hey gang, my hunt for a 16:9 HDTV begins today..... Basically, here's the deal:

I have a room that measures 12' (144") x 11.9" (141"). Essentually a square. This room is where my HT will be built, starting with the aforementioned television. The wall in which the TV will be against is only 6.4' (76") wide... This is because there are doors on both sides of it, one leading into a washroom, the other leading outside into the hallway. Thus, leaving me with a 6.4' (76") wall in the middle to put my TV against.... My 27" Sony Trinitron currently occupies that spot. The couch, naturally, sits on the opposite wall. I 50/50 my television and movie viewing.

Also, I have a Toshiba SD3750 dvd player (pro-scan) + a DTV box from which i get my television fix..... so an HD ready television is a good choice for myself. I'm looking for something that's at least 40" and no larger than 50" (otherwise it would be just too large for that small wall...)

Can i get some suggestions to kick things off? This shopping experience should be fun, so im trying to get as many things out of they way as i can first. Oh, and my buget is reasonable, hoping not to spend more than $4000 cdn.

Thanks guys

Why do you say no more than 50"? Are you talking diagonal?

Is it overpowering the wall that sets this limit or is it the distance from your couch? If it's the couch distance you could probably go 53" diagonal or maybe a bit bigger. 8 Feet from a 53" diagonal RPTV is just about right. And a 53" diagonal set is about 50" in width.

I am open to a 53" RPTV..... But 50" (diagonal) or under seems a bit more reasonable . Again, money would come into play of course. But i would also like a reserve some room for the possible addition of a couple of speakers next to the TV.... of a shelf to place the other componets.

Are there any RP units you guys would like to suggest?

50HX81 seems nice

Since you don't have much room, get a Toshiba. Their RPTV's have much less depth than most stuff out there. A 42H81 is only 18" deep. I have a Toshiba 43H71 which is 20" deep, and it takes up less room than my old 32" Sony Wega.

thanks for the suggestion. Any others?

Yeah, get as big as you can possibly stuff in there. You'll eventually (like in a few weeks) want it. Especially since you probably won't be able to move it closer to you or you closer to it.

so are you sayin' if i buy a 50" 16:9 RPTV i may wind up regretting it in a few weeks and begin aching for a 53"? Hey, you guys are the experts with first hand experience.... So i guess I'll trust you on that one..

That's usually the way it works. After a couple weeks of admiration thinking "This is way cool!". The "Damn! I could have fit the bigger one in." starts. So if you can afford it, squeeze in the bigger screen.

Let me put it this way. I measured out a space that my prospective 53" would fit in perfectly. The next larger size, 58", wouldn't fit in it as neatly.

But the only problem is that I don't keep it in its spot because I like it closer to me than the 11' away I would sit from it that way. The relatively bigger screen makes a big difference in the movie-like experience. Luckily I have a hardwood floor and the set rolls. I'm watching a movie right now at about 8.5' away.

But in retrospect, now knowing my viewing habits, I think I would have been better off going with the 58". I think the general rule is you will always want a larger set than you think you want. However you have to temper that with the massive size of the set. (That's why I'm now coveting a projector.)

Maybe some other people can relate their experiences in this regard too.

Don't really have much to add to what has already been said here...if you are going to take the RPTV plunge, might as well go for the biggest size set that budget and space allows for

It is quite true that the set at first seems overwhelming, but you get used to it and some folks often wish they had gone for a bigger model, from what I see in these forums

I bought a Tosh 57H81 3 months ago and the thing is pretty monstrous Actual screen width is about 50", BTW (not including cabinet). I considered the 65H81 briefly, but decided that would be too massive (getting it up a flight of stairs to my apt. was also a consideration). I sit about 10' away, and so far am very happy with my set

Given the dimensions specified, you (DVD-Justin) also need to consider space for the speakers, so it sounds like a 50" set will do you fine, unless you plan on moving to more spacious digs soon

yep, I've been racking my mind over that very fact the last coupel of days...... I would like to eventually put 2 main left and right floorstanding speakers next to the TV...... But this will be at a later date. Given the cicumstances (and space limitations) 50" seems quite adequate.


so how about the makes.. Poineer, Toshiba, Sony, Panasonic, etc... Any straight up model recomendations you guys suggest i take a look at?

If your width limitation is 50" you can just barely squeeze in a Pioneer 53", probably that is the max in any brand.

I'm partial to Pioneer, either the expensive Elite line or this year's regular line. It really depends on what you watch and what type of DVD player you have, progressive or non-progressive. I just find Pioneer handles all very well.

I am also a Pionner HDTV fan as well! This years SD line has a line doubler that is equal to or better then last years Elite line doubler and for the money it costs it is a great bargain. The Sd's come in a 53" and 64" model and IMHO they have the best color, clarity of all the HDTV's I've seen (exception the Pioneer Elites). The Pioneers also offer 3 HD/480p inputs including a VERY handy VGA/RGB input (along with 3 component inputs - one shares with the VGA input) which is great when you get equipment like RCA's DCT-100 HD sat receiver that only outputs a VGA signal and you won't be forced to buy a $150 tranascoder cable to convert it to component!