Parents want a new TV - suggestions?

[tk149]

My brothers and I want to get my parents a new TV to replace their old 60" Rear-projection CRT, which is failing rapidly.

Cost ~ $2000 or less

Size ~ replacement for a 4:3 60-inch screen

Sources ~ Digital Cable (non-HD), DVD. No OTA

Speakers - built-in speakers must be adequate. There will be no adding any extra speakers/components. My new Samsung 52LNA550's speakers kind of suck.

Room size ~ 30'x40'.

The TV room has large windows, so I'd say we go with a matte screen, and no projector. Screen brightness is very important here, since they live in front of the TV both day and night.

I think that they would prefer a flatscreen for the looks, but I'm willing to listen to RPTV arguments.

Any suggestions?

 

[krotchy]

If you need something to replace a TV that big and under 2000 dollars the Samsung 61A750 or 67A750 LED DLPs would be my suggestion, simply so your parents never need to hassle with a bulb. If they are going for a bulb model, this years Mitsubishi's have the Dark Chip4 DLP chip which I hear makes them look better than the Samsung 650 DLPs, but I personally wouldnt consider a bulb DLP so ive never even looked at them.

For under 2K the biggest LCD you are going to find is 52" as you probably already know from getting your Sammy. For something bigger than 50" but flat still panel, the LG 60PG60 is a pretty fantastic looking Plasma and can be found for about 3K, however thats over your budget.

on a side note try checking AVSforum for some equalizer tweaks to your LN52A550, you can make it sound pretty decent with some work, although still not exactly stellar.

 

[skulkingghost]

I would go with:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16889102198

on sale for $1899

And free delivery!

120hz too *drool*

 

[DrunkenSano]

Originally posted by: skulkingghost
I would go with:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16889102198

on sale for $1899

And free delivery!

120hz too *drool*

Same TV is at amazon.com for $1670, also free delivery.

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-...&qid=1220532957&sr=8-1

 

[tk149]

Originally posted by: skulkingghost
I would go with:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16889102198

on sale for $1899

And free delivery!

120hz too *drool*

Thanks for the suggestion, but I think 46" is too small. Remember, I'm trying to replace a 60" 4:3 screen, which means that optimally the new TV will be around 70" 16:9. Probably won't happen though.

On a side note, I personally don't really see a lot of difference between 60hz and 120hz, except for text scrolling. And I definitely don't want my parents messing around with settings trying to figure out if 60 or 120 is best for which shows, or answer why some shows look "weird" now. These are the same people who still can't figure out how to set a VCR clock after a blackout.

 

[Excelsior]

If you need something to replace a TV that big and under 2000 dollars the Samsung 61A750 or 67A750 LED DLPs would be my suggestion, simply so your parents never need to hassle with a bulb.

http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=90937

You're simply not gonna get a big LCD or plasma for under $2K. Trust me, these new DLPs are plenty bright for a living room. We have the older 56" Samsung model and we love it. These new LED models turn on instantly, have no bulb to replace, etc. I'd got his route if you want quality and size.

 

[tk149]

Originally posted by: Excelsior

If you need something to replace a TV that big and under 2000 dollars the Samsung 61A750 or 67A750 LED DLPs would be my suggestion, simply so your parents never need to hassle with a bulb.

http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=90937

You're simply not gonna get a big LCD or plasma for under $2K. Trust me, these new DLPs are plenty bright for a living room. We have the older 56" Samsung model and we love it. These new LED models turn on instantly, have no bulb to replace, etc. I'd got his route if you want quality and size.

How is the sound? My LCD's speakers face downwards for some bizarre reason, and sound terrible without some fiddling with the settings. Even now, the sound is only acceptable and nothing to brag about.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Go with a 65+ inch DLP or a projector.
LCD and Plasma won't get you enough size for the budget.

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: tk149

Originally posted by: Excelsior

If you need something to replace a TV that big and under 2000 dollars the Samsung 61A750 or 67A750 LED DLPs would be my suggestion, simply so your parents never need to hassle with a bulb.

http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=90937

You're simply not gonna get a big LCD or plasma for under $2K. Trust me, these new DLPs are plenty bright for a living room. We have the older 56" Samsung model and we love it. These new LED models turn on instantly, have no bulb to replace, etc. I'd got his route if you want quality and size.

How is the sound? My LCD's speakers face downwards for some bizarre reason, and sound terrible without some fiddling with the settings. Even now, the sound is only acceptable and nothing to brag about.

That could be the only negative. Most folks use a surround sound system with theirs. I haven't checked out the sound on mine...

 

[DaveSimmons]

I've never bothered to try the built-in speakers in my Samsung 50" DLP, and it's a 2006 model anyway so speaker quality may have changed.

You could always get a decent pair of 2.0 / 2.1 powered PC speakers and plug them directly into the TV.

 

[s44]

Another vote for the Sammy LED DLPs -- all have great picture, but regular ones may have rainbow effect issues.

They should switch to a HD cable box the day the set arrives. It's criminal not to.

 

[Modelworks]

Take your parents with you to the store and let them look at a 46-52" .
My dad is legally blind and still uses a 32" crt tv, but he sits about 6 feet from the screen.
He hates letterbox movies

 

[Kaido]

My brother just got a Samsung HD LED DLP RPTV (alphabet soup baby!) and it's utterly amazing (and I HATE RPTV's!). The LED backlighting really makes the picture look incredible. I think RPTVs are the worst TVs in existence, but his 56" is slim, has amazing PQ, and was cheap (about a grand used from Amazon).

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: Kaido
My brother just got a Samsung HD LED DLP RPTV (alphabet soup baby!) and it's utterly amazing (and I HATE RPTV's!). The LED backlighting really makes the picture look incredible. I think RPTVs are the worst TVs in existence, but his 56" is slim, has amazing PQ, and was cheap (about a grand used from Amazon).

Yet you use the crap out of DLP front projectors.

 

[tk149]

Originally posted by: s44
Another vote for the Sammy LED DLPs -- all have great picture, but regular ones may have rainbow effect issues.

They should switch to a HD cable box the day the set arrives. It's criminal not to.

I would love to have them add HD cable, but there is no way that I am even going to attempt to explain the difference between HD and SD, and why they have to pay an extra $10 per month. To be honest, I don't know if they would be able to tell the difference in quality, because their eyes aren't as good as they used to be.

 

[tk149]

Originally posted by: Excelsior

Originally posted by: tk149

Originally posted by: Excelsior

If you need something to replace a TV that big and under 2000 dollars the Samsung 61A750 or 67A750 LED DLPs would be my suggestion, simply so your parents never need to hassle with a bulb.

http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=90937

You're simply not gonna get a big LCD or plasma for under $2K. Trust me, these new DLPs are plenty bright for a living room. We have the older 56" Samsung model and we love it. These new LED models turn on instantly, have no bulb to replace, etc. I'd got his route if you want quality and size.

How is the sound? My LCD's speakers face downwards for some bizarre reason, and sound terrible without some fiddling with the settings. Even now, the sound is only acceptable and nothing to brag about.

That could be the only negative. Most folks use a surround sound system with theirs. I haven't checked out the sound on mine...

What kind of stand do you use?

Right now, I'm leaning towards the Samsung 61" or 67" LCD DLP RPTV's (WTF is with all the acronyms?). I've submitted it to my brothers for a vote.

 

[Shadowknight]

Originally posted by: tk149

Originally posted by: s44
Another vote for the Sammy LED DLPs -- all have great picture, but regular ones may have rainbow effect issues.

They should switch to a HD cable box the day the set arrives. It's criminal not to.

I would love to have them add HD cable, but there is no way that I am even going to attempt to explain the difference between HD and SD, and why they have to pay an extra $10 per month. To be honest, I don't know if they would be able to tell the difference in quality, because their eyes aren't as good as they used to be.

As long as the tv has a QAM tuner (and most do nowadays) they'll at least get the local channels in hi-def for free. If they wanted premium channels in hi-def, then they'll need to pay extra (and use a cable box).

 

[s44]

Originally posted by: tk149

Originally posted by: s44
Another vote for the Sammy LED DLPs -- all have great picture, but regular ones may have rainbow effect issues.

They should switch to a HD cable box the day the set arrives. It's criminal not to.

I would love to have them add HD cable, but there is no way that I am even going to attempt to explain the difference between HD and SD, and why they have to pay an extra $10 per month. To be honest, I don't know if they would be able to tell the difference in quality, because their eyes aren't as good as they used to be.

It's the exact same price here. You can pay more for some HD-only channels, but the local nets are (and I think *have to be*, by law) free in HD. So are whatever HD versions of regular channels (ESPN/ESPN2, etc) you have.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Excelsior

Originally posted by: Kaido
My brother just got a Samsung HD LED DLP RPTV (alphabet soup baby!) and it's utterly amazing (and I HATE RPTV's!). The LED backlighting really makes the picture look incredible. I think RPTVs are the worst TVs in existence, but his 56" is slim, has amazing PQ, and was cheap (about a grand used from Amazon).

Yet you use the crap out of DLP front projectors.

Dude...Front Projection systems are COMPLETELY different than Rear Projection systems - night and day difference. Apples and oranges. Dogs and cats. The image on my Front Projection system is as good as my LCD monitor, except better with the video processing. Rear Projection systems are pixelated and have major viewing angle problems. The Samsung LED RPTVs are the only Rear Projection systems I've ever even remotely liked. I'm not especially a videophile, I just don't like a crap picture

 

[Shadowknight]

Originally posted by: s44

Originally posted by: tk149

Originally posted by: s44
Another vote for the Sammy LED DLPs -- all have great picture, but regular ones may have rainbow effect issues.

They should switch to a HD cable box the day the set arrives. It's criminal not to.

I would love to have them add HD cable, but there is no way that I am even going to attempt to explain the difference between HD and SD, and why they have to pay an extra $10 per month. To be honest, I don't know if they would be able to tell the difference in quality, because their eyes aren't as good as they used to be.

It's the exact same price here. You can pay more for some HD-only channels, but the local nets are (and I think *have to be*, by law) free in HD. So are whatever HD versions of regular channels (ESPN/ESPN2, etc) you have.

If the locals are broadcasting a digital signal, then the cable operators must provide that for free. If a local station isn't broadcasting digitally, then you won't get a digital version on the cable network. Also, digital does not necessarily mean HD; smaller stations will broadcast a digital signal with SD-only content.