Largest LCD/Plasma I can find or HD projector?

[cinemaphile]

I'm finishing my basement and turning half of it into my home theater. The big question: what kind of TV to get? I want the largest screen possible without sacrificing picture quality.

LCD/Plasma's are super-clear HD and really show off the beauty of HD and Blu-Ray, but as far as I know, those max out at about 65-70", right? What's the largest available? (and at what price?)

Projectors, on the other hand, can give me a picture at 100" or more, but I would think by nature a projected image would not appear as crisp. Is that correct or not?

I'm relatively new to all this technology, so any help would be greatly appreciated. What are your opinions on the matter? Which would you recommend?

[billzfan]

Originally Posted by cinemaphile

I'm finishing my basement and turning half of it into my home theater. The big question: what kind of TV to get? I want the largest screen possible without sacrificing picture quality.

LCD/Plasma's are super-clear HD and really show off the beauty of HD and Blu-Ray, but as far as I know, those max out at about 65-70", right? What's the largest available? (and at what price?)

Projectors, on the other hand, can give me a picture at 100" or more, but I would think by nature a projected image would not appear as crisp. Is that correct or not?

I'm relatively new to all this technology, so any help would be greatly appreciated. What are your opinions on the matter? Which would you recommend?

Projection will never look as crisp because:

A: The screen is massive. Remember, the bigger you go, the more clarity you lose.

2. All projections, including those you see at the theater lose some of their original light by the nature of the way the image is sent.

[cinemaphile]

Originally Posted by billzfan

Projection will never look as crisp because:

A: The screen is massive. Remember, the bigger you go, the more clarity you lose.

2. All projections, including those you see at the theater lose some of their original light by the nature of the way the image is sent.

That's kind of what I figured. What's the biggest flatscreen I can get?

[billzfan]

Originally Posted by cinemaphile

That's kind of what I figured. What's the biggest flatscreen I can get?

Non projected, the biggest I have seen is 65 inch. there's an amazing deal at Best Buy right now on a 65 inch Panasonic plasma with 3 years 0% financing. Here's a link:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Panasoni...&skuId=9431242

That's the ebst price I've ever seen on a plasma that big. It's a Panasonic too!! They make arguably the best plasmas you can buy!

[Grif32]

Vizio is coming out with a 72" 3D TV that is suppose to be really nice. Price is around $3500.

Only time will tell just how nice of a tv it is.

[Alan Brown]

Originally Posted by cinemaphile

I'm finishing my basement and turning half of it into my home theater. The big question: what kind of TV to get? I want the largest screen possible without sacrificing picture quality.

LCD/Plasma's are super-clear HD and really show off the beauty of HD and Blu-Ray, but as far as I know, those max out at about 65-70", right? What's the largest available? (and at what price?)

Projectors, on the other hand, can give me a picture at 100" or more, but I would think by nature a projected image would not appear as crisp. Is that correct or not?

I'm relatively new to all this technology, so any help would be greatly appreciated. What are your opinions on the matter? Which would you recommend?

I don't recommend that you rely on others' opinions regarding such an investment. Facts are much more reliable. Experienced professional analysis is also much more reliable. By the way, what is your planned budget? That is a big factor in determining what solution will be suitable for your system. You will fundamentally get what you pay for. If you want superior performance, plan on a larger budget.

Panasonic currently offers a professional plasma monitor that has no tuner or speakers at 103" diagonal. It also requires an outboard video equalizer to align the color primaries for rec. 709 HDTV standards. The red, green, and blue primary color gamut is 140% of HD. It's very close to the Digital Cinema Initiative (DCI) color gamut, but no consumer software is available in that format. The model number is TH103PF12UK and it retails for $50k. Samsung has a pro LCD panel that's 82" for $84.7k retail.

Many of the popular projectors today use three imager chips that do not align with each other reliably. Epson manufactures the light engines for all the companies selling '3LCD' projectors. Epson's stated tolerance for pixel alignment is up to +/- one entire pixel. This misalignment issue softens the image on the screen. Single-chip DLPs do not have this problem, but they can have other issues. It is available for a two-piece front projection setup to produce a very sharp, bright, and accurate image, IF it's designed well.

Much will also depend on your viewing environment conditions. You would do well to read this technical article: 'The Importance of Viewing Environment Conditions in a Reference Display System.' If you want reference quality results, consult an experienced, credentialed, professional. There are plenty of people on forums who think they know how to help you, but don't. There are others who may know enough, but don't bother to ask enough questions of you to identify what your precise requirements are. There are a vast array of details involved in designing an authentic private cinema system. Much of the advice you will get on forums may only be half-vast at best. Unfortunately, that may also be true of many salespeople in the home theater business. Look for advisers with formal training, certifications, experience, and references. If you cannot afford to hire capable professionals, much time and research will be required to compensate.

Best regards and beautiful pictures,
Alan Brown, President
CinemaQuest, Inc.
A Lion AV Consultants Affiliate

"Advancing the art and science of electronic imaging"

[LordoftheRings]

Me, I'd go with a good 1080p front projector, and a screen of about between 84" to 96" max.
* You got several options now on front projectors (even used ones) for very affordable and attractive prices (say between $2,000 & $3,000).

And the total impact you get from it is true Cinematic feels, as compare to a TV set in the 50 to 70" screen size.

That's my 0.02 cents.

[Marcus Wright]

Plasma vs prrojector?
Its a matter of preferance. Do you want better, more crisp, clear and brighter picture (hdtv) vs a more cinema like experience.
I prefer hdtv anyday.

Also, if you buy hdtv, by a 3d one.
Future proof yourselve.

[Texitura]

I have a front projector. IMO the cinematic experience of a really large screen far outweighs the added "crispness" of a small screen. Every time I go into Sam's Club I walk through the TV section and smile because the pictures on the 50 and 60 inch sets look so tiny to me.

[allstar780]

Panasonic TH-103PF12 103" Plasma

[dobyblue]

The 103" Panny is the biggest until they have the 152" 2160p Full 3D model up for sale, probably be around $150k though.

Panny also have an 85" Pro panel.

[Nathan Arizona]

If you are actually building a home theatre meant for movie watching in a light controlled environment for sure go with a quality projector, however, if it's a family room situation you’re setting up where the kids will play and watch TV go with the big flat panel TV. Projectors are not for turning on briefly to watch The Office as short power ups reduce lamp life, but they also can't to be left on for 5 hours every evening as you'll burn through expensive bulbs.

[Pirate King]

I had this same question about three years ago and went with the 70" Sony XBR. Even though it is rear projection, the picture is outstanding. I have no regrets. Unfortunately, Sony is no longer manufacturing a 70" screen.

[Beta Man]

I am afraid all of the comments saying "not as clear" or "not as bright" or "not as crisp" may scare you away from an option that you may in fact be extremely happy with. If you can find a place that has a good projector setup, in a light-controlled room (find a small A/V mom-and-pop store that specializes in high-end stuff....... they typically have demo rooms..... the "Magnolia" inside a Best-Buy isn't gonna cut it for this)

I think the perception that a FP setup isn't bright/detailed will be put to rest once you see one..... and much like CRTs, they provide a type of image I find superior to LCD/Plasma as it has a more "realistic" feel to it..... but you'll have to make that call for yourself.

If it's a basement, I would go FP, and I'd never sacrifice 40" of diagonal screen size for an image that may be a 'little' more "CRISP" as others have suggested.....

And as far as "bigger it is, more clarity you lose" sure that's true, but you notice more details as well at a given viewing distance..... otherwise you'd get the 11" OLED display to get the 'best' picture you could..... but you wouldn't want to sacrifice the size right???? well, why sacrifice the size difference from 100+ inch to whatever LCD/Plasma you'd get

Either way, try to go out and view a good FP setup, and if it's not for you, great.....but don't disregard it based on some people on a forum telling you it's not as bright or detailed.