scootermaster
Platinum Member
So, my roomie is leaving and taking his 50" Samsung plasma with him. The viewing distance is actually pretty large, maybe 10' or so, I haven't measured. The 50" was fine for watching TV, but as I'm sure you all know, it could actually seem small when playing video games and stuff (mostly hockey...lying back on the couch and playing hockey, it was hard to see the puck sometimes. I've also got horrible eyesight).
Anyway, so 50" is fine, but nothing smaller than that, I'd imagine. 1080p is a must, for HTPC concerns.
Usage:
Digital cable
DVDs
Xbox
HTPC (in the future, and mostly for downloaded content, emulation, etc, although I might buy a BD player and do that)
Priorities: (in order)
PQ
Size
Price
Power consumption/longevity
I have a Denon 3801 that I use as an AVR. No HDMI, and while it supports 7 speakers, obviously no advanced BD audio stuff, and I don't have 7 speakers anyway (I do have 5, however).
I don't have any real desire to buy a standalone BD player, but I obviously will in the future sometime.
I have no dogmatic preference between LCD and plasma.
The room is not particularly light.
Price is a concern, but not the primary one.
Initial thoughts: I'm not sure if I want to spend $2000, but CostCo has Sammy and Panny 58" panels for that. But part of me thinks a 50" panel and a new 9 series Denon AVR (like the 2609 or whatever it is) might be a better use of 2 grand. Maybe I could even get a little for my 3801 (which I love more than life itself and don't really feel the need to replace, although HDMI would be nice).
Anyway, that's a lot of info, but I'm just curious what you people think. I probably should decide on a price point (a year ago, I'd figured around 2000, for a 50" pioneer) but now that I see 50" going for half that (granted, a Panny) I'm starting to think maybe spending less is a better idea. And then there's the whole AVR sitch...but you get the idea.
Anyway, so 50" is fine, but nothing smaller than that, I'd imagine. 1080p is a must, for HTPC concerns.
Usage:
Digital cable
DVDs
Xbox
HTPC (in the future, and mostly for downloaded content, emulation, etc, although I might buy a BD player and do that)
Priorities: (in order)
PQ
Size
Price
Power consumption/longevity
I have a Denon 3801 that I use as an AVR. No HDMI, and while it supports 7 speakers, obviously no advanced BD audio stuff, and I don't have 7 speakers anyway (I do have 5, however).
I don't have any real desire to buy a standalone BD player, but I obviously will in the future sometime.
I have no dogmatic preference between LCD and plasma.
The room is not particularly light.
Price is a concern, but not the primary one.
Initial thoughts: I'm not sure if I want to spend $2000, but CostCo has Sammy and Panny 58" panels for that. But part of me thinks a 50" panel and a new 9 series Denon AVR (like the 2609 or whatever it is) might be a better use of 2 grand. Maybe I could even get a little for my 3801 (which I love more than life itself and don't really feel the need to replace, although HDMI would be nice).
Anyway, that's a lot of info, but I'm just curious what you people think. I probably should decide on a price point (a year ago, I'd figured around 2000, for a 50" pioneer) but now that I see 50" going for half that (granted, a Panny) I'm starting to think maybe spending less is a better idea. And then there's the whole AVR sitch...but you get the idea.
