TV

[Ginger]

We are in the search to replace our 27" tv with a big screen. Any suggestions or any pitfalls to look out for. We want something thin screened. Plasma --- a bit costly and from the literature, can have burnouts.

 

[Marshac]

We are in the search to replace our 27" tv with a big screen.  Any suggestions or any pitfalls to look out for.   We want something thin screened.  Plasma --- a bit costly and from the literature, can have burnouts.   

One of the reasons I wouldn't go plasma is the burn-in issue, and the fact that they lose their brightness over time.

LCD screens have really come down in price, and have a fairly nice picture. Some of the newer DLP TVs are < 12" thick, and can be quite large in size- they're also fairly inexpensive. Some people like DLP projectors, although bulb replacement costs are quite high ($300+), and unless you have a high end 3 chip DLP projector, some people (like me) can see 'rainbows' from the color wheel.

I bought a TV about 2 years ago and went with a 32" 4x3 CRT HDTV (I figured that when 16x9 is more common, i'll get a 16x9 screen).... IMO nothing can come close to the picture quality you can get from a direct-view CRT- the down side? It weighs about 100 pounds. 1080i is a beautiful thing- DiscoveryHDs 'Sunrise Earth' series is quite nice in HD

 

[JPatrick]

Iagree that the HDTV, CRT's can't be beat for picture quality, but like Marshac states, they are chunky and that means heavy.

 

[wabmester]

How big do you want to go?   A front-projector can produce a very nice 100-inch picture on a very slim screen, for example.

Here's a good comparison of LCD vs Plasma:

LCD vs Plasma

One thing they don't mention is that plasmas consume more watts, and the cooling system can be somewhat noisy.   Make sure you listen to your set in a quiet environment before you take it home.

If you go with a rear projector, verify that the viewing angle will work for you.   They tend to fall off much more sharply than flat panels.

 

[cube_rat]

We have a Samsung 51' DLP and it's fabulous.  The picture is consistent from ALL angles.  With Hi-Def, the picture is off the hook!! This TV had the highest ratings on CNET a few years ago.  We also have an 27' Phillips LCD flat panel in the bedroom which is PC compatible (some aren't).  I'm happy with the Phillips and frankly I would choose a LCD over a plasma any day.  Plasma's had too many issues in the past.

 

[BigMoneyJim]

Yep, plasmas and tube projection will burn. I'm reluctant to go with LCD because I've seen laptop pixels go bad and don't want that on my TV, but admittedly it's been a while since I've seen a bad pixel.

I bought DLP. It's not as bright as LCD or plasma in the brightly list store but has been fine at home except when the sun shone through wide-open windows directly in front of the TV...then it wasn't bright enough.

I don't notice the rainbow effects unless I turn my head rapidly to try to, but a friend of mine finds it distracting. Some of the new DLPs are surprisingly thin.

DLP also doesn't burn in and it's cheaper (more frugal?) than the flat panel TVs.

There's a new tech out that sounded good in print when I read about it. I forget what it's called, but it's worth checking into.

When I bought back in January there wasn't anything reasonably priced with native resolution over 720p; if native 1080i (or even 1080p) displays are available now it will take some thinking about whether or not they're worth the extra money.

 

[cube_rat]

Yep, plasmas and tube projection will burn. I'm reluctant to go with LCD because I've seen laptop pixels go bad and don't want that on my TV, but admittedly it's been a while since I've seen a bad pixel.

I bought DLP. It's not as bright as LCD or plasma in the brightly list store but has been fine at home except when the sun shone through wide-open windows directly in front of the TV...then it wasn't bright enough.

I don't notice the rainbow effects unless I turn my head rapidly to try to, but a friend of mine finds it distracting. Some of the new DLPs are surprisingly thin.

DLP also doesn't burn in and it's cheaper (more frugal?) than the flat panel TVs.

There's a new tech out that sounded good in print when I read about it. I forget what it's called, but it's worth checking into.

When I bought back in January there wasn't anything reasonably priced with native resolution over 720p; if native 1080i  (or even 1080p) displays are available now it will take some thinking about whether or not they're worth the extra money.

It depends on what brand you bought. DLP technology from Samsung is highly rated. I personally think the picture is the best I've ever seen, especially when hooked up to high definition. As far as cheap, my TV was $4500, although, this was 2 years ago. A 51' can be had for half the cost these days.

As far as hooking up my LCD with my computer, I haven't tried it yet. I have yet to get into the mood of surfing the internet from my bed.

 

[Ginger]

Everyone --- thanks for all the great comments. Going to print off and show DH tonight. Will keep you posted on what we purchase.

 

[TromboneAl]

The current Consumer Reports has a report on these.

 

[BigMoneyJim]

I was at work and didn't finish my earlier thoughts. Now I'm at the airport, so I'll keep it short.

CNET has a good HDTV primer. I got a Samsung DLP and paid more but have all sorts of video inputs for my geeky endeavors.

I particularly enjoy not having to worry about burn-in...no stretching my picture to fill the screen.

My friend has a tube projection HDTV and it's nice but big, heavy and can burn in.

 

[Cut-Throat]

About a year ago I was also shopping for a HDTV. I ended up with a 32 inch LCD Samsung and could not be happier with it. Picture is stunning. I receive all of my HDTV signals free with an Antenna. Sharper than cable and DVD!

I looked at the Tube TVs and They weighed close to 200 lbs. - That is what finally convinced me to go with a LCD at only about 35 pounds. I also wanted something in the 32 - 34 inch range and plasmas and DLPs were just too big!

 

[cube_rat]

About a year ago I was also shopping for a HDTV.  I ended up with a 32 inch LCD Samsung and could not be happier with it. Picture is stunning. I receive all of my HDTV signals free with an Antenna. Sharper than cable and DVD!

I looked at the Tube TVs and They weighed close to 200 lbs. - That is what finally convinced me to go with a LCD at only about 35 pounds. I also wanted something in the 32 - 34 inch range and plasmas and DLPs were just too big!

Some of us are old enough to remember the ugly "console" TVs that weighed 800lbs. My mom still has one from the late seventies It's still works!

 

[wabmester]

Some of us are old enough to remember the ugly "console" TVs that weighed 800lbs.  My mom still has one from the late seventies    It's still works!

Whoa, the electron gun in that thing must be lethal. These days, dumps will charge you if you want to toss out your old CRT (due to lead). I wonder what they charge to dump that monster.

 

[Cut-Throat]

Whoa, the electron gun in that thing must be lethal.   These days, dumps will charge you if you want to toss out your old CRT (due to lead).   I wonder what they charge to dump that monster.

Actually the picture tubes were all about 25 inches Diag. - considered a small TV today. It's just that the cabinets were big!

 

[Nords]

Some of us are old enough to remember the ugly "console" TVs that weighed 800lbs.  My mom still has one from the late seventies    It still works!

Probably because it was hand-wired in America at the RCA factory...

 

[SteveR]

Actually the picture tubes were all about 25 inches Diag. - considered a small TV today. It's just that the cabinets were big!

The one my dad had was second hand B&W and to get it to turn on you had to tap on the back of the picture tube with a pencil. : We had that thing for many years until they went to color. They alway bought the big console sets. They did the same for the "stereo"; basically a turn table with a built in radio with 4 speakers; two on each side of the box. It was obtained with S&H Green stamps. I still remember pasting those suckers into books.

 

[bongo2]

I'm very happy with my Panasonic 37" Plasma.

We might have gone with a CRT but couldn't fit the 260lb set where we wanted it.

 

[REWahoo]

I have a Sony 51" CRT and have been very pleased with it so far (4 months). The HD picture (local stations via roof antenna) is spectacular. Looked at plasma, DLP, & LCD but was not convinced the technology was as reliable as old CRT projection, and I hate expensive surprises. The price (under $1,500) was right, too. It is a monster at 176 lbs, and we were fortunate to have plenty of room for it.

 

[LOL!]

I'm gonna buy an LCD HDTV for myself soon because I will be bedridden for a few weeks and will be watching lots of TV and DVDs. I don't have cable, but I do have an antenna in my attic of my 2-story home. I live 40 miles from the TV broadcast antennas in Houston. For those of you who watch HD broadcasts, is your antenna outside your attic? Do you think my locale and attic antenna will allow me to get HD broadcasts without problems? Thanks!

 

[REWahoo]

I'm gonna buy an LCD HDTV for myself soon because I will be bedridden for a few weeks and will be watching lots of TV and DVDs. I don't have cable, but I do have an antenna in my attic of my 2-story home. I live 40 miles from the TV broadcast antennas in Houston. For those of you who watch HD broadcasts, is your antenna outside your attic? Do you think my locale and attic antenna will allow me to get HD broadcasts without problems? Thanks!

I have an attic antenna and am located about 25-30 miles from the transmission towers. I get very good reception on all HD channels except one that is 180 degrees from the direction my antenna is pointing. I am also located high on a hill and have near line-of-sight to the towers.

Don't know if 40 miles will be a problem, but you might try feeding your location info into the web page below for some recommendations.

Good luck and I hope the reason you will be in bed for a few weeks works out for you.

http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx

 

[LOL!]

Thanks for the antenna site ... it's pretty cool. Because I have no problem with getting normal channels now, I suspect I will have no problem getting HDTV channels.

I'm having knee surgery and my leg will be in a cast for awhile. Shouldn't be too bad though. Not the best excuse to update the 20 year old TV we have now, but acceptable.

 

[HFWR]

50" Samsung DLP, no tuner, $2.4k

Sure beats the 13yo Magnavox CRT I still have in a spare room...