Recommend me a 50" Plasma/LCD

Jeeebus

Diamond Member
Aug 29, 2006
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Tis time to move on from my 800lb 32" CRT. Unfortunately, I'm out of the loop on what's good nowadays... so why not let ATOT steer my decision?

Here are the constraints...

1. Would like to keep it < $2000. Will consider higher if compelling argument.

2. TV must look good for both HD and SD. It's the main viewing tv, so I assume we'll still be watching SD channels (don't have HD yet with FIOS, but will get it once the tv is locked in).

3. Space constraint... TV can't be a DLP or other full size base tv due to where it's going. The 32" CRT stand is just a little smaller than the space this needs to be pushed in, which is between a wall and the fireplace raised flooring. Wall mounting is 'probably' not an option.

Let the ATOT knowledge fountain begin!
 

Noobtastic

Banned
Jul 9, 2005
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Screw plasma. Go DLP and enjoy a longer life-span and better picture.


Unless you plan on hanging the idiot box above the fireplace, stick with DLP. Also, it's only half the size of a plasma.

 

DBL

Platinum Member
Mar 23, 2001
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Originally posted by: Noobtastic
Screw plasma. Go DLP and enjoy a longer life-span and better picture.


Unless you plan on hanging the idiot box above the fireplace, stick with DLP. Also, it's only half the size of a plasma.

Fitting user name. Plasma has got a better picture by far. Enjoy changing your light bulb every 3 years or so.

For the OP, I'd go with a Panasonic 50" plasma in that price range. If you were willing to go higher, you could consider some of the latest 1080p LCDs available, although the picture is not necessarily better. They just support the full HD spec.

 

R Nilla

Diamond Member
Jul 26, 2006
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Originally posted by: Noobtastic
Screw plasma. Go DLP and enjoy a longer life-span and better picture.


Unless you plan on hanging the idiot box above the fireplace, stick with DLP. Also, it's only half the size of a plasma.

Care to elaborate? Do you mean longer life-span through periodic $200 replacement bulbs?

Is 27 years not long enough?

The lifetime of the latest generation of plasma displays is estimated at 60,000 hours (or 27 years at 6 hours of use per day) of actual display time. More precisely, this is the estimated half life of the display, the point where the picture has degraded to half of its original brightness. It is watchable after this point, but is generally considered the end of the functional life of the display.
 

athithi

Golden Member
Mar 5, 2002
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Go and get the Panasonic 50" already. I agonized over it for several long months and I couldn't possibly be happier with my choice. There are definitely certain cases where it won't look as good as your CRT in SD. But for the most part, you will feel like standing up and kissing the screen every once in a while :p
 

athithi

Golden Member
Mar 5, 2002
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Originally posted by: Noobtastic
Screw plasma. Go DLP and enjoy a longer life-span and better picture.


Unless you plan on hanging the idiot box above the fireplace, stick with DLP. Also, it's only half the size of a plasma.

:roll: yeah, get DLP if you want sit straight in front of your TV all the time and watch TV only in a very dark room...
 

Ipno

Golden Member
Apr 30, 2001
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You know, I paid $1100 for my 50" Sony DLP and couldn't be happier. By the time I get around to replacing the $200 bulb I'll probably put it in the basement and buy the next best technology when it comes out.

The dark room thing is a myth, so too with the viewing angle.
 

Jeeebus

Diamond Member
Aug 29, 2006
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As I said, I'm limited to a flat panel tv due to space concerns. Whether or not DLP tvs are great, I simply can't fit one in my living room without tearing up marble around a fireplace... which ain't happening.
 

Ipno

Golden Member
Apr 30, 2001
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Ya I know.

BTW SD quality will also depend on where you get your feed from. I had Time Warner cable and the SD looked like crap. Then I moved to Dish network and the SD got MUCH MUCH better.
 

Jeeebus

Diamond Member
Aug 29, 2006
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I'll be getting the feed from FIOS if anyone has any experience with both HD and SD display from them.
 

TheAdvocate

Platinum Member
Mar 7, 2005
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Originally posted by: Jeeebus
I'll be getting the feed from FIOS if anyone has any experience with both HD and SD display from them.

DBL and Fiat took care of your request quickly. Speaking as a 1080p LCD owner - get that 50" Panny plasma. Good TV, and SD isnt quite as ugly @ 720p. 1080p really shows its warts.