards LCD or DLP. Plasma Burn-in risk is overstated, but its still there. I have an Olevia 30" LCD and its a great value. Don't get a JVC D-ILA, the connectivity is lacking and I haven't been able to figure out how to get my parents' set to display anything greater than 480p over HDMI/DVI.
 
Okay, so I've done some reading on DLP's.
I looked at the Toshiba that Apex suggested, and found that Samsung offered what was a relative product with a computer input. Linkazoid
Why is it that high end projection tv's cost as much as plasmas?
I looked at projection tv's a few weeks ago at Sears and found thought that they looked as good as the plasmas and lcd's.
I'm scared to death that I'm going to end up getting screwed on inputs.
Buying a tv is not fun.

As an aside...
I like Samsung stuff. I have a 17" Samsung 712N Monitor and a 15" Samsung 151S monitor and they have been beautiful and flawless. If there's anything in the Samsung line worthwhile, they deserve my patronage.
 
I'd go wide tube like suggested, but that's because I am a CRT fanboi.

I also think Rear LCD is sweet, I just don't trust DLP, and the fact some of them have fans is totally retarded for a television.
 
I'm gonna go looking at hdtv's today.
How's about adding to a checklist of what I have to have so I can shop this thing?
1. Computer input
2. Built in tuner
3. 42-50 inch
4. Native resolution 1280X720?
5. Supports 1080i (HDTV), 480i (SDTV), 480p (EDTV), 720p (HDTV) ?
6. ?
7. Profit!
 
Look at the Samsung DLP's and at the same time, Do a google search on ISF calibration. This tweaks your big screen for the best pic possible.

 
if you are sitting 6-7 feet away i would NOT go with an RPTV. my 50" DLP is way to big to sit that close to. i actually had to move the couch back quite a bit to get a good viewing distance because i was just sitting too close at first (the same spot i was sitting w/my 27" tv before). I would go with around a 36" TV, and definitely not a projection if yo usaid the natural light is a problem. I would go with either a CRT or a Plasma.

EDIT: i have the 50" Samsung DLP. the TV absolutely rocks. if you could move your sitting area back to about 2 feet I would say get the 46" Samsung. the tv is absolutely beautiful and you won't regret it. however, you said you have a lot of natural light coming in. with the DLP's, the room doens't have to be NEARLY as dark as a standard CRT RPTV to get a good picture, but you still will want to view it in a darker environment.

try to get some blinds to cover up the natural light coming in and that will solve all problems with it 🙂. sometimes i watch my tv w/the overhead light on off my GF is doing something she needs a light for, and it honestly doesn't make the picture look any darker.

EDIT2: Pic of my TV (sorry for crappy quality, was taken w/my mini-dv camera.)
 
i have the hitachi ultravision 51s500...one of the best crt's. but if u want crisp computing on it...ur gonna have to look for a dlp. you can get a nice price on some older samsungs...maybe the hln5065w. dlp has no burn in...with the sharpness of a plasma. with a plasma...you look cool...but you cannot fix them once their life span exceeds...and you gotta worry about burn in. when the dlp's lamp finally burns out...theres a drawer in the back that slides out...you pop another 2-300 dollar lamp inside...and you got urself a new tv. so do not get plasma..for other questions pm me or head over to the avsforum... we've covered the subject endlessly over there.
 
Okay, so you guys have narrowed it down for me.
Projection is out because the tv will sit directly across from a big window.
It's going to have to be an lcd or plasma.
I was leaning toward a projection, so this thread has saved me a lot of grief.
Thanks guys!!!
 
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