For those of you who have one already, tell me your thoughts on the best ones available. I want the best picture possible on dvd playback so, include any dvd player makes and models you may be using currently. Thanks in advance guys!!!

As for HDTV, it depends on whether you are going to watch TV as well. Pioneer Elite probably has the best picture overall of the under $10,000 units. But if you only watch progressive DVD, you can probably get away with cheaper such as Mitsubishi driven by a good Pioneer or Toshiba (or maybe the new Sony) progressive player.

As for the best within a over $10,000, but still in a "reasonable" range, you would have to look at projectors driven by home theater computers. But their practicality depends on your room, lighting conditions, budget, and computer abilities.

I've had a Toshiba 56X81 for a year and really like it. The new model is the 56H80. I have a Toshiba 6200 progressive scan player hooked to it and the picture is great. I'd highly recommend a progressive scan DVD player, the 6200 is available online for under $600.

I have the Toshiba DW65X91, which is similar to the TW65X81, but it has all the HD decoders built-in. It also comes with a HD satellite dish. I'm not sure where you'd be able to find one though, I was told by Toshiba that they only made 250 of them & most stores told me they couldn't even order them. I got lucky and found a local chain that hadn't gotten them in yet. I got mine the day after they got their display model. My friend has a 46" Mits which is also nice, but people seem to prefer my picture to his. I'm using a Toshiba SD-5109 progressive-scan player which made a huge difference over my old Sony non-progressive.

[This message has been edited by El Kabong (edited November 25, 2000).]

I don't know what your budget is but you have some interesting choices. As mentioned the Toshibas provide excellent value for money and if you are primarily viewing DVDs (and preferably via a progressive-scan player) it will make you very happy. The new line doubler on this year's models is supposed to do 3:2 pulldown natively also (I have not seen this years line). The Mits series is also a very good performer and quite popular. IMO the Pioneer Elites (*10) are at the top of the heap for build quality, features and out-of-the-box performance. My advice is try and audition these sets and pick what appeals to your own eyes. Try and couple whatever TV you get with a progressive scan player (Toshiba SD-5109/6200, Pioneer DV-37, Panasonic H-1000, Toshiba SD-9200 or Sony 9000ES).

To sum up, if DVD playback is your primary concern any of those TVs + a progressive scan player will produce a very nice picture (the differences would be very subtle). If you are planning on viewing other sources (LD, VHS, Cable or Sat etc.) you get what you pay for. The Elites have an excellent doubler and very good stretch modes for 4:3 material.

Good luck.



[This message has been edited by Jehan (edited November 25, 2000).]

I did months of research before buying my HDTV and I finally deceided on the Pioneer SD582 58" HDTV as I found that with a progressive scan DVD player and High Definition there was no difference in video quality between the SD and Elite models! If watching satellite or cable is a must and will be the most watched thing on the TV then the Elite definetly gets the nod with the better internal line doubler. If DVD's (Progressive Scan) and High Definition is what will be the main things viewed I would highly suggest the Pioneer SD models. I found when viewing Progressive scan DVD's and HD The Pioneer SD was better then all but the Elite's and when comparing Progressive scan & HD there were no differences between these two models. I bought my Pioneer SD582 58" HDTV for only $3800 locally and have been extremely pleased since then!

------------------
------------------
My DVD/LD List
My Home Theater Equipment

[This message has been edited by Frank S (edited November 25, 2000).]

I highly recommend the Toshiba TW40X81... it's great if you live in an apartment/condo since it's smaller (and weighs only 120 lbs!), but has the same kind of resolution as its larger cousins. Got it at onecall.com for only $2000 too!

quote:<HR>Originally posted by jingoro:
I highly recommend the Toshiba TW40X81... it's great if you live in an apartment/condo since it's smaller (and weighs only 120 lbs!), but has the same kind of resolution as its larger cousins. Got it at onecall.com for only $2000 too!<HR>

It's just really small, therefore not meeting the criteria of "the best picture possible on dvd playback" IMHO. Unless small size due to room constraints is of utmost importance.

I wanted to get a smaller set but realized it would be too much like watching TV. I found 53" was the minimum for me to have a "theater" experience. And now I wish (but I try not to) that I could have handled bigger.