BenBurnsed

Hello,
I am just curious if some of you might be able to recommend an LCD or plasma that is about 50-55 inches that can do 1080i. I don't really need 1080p, but I want more than the 768. If you have recommendations on some that you might have purchased or looked at I would greatly appreciate it. I will mostly be watching movies and cable. I would like to spend under 3000.00. Thank you very much for the input.

Also if you have certain web-sites that you have used or stores with good deals I would be interested in names.

dvdsteve2000

http://www.idealav.com/item.aspx?pid=105472

Product Description

Overview
The UltraVision® 55" Plasma HDTV utilizes the most advanced plasma technologies to produce a truly cinematic home viewing experience. The new Hitachi VirtualHD™ 1080p II video processor technology ensures a sharp, smooth and seamless image every time by analyzing and optimizing each frame. Innovative Wide Aperture Pixel technology maximizes the pixel aperture to deliver a smooth film-like image.
With its ultra-slim design, the UltraVision® 55" Plasma HDTV has a sleek profile as sophisticated as the innovative technologies inside.
Exclusive Features
VirtualHD™1080p II Digital Video Processor: When content from film is sent to your home it requires processing that can cause picture noise or distortion. VirtualHD™ technology reduces this noise to a minimum, recreating the smooth curves and high fidelity image of the original film source. An advanced technique, dynamic histogram processing, digitally maps the incoming signal to optimize on screen contrast, color and sharpness.
Quick Start HDTV and NTSC Tuners: Hitachi HDTV tuner technology brings viewers a unique blend of convenience and performance. Conventional HDTV tuners need extended start-up time to scan for channels and require switching between antenna inputs when selecting analog or digital programming. Hitachi HDTV tuner technology delivers the picture quickly with seamless access to all available channels
New Learning AV NET IV: A single convenient interface simplifies the operation of complete home theater system.
Illuminated Roll & Click™ Remote: Convenient new remote control that rolls and clicks for volume and channel control.
Day and Night Memory with Timer: Produces a bright picture for daytime and a home theater picture for nighttime.
Key Features
Slim Black Design: Sleek Ultra-Slim design with elegant black finish.
HDTV 1366 x 768 Display Resolution: Delivers high definition resolution.
Wide Aperture Pixel Technology (WXGA): Reproduces a smoother more film-like picture by minimizing the barriers between pixels on screen.
CableCARD™ Compatible: This digital cable ready set will accept cable security cards for viewing encrypted programming on participating systems.
Optional Powered Swivel Table Top Stand: Use your remote control to swivel the TV to the best viewing angle.
Photo File Viewer* (USB): View your digital photos on-screen in vivid accurate color. *USB adapters are not included.
Anti-Reflective Screen: Provides the optimum picture performance in any lighting environment.
Multiple Screen Modes: A wide range of options for viewing standard 4:3 programming on the 16:9 widescreen display.
HDMI™ High Definition Multimedia Interface (2): These connections provide compatibility with modern digital sources.
BBE® Sound Enhancement: Brings presence and clarity to dialog and music tracks
Specifications
Flat Panel Type Plasma Television
Screen Size 55 inch
Digital TV Standard HDTV Television
Display Resolution 1366 x 768 pixels
HDCP Support With HDCP Support
Display Capabilities
Digital TV Standard HDTV - HDTV receiver is integrated.
Broadcast Format Displayed 720p (HDTV)
480p (EDTV)
480i (SDTV)
Broadcast Format Supported 1080p (HDTV)
1080i (HDTV)
720p (HDTV)
480p (EDTV)
480i (SDTV)
Built-in Tuner ATSC
NTSC
Native Aspect Ratio 16:9
Interpolated Aspect Ratio 4:3
Image Quality
Comb Filter 3DYC / 3D Digital
Display Resolution 1366 x 768 pixels
Pixel Pitch .9 mm
Output Color 68000 million colors
Viewing Angle 160
Adjustable Color Temperature With Adjustable Color Temperature
Remote Control
Remote Control Standard
Illuminated Remote Illuminated
Audio Features
Audio Type Virtual Surround
Audio Output Variable / Fixed
MTS Stereo SAP / MTS Stereo
Audio Leveler With Audio Leveler
Technical Features
Picture in Picture Without PIP
Parental Control V-Chip
Sleep Timer With Sleep Timer
Energy Star Compliant Energy Star Compliant
Connectors
Rear Input Connectors S-Video x 2
Component x 2
Composite x 4
HDMI x 2
Audio (RCA) x 4
RF x 2
1 x RS-232C
Front Input Connectors S-Video x 1
Composite x 1
Audio (RCA) x 1
USB Port
Rear Output Connectors S-Video x 1
Composite x 1
Audio (RCA) x 1
Optical Digital
CableCARD
Subwoofer Output
Screen Text
OSD Languages English
French
Spanish
Channel Labels With Channel Labels
Closed Caption on Mute Without Closed Caption On Mute
Speakers
Number of Speakers 2 Speakers
Speaker Power 2 x 20 Watt
Dimensions
Width 59.5 in.
Depth 4.25 in.
Height 33.13 in.
Weight 139 lb.
Warranty
Overall Warranty 1 Year
Miscellaneous
Cabinet Color Black

Josh H

Panasonic 58" plasma.

There are a few models out there for under $3,000 at various online retailers right now from a quick google search.

If that's too big, the 50" plasmas are out there from as low as $1700 many times, with the newer models being more in the $2,500-3,000 range.

Patman

Just about all plasmas that aren't 1080p will have a native resolution of 768x1366, and they simply take OTA 1080i content and resize it to fit its native resolution. They do the same with OTA 720p content and upsize it slightly to fit its native resolution.

There is one model that is a compromise at providing a native resolution of 1280x1080 (so that it does justice to the 1080i/p material with some resizing in the horizontal dimension), it's the Hitachi P50H401. The compromise is that with 720p material, the resizing is done in the vertical dimension, and for 1080i material, the resizing is done in the horizontal dimension. Not much excitement over this model, though.

Hitachi also has the P50T501 which is a 1080p set with 1920x1080 native resolution. Unfortunately, if you do a search, you'll find that people complain about poor black level performance.

Personally, given your budget, I think you should do some careful shopping, or save up a little more and get the Panasonic 50PZ700U, a 1080p model with 1920x1080 resolution.

Nefarious

No need to save. He can get it for $2949.99 shipped w/ no tax (unless he lives in Washington) through OneCall right now.

http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=86753

Use the $200 off SUMMER07 coupon.

P.S. I've used OneCall twice and my father and two brothers have all used them as well. Highly reliable and easy to deal with.

Patman

Then that's the one to get with a $3000 budget!

SoSpacey

i have been buying from OneCall since 1995 and have nothing but good things to say about them.

dick_grayson

I agree.

broadwayblue

I don't know, for 3k I'd rather get two 50" 720p Panny's. 1080 is still too much of an upcharge for only a marginal improvement in picture quality. I just picked up last year's 600u for $1400 shipped. I'd take 2 of them over one 50PZ700U any day...or just buy one and put the extra $1600 towards a 58" 1080 unit in a year or so.

Actually, what I'd really do is spend the 3k on the 600u and an AX100 front projector. Nothing will beat my HD front projector for overall wow factor. To think you can get an HD 50" plasma, and a 100+" HD front projector for under 3k total is awesome! Heck, you'll still have enough cash left over to pick up an HD-DVD player! Now that's good value for 3 grand.

Patman

Who's selling the 600U for $1400 delivered?

A cursory search nets about $1600 delivered is the best price for the TH-50PX600U model, which is still a f'in steal!

Some folks can't be talked out of a 1080p model because they simply MUST have the latest and greatest fixed pixel display (to alleviate possible buyer's remorse down the road), which means 1080p (1920x1080 pixel array), even though their eyes aren't necessarily going to see $500-$1000 improvement between a 720p and 1080p 50" plasma set unless they sit very close to the set. But, hey, it's their money, spend it in whatever ways that makes them happy.

I would suggest going to the stores and watch the 720p and 1080p models from the same typical viewing distance at home, and then see if you see $500-$1000 difference between the 2 pixel arrays (1366x768 and 1920x1080). If you can, and have the budget, then go for the 1080p model, otherwise, it would make sense to consider the 720p models, and save some $$$ in the process.

broadwayblue

Tigerdirect had them on special earlier this week for $1399.99 with free shipping. Mine is on the truck and should arrive on Tuesday.

Newegg currently has them for $1599 shipped, $1499 if you have a discount coupon.

http://www.fatwallet.com/t/18/738590/

DVD Polizei

Why spend $3K now on a 1080p when 1440p is due out within a year.

Dr Mabuse

this is an amazing TV... Link...

they make a 50 inch in that line... it's the very latest Samsung at 1080P with 15,000:1 contrast and really improved blacks... and i can tell you Blu Ray and DVD's (through HDMI from excellent players of course) are amazing... PS3 games rock too...

lots of input ports...

and Best Buy and the like are at $3199 or a little less on sales... look at that price from amazon... $2299

just another 2¢...

Patman

Aren't these new Samsung LCD models getting some bad knocks for banding problems?

Dr Mabuse

the new 4665 models are amazing... the refinement is top notch... bear in mind those models only came out in march...

there are people who 'bash' for many reasons i guess... they think they present themselves as knowledgeable by bashing... they play ' i'd rather push a chevy as drive a ford ' type of things with brands... they are proponents of a particular technology like plasma or whatever... but being that i have seen all over the internet the 4665 line consistently rated as the best LCD in regards to banding and the like... i wonder where this came from, or whether the 'new' model getting 'knocked' is actually the 4665 line...

i've seen some stuff of 'pillaring' and 'clouding' on AVS but even in those posts the people said a black level adjustment solved it...

the picture is flawless on that TV... to be frank it's astoundingly clear and crisp... even on PS3 video games at true 1080 where the picture and the hardware is really tested...

i personally have seen posts at AVSforum and CNET about people with banding issues on Sharp stuff and etc... returning and going Samsung 4665 and singing it's praises... CNET called the 4665 the "best flat panel LCD they have reviewed" at an 8.3...

the only issue i can confirm is an occasional HDMI handshake issue... they all have issues... but since the only problem is HDMI handshake and the TV comes with in-home warranty from Samsung... the new firmware upgrades fix it... the handshake has occurred while i was playing PS3 but it's minimal... Samsung will put an updated main board in if necessary to fix it... i haven't gotten to the firmware update because even the handshake issue on HDMI is so minimal in my experience with my PS3... i'll get around to it...

this line is the best of the 1080p LCDs... the picture has no problems... you could... as with any product get a 'lemon' i suppose... but the Samsung support and warranty is highly regarded...

so i think the answer to 'banding problems' is a very confident "no"...

Patman

Ah, it was the Sharps that I had read about with the banding issue. We need a scorecard to keep all the major negatives straight for each manufacturer's models these days.

Depending on what HDMI output devices are connected to the 4665, that handshaking issue could make it a pain to get resolved, so it's a minor (or major) YMMV.

I will mention that if you are a SD holdover, the 4665 isn't all that good on SD material (480i/480p).