Thinking About an HDTV for Christmas--Edumucate Me

[legion]

Definitely going to get something 1080p.

So far, DLP is leading in my mind. Plasma is out. (I play a lot of video games and don't want to deal with burn-in.) LCD is a possibility, but probably more than I want to spend.

[Gogar]

I'd recommend this:

http://reviews.cnet.com/televisions/

Lots of great reviews and honest commentary about what specs matter, and which ones don't.

A lot of the reviews of plasmas and LCDs on this site stressed the idea that 1080p is really not too important until your TV starts getting REALLY Big, like more than 42". And, hardly anything is supporting 1080p yet, (except for some of your games), and blu-ray, but don't even get me started on that crap.

If you're willing to pay a lot more NOW to get the 1080p it's certainly a fine choich, especially in a year or two when broadcast TV and (everything except games) catch up with it.

[legion]

I won't buy another TV for 10 years minimum, so I want it to last.

I bought my last TV in 2000.

[TerryH]

LCD's were thought to be "burn-in proof", but have found to be burnable. The real key to lower the chances of burn-in is to lower the brightness and contrast considerably, like below 50%. The manufacturers can set the defaults at 100% to make the brightest picture possible for that in-store wow factor. Your home doesn't have 500 fluorescent lights to deal with like the store does.

It's also sometimes advised not to play any games or leave static images for the first month or so. The newer game boxes have screen savers, make sure to enable that for times you forget you paused the game.

I think DLP is not susceptible to burn.

[BeauBlues]

I wouldn't recommend getting a DLP, I tried one and got rid of it in less than a week. If you have good eyesight, the tv will bug you with it's stupid "rainbow effect". It has to do with the color wheel inside the tv. Once you see it and you'll know it and you can't stop seeing red, blue and green streaks embedded into the picture. Get an LCD, you wont regret it.

[legion]

My FIL has a DLP.

It doesn't bother me.

[gr8fl4porsche]

LCD has basically won the format war. This opinion is based on the number of each type of set in a store. The type they carry = the type most people come in to buy. The internet has revolutionized they way consumer goods are purchased as evidenced by your question to strangers rather than the opinion of the salesman at the store.

I have had LCD for a couple of years now and it is very nice. Their is some motion blur but the new sets have faster processors now and some type of software that is supposed to reduce blur.
Sports is where you notice this blurring.

Get a set with at least a 120mhz processor, next gen is supposed to be out soon.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Check NewEgg and CDW before you buy. I saved $200 over the big box sale prices on a Toshiba Regza 37" LCD, with free shipping from NewEgg. CNet reviews are very helpful, along with face time in a store. Amazon also has good deals and first-hand reviews, but be careful who the TV is actually shipping from.

[serge944]

Ultimately - plasma leads the picture quality war. Pioneer kuro and elite plasmas are the best displays consumers can buy.

I don't think it matters who won the "format war." This isn't media... Weigh the benefits of each and see what is more important to you.

Main downsides of plasma are heavy weight, higher energy consumption, and slightly more heat emission. Hardly enough to discourage me from taking advantage of faster refresh rates and deeper colors.

[Gogar]

Originally Posted by gr8fl4porsche

Get a set with at least a 120mhz processor, next gen is supposed to be out soon.

I think what you mean is 120Hz refresh rate, which is the next big expensive "spec."

The screen refreshes 120 times a second, instead of 60, like most current sets. Might be good for games and sports and stuff, I suppose.

I thought about it, but I looked at this VIZIO 120Hz LCD and all I seemed to notice was that the crappy colors of the set seemed more immediately crappy.

Just read up, Chris, and then go look at all of 'em. I bought a 42" Panasonic plasma (720) from reading those CNET reviews, and then just went to the store and I thought it looked great. Probably not the best choice for what you're doin', though.

[porsche4life]

Problem with DLP is that fancy little bulb thing that burns out and costs hundreds to replace. Just go get whatever size Vizio LCD fits your budget and be done with this. I have found that with my XBOX 360 the picture on the vizio is stunning. I would recomend a dvd player that upconverts to 720p/1080i. We got one for like 40 at walmart and that makes dvds play rather nicely as well.

[legion]

The DLP sets I'm looking at are LED illuminated.

[einreb]

Originally Posted by Gogar

I bought a 42" Panasonic plasma (720) from reading those CNET reviews, and then just went to the store and I thought it looked great.

Thats what I have. Compared it side by side to a 1080 and could not tell the difference with an HD feed. (both looked great and I now have an OTA HD signal to it that looks outstanding). 'upconverting' old school signal actually looked better on the 720 to my untrained eye.

Amazing how cheap this stuff is now.

[legion]

This is the leading contender:

http://reviews.cnet.com/projection-tvs/samsung-hl61a750/4014-6484_7-32915921.html

[einreb]

How big is the room? 61" is freaking huge. Is that the benefit of the DLP? cheaper for big screens?

[Rusty Heap]

61" freaking huge? hardly...........compared to "what",???

go for it. I sit 16 feet back from my 60" and it's real nice, 46" is downstairs tv in the kitchen.

[Porsche_monkey]

Originally Posted by einreb

How big is the room? 61" is freaking huge.

Perhaps legion is compensating for something...

[legion]

Originally Posted by Porsche_monkey

Perhaps legion is compensating for something...

Yes, the lack of a Porsche.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by legion

Yes, the lack of a Porsche.

Well played.

Just don't get too carried away. A single buddy of mine has a big-screen that fills an entire wall of his living room. As much as I love big TVs (as any man does), it's pretty damn ridiculous looking. Otherwise, you can't go wrong with Samsung.

I'd steer clear of Vizio. When I was looking there were a number of comments regarding TVs that died in 3-6 months, and nearly impossible warranty service.

[Porsche_monkey]

Originally Posted by legion

Yes, the lack of a Porsche.

That was what I was implying.

Do you have hi-def cable, satellite, or ????