I'm seriously eyeballing these 2 units, which are both available for under $1500:

SONY 46" LCD Projection

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Sony-...oductDetail.do


Samsung 42" DLP

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Samsu...oductDetail.do

The Sony seems to be the better choice, but the Sammy is $150 cheaper. Anyone own either of these?

There's also a 51" Hitachi CRT RP that has high ratings. How much maintenance do you have to put into a CRT RP?

Im looking at getting an HDTV but Im in no rush. I hope to have one by March/April of next year. My question is should I get one around Christmas (when there will probably be sales) or should I wait till after when prices might be going down. Im new to the HD scene so Im not sure when prices tend to go down but Ive seen that for other products as new models role in after the new year. Im pretty much planning for the future and doing my research now

After reading through several AVS threads, many there swear a RP CRT is the best picture and the way to go. The Hitachi is only $999, which is in my range. I thought the viewing angles on those were limited. Also, it sounds like you have to do alot of tweaking/calibrating to get it just right. Hmmm

My impression over the last few years is that HDTVs tend to go on sale after Christmas and before the Superbowl. You might want to track prices until then.

Thanks alot. I guess I'll have to be on the lookout in January

You put in almost no maintenance into a good CRT RP, they're the best there is. The only problem is the size.

Edit: Oh, I think you mean picture maintenance. Just pick up the upcoming DVE HD disc and you should be fine. While ISF calibration is nice, I think, for the most part, 99% of the population will do just fine with a good calibration disc. The only problem I see with the Hitachi is a) 1080i and b) only one HDMI input. Of course, as many people have pointed out, the 1080i/1080p difference has been greatly exaggerated, and the HDMI issue can be solved with a switcher, although you can't do independent settings for each device with that solution. I am presuming you're referring to the Hitachi 57F59A.

Overall, I might pick this one up because I have issues with all the other technologies.

It's the 51F59 51". Yeah, I was referring to maintaining the picture. There are 2 ISF certified places near where I live, but I'm not sure if I want to pay them $300+ to change settings on my tv.

This tv is only 21" deep, so it's not too huge, but it is 150+ lbs. The price is right, but I'm not sure I want a bulky set in my apt. With these though, isn't the viewing area limited? The only way to see the best picture is set directly in the center?

I think my options are down to this and the Sony LCD, which I've seen in stores and even there the picture was very nice. Plus, it's only about 50lbs and won't take up near as much room.

I'm trying to figure out what's the differences between DLP and a LCD Projection tv.

The viewing area on mine is definitely not limited. I'd go to a place and check it out. have the Toshiba 51h84 and am ridiculously pleased with it's picture.

While it isn't quite as wide as a conventional CRT TV or a plasma, the viewing angle of an RPTV seems to be about 45º, in my experience. I have no trouble putting people on a six foot sofa at the proper viewing distance from my 57 inch RPTV. I would guess that you could do that also with a 51 inch RPTV.

Of more importance to me than the viewing angle, is that as one gets farther from the "sweet spot" where I have my surround sound system focused, the surround sound is less balanced. But if you aren't using a surround sound system, that wouldn't be an issue.

If very wide viewing angle is a priority, you will need to skip RPTVs and look at thin panel plasmas and LCDs or Front Projection. They are quite a bit more pricey though (and front projection requires good light control in the room).

I'm just looking for something under $1500 that offers great video quality without alot of time spent making adjustments. The A1 looks great on my current Sony 16:9 CRT, but I want a bigger picture. The Hitachi remains a viable option. The Sony LCD Projection is very tempting as well. Walmart also lowered the price of the Panasonic 52" LCD Projection that they have to $1699. I would consider that one probably. The Sony makes the most sense. It's much lighter, is $1399 which is within my pricerange and it would likely fit in my current entertainment stand. My current CRT is one heavy mother (180 lbs). Not sure I want another heavy, bulky tv. But for $999, that Hitachi might be hard to pass up.

Are there any differences between DLP and LCD Projection?

I think the differences in DLP and LCD front projection would be the same as DLP and LCD rear projection. Namely, LCD has a hard time getting true blacks and exhibits a screen door effect. DLP comes closest to achieving CRT-like levels, but the bulbs don't have a very long life.

To me, the weight issue of a CRT is a perfectly good trade-off for the quality of the picture. I just haven't seen a really impressive image from a DLP or LCD. I'm still thinking about pulling the trigger on the new 57" Mits DLP that does 1080p, but I would really like to find another CRT.

I guess I will jump in on this as well.

My 50" Hitachi 50V500 LCD is not even 2 years old, but I am looking to upgrade already. Its a great set so far and the pic is great! I am getting sucked into the HD DVD world, but I know I should wait.

The problem with my 50V500 is no HDMI inputs, just 1 DVI, which I could work in with the Toshiba HD DVD player, but I am think about selling it while it still has some value, and get something better, the 1080P's look real good I looked at Video Only today, plus a 5 year full warranty for $249. Plus the user reviews on the 50V500 seem to be very negative.

I am looking into these sets

http://reviews.cnet.com/Samsung_HL_S...?tag=pdtl-list

http://reviews.cnet.com/Pioneer_PDP_...?tag=pdtl-list


Anybody have any experience with Pioneer TV's? Are they good quality? Will they last? What is a good resource to look into buying one BB & CC seem not to carry them.

Pioneer usually makes good stuff. I was looking at some of their plasmas, very nice. The only problem is the price.

Cool thats good to know, but I feel ya on the price, ouch. i mean i don't mind paying a little bit more for quality, but this is a little steep.

Their 42" plasma was over $1,000 more than Mits' new 1080p 57" DLP. But Pioneer knows people will pay because it says "Elite" on it. Granted, it's quality, but other companies also deliver quality at lower prices.

I mentioned this near the beginning of this thread some weeks ago but I will reiterate: Before buying DLP be sure you don't see the "Rainbow Effect" (RBE). Because of the color wheels used by most DLPs, a few people see colors smeared when scanning across a DLP picture, especially one in black and white. If you happen to be one of the unlucky few that see the RBE, it would be a serious issue for you. So, try before you buy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DLP

Otherwise, I believe that DLPs are supposed to have better black levels than LCD, but colors might be a bit washed out if the set uses a clear segment in the color wheel to increase brightness (not all do).

With either LCD, DLP, or CRT, you will need to take a look at them in action to see how the picture looks to you. But sets in stores tend not to be adjusted well and ambient lighting is often too bright, so you can expect them to look better at home, properly calibrated. This is especially true for CRT projection.

As far as LCDs go, I read that the higher the contrast ratio, the better the picture for blacks. I'm looking at a 26' inch Samsung model that has a ratio of 3000:1. That seems pretty high compared to the 800 and 1000:1 ratios I see for other TVs at the same size. Does that sound good? Would it still have a problem with blacks?

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Samsu...oductDetail.do

I want this TV :hump:

I've done some more looking into it, and it seems that the F5 Hitachi series is about the only way you can go at this point to get a new CRT. It's pissing me off because I see that Mitsubishi released a 2006 line of CRTs with an HDMI port, which I would love to get, especially since I already have a line of credit with Mitsubishi. But considering how cheap the Hitachi is, I'll buy one if I can't find the Mits. I do like that the Hitachi has a built in OTA HD antenna.

8 pages and that's it??? -rolleyes-

(Seriously, what a great job, everybuddy! This is one HELL informative thread!)

SUPER-MALLET MAN??? WOW!!!

(Long time no blab! I've really missed you! Treesa & I hope all is well with you, and Who, and all the folks you Love and care about. :up: )

Well, I got fed the Hell up and we just went out (2 hours ago) and bought one of those Sony SXRD KDS50A2000's. Sure, we could have bought a 60", but the 50" fits just right, directly in front of our bed!

We bought it at Circuit City. They had it on sale at around 23 something and it came to 25 and change, including tax, and that, "No Interest for 18 Months on TVs $499 and up", is really sweet.

(We always pay off early, but if we want to take our time, we can, so it works out G-r-e-a-t!)

So, we drove over to the one in Glendale (out here in California, for those of you AROUND THE WORLD peeking in at me :lol: ), did the do, unpacked it right there on the street, and believe it or not, it slid right inside the backside of our Matrix and fit nicely with even room to spare!

(Of course there was some minor salesman 'BS', and I nearly had a HEART-ATTACK, but for the most part it all went very smoothly.)

I'm currently tweeking it, but literally freekin' out about how friggin' BIG this "THING" is in our little tiny place! :eek:

Enough blabbin' already! I GOTTA GO PLAY WITH MY (lady pleasing) (((BIG))) 50"!!! :lol:

-Paul

Hey THEEK! Hope you're doing well and enjoying your new purchase. Do you have an HD DVD or BD player?

By the way, I'm moving back to Los Angeles in November (WhoGirl will be moving out after the new year). We should get together some time.

I've got EVERYTHING, but I don't wanna brag. :lol:

(Actually, no I don't, but I'm seriously thinking about getting one of those Toshiba's from Amazon. Think I should?)

But who cares about that???

I CAN'T WAIT to see you and give Who a BIG, FAT, JUICY, PLUMP, SQUENGY & MOUTH-WATERING KISS!!! rotfl

Maybe you & Who, and Tree, & me (and maybe even Chris, Aka: 'mrpayroll', that is, if we can find him... :lol: ), can all get together and shine on one-a-chuther! :up:

-TEK! :editking:

Sounds like a plan. :up:

It really is for me 'cause I NEVER meet (in person anyway) with anybody!!!

You see, I'm a social closet FREAK, and shy, and timid, and easily embarrassed. http://www.fastlanehw.com/forums/ima...es/redface.gif

This'll be an 'Edit King First'! :lol:

-paul

Wow, I brought The Edit King out of his shell! :D