HDTV advice

[fluidimagery]

I personally suggest staying away from the no name brands on any big item purchase. The only TV I've been impressed with personally is the new Visio line if you're going for the no names. I've never seen a Westinghouse I've liked, and spectre I only know from the garbage computer monitors they make. If I were to buy a TV now it would be the Bravia line.

I personally have a 50" Panasonic Plasma I've been extremely happy with. This will be my 4th year with it. Got a steal on it at $5000 (originally $9500) in '03. I also have a 26" Samsung LCD that the picture quality doesn't compare to the plasma. If you're worried about the video games, most of the HD compatible system all have time outs on the video that it'll dim the area and during game play they'll be plenty of movement in the pixels to prevent burnout. They said 15 years I'd get out of mine, so far so good.

 

[reefman]

panasonic plasmas rock. check out the PT-61LCZ70

this is quality,brand name n very affordable. u can't beat that!

 

[nycmat]

i disagree with the knock on sony. yeah they are stubborn and try to do there own thing, but the xbr series is as good as it gets. yes you will pay a little more but the samsung's extra contrast is all it has over the sony. you can barely notice it if you are looking for it. look at the store and see for yourself on a non hd channel zoomed in so it takes up the whole screen. there you will see what i am talking about. the track record on the panasonics, well check consumer giudes for yourself. i dont want to upset anyone here. vizios are good and affordable. you should buy it at costco or bj's all you have to do is keep your reciept and you can return anything.

 

[Mak]

What about this pioneer Pro-110FD. Pioneer suppose to be the best Plasma out there..

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/v3/pg/product/details/0,,2076_310069729_477134668,00.html

And now I am little confuse if I should get the Plasma or LCD.... hmmm

 

[Dmitry]

Actually, I've started to look at the plasmas also. There's a Panasonic 50'' that's very well priced I'm looking at. (Although it's 1080i. Although the truth is: there's nothing 1080p out there!) I've seen a good deal written about the burn-in on plasmas, but I've also seen a lot of people say it's really not the big problem it's made out to be. And burn-out time for the screen itself seems comparable to LCD. Besides, it'll take something like 20 years of watching 8 hrs a day - and that won't happen. Decisions, decisions.

This is that 50'' Panasonic

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889187031

Reviews for it are pretty spectacular.

Mak: That Pioneer looks great. I'm also sure it's going to be mucho $$$. Is it even available yet?

 

[marrone]

This is a great web site for tweaks and adjustment to HDTV. Fixes for a lot of the problems, that everyone is finding, can be found here. You'll also find posts from people that have brought all kinds of HDTV and how to fix problems, if they were able too. There are also a bunch of repair/maintance people on the board who you can sent emails and posts to.

http://www.keohi.com/keohihdtv/index.htm

http://www.keohi.com/ibf/hdtv/index.php


No tv is perfect, they all have problems, and if you're looking for the perfect tv you're never going to buy one. Most of the problems are so minor you'll never notice them. Also you'll find that a lot of the time it's the cable or satellite feed that determines the picture quality, regardless of the tv you have. On my tv sometimes I get a great pictures, other times not as good.

 

[TimberTDI]

I don't get when people say,"I'll get 1080i because there's nothing out there that is 1080p." You basically buying yourself a TV that will be outdated in less then 5 years.

Steven

 

[marrone]

Just because it's going to be outdated in 5 years doesn't mean it's not going to work or that you're not going to get a great picture. Also in 5 - 7 years you're going to be able to get a better tv than what's being offered, and probably for less.

 

[Wes]

i have an LG 42" LCD in the living room and a Sharp Aquos 37" LCD in the bedroom. Both 720p/1080i. I like them both but I think picture quality is better on the LG simply because the blacks are better. If you are going with LCD, thats one thing you should look for when choosing, you want black to look black not grey. Thats what seperates a good LCD from a great one.

When shopping for our first LCD tv we had it narrowed down to the Sony Bravia or the LG. We decided on the LG simply because the picture looked nicer on the LG in the showroom, we checked them out in several different stores and always seemed to like the LG a little more. Never regretted it, although they are alot cheaper now.

 

[Dmitry]

I don't get when people say,"I'll get 1080i because there's nothing out there that is 1080p." You basically buying yourself a TV that will be outdated in less then 5 years.

Steven

I agree with marrone on this. The TV technology is years ahead of what is actually available. You'll be paying hundreds, if not thousands, of extra dollars for something you can not actually take advantage of and won't be able to for years. And when you really will be able to take advantage of it - it will be a lot cheaper. (My current Sony flatscreen Wega lasted me 7 years). It'd be kind of like paying $1000 for a wave-maker before power-heads were invented.

I also see some argument as to whether the difference between 1080i and 1080p is noticeable unless you have a very large screen (60 and up), and it will depend on how far you're sitting from the TV.

 

[emps]

Broadcasters will not be broadcasting 1080p for a long time. It's taken them this long to be mandated to broadcasting digital. 1080p will be good for your HDDVD and BluRay DVD and if you're using your screen for HTPC. With any technology, you'll be paying for the premium, it's whether you personally need the technology. LCD's and Plasmas are so cheap now, within 3-5 years you'll be looking to replace it anyhows, just like PC's, iPod, etc...

 

[Mak]

Mak: That Pioneer looks great. I'm also sure it's going to be mucho $$$. Is it even available yet?

I read the review and it said is coming out this month. Price range I think is around $5000. And they also said this model is pretty good too..

http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-and-plasma/pioneer-pdp-5080hd/4505-6482_7-32476901.html?tag=tpr

 

[fluidimagery]

Actually, I've started to look at the plasmas also. There's a Panasonic 50'' that's very well priced I'm looking at. (Although it's 1080i. Although the truth is: there's nothing 1080p out there!) I've seen a good deal written about the burn-in on plasmas, but I've also seen a lot of people say it's really not the big problem it's made out to be. And burn-out time for the screen itself seems comparable to LCD. Besides, it'll take something like 20 years of watching 8 hrs a day - and that won't happen. Decisions, decisions.

This is that 50'' Panasonic

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889187031

Reviews for it are pretty spectacular.

Mak: That Pioneer looks great. I'm also sure it's going to be mucho $$$. Is it even available yet?

That's almost identical to the 50" panasonic I have from 4 years ago. It is only 1080i. I'll get a model number of mine for you later since I'm at work. I'm a big nerd and of course thought about getting a 1080p set to replace it. Then I'd probably submit myself into the physicatric ward.

I just picked up the HDDVD player for my xbox 360 and man, I can't see how the picture could get any better. The difference between 1080i and 1080p is so miniscule it makes it silly to spend all the extra money for the p.

That price on the 50" panasonic at newegg is great. Pick that up for the $1500 shipped and in 5 years when 1080p becomes more mainstream and you feel you need it then get the 1080p TV at a cheaper cost. $1500 isn't all that much to spend on a large screen and I'm sure you could find somewhere in your house to move it when you want to get the 1080p.

If you're ever up in Riverhead at Atlantis or whatever feel free to drop by and check out my Panasonic before you buy.

 

[Dmitry]

fluidimagery: Thanks! I think this Panasonic is what I'll end up getting...for now, until 1080p becomes a practical reality. It's still a bit virtual right now. Now I'm on the look-out for an upconverting DVD player with 5.1 speakers system. At a reasonable price. :teeth:

 

[fluidimagery]

I'm not a big Home Theater in a box fan but this looks nice for the money:
http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?m=HT-S894&class=Systems&p=i

 

[marrone]

I brought a Hitachi 43' HDTV about 4-6 years ago and it came with 1080i. The picture is great and from what I've seen there isn't any reason for me to buy another tv. And like I said before, a lot depends on the connection from the cable or satellite company. Some times it's a great picture other time not as great.

 

[Wes]

I'm not a big Home Theater in a box fan but this looks nice for the money:
http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?m=HT-S894&class=Systems&p=i

I have an Onkyo HTIB and i think it sounds great. Plus onkyo HTIB systems use Real receivers, you can upgrade speakers down the road if you like but personally I am happy with the ones that are included, it can really shake the house.

if you are looking for an in the box system, don't get the kind that are all in one DVD player, speakers, etc. they usually are not that good.

best bang for your buck surround sounds systems are Onkyo and Yamaha in my opinion. You want the receiver and DVD player as seperate standalone components. Just my 2 cents.

 

[crox99]

http://www.gearlive.com/index.php/news/article/worlds-largest-plasma-tv-04220835/

 

[Dmitry]

http://www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com/plasmatvreviews/plasma-vs-lcd.html