What big screen TV do you think is best?

[Scott Campbell]

Stay away from RCA.

If you can get a 62" DLP for the cost of a 52" LCD or 42" Plasma, I would go for the DLP every time. The extra size makes a HUGE difference. The numbers don't seem like a huge difference but the square inch difference is massive.

Likewise, I would go with a 62" Mitsu over a 52" Sony since the price will be about the same.

I have a 73" rear projection Mits. CRT - old school. Still smokes anything out there. Stopped making them because they fell out of favor because they're huge - heavy and bulky. I agree totally with your screen size comments. I'm less thrilled with their supposed "upgradeabilty". They never released any new firmware after launch. There is little value in future upgradeability if they never actually provide an upgrade.

The Mitsu DLPs use the same screens, and you can simply change the DLP engine. For example, if your bulb burns out and you want to go to 1080p from 720p, you can drop 600 instead of 200 and upgrade the entire DLP engine.

So you can turn your Medallion into a Diamond?

[Partial]

You can debate this kind of crap all day long but in many ways it all comes down to what the pocket book can handle....go to Costco, watch both HD and SD on all the units in the price you have targeted. The Costco I shop has a SAT subscription as well as OTA and DVD/Blu-ray all hooked up to this hub and you can have a look at all the variations in the quality of picture depending on the source. I know all the stores are not set up the same but they will always have some very nice sets on hand. I have a 46 inch Samsung LCD I bought there and am very happy with it. When I bought this set it was right next to a 50 inch plasma and although it was not as vibrant it was about $1200 less.

I have no problem buying at Costco - I'd almost prefer to. But shopping there for a tv is a mistake because the lighting is so terrible. They don't calibrate any of their tv's either, though none of the big box retailer do either.

Yep, nothing but Gamma gamma gamma contrast contrast contrast all the way up to make them look bright. I didn't calibrate mine well when I had it but it got the job done. In the future, i'll get a calibration dvd.

[Scott Campbell]

6. DLP bulbs are like 200 though, and the picture quality for sports is top notch.

This is just personal preference, but I'm a little down on DLP's because of the bulb issue. It's has nothign to do with cost. I don't like the idea of wondering if my bulb will go during my Superbowl party. I don't like the inconenience of having to change the oil in my car either, and I like the simplicity of not having to change bulbs on LCD and Plasma.

[MJZiggy]

They didn't even mention the S3.

Which, by the way is working out wonderfully. I had no idea you could add lenses to that thing...it's fantastic.

[Scott Campbell]

They didn't even mention the S3.

Which, by the way is working out wonderfully. I had no idea you could add lenses to that thing...it's fantastic.

My only gripe is the LCD screen size is a little small, and my eyesight has slipped since I turned 40. 10 years ago the size of that screen wouldn't have mattered to me.

[Scott Campbell]

Yep, nothing but Gamma gamma gamma contrast contrast contrast all the way up to make them look bright. I didn't calibrate mine well when I had it but it got the job done. In the future, i'll get a calibration dvd.

I had both my HD tv's professionally calibrated by an ISO certified tech at the beginning of the year. Funny, but even he has trouble answering the question as to what TV is best.

He did do something intersting though. In his family room with his best HDTV, they keep a old tube CRT just for watching SDTV broadcasts. Nothing comes close to the old tube CRT's for SDTV, and there's probably always going to be a lot of old SDTV content out there.

SDTV typically looks extra crappy on almost all HDTV's.

[Scott Campbell]

3. Not necessarily. It depends on what material the screen is made out of. The have glossy and matte displays. The matte won't reflect too much.

I'm pretty familiar with Panny and Pioneer Plasma's, and know a little bit about ultra high end Runco and Fujitsu also. I'm not aware of any plasmas that don't have much greater difficulty with glare than their LCD panel counterparts.

[Freak Out]

You can debate this kind of crap all day long but in many ways it all comes down to what the pocket book can handle....go to Costco, watch both HD and SD on all the units in the price you have targeted. The Costco I shop has a SAT subscription as well as OTA and DVD/Blu-ray all hooked up to this hub and you can have a look at all the variations in the quality of picture depending on the source. I know all the stores are not set up the same but they will always have some very nice sets on hand. I have a 46 inch Samsung LCD I bought there and am very happy with it. When I bought this set it was right next to a 50 inch plasma and although it was not as vibrant it was about $1200 less.

I have no problem buying at Costco - I'd almost prefer to. But shopping there for a tv is a mistake because the lighting is so terrible. They don't calibrate any of their tv's either, though none of the big box retailer do either.

That is one of the few drawbacks...the lighting, but in some cases works well for consumers. It is a warehouse and not darkened in anyway to help..enhance?..the darks/black and such but many folks do not have a dedicated theater room and get a bunch of light in..be it natural or compact fluorescent/incandescent. The price and the return policy just cannot be beat although they did change it recently for consumer electronics. I bought a DVD (forgot the name?) to help calibrate my last set and it worked well, but if I was going all out with a theater room I would bring in a pro with the real shit.

[Freak Out]

SDTV typically looks extra crappy on almost all HDTV's.

So true...I have an old Toshiba bomber CRT that just rocks for SD. My wife hates the thing but I keep it in my cave.

[GBRulz]

Just a question for any HD subscribers out there. I have an HD TV, but our cable subscription isn't set up for HD.

How much better do sports look in HD then on regular? I've seen them in the stores, but I'm interested to see what you guys think.

You can clearly see all jock strap lines very well, Ballhawk. Anything in HD is like night and day when compared to analog or digital channels. Luckily, I can watch all the Packers in HD because our local channels all broadcast in HD. I also have Dish Network, which easily quadruples the number of overall channels of HD programming vs any other provider. I guess I look at like like why bother getting a nice TV if you aren't going to pay for the HD programming. I'm not even home that much to watch TV, but when I do I want a good picture

I won't get into the TV debate because everyone is going to have a different opinion, but one thing I can say is DO NOT GO CHEAP ON YOUR CABLES!!

[Freak Out]

The folks at Toms always do a good job on their reviews. Old but with some good info.

http://www.geardigest.com/2007/01/22/hdtv-buyers-guide/

[MadtownPacker]

Here are some questions that can change the answer as to what is the "best" tv set for your application.

What is the size of the room?
Around 30 x 20 with a high ceiling and 2 windows plus a sliding glass door.
What is the normal viewing distance?
About 13ft
What is the lighting? Can you easily dim or shade obnoxious light sources.
Lots of light. It is sunny on that side of the pad.
What do you typically watch? (% of TV, % of Movies)
It would be mostly (80%) TV and movies and 20% video games. No PC use at all.
What is your typicall source material (% of SDTV, % of HDTV, % of DVD's and HDDVD's)
That would be DirectTV and whatever HD they offer. I get NFL Sunday Ticket so the games are what I am most concerned with.
Is this your critical viewing tv? Or is it just the 2nd or 3rd tv? Primary
What are the angles that you view from? LCD and Plasma typically have a greater field of view.
The TV will be flat against the wall and the seating will be in the middle of the room facing the wall.

If all this seems pretty complex, that's because it is. I built a home theater and also built 3 HTPC's in our house, and I've invested a ridiculous amount of time in trying to understand all this stuff. I'm not even close to to being an expert. I'm not even sure what I'll buy next.

This is good info SC, thanks. I knew that you would be an expert on big TVs since all your wives and kids cant gather around a small TV.

[GrnBay007]

This is good info SC, thanks. I knew that you would be an expert on big TVs since all your wives and kids cant gather around a small TV.

LOL!!!

[Scott Campbell]

Here are some questions that can change the answer as to what is the "best" tv set for your application.

What is the size of the room?
Around 30 x 20 with a high ceiling and 2 windows plus a sliding glass door.
What is the normal viewing distance?
About 13ft
What is the lighting? Can you easily dim or shade obnoxious light sources.
Lots of light. It is sunny on that side of the pad.
What do you typically watch? (% of TV, % of Movies)
It would be mostly (80%) TV and movies and 20% video games. No PC use at all.
What is your typicall source material (% of SDTV, % of HDTV, % of DVD's and HDDVD's)
That would be DirectTV and whatever HD they offer. I get NFL Sunday Ticket so the games are what I am most concerned with.
Is this your critical viewing tv? Or is it just the 2nd or 3rd tv? Primary
What are the angles that you view from? LCD and Plasma typically have a greater field of view.
The TV will be flat against the wall and the seating will be in the middle of the room facing the wall.

If all this seems pretty complex, that's because it is. I built a home theater and also built 3 HTPC's in our house, and I've invested a ridiculous amount of time in trying to understand all this stuff. I'm not even close to to being an expert. I'm not even sure what I'll buy next.

This is good info SC, thanks. I knew that you would be an expert on big TVs since all your wives and kids cant gather around a small TV.

At 13 feet with a relatively narrow field of view and a lot of light, I'd be tempted to go with a 63" 1080P DLP - if that size doesn't overwhelm the room.

How long till one of your friends steals your set?

[MJZiggy]

At 13 feet with a relatively narrow field of view and a lot of light, I'd be tempted to go with a 63" 1080P DLP - if that size doesn't overwhelm the room.

How long till one of your friends steals your set?

That's why he needs it so big--so they can't carry it...

Considering the description of the room, Mad, can I come watch at your house?