Settlement date for my new condo is on the 28th and I plan on buying a TV the same day or that weekend. Keep in mind I have never had a "real" TV and still have the same crap 27" sharp, open box, $140 TV I had in college. I never saw the point in getting a big TV until I moved out since I'm rarely here. My living room is 19x12 and I have a huge L-shaped couch that have two 7 foot sections. That will take up a good ammount of space and I thought I would get a plasma or LCD mounted above the fireplace but that might be mounted to high and not comfortable to watch. It's also expensive. I'd rather get an LCD due to hearing that plasma's can freeze images on them and the LCD are usually better quality. I put $100 hold on a 50" Samsung plasma 720p that was on sale for $1300 but I'm starting to think I'll spend a little more for an LCD or maybe just get a projection TV and spend $1500 or less for a high quality 50" or bigger. Suggestions.....

I have the Samsung HPT-5054 plasma and Im very happy with it. Its 720p but I personally dont have any use and cant justify the extra price for 1080p. I dont use the speakers on it so I dont know how they sound (I would hope you're getting a receiver/surround sound setup to go along with it). I like that it had a VGA port so I could hook up my 360 through VGA, also you could hook up a pc or laptop if you screw around w/ the resolution. My other choice was the Sharp Aquos 52d64, but thats like $1000 more than I got the Samsung for. Research any models your interested in on www.avsforum.com Theres alot of great information on that site regarding both Plasma and LCD's (each has its own forum).


Evan B
02 Explorer
97 GS- sold
90 GSX-sold
Stamford CT
EvMan2345@aol.com

I have a Sony rear-projection LCD tv and a LCD panel here and they both work awesome. I will always buy LCD instead of plasma. Hook the PS3 up to them and watch some blu-ray movies in 1080p, there is nothing better, looks amazing.

Do you watch actual TV broadcasts, or is this more of a gaming / movie screen? If it is the latter you may consider a commercial monitor (i.e. one without a TV tuner) You can save some cash that way to go bigger. Also, if you have room and want more real-estate on a budget; You may consider a rear projection DLP TV. With LCD TV's it is important to consider not just HD format (i.e. 720p/1080i/p; ect.) but Contrast ratio; Dynamic Contrast Ratio and response time; (So you don't get the nasty ghosting, screen-door effects, and out-of-sync audio.) and brightness. (Measured as cd/m2.) Most are around 300 cd/m2. Something like a 400 or 500 cd/m2 is going to be easier to see at night when there is ambient light.


(DLP ex.) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889248012

My pop has one of these and the picture is amazing. One of the few shortcomings of these style of TV's is eventually you're going to have to replace the bulb(s) which is costly; Also, they require a little more room than an LCD. Some people hate them, others swear by them. Your best bet, imo, would be to hit up your local Best-Buy/ Circuit City or whatever and look to see what style you like best. Just DON'T buy one from one of these joints; As they will rape you on the price 10 times out of 10.

http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/detail/detail.do?group=televisions&type=televisions&subtype=lcdtv&model_cd=LNT4665FX/XAA

Best bang for the buck, imo.

x series sony with the 120 hz motion engine...OMFG!!! i was sold on spot and it was my buddies tv...look into the 110/120 hz clear motion drives. they are fucking nuts!!!

later

What's your budget? }(
720P is pretty good, but if you're going to go big, might as well do it right and go for the 1080p.
I'll check some stuff and post back in a little while.

I have a 56" samsung 1080p DLP, and absolutely love it. Games, and high def videos look amazing on it. Sound sucks, but thats what my klipsch quintet III surround is for. Im not sure what retail is... I believe its around $1999. Surround sound w/o receiver is $699. Badass setup, you wouldnt be dissapointed.

My price for both was $1325. Working at best buy ftmfw.

Originally posted by eclipzGST
What's your budget? }( 720P is pretty good, but if you're going to go big, might as well do it right and go for the 1080p. I'll check some stuff and post back in a little while.

I figure $2000 for TV/stand etc. I'm thinking I might end up getting a DLP. As much as I'd like a flat screen mounted on the wall, it's expensive as crap to install and I'm slightly nervous with the fireplace under it. It also would probably be mounted to high. My plan is to move the furniture in next friday and see what options I have. I also don't want to base my setup on my couch but it's a bad ass couch and it was free! I might have to block the fireplace w/ the TV or the couch. Most of the 50-65" DLP's seem to cost around $1500+.
What brands would you guys go with? I figure I don't need anything bigger then 50" so I could get a Sony like this....
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Sony-50-Bravia-E-Series-3LCD-Rear-Projection-HDTV-KDF-50E3000/sem/rpsm/oid/184834/catOid/-12870/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

OR would you get a bigger Mitsubishi 57" like this....
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Mitsubishi-57-DLP-HDTV-WD-Y577/sem/rpsm/oid/186037/catOid/-12870/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

seems like overkill but what do you guys think?

EDIT: in case I still get an LCD is Philips a good company? Im finding a 47" 1080p for around $1500
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11227834&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|79|2341|3316|74672&N=4018657&Mo=16&No=7&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=74672&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&hierPath=79*2341*3316*74672*&topnav=

Originally posted by Dualgen2

Originally posted by eclipzGST What's your budget? }( 720P is pretty good, but if you're going to go big, might as well do it right and go for the 1080p. I'll check some stuff and post back in a little while.

I figure $2000 for TV/stand etc. I'm thinking I might end up getting a DLP. As much as I'd like a flat screen mounted on the wall, it's expensive as crap to install and I'm slightly nervous with the fireplace under it. It also would probably be mounted to high. My plan is to move the furniture in next friday and see what options I have. I also don't want to base my setup on my couch but it's a bad ass couch and it was free! I might have to block the fireplace w/ the TV or the couch. Most of the 50-65" DLP's seem to cost around $1500+. What brands would you guys go with? I figure I don't need anything bigger then 50" so I could get a Sony like this.... http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Sony-50-Bravia-E-Series-3LCD-Rear-Projection-HDTV-KDF-50E3000/sem/rpsm/oid/184834/catOid/-12870/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do OR would you get a bigger Mitsubishi 57" like this.... http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Mitsubishi-57-DLP-HDTV-WD-Y577/sem/rpsm/oid/186037/catOid/-12870/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do seems like overkill but what do you guys think? EDIT: in case I still get an LCD is Philips a good company? Im finding a 47" 1080p for around $1500 http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11227834&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|79|2341|3316|74672&N=4018657&Mo=16&No=7&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=74672&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&hierPath=79*2341*3316*74672*&topnav=

If youre going DLP, definately go with samsung. Sony is on top of theyre lcd game, but noone can beat samsung's quality with their DLP.

UPDATE!!!

I ordered a 47" Toshiba LCD 1080p from Costco.com for $1299.99 and I got it this past friday. Half the screen was black when I put my first DVD in. It looked really good though, all black and 1/2 the screen looked nice. I returned it to the local costco store and ordered another one that should hopefuly be here by this friday. I wanted to get something else but no one would even get close to the price for a 1080p LCD in that size.
I also have a buddy who does TV installs for Best Buy setting up the wall mount and surround sound speakers. It's going to look badass and should be done on sunday if the TV is good this time. I'll post pictures when it's all done. Wish me luck w/ the new TV cause I might have to spend a couple hundred dollars more to get something else if this TV is messed up.
If this doesn't work out it's back to square one w/ LCD's and made a plasma. Tweeter is trying to sell me a 720p Pioneeer Elite for $2300 that they said is a $4000 TV. I know the Elite's are the best but I didn't plan on spending that much. Might get a 46" Samsung LCD.
Any other advice