HDTV recommendation...help a noob out

[resmonkey]

Basic requirements:
1080p
46"+ (bigger the better?)
In-store (retail)
"Goodness"

Price range:
$0-$1500

Questions:
Is DLP good? (I'm wondering because they seem cheaper than LCD)

Do I need a stand? (if so, please show me which)


Thanks, really. Didn't know where to turn to, so I went ahead and asked you BD Elitists

[Memnoch]

I bought a Samsung HL-T6189S a month or two back and love it. It is a 1080p, DLP, HDTV powered by an LED light engine instead of a bulb with HDMI v1.3 inputs and PIP. It was $2400 from ABT.

They make it in 50 and 55/57 inch I believe, which may be more in your price range. If you don't need the v1.3 or PIP, you can get an even cheaper version.

I also got a stand that was made for these Samsung DLPs for $300. Kind of a rip off, so I would lean more toward a cheaper stand you can find in a place like Wal-Mart or Target.

DLP suits my needs just fine, but LCDs are great too. They just don't think they make them as big as they do DLPs. DLP was the best I could get for the money. If you have twice as much to spend, you can move up into plasma, but I have heard they dim/burn out after a few years. I think LCD is the way to go if you have the money and they make the size you want. If you want bigger for less, shoot for DLP. LCD is brighter and more evenly distributes light, but DLP is normally larger, cheaper, and almost as nice.

Good luck.

[BStecke]

IMO, DLP are by far the best bang for the buck, and even if you're not looking for bang for the buck, DLP's give you a damn fine picture. DLP and LCOS are my preference, until you get into the ridiculously expensive plasmas. As far as a stand goes, you'll need a stand for just about anything now, unless you're going wall-mounted plasma or LCD (probably not for < 1500) or old school CRT rear projection. A lot of company's make stands that are specifically for their tv's. They're pretty expensive for what they are most of the time, but they do add to the overall look of the tv. Another thing I've noticed with generic stands is that sometimes they'll cause the tv to sit a little too high.

So, Cliff's Notes version, DLP is probably going to be your best bet for what you want to spend, and yes, you'll need a stand.

[resmonkey]

Is there any specific details to look for when finding the right display (DLP)? Contrast ratios, perhaps?

The model number for the smaller Samsung version of the Samsung HL-T6189S are different, correct?

[resmonkey]

Wait, how is this one:
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Avail...tItTab.do#tabs
?

Edit = $100 more, but is it good (SXRD?)

[baccusboy]

One word: Pioneer.

If you can afford them, then go for it. Get a newer Pioneer in a Plasma.

I'd rate certain Samsung models as a semi-close 2nd. Samsung does some of the better LCDs. Personally, after owning both, I'd go with a 1080p Plasma if I had to do it all over again.

Panasonice would tie for 2nd with Samsung.

DO NOT go with rear-projection anything. That's old, old technology.

[resmonkey]

Originally Posted by baccusboy

One word: Pioneer.

If you can afford them, then go for it. Get a newer Pioneer in a Plasma.

I'd rate certain Samsung models as a semi-close 2nd. Samsung does some of the better LCDs. Personally, after owning both, I'd go with a 1080p Plasma if I had to do it all over again.

Panasonice would tie for 2nd with Samsung.

DO NOT go with rear-projection anything. That's old, old technology.

Price range?

[Palanthian]

I saw that Vizio just put out a 1080p 42" LCD for $1500. Slightly smaller than what you said, but I dunno of too many LCDs that are 46" or bigger in that price range.

[PaulDubya]

Plasma's burn out in 5 yrs. Ask anyone at your local dealer and they'll reluctantly admit that. I have a 56 DLP 1080p. You get more inches and pay less money when u go Projection LCD. No doubt DLP is great, i have a blu ray player hooked up to it and a 360, I havent seen a better picture or better graphics in my life.

[BStecke]

While I'm not a huge plasma person, the whole five year lifespan thing has been old, and incorrect, news for quite some time.

As far as rear projection anything being old, old technology . . . so is the automobile, but I'd still get a Bugatti Veyron . . . just because the method is old doesn't mean the implementation isn't up there with the rest of them.

[BBKat32]

I work at Best Buy. I've been in Home Theater for a few years now. I love it! But the feedback you're gettin is right on. DLP's are the best bang for your buck. The samsungs are the best in my eyes. They created the technology with Texas Instruments which = patents other companies dont have. As for plasma's and lcd's....Every digital tv on the market now excluding crt types are rated at 60,000 hrs of life. Weigh out the options each type of tv brings you and the drawbacks....bulbs burn out(projections), pixels may drop(lcd), color fades(plasma).

[resmonkey]

So my best bet is a Samsung DLP 50"+ ?

How about that SXRD? SXRD is DLP or no?

[BStecke]

SXRD, to my knowledge is LCOS (Liquid Crystal On Silicon). I don't think you'd go wrong in getting one. The only thing with LCD is the possibility of burnt out pixels. I don't think this happens as much as it used to, but when I was at Best Buy myself a few years ago, we had a Sony LCD with a dead pixel and it was VERY noticeable. The good thing with DLP is that there are very few wearable parts, and the lamps are easily replaced by the user. Once you get a new lamp, it looks as good as the day you bought it. If you get it from Best Buy, I'd recommend the service plan, as it covers the bulb from four years. I had to replace the one on my first DLP (Toshiba) and they just sent me the lamp so I didn't have to wait for a "technician" to come out and do what I could do myself. Actually ended up getting the Samsung due to an issue with the Toshiba. Best Buy let me swap it out under the service plan for very little difference in cost.

My suggestion, find someone who has something similar to what you want to buy. Best Buy, Circuit City, etc. never has their tv's set up so they're worth a s***, and even if they do it's so bright it doesn't matter anyway. When I was at the Sony Style store, a few of their sets were set up halfway decently, so if you're looking at the SXRD's I'd check them out there, if you have one.

[Titan]

Definition of SXRD, from sonystyle.com:

SXRD™ Panels
SXRD technology is the latest display technology developed by the legendary television engineers at Sony to meet and exceed the demands of a High Definition image at its full 1080 line resolution. Digitally transmitted High Definition signals can contain over 2 million individual detail points that need to be displayed accurately and rapidly. SXRD displays those 2 million detail points per SXRD panel accurately since the 3 SXRD panels actually contain enough pixels to fully display a 1080 line picture without interlacing it. SXRD has the speed to create a smooth, film like image. The SXRD panels have a blistering 5ms response time (total rise and fall time), which exceeds the demands of even the most rapidly moving High Definition images. And SXRD creates highly accurate, natural colors because the 3-panel design displays all the colors, all the time.

it's like DLP, except DLP only has one panel for all colors from what I understand. I have the 60" SXRD KDS-R60XBR2, and love it. Awesome TV.

EDIT: They also come with a second lamp in the box so when it does burn out you have another one ready to go.

[BBKat32]

The SXRD is a LCOS format. JVC is the only other company to use this technology. They give you excellent PQ. At Best Buy, we leave them/set all the tv's on the "dynamic" setting. Most companies prefer this setting on their tv's in retail stores.

Back to the tv selection.....samsung dlp, sony sxrd, you're comparing awesome tv's. HD content, Blu-ray's, game sytems, looks awesome on these tv's. You can't go wrong! When you get it home, make adjustments in the settings to what you like and what looks good in your house.

[resmonkey]

So SXRD is just better color reproduction? The added bulb/lamp sounds good.

Seems Circuit City has some 18month thing for minimum payments. I can probably do $1000 upfront and then get my dad to pay the rest monthly (I'm 17, no credit card).


EDIT = I have no immediate rush on buying, though. I can hold out till Q1/Q2 of 08. Reason is, I'm applying to college, and if I save enough $$$$$ with scholarships, I could get something top-of-the-line then for my dad (OLED?). Anything good coming out around that time?

[Goodguy818]

Vizio any good? VIZIO Gallevia 42" 1080p LCD HDTV fo 1299.99

http://www.shopnbc.com/product/?fami...-TOPSELLER-_-N

[easyrider]

Originally Posted by BBKat32

As for plasma's and lcd's....Every digital tv on the market now excluding crt types are rated at 60,000 hrs of life.

@ that rate and @ 4 hours per day of viewing, I have worked out that my plasma will last me 41 years ... or until I am 93 years old !
Sweeeet !!!

[Blus Brother]

Originally Posted by easyrider

@ that rate and @ 4 hours per day of viewing, I have worked out that my plasma will last me 41 years ... or until I am 93 years old !
Sweeeet !!!

LOL - no tv technology today will be around in 41 years - but good try.

[resmonkey]

BUMP

So are there any new technological breakthroughs around Q1/Q2 of 08, because I can wait...:P