Looking to buy a TV

[Exterous]

I have been looking at the Vizio 55"-60" E or M series but I came across a local store that still has Panasonic VT30 and VT60s. They aren't NIB but they are kept off except when you ask to look at the image of one of them. They are a mix of open box, refurbs etc so the quality does vary but the prices seem pretty good: $850 for the TC-P55VT30, $1600 for the TC-P60ST60. The VT60s are a bit out of my price range at $2k

My big question is how they do in well lite rooms. My TV room has three windows across from the TV and gets full afternoon sun.

That said I have an aging Samsung rear projection DLP from 2008 that has slowly been getting dimmer. Anyone have a good idea of whether the plasma will be brighter than my DLP or should I stick with LCDs?

 

[poofyhairguy]

My P60ST60 has simply been the best purchase I have ever made in my entire life. Not just electronic purchase, ANY purchase. The quality of the picture, even compared to my ST50 but REALLY compared to the LEDs in stores today, is just fantastic. Given the fact that OLED is getting off to a slow start I personally think you won't be able to buy a better TV for movies for less than $2K for the next five plus years.

Overall the ST60 does pretty well in a well lit room. The AR filter actually does a good job from letting the picture go dim, the only minor issue I have is reflections. But quite frankly I will deal with a little window reflection in the day to have a nighttime movie watching experience that is so far past what a Vizio LED can do its not even funny. But maybe if you are a stay at home wife that will be watching TV all day that is a dealbreaker, and therefore get the Vizio. For a random day movie, or daytime sports watching or something, it's completely tolerable. Really only heavy gamers should dodge the ST60 IMHO.

If that TV is in good shape this is your chance at buying a winning lottery ticket in life. I would strongly consider it, I know personally getting the last one at my Best Buy undid the regret I had for not getting a last model Kuro.

 

[NoCreativity]

Won't the DLP return to full brightness with a bulb replacement?

 

[Exterous]

But maybe if you are a stay at home wife that will be watching TV all day that is a dealbreaker

Thanks for the advice though

Won't the DLP return to full brightness with a bulb replacement?

It hasn't. The new bulb isn't that old but non-shady OEM bulbs are scarce

 

[razel]

Replaced my rear-projection TV with an equally sized Plasma years ago in my well-lit rooms. As you know the rear-projections have matte screens, Plasma are glass. Some glass plasma screens are coated so that the reflections are tinted dark purple, others like my TV don't. Regardless it was still brighter than my old RPTV, but when watching movies, I do what I can to close curtains and angle the TV a bit. Many TVs come with swivel base.

Since you're in the same situation, look for the same thing. Look for tinted reflections when buying your new TV.