Need a new TV

[thecoolnessrune]

Time to replace the ol' TV. But I have questions.. We dont have HD, most likely never will have HD in the TV's lifetime... buut upgradeability would be nice. What I need is a good TV that will work with a viewing distance of ~12 ft. The TV needs to have a REALLY GOOD viewing angle so im guessing this takes LCD out of the equation?? What is available for me?

 

[stogez]

If you have the space, DLP projection would be your best option. I haven't done any TV research in a while so can't suggest a model but I'm sure someone will be along with a couple nice options for you.
As for HD, 2009 everything will be HD and thats only 2 years away now!! And then you still have HD DVD/BluRay which should be fairly affordable in a year or so.

 

[JohnAn2112]

Originally posted by: stogez
If you have the space, DLP projection would be your best option. I haven't done any TV research in a while so can't suggest a model but I'm sure someone will be along with a couple nice options for you.
As for HD, 2009 everything will be HD and thats only 2 years away now!! And then you still have HD DVD/BluRay which should be fairly affordable in a year or so.

*sigh*

That is incorrect. Everything is moving to digital, not HD. It's not the same thing. The OP will still be able to view the digital stations on his analog TV with the use of a cable box.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

12 feet?

Dark room?

 

[Seekermeister]

Even now, some local broadcast are HD, but you would have to check the schedule.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Thank you all for the reply. I did some measuring. Its 8 ft from chair to where i want the TV. We use DirecTV. There aren't any cable options available out here... period. And we dont intend to get DirecTV HD anytime soon. It's our living room, so its subject to sunlight etc. So we wanted a good TV with a really good wide viewing area and a screen size that is adequately viewable at said 8 ft. distance.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

Do you watch movies on PC/DVD?

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Dont watch movies per se. I dont watch much. The parents though watch pay-per-views. So Its still just normal TV.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

Traditionally, Sony and Panasonic made the best garden-variety TVs IMO. Panny doesn't do CRT sets anymore, maybe a big honking Sony is in your future?

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Think CRT is the way to go for viewing angle purposed? we had already determined that we wanted a flat screen (screen, not necessarily the whole TV ). Also, the TV needs to be on a base. Certainly no wall mounting of any sort happening here.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

what's the budget?

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Im not all that sure to be honest. Probably sub $1500 category. Probably alot less than that unless I can reassure the benefits.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

there's no way i would pay up to $1500 for anything less than a 42 inch widescreen RPTV, 720p or better. on the other hand, the biggest tube tv i'm finding is 36". Sony sells it for $900, and i'm sure it can be found for less but i still have to wince at spending big bucks on a regular tv.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: The Boston Dangler
there's no way i would pay up to $1500 for anything less than a 42 inch widescreen RPTV, 720p or better. on the other hand, the biggest tube tv i'm finding is 36". Sony sells it for $900, and i'm sure it can be found for less but i still have to wince at spending big bucks on a regular tv.

People are selling off SD 36" Sony Trinitrons / wegas left and right upgrading to HD sets. If you don't mind a really heavy set, that might be a good way to go.

Just a random one that came up today close to me: http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/ele/250846038.html

 

[Slammy1]

I'd lean towards a 42" plasma EDTV with viewing habits as described, though that assumes you have a reasonably dark room. A television is a personal item and the tech you'll pursue is dependent on your viewing habits. environment, sources, as well as distance. I'd read up here to find direction.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=9

 

[stogez]

Where are you located? I might be interested in offloading my 36" Wega It does weigh like 200lb tho lol

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: stogez
Where are you located? I might be interested in offloading my 36" Wega It does weigh like 200lb tho lol

I never want to move another 36" wega again :laugh:

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Lol, I definitely can't pick up one I live out in the middle of nowhere. 30 miles from Bainbridge, Georgia right next to Lake Seminole. You'd have to use Google Earth to even get a general direction

 

[Fallen Kell]

Originally posted by: The Boston Dangler
Traditionally, Sony and Panasonic made the best garden-variety TVs IMO. Panny doesn't do CRT sets anymore, maybe a big honking Sony is in your future?

Sony stopped making CRT's this last year. They still have tubes available, but they are no longer making new ones to my knowledge. When they run out, that is it I believe as they have put their full weight behind LCD's at the moment.

Well, for viewing angles and your distance, you can get away with a decent ~32" CRT (4:3 aspect/normal) or ~38" CRT (16:9 aspect/widescreen). I would go to www.avsforum.com to find out more on TV's, they are really the place to go for home audio/video stuff.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

I checked for the heck of it and Sears is advertising a 42" ED Plasma display by Panasonic. Would the viewing angles be decent on this? (around 50 degrees normal from direct view, but instances as much as 75).

 

[Slammy1]

That sounds pretty low for the viewing angle, I'm wondering if it's a lighting or source issue? The Pannys have fallen off a bit in popularity, other co's are catching up in terms of price/quality (I like the JVCs, for example). I'd recommend some research at AVS to get an idea on the latest/greatest. LCDs are not as bad as they once were for viewing angle, but depending on any number of factors may not be the best option (they aren't the best for SD materials, preference given to a tubed display). Honestly, this isn't the best time to buy a display. After Superbowl, you can expect some price drops or "open box" items after x-Mas might be the best if you need something before then. I'd really recommend spending a couple of weeks to find what's best for you in research and viewing displays. It's really hard to judge quality on televisions/monitors when they split signals and do not properly calibrate the displays like they do at these chain electronics outlets.