Help with HDTV solection...

[cabobb]

I taking the dive into buying a new TV, and it might as well be HD. I'm looking at 42" size, for my media room is only 12 X 16, so practical view distance is about 10 feet. I know I can't afford plasma, and I hear the burn-in issue and venting is still an issue. LCD has it problems of sometimes being a little slow on intense action scenes, and standard rear projection needs to have a dark room to view. I'm leaning toward the DLP technology, mainly the Samsung 42" DLP. The picture is bright and almost as good as plasma, but $2k cheaper. My main concern is what the picture quality would be using standard 480i video feeds. I know it won't be as sharp as HD, but I still want a good picture. If anyone has any experience with these sets, any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Capmeister]

I love my Hitachi LCD projection, and don't see any sort of intense action scene problems AT ALL. Burn in isn't an issue, and it's a great set. It comes in 50 and 60 inch sizes. 50v500 or 60v500.

[Nick]

"...standard rear projection needs to have a dark room to view."

While reading your post I'm watching the Braves vs Cubs game with a pretty impressive pic on my 53" Panny RP (PT-53WX42) in my living room HT. The blinds and drapes are open and I'm having no problems with relative image brightness. You may be thinking of front projection where ambient light is an issue. My Panny has a lenticular screen so reflections are not a problem.

My suggestion is that with your 12' x 15' room size and 11' viewing distance, you should consider a larger screen, maybe in the 50"-56" range. You can view HD content at a closer viewing distance. My viewing distance is about the same as yours and 53" is just about ideal for me, even for SD content. As with many other things in life, bigger is better.

I got my 53' on sale @ Rex for $1,169, but I saw the same set yesterday priced at $1,599. I know the manager and he said he would let it go for $1,299. Shop around for the best deal and don't be afraid to make an offer. That's what I did and I got a great deal.

Also, I find myself watching a lot more sports on the widescreen than I did on the old 31" tube. Last night I saw D.C. United play L.A. on HDNet. It was awesome in hi def.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.
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[dfergie]

Have a Hitachi 43", no problems with light room, no problems with pq (have watched nfl games in 1080i with no problems. Have an X1 projector... must keep room fairly dark in a smaller room 63" picture and seating is within 8' good pq(800x600 non hd), no probs with action on it either.

[JM Anthony]

I writing this sitting in front of a 61" Sammy DLP watchin' the Masters on a sunny Seattle Sunday. We thought we made a good decision when we both this set last fall. The decision just gets better and better all the time!!

If you want to run with the Big Dogs, you've got to get off the porch. Head for your favorite A/V store and join the club!! :sure:

[mini1]

If you want a DLP, wait until the intel chip (for a similar LCoS TV) comes out later this year. higher resolution and a much-much cheaper price. I would hang on, if that is what I was in the market for.

[JM Anthony]

If you want a DLP, wait until the intel chip (for a similar LCoS TV) comes out later this year. higher resolution and a much-much cheaper price. I would hang on, if that is what I was in the market for.
Sorry, but that's an argument you can make just about any time when you're dealing with technology. If we applied it to PC's, we'd all still be on 8088's! By when you think the time is right (when you'll enjoy the investment) and then don't second guess yourself.

[ramcm7]

I taking the dive into buying a new TV, and it might as well be HD. I'm looking at 42" size, for my media room is only 12 X 16, so practical view distance is about 10 feet. I know I can't afford plasma, and I hear the burn-in issue and venting is still an issue. LCD has it problems of sometimes being a little slow on intense action scenes, and standard rear projection needs to have a dark room to view. I'm leaning toward the DLP technology, mainly the Samsung 42" DLP. The picture is bright and almost as good as plasma, but $2k cheaper. My main concern is what the picture quality would be using standard 480i video feeds. I know it won't be as sharp as HD, but I still want a good picture. If anyone has any experience with these sets, any input would be greatly appreciated.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/index.php

AVS Forums has separate boards for the different types of display devices (flat panels, Rear proj, CRT, projectors, etc.) I have found them quite helpful. I was all set to get a 30" or 34" CRT. Took family to local bricks and mortar store (B&M) to view possible models and got "Is that going to be big enough?" Gotta love that, but then research goes back to square one. While there we looked at some RPTV's. My wife liked a Samsung DLP. The picture is great if you are sitting in the "sweet spot", but even on the DLP, I did not like the effect when moving away from the sweet spot. This brings me to where I am today: plasma. This meets the spouse's size factor and my clarity factor. However the extra cost is pushing out acquisition a couple extra months. My current expected pick is the Panasonic TH-42PWD6UY, but that could change by the time I actual get to the purchase point.

The HDTV selection process has diverted my time from visiting the DBSTalk boards, so be prepared for some temporary analysis paralysis. It passes.