Quick TV crash course.

[DrBDC]

Ange said I can get a big screen if she gets a new entertainment center. I need some info in easy terms. There are LCD and plasma?? 1080p is the number I look for and what is the term on the HDTV stuff that I need to look for so I don't need some other item??

 

[rams]

I wouldn't spend the money on the 1080p unless you plan on getting something to do that resolution. I know Dish only has HDTV receivers that do 720p. I think I remember BestBuy having a deal where you buy the TV you get a big discount on a BlueRay player including the PS3 then go 1080p. Plasma refreshes faster with being a gas. Thats all I got for now.

 

[MRGolfo]

is there a lot of glare where you're going to put the tv. if there is go lcd. I would spend the extra money because eventually you're going to go 1080p and the resolution will be more available. I guess it depends on the price difference. whatever you do, don't hang it over the fireplace. it looks cool but you're neck gets stiff after a while. it's kinda like sitting up front at the movies. try to mount it at eye level when you're seated.

 

[deluxe_noob]

DirectTV HD broadcasts in 720p and 1080i i (interlaced) p(progressive) scans.1080p isnt a must unless your running a Bluray player or playing xbox 360 or PS3 games that run in 1080p. Plasmas do refresh faster but in all honesty i just dont think their picture justifies the pricetag. I bought a Sony Bravia 52" its not a plasma or a LCD it is a projection tv ...that being said its not the giant projection tv of old. Great tv decent price tag and great picture.i honestly thing for sports it refreshes way faster then a LCD not really any blurriness. IMO just do some research and pick what looks good and has the most inputs.

 

[mpcart]

How big do you want? Don't get too caught up in all the LCD/Plasma comparisons - these days both are very similar in picture quality and you won't notice the difference. However, there is a difference in price. If you are looking 50" or above then Plasma is significantly less expensive than LCD. Below 50" and you'll probably end up with an LCD. Of course, this is all assuming you go with a flat panel.

You'll have trouble finding a large flat panel in your big box stores that is 720P since they are all moving to 1080P. That being said, other posters are right that none of the over the air broadcasts, cable, or satellite providers broadcast in 1080P. It is only useful if you add a blu-ray player or are a gamer. And in those cases, you still won't really be able to tell the difference between 1080P and 720P unless you start looking at projectors.

Some other advice. DO NOT BUY ANY CABLES FROM THE BIG BOX STORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They are way overpriced and you can get them for 10% of the cost at www.monoprice.com

Also, when you set the TV up at home, put it in "cinema" or "movie" mode. The default mode on these things is "vivid" where the colors are far too bright and no where near properly calibrated. All the TV's in the store are on vivid mode because buyers are impressed with bright, shiny objects.

Also, you will probably want a programmable remote control. Because the new TV's use lots of different inputs, you'll want something to make it easier for the family to switch between movies, games, and television. I highly recommend harmony remotes.

Lastly, buy the TV now. Before she changes her mind.

-Mike

 

[drgabe]

Plasma is going to be dead in about one year, plus I hear that many people are having problems with burn-in images. LCD is great if this is going into a room with lots of glare. The only difference between 1080i/p is your ability to differentiate very small pixels next to each other (i.e. only videophiles can tell the difference).
Actually, the most important bit of info is how big is the room this is going into? Get the biggest size that is appropriate for the size room and get as many inputs on the TV that fits your price range. After that, its all hype.

 

[drgabe]

Oh, and whatever Direct/Dish/Cable "broadcast" in is irrelevant. They compress that signal horribly, so you aren't getting anywhere near a true 1080i/p picture.
The only true way is to get local channels over HD-antenna (non-compressed format).

I don't see the compression issue changing anytime soon because of bandwidth problems in broadcasting so many channels in HD. By the time it is worked out, your technology will be outdated.

 

[mpcart]

Good point about the glare except I think new Plasmas are coming with glare free screens but you would definitely want to check the set you are looking at. Burn in isn't a problem anymore.

I have a 58" plasma in the basement and glare is a non-issue. However, the upstairs plasma picks up window glare all the time and it can be a pain.

-Mike

 

[Schplitter]

I work with both LCD and Plasma monitors all day and I like the LCD's a lot better. Even if you get a bright light onto the lcd you will still see everything where with a plasma you will not. A plasma will run a lot warmer also. The main reason I like LCD's so much more is that they can take a beating and still keep on ticking where a plasma should not be moved at all if possible...

I have broken 3 50" Sony Plasmas in the last year where I have not mannaged to do so with an LCD!!! My company is at the poit where they are only buying LCD because of the durability...

BK

 

[Schplitter]

Don't worry about burn in with a plasma. You can simply connect your laptop and project a white page onto the screen for 15 minutes and whatever was burnt in will not be any more...

BK

 

[dynamixone]

i got the visio 50" plasma at costco for $1100. 2 year in home warranty. no glare issues and picture is perfect. one heavy TV!

I was always die hard sony fan. but this tv has been great and the price is excellent!

 

[Shooter7]

I picked up a great deal at Best Buy when they run those package deals every once in awhile. It was a large flat panel Sony LCD tv and PS3 combo. With the pricing, the PS3 was virtually free. But it also came with free installation, some free blu ray movies (PS3 is also a blu ray player), and some other freebies. I combined it with getting new DirecTV service, which they also discounted another $200 off the price of the TV package I was getting. In the end I ended up saving somewhere around $1500 over pricing all the items out separately. The TV is awesome and I've been very happy with DirecTV. So, obviously, look around for deals, coupons, online coupons, whatever.

 

[drgabe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12462876#post12462876 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Schplitter
Don't worry about burn in with a plasma. You can simply connect your laptop and project a white page onto the screen for 15 minutes and whatever was burnt in will not be any more...

BK

Cool. Good to know. :thumbsup:

I heard somewhere (need to find that site again) but the plasmas use a ton more power than LCD.

 

[breutus]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12462876#post12462876 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Schplitter
Don't worry about burn in with a plasma. You can simply connect your laptop and project a white page onto the screen for 15 minutes and whatever was burnt in will not be any more...

BK

BK is defiantly right about this burn in can happen easer on plasma but it is one of the only Mediums that it can be easily removed from

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12463493#post12463493 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drgabe
Cool. Good to know. :thumbsup:

I heard somewhere (need to find that site again) but the plasmas use a ton more power than LCD.

it is true but not terribly, on a solid white screen a 42 Plasma pulls 2 amps on average a lcd pulls 1.5 but I guess it makes a difference in the long run.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12462831#post12462831 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drgabe
Oh, and whatever Direct/Dish/Cable "broadcast" in is irrelevant. They compress that signal horribly, so you aren't getting anywhere near a true 1080i/p picture.
The only true way is to get local channels over HD-antenna (non-compressed format).

I don't see the compression issue changing anytime soon because of bandwidth problems in broadcasting so many channels in HD. By the time it is worked out, your technology will be outdated.

Unless you get uverse! AMAZING room in there fiber great full signal. out of the others I prefer Direct for best overall quality.

MPcart said it perfectly for the comparison if your above say 42 you'll probably go plasma if your under you'll go LCD. The refresh rates on LCD's that large is just not good enough to compare.

Roy your welcome to give me a call I might be able to get you a deal at a few places I still have a few friends in high places.

 

[azgard]

LCD is the way to go. Also look for 1080p as this will be the most common format from this point forward. Many competing technologies. But mark my words, LCD is nearly now and will become the main stream and by far the most economical at least for the next 2-3 years.

 

[DrBDC]

Wow, that cleared things up! :lol:

But really I have alot more knowledge than I started. Just not sure how to process it all.

Any known objections to a 65" Mitsubishi DLP w/1080p? They have it on sale at American this week. I don't need the thin profile because my wife is having the entertainment center delivered Wed and a new table to replace the glass table we all sit around when people are over. The entertainment center has the cart? for a 65" but I don't necessarily HAVE to completely fill it if I find a different one. I will run to Rothman and measure it just in case the horizontal measurent works.

 

[deluxe_noob]

How far away from your tv do you sit?

Are you hooking up a surround sound system?

How much are the replacement lamp for it?

When i was shopping for a tv i looked at this tv ( not sure if same model) picture was pretty good and has a decent price tag. I personally haven't owned a dlp but as far as i've read im pretty sure the lamp needs replaced every 3 or 4 years(?).IMO these new "projection" tv's be it dlp, xbr( what i have), led, or whatever else there is produce better blacks then more expensive "flat" tv's. Only downside i have heard of dlp is the "rainbow effect" where as the viewer gets a rainbow effect when viewing from one end of the screen to the other rapidly but haven't experienced this myself

 

[spooda420]

i have the 65 inch mitzu dlp, nice but my lcd is nicer....

 

[spooda420]

i have the 65 inch mitzu dlp, nice but my lcd is nicer....

 

[DrBDC]

I ended up with the dlp. I couldn't wait for delivery so I went next door to Lowe's and rented the truck. It's on the floor as the new entertainment center comes Wed. My youngest thinks the wiggles are little midgets now.