Please help me choose a HDTV...
 

Hi. I've read quite a bit about 720p vs. 1080p and the outcome I'm hearing is: Unless you're going over 50", don't bother with 1080p. So here's my question: What should I buy? I'm hoping for help right away, as I'm going to look (and probably buy) one tonight. Please consider: My preference is Plasma. I don't think I'm interested in anything other than LCD or Plasma, as I need to hang it on a wall - space is a premium in my living room.

So I've narrowed my choices to (probably will buy from BestBuy):

Panasonic 50" TH-50PX75U 1366 x 768 resolution
Samsung 50" HP-T5054 1365 x 768 resolution
Panasonic 42" TH-42PZ700U 1080p
LG 47" 47LC7DF 1080p
Sony 46" LCD KDL-46V3000 1080p
Sony 46" KDL-46XBR3 1080p

These are all at Best Buy and are in my price range. We'll be only about 6 feet from the TV, and will never use it for a computer. We will be primarily watching HD-DVD and Blu-Ray movies, and mostly watch standard TV, although I'd love to watch some HDTV programming from DirecTV - placed the order today for a free HD-DVR - yay! (and perhaps a football game when I get permission from all my daughters. lol)

My budget is somewhere between $2000 to $2400 or so, but if I'm REALLY not going to notice a difference at that viewing distance, I'd prefer to go for a bigger TV and spend the extra $$ on a PS3 and/or HD-DVD player...

Any suggestions would almost GUARANTEE a Christmas card (or any other holiday card of your choice! ;))

Thanks!

I would not count out the

Sharp Aquos LC46D62U 46". 1080p, highly rated and currently $1899 at BB. Leaves you $500 free in your budget to buy the flagship HD-DVD player (XA2) or a PS3.

I'm really close to purchasing the Samsung 50" Plasma HP-T5054 after checking it out at Best Buy and Fry's and reading about the 720P/1080P difference at that size.

We just purchased the Westinghouse 42" 1080p for about $1,200 at Bset Buy and my wife and I are VERY happy with it. I wanted a 1080p but didn't want to spend a crapload of $$$ since our budget was $1,400.

Thanks for all the feedback, so far. I was interested in the Sharp a month or so ago. I haven't ruled it out, actually. If anyone knows how it looks/performs, I'd love to include it in my selections. :)

I should mention that I'm not a die-hard video-phile. I don't really notice the tiniest imperfections that some might notice, I think.

I doubt we are going to do any (or very little, anyhow) gaming, I should mention. Also, when I see contrast ratios, should I be concerned with LCD black levels?

I'd get this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16889187040

Phillips makes a very nice 47" 1080p that BB carries.

It says:

Cons: Optional HDMI board does not support 1080p .... get with the program Panasonic! DVI input does support 1080p

True?

I don't care what size it is you NEVER go 720 EVER!!!

I have the SONY XB3: outstanding design, top-notch picture quality (not a single sign of the "clouding" so many were touting). Just could not be any happier.

I would also back DAMED on Sharp Aquos LC46D62U 46". This TV...the more I look at it at ABT the more I like it. I like classy designs (and to be honest) if I had another room that needed a TV this would have been IT. Hands down one of the best Sharp products I have seen in a very, very long time (for those who care the black levels on this toy are outstanding).

Hope this rant helps with your purchasing decision!!

Yours,
Pro-B

Just curious, do you own the Philips? I'm kinda leaning towards 1080p in the 46-47" range, I think.

I'm not sure. Their website says the DVI board supports 1080p.

http://www.panasonic.com/business/plasma/boards.asp

perhaps panasonic is waiting for the final hdmi version to come out before they make hdmi boards with 1080p. someone else here should know for sure



here's the dvi terminal board specs

http://www.visualapex.com/accessorie...sma_Video_Card

Those two Sony's are nice. I have the KDL-46V2500 1080p. you may be able to find these at a steep discount on account of the advent of the 3000s.

Some people prefer the 2500s over the 3000s anyway.

No but I have been looking at all of the flat panels lately and really like the Phillips the best. I am just waiting for a nice price to come up. I really want the 47" but would be happy with a 42". Have heard good things about them over at AVS.

I'd say you heard wrong. Discerning the difference in resolution has everything to do with viewing distance and nothing to do with screen size. At 6', the full benefits of 1080p should be visible on something around 50". Even on a 40" set, you should be able to detect differences if you have sharp eyes.

I have a cool little graph, but I can't find it at this moment. But it was posted here months ago. :(.

Aha! Found it here: Stick with 720p or go with 1080p?

I too have been doing some (preliminary) research on TVs and had basically decided to go with either of the two Sonys you (the OP) are considering - Sony LCD KDL-46V3000 1080p or the Sony KDL-46XBR3 1080p, but may now wait to see some reviews on a new "affordable" Panasonic plasma - a 42" for $1799 or a 50" for $2799.

I was initially only considering LCD because I am/was a bit skeptical of it being a newer tech in the relative scheme of TVs. I don't know how much life a plasma TV would have compared to an LCD and I also fear that plasmas can suffer image burn-in, but perhaps that doesn't really happen all that easily.

Anyway, more about the "affordable" Panasonic mentioned earlier as another alternative...

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/tvs/panas...tvs-296975.php

I purchased the Panasonic 50" TH-50PX75U about a month ago and love it. It was on sale at Sears.com for 1449+ tax and I also managed to receive an additional 15% off from a coupon. I really have fell in love with the TV and wouldn't buy any other TV after owning this one.

I watch/play TV, DVDs, PS3, and Xbox 360 on my plasma.

spoken like someone who listens to and believes in circuit city employees.

good to see there is someone who doesnt just make a blanket statement but actually backs it with facts.

what he is saying here is true. at the OPs viewing distance, he should probably go with a 1080p tv at 50"....even 46".

Well, Big Worms, I went with the Philips you mentioned. It's 1080p, and I got an open box for $1699 + $299 for a A20 HD-DVD player (on sale at BB - that's $100 off - nice). I bought Corpse Bride on HD-DVD to show it off to my wife and kids who were definitely impressed.

Now, if I could just figure out how to set up the display with the TV, I'd be thrilled! BB wanted to sell me a "set up" service for $200 (if I bought it last night - $300 otherwise). Seems a bit steep. Anyone have this TV who can suggest how to configure it?

Thanks again for all the advice!
Steve

I went with the Panasonic 50" 1080P Plasma, 50PX700U and I couldn't be happier. It was about $2200 shipped from Fry's Outpost. I upgraded from the Panasonic 37PX60U, and while that was a great looking TV, this one looks even better. Also for whatever reason I have seen NO image retention yet. Even after playing Bioshock for over 4 hours in a sitting or playing several games of Madden which has lots of static things on the screen, after switching to another input I don't see any retention. I can't say the same for my 37PX60U which does show some retention after long gaming sessions.

Grats on the new TV! I suggest you pick up the HD DVD version of DVE (Digital Video Essentials), it is great for self calibration.

Sharp just introduce a new model D64U that shares most of the specs but the new model is 25% thinner (from 5" to 3 3/4"). The 46" version sells for $1300 on their friends and family discount page (I have access as an Motorola employee). The 52" version is $1800.

Congrats on the purchase modfather!!!

Make sure you mail in for your 5 free HD-DVDs before the end of the month!

http://thelookandsoundofperfect.com/...fer_advert.pdf

I have this TV, slightly smaller. I love it. :up: