I'm thinking about making the jump to 16x9 and have done some pricing and research. The tubes are more expensive, heavy, and smaller in screen size for the most part. However I have never owned a projection tv before. My friends have told horror stories about projections dying in 6 months, constant need for adjustments, and expensive part replacement. The repair service in my area stinks, and I'm looking for a reasonably long term investment, not to mention making it past the warranty. I know anything can happen but my question is this: Am I being fed a line of bull about projection tv's or do I need to start saving money (and lifting weights) for a tube? I'm not looking to break the bank ($1000-1500), although I like the selection of projection tv's more and I might even consider a large 4:3 if the price is right (ala the 50" Hitachi that was on sale at BB for $800).

That's a tough one IMO. Do you have a very critical eye? if you do then tweaking is needed on either. Do you desire the size of a large screen to try and duplicate the theater experience? Tubes only go to 34 or 36" so if you want larger then RPTV is your best bet but then there is the flat screen varieties that are more expensive. Before some one else jumps in I'll also add front projection but you need to have more light control for that.

Any TV can die in 6 months no matter what kind. That's what warranties are for.

On a RPTV you have 3 separate picture tubes shining on mirror that reflects onto the screen. These three tubes must be converged into one seemless image and during the break in period this will need to be done every few days but after a while you can set it and leave it. Some of us get fanatical and start doing more to get the best possible image out of our investment. For some they hire a professional calibrator to tweak it all the way in one shot. Others like me get the info from the net and do much of it ourselves. Some of it includes adjusting the overscan to the proper amount and adjusting all of the geometry to make it perfect. Disabling any and all image enhancements like red push, black level and sharpness levels. Now all of this I've mentioned can be done for either a tube or a RPTV but I believe that certain tweaks like overscan and geometry are more easily done on a RPTV becuase of their design.

Head over to the www.HomeTheaterspot.com or www.AVS.com and read through the forums there to see what people say about which brands and which types. Sometimes you'll see a pattern that might give you a clue as to which to avoid. Sony have flicker problem, Pioneers have a green line problem, Toshibas have a ghosting problem. They all have issues but which ones can you deal with and which ones are more of a risk.

QUOTE]Originally posted by chipmac
That's a tough one IMO. Do you have a very critical eye? if you do then tweaking is needed on either. Do you desire the size of a large screen to try and duplicate the theater experience? Tubes only go to 34 or 36" so if you want larger then RPTV is your best bet but then there is the flat screen varieties that are more expensive. Before some one else jumps in I'll also add front projection but you need to have more light control for that.

Any TV can die in 6 months no matter what kind. That's what warranties are for.

On a RPTV you have 3 separate picture tubes shining on mirror that reflects onto the screen. These three tubes must be converged into one seemless image and during the break in period this will need to be done every few days but after a while you can set it and leave it. Some of us get fanatical and start doing more to get the best possible image out of our investment. For some they hire a professional calibrator to tweak it all the way in one shot. Others like me get the info from the net and do much of it ourselves. Some of it includes adjusting the overscan to the proper amount and adjusting all of the geometry to make it perfect. Disabling any and all image enhancements like red push, black level and sharpness levels. Now all of this I've mentioned can be done for either a tube or a RPTV but I believe that certain tweaks like overscan and geometry are more easily done on a RPTV becuase of their design.

Head over to the www.HomeTheaterspot.com or www.AVS.com and read through the forums there to see what people say about which brands and which types. Sometimes you'll see a pattern that might give you a clue as to which to avoid. Sony have flicker problem, Pioneers have a green line problem, Toshibas have a ghosting problem. They all have issues but which ones can you deal with and which ones are more of a risk. [/QUOTE]

I'm not too picky, I'm not the type to make sure flesh tones are just right, etc. I do want large screen size for "the theater experience" (upcoming Two Towers EE, Raiders, and sports come to mind when I picture what I want to view). I'd even settle for a large sized 4:3 Projection if the letterbox size was still larger than the 36" tube I have now.

As I mentioned, repair service stinks in my area from previous experience. In-home service is non-existent. So I'd like to hedge my bets as much as possible.

I might do the tweaks myself, I doubt I'd hire somebody to come in and do it. Again, I'm lazy and pretty casual about calibrations.

I'd go for a tube set anytime. I STILL have not seen a RPTV that looks as good as tube set to me, though they seem to be getting better all the time. I have an open mind, but for now I'm happy with my tube HDTV, which has a far better picture than my friend's HD RPTV.

Give me a front projection system any day. Once you go front, you'll never go back...

Couldn't agree more than that. Everytime I saw a properly set CRT projector in a mom & pop HT store I often visit, it was like a treat to my eyes.

Now if only I'm not this poor... is there's anyone can tell me how to get rich without selling drugs,pimping ho's, stealing, selling bootleg dvds?

I guess everyone's tastes are different. I've never seen a tube thats big enough to give a theater-like experience or has the ability to look as good as a decently set up RPTV. There's something about a picture projected on a screen, as opposed to glowing phosphors, that looks more like it was intended to me.

I would base my decision on how well I could control the light in the room the set will be in. If you need to watch when it's bright, you have to go tube or plasma or LCD. If you can control the light or you only watch at night you should go RPTV or projector.

The size factor might outweight the brightness factor -- I know that was my deciding factor. I couldn't control daylight, I just have too many windows that can't really be covered. But it gets dark at night. Tubes just aren't big enough to look like a movie screen. So I dumped the tube, went with RPTV and I watch at night. Now I'm considering a projector since 53" just doesn't seem that big anymore.

If in-home service is a problem you might weigh your consideration toward a projector which is light and easy to ship for repair.