Porsche vs. plasma tv

Nader · 05-31-2002, 09:03 PM

Any home-theater types out there know if the current crop of 42" plasma tvs are worth the money (some are about 5k)? Prices are coming down, anyone know where they will bottom out? Trying to decide between upgrading my home theater and making the Porsche more track-worthy.

echocanyons · echocanyons's Garage

Hmmm,

I bet if you asked this ? on a "plasma TV" bulletin board you would get a different answer.

Is there really any question?

Just remember the TV wont make you go faster or turn better

I really have no idea about the market on these but I do know that they are WAY overpriced(Like you could get an early 911T for the price of one).

Kelly

Nader · 05-31-2002, 11:03 PM

Well, I feel like I've been pouring money into the car at an alarming rate just to improve its track performance. I wonder if the cash might be better spent on a more tangible, daily-use item like an excellent tv. But I don't want to spend big money on plasma tv just to see its price drastically reduced a year later.

Z-man · Z-man's Garage

Why watch the excitment (on a tv) when you can live it (on the track?) (Or have more fun/safety/speed on the track).

There was a repeat Malcom in the Middle episode last night: they went to vacation on a boat/home thingy. Little Dewey goes inside, and comes running out screaming "No TV! No TV! No TV!" His dad puts his arm around him, points to the lake, and says, "Son, there's your TV!" (Reece, the 2nd oldest says, "I don't see it. Where?")

Get the track stuff for your car. No question about it.
-Zoltan.

island911 · 06-17-2002, 06:16 PM

Many efforts are being devoted to displays (read lots of change in tech & price coming)
For now, most plasma displays have a lot of masking ( the black lines between the pixles) You don't see them, until you see them. . then you always see them.
ALthough, Fugitsu has one that's pretty good, and has a great contrast ratio, and picture. . but $15k (across the freeway from work - GoodGuys, South wall, in the high-end room)

Nader · 06-17-2002, 08:35 PM

Hey Island, I saw that very display. Beautiful picture, but the price...jeez. I'd sooner buy an SC for the track. I wonder how long I'll have to wait before I can comfortably afford one of these units, and be able to see "Fast and the Furious" the way it was meant to be seen.

Roland Kunz · 06-18-2002, 11:41 AM

Hello

Now fact is you always will pay the same some for a TV set yet in the next years you always will get more for the same money. This will speed up the valuedrop on your older imnvestments.
After 10 years the technology declares the stuff as usless and don´t support the standards anymore.

Just look at the computer marked

The same can´t be said by Porsches

Now best is driving in a Porsche to the movies

Grüsse

epbrown · 06-18-2002, 03:35 PM

Go to eBay and get an LCD projector that's SVGA capable and accepts optical, digital, and analog inputs. Much less money and you're good to go. I watched the Tyson/Lewis "fight" at a friend's place with this set-up. His satellite box as routed to the projector, and we watched the fight projected onto a white sheet stapled to the garage entrance - I couldn't believe the picture quality.

Ebay also has scads of LCD displays, btw, some really cheap ones from Eastern Europe - weird.

Emanuel (and Cuba Gooding, Jr. was drunk as hell, wasn't he?

island911 · 06-18-2002, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Nader
. . . and be able to see "Fast and the Furious" the way it was meant to be seen.

LOL!

Emanual, the LCD projectors have a big downside. the lamps need to be changed about every 8 months, or so. . . At $400 per pop! Yikes!

Nader · 06-18-2002, 05:15 PM

Well, the tally on my STOCK brakes is up to $1200 by adding cooling ducts, Pagids, kevlar-lined steel hose, and removal of backing plates. I still want the beefed up suspension, exhaust mods, and 17" wheels. This hobby is killing me!

Before I know it, I'll be like those 2 jokers in Excellence who spent 70K on their SCs.

-------------------

"Red Smilies" Nader
87 Carrera Coupe with scrubbed tires
69 Alfa Spyder for the dames

Nader · 06-20-2002, 12:19 AM

Well, I've seen 42" Sampo plasma units go for as low as $3500 on Ebay and Ubid. Though still able to do HDTV, they're of lower resolution than the current standard. You wouldn't know the resolution is less until you compare to the nicer sets.

On the other hand, $3500 would get me a chip and GHL header with muffler, or a slightly rusted 914 for the track.

island911 · 06-20-2002, 10:53 PM

geez Nader, be careful. . all this talk about porsche parts will get this thread moved OOT (off off-topic)

Adam · Adam's Garage

Why not go for Rear Projection?

Perhaps it's considered passe in the United States, but I bought one maybe 2 years ago and it's been the single best entertainment piece I've ever bought. Sure they're big and bulky, but I could handle the bulk for the A$10k I'd save on the cheapest plasma TV.

Mine's 43" with 100hz definition and HDTV etc and the quality is boss! It has component (RGB) video input (great for DVD) and I run my PS2, DVD, Cable, VHS etc through it and still have 3 AV ports/channels available for other stuff. It has a SVGA port on the back so that I can also use it like a big PC monitor. It's still the current model, too. I've read that Rear Projection TVs have a 10,000hr lifespan.

Nader · 06-24-2002, 08:09 AM

Adam: I've looked at rear projection sets, but I just don't like the uneven brightness of the screen.

At this point, I'm thinking either plasma or LCD projector. I'm house shopping now, so once I know what kind of room I'll be using for home theater, that will help me decide.

The whole house shopping thing puts me in a mindset that I should be spending more on home stuff (ie. TV, furniture, etc.) vs. Porsche/motorsports. But a large garage is a must-have.

dan10101 · 06-25-2002, 01:53 PM

Hey i would go with a 914, dont buy the TV, something better will come out thats cheep and easly produced, The tecnical world goes by fast, so i decided to stay away from it and stick to cars

914's keep their value, go with one of those and have fun!!!

island911 · 06-28-2002, 09:00 PM

Rear projection. . . oh yeah, I rember those.
heh-heh, just kidding.
The downside(s) I see with those, is the tubes run so hot, lighting up that big screen, that "burn-in" (or is it "burn-out") happens often. Especially the bands that show up from from leaving up one aspect ratio on most of the time. (the newer ones display the unused portions grey, rather than black, to combat the problem)
Anyway, there is a new generation of LCD rear projection units. They have higher contrast ratio, and no color tubes to align (read: sharper throughout) Of course these are still rather pricey.

Nader · 06-29-2002, 05:17 AM

I think those Sampos are like the Hyundais of plasma t.v. But then, how bad can a hi-def picture off a plasma screen be? My optometrist refracted me down to 20/15 with my new glasses, so I think I can see every goddam pixel from across the room.

You can check out reviews of various tvs (and other Hi-Fi stuff) at www.audioreview.com .

island911 · 06-29-2002, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts
Oh, and what's up with these not having a built-in tuner? Kindof a pain in the butt, if you ask me...

-Wayne

Yeah, but. . .when the new HDTV standard comes out. .. you'll get to buy yet another tuner.

Arn't standards great?. . .how could anyone have enough

Nader, you kill'n me here.

Nader · 10:20 PM

On the motorsports front, I'm giving the Porsche a rest and bought a Miata. It's for racing the Spec Miata class. I've had Miatas on the brain ever since some dude (actually a very good driver) passed me in an ITA-prepped Miata at PRI during an open lapping session. I'm still learning, but I was driving pretty hard, doing a fair share of passing and keeping ahead of a 993. This Miata just did not brake at all for the turns. Now that I have one (with Bilstein coil-overs), I can see why. It is a 2100 lb go kart. I considered the 914 and 944, but these Miata's are so cheap to modify and repair. Replacement engines are $2K. And if I wreck and walk away, no great loss.

I still want a plasma set. Buying the Miata preserved my budget to where I think I can still get one. I've seen last year's top-rated Panasonic 42" going for $4300, new. So when I put in a race camera, I can watch my own version of "The Fast and the Furious" in it's wide-screened glory, where I'll probably be embarrassed by a stock '87 Carrera.

island911 · 09-29-2002, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts
I've got a huge high-ceiling brick-wall chimney that is just crying for a plasma TV. It's about 18 feet high and six feet wide. 42" is the minimum that I would pu there.

You're not alone in location choice. I've been informed that quite few people hang them there; an have problems. Unfortunately, if you have a fire toasting away with the screen on, you have a good chance of over heating the unit.

Nader, they have a fugi there now at $7000 with 1024x1024 native resolution. It seems to be the "elbow of the curve" in price/performance.