Ok, this is my first post on this forum so be patient with me. I have finally convinced the wife that we need to get a larger television. I now have a 32” JVC CRT that has worked flawlessly for over 5 years, but it is now time to turn my living room into a “blue collar” home theater. I realize I will not get the ideal sound because of an open floorplan that combines my living room with the kitchen. I also know that having eight 6’ windows and French doors that I can pretty much rule out a plasma. So having said all that here is my situation. As I mentioned before this will be a “blue collar” home theater, meaning that it has taken me some time to save money for what I do have now and I am having to save for the new television that I want to purchase. Here is a rundown of what I currently have.

Onkyo HT-R550 this is a Home Theater in a box receiver.
Bose 301 Series V for front speakers
Bose 161 for the side and rear speakers
Bose VCS-10 Center Channel
SoundWorks 10” Sub
LG DN798 DVD that up-scales to 1080p
TiVo Series 2
Comast Cable

Again, having said all that, I have narrowed by selection down to either a LCD or RPTV my budget is around $1800-$2300 and the target purchase date is around Christmas because of all the sales that come out. I live in the north Atlanta area so the competition is awesome here. To keep this short(er) here are the contenders: I will be sitting about 13’ from the TV.
LCD:
SAMSUNG LN52A550
SONY KDL-52W3000

RPTV:
SONY KDS55A3000 NOW DISCOUNTINUED
SAMSUNG HLT5687S
MITSUBISHI WD65733

If anyone can give me opinions on any of the above listed tv’s, that would be great or if you have suggestions in that price range, that would be appreciated as well. I have looked at all of the above extensively and I am leaning towards the SONY KDS55A3000 if I can find one in December. If not, then the my second choice SONY KDL-52W3000 if Sony puts this on sale in December. Please help.

Thanks

I will be posting this on the LCD section as well.

The Samsung and Mitsubishi RPTVs will be gone shortly. These will not be around by Christmas. Their replacements should be better than these.

The HLT6187S is supposed to be a good TV. For the Mits, the WD65734 is preferred by many over the WD65733.

At a 13' viewing distance, you need at least a 60" TV.

Try to find one of the last Sony 60A3000's still available. You will probably only be able to find floor models, new ones are all gone. You will have to act very fast (like today). If you have Tweeter in your area, call them today to see what they have left. No need to be afraid of a floor model, just carefully check it for physical damage (screen scratches, etc). Try to find one with a build date of August '07 or later. It will probably have between 1700 and 2300 hours on it. You can probably get one for $1600-1700. Get the 5 year extended warranty. Tweeter is $450 (expensive) but it includes one replacement lamp which cost $150-200.

The A3000's are considered by many to be the best rear projection sets ever made. I bought a floor model 60A3000 from Tweeter and love it. Seriously, if you want a 60A3000 (trust me, you DO want one), you must act TODAY.

As for the Sony, there is one brand new in the box on Ebay. Reserve isn't met tho'.

Samsung HLT6187S....but do it now, not at Christmas.

I have a HLT5689S and have just about the same bluecollar setup you do...open FamRm/Kitchen, HTIB, and now a fabulous TV!

Have you searched around for DLP's? You can get some sizable screens @ 1080P at much better price points than what you've mentioned here. That should save you some cash to upgrade to a series III tivo (Unless you got your DVR from comcast?) and or upgrade your sound system. For instance,

Samsung HLT5087SAX 50-inch Slim LED Engine 1080p DLP HDTV - $1,199.88
http://www.amazon.com/s******nb_ss_gw/103-8333186-9872662?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=dlp+tv&x=12&y=29

Saves ~$800 on the cost of your TV which can be applied to upgrading your speakers or receiver or tivo unit all of which should net you some great over all satisfaction :) If you bought your Tivo your self then you'll really be wanting to apply some of that towards a Series III tivo, right now Tivo is running a promotion where they sell you a series III HD-R and give you a life time of tivo service free of charge for ~$700.

I would urge for a 60"+ screen size. Even better yet a 70"+ if your going RP.

You are calling it a theater room no? :)

I like the Mits. Like you I have a kitchen which merges living room and kitchen together. My 57734 looks great, but during the day I have to close the windows to stop the glare. I hear there are ways to remove the protection screen that causes the glare.

Since you are on a budget, I want to point out three other cost considerations.

*HD programming
*HD TiVo (Series 2 won't work with HD receivers.)
*Furniture for the DLP/entertainment system. My stand and connecting towers cost more than the TV itself!

I went ahead and got the KDS-60A3000 from Fry's for $1539 NIB. I have had it for about two weeks and am very happy with it. i dominates the room and my wife says its too big....too big, not in my dictionary. I am almost done tweaking it, once everything is set, I will be one proud papa. Thanks for all the advice.

The A3000 is a great TV, congratulations! You were lucky to find a new one at all, much less to find one at such a good price. Did your local Frys have it in stock, or did they bring it in from elsewhere?

I am almost done tweaking it, once everything is set, I will be one proud papa.
i remember how i felt when i brought my hdtv home...good times.

enjoy your new home theater, it sounds great.