question

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

[posted and mailed]

Brent Grulke <bgrulke@sxsw.com> wrote:

> I'm ready, I think, to buy an hdtv, but
> more confused than ever.
> I am looking to spend no more than $4000.
> I really need at least a 37 inch 16:9 screen.
> I prefer picture quality to all other concerns.
> My spouse my prefers flat panel to something larger

Lately I've been feeling your pain :^)

Researching the various HDTV technologies showed up different gotchas in
each, but after being strongly tempted by plasma, today I ordered a 42"
Sony LCD HDTV rear-projection set. The set is only 12.5" thick (14.5"
counting its pedestal) which might satisfy your wife. The flat-panel
direct-view LCDs are beautiful, but very costly, while the sexy plasma
flats are more expensive than LCD rear-projection; for a while I was
tempted to get a 42" EDTV plasma, but the LCD HDTV rear-projection was
cheaper (at $2500) and fuller-featured.

Though many say plasma has better blacks than LCD projection, it also is
liable to ghost burn-in so sidebars must be grey, not black (which I
prefer). I was also put off by the fact my sharp eyes see plasma's
distinct pixels even at a normal viewing distance... pixel outlines are a
bit more muted on rear-projection sets, yielding a very "clean" picture. I
also decided against DLP because a spinning color wheel inside a TV set is
hardly "solid state."

So I decided that to get a 42" HDTV screen right now, $2500 for my Sony was
an affordable "safe" investment while the contending technologies battle it
out and may eventually yield a cheap hands-down winner a few more years
down the pike. They better hurry up, I'm about to turn age 71.

I've finished racking my brain over what to buy. BTW, your $4000 will
easily buy you a 42" or 50" Sony with cash to spare for home theater audio
to boot. And it won't be some cheap odd brand that won't impress your in-
laws.

Just my 2 cents.

--
Anti-Spam address: my last name at his dot com
Charles Gillen -- Reston, Virginia, USA

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

To really take advantage of HDTV, go 50+ inches 16:9. 60" is good. We have
a Sony KDF-60XS955, a rear-projection LCD HDTV which I recommend highly.
Picture quality is stupendous.

We use CableCard and, despite some hassles dealing with Time-Warner, like
it. Really improves SD picture, so get one with a CableCard slot. HDMI
inputs also a good thing, in addition to component. New DVD players use
HDMI cables. Make sure you have a digital audio output for your receiver.

Personally, I would not want plasma because of burn-in concerns (sidebars,
crawls, etc.) and high price. Flat LCD not big enough yet at a rational
price.

Don't be afraid to haggle everywhere you go. With these sets, the price on
the tag is usually not their best price. FYI, Sears will beat any price you
get elsewhere. And this is one product where you might want to buy the
extended warranty.

mack
austin

"Brent Grulke" <bgrulke@sxsw.com> wrote in message
news:2004120122174527544%bgrulke@sxswcom...
> I'm ready, I think, to buy an hdtv, but having spent some time doing
> research, I'm more confused than ever. It seems that with the rate of
> technological change and the shortcomings pointed out in every model
> I've looked at, buying a tv right now is a bit of a fools game. But
> most of you seem happy with your televisions, and knowlegeable to boot.
> I don't have much time these days to do further research, so I'm
> appealing to your collective knowledge for some advice:
> I am looking to spend no more than $4000.
> I really need at least a 37 inch 16:9 screen.
> I prefer picture quality to all other concerns.
> My spouse my prefers flat panel to something larger, but I am not so
concerned.
> Any thoughts would be deeply appreciated, as would any quick research
> websites or other newsgroups, magazines, etc. you may be able to
> suggest.
> Thanks.
>

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

"curmudgeon" <curmudgeon@buzzoff.net> wrote in message news:<Lx%rd.21266$Dm2.4032@bignews1.bellsouth.net>...

> <paul-NOZPAM@paulkienitz.net> wrote in message
> news:1101987584.724311.141440@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
> > Disadvantages include, with many models, a rapid dropoff of brightness
> > for those not sitting square in front of it

> And fall off is a concern ONLY in the cheapest sets.

Almost every RP set I look at in stores still has a huge brightness
difference between directly in front and just 30 degrees to one side.