Ok newbie here....about to purchase my first ever hdtv. Upgrading from a 27" GE I paid about $100 for! This is an awesome forum, but I am a bit overwhelmed at all of the info here. Right now I have about $1500-#1700 to spend and I'm open to LCD, Plasma, or even DLP. Also, I would like to get something around 50' to 52', or even 60' or so if it's a DLP. It will be used for a mix of regular tv, movies, and sports. I would greatly appreciate some recommendations as you guys on here know a hell of a lot more than I do. Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

Ok newbie here....about to purchase my first ever hdtv. Upgrading from a 27" GE I paid about $100 for! This is an awesome forum, but I am a bit overwhelmed at all of the info here. Right now I have about $1500-#1700 to spend and I'm open to LCD, Plasma, or even DLP. Also, I would like to get something around 50' to 52', or even 60' or so if it's a DLP. It will be used for a mix of regular tv, movies, and sports. I would greatly appreciate some recommendations as you guys on here know a hell of a lot more than I do. Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

What's your budget and viewing conditions?

around$1500-$1700 Average light in room....approximately 8-10 feet away...mainly concerned with picture quality and something I won't have to have serviced often! thanks

Ok newbie here....about to purchase my first ever hdtv. Upgrading from a 27" GE I paid about $100 for! This is an awesome forum, but I am a bit overwhelmed at all of the info here. Right now I have about $1500-#1700 to spend and I'm open to LCD, Plasma, or even DLP. Also, I would like to get something around 50' to 52', or even 60' or so if it's a DLP. It will be used for a mix of regular tv, movies, and sports.....

.....around$1500-$1700 Average light in room....approximately 8-10 feet away...mainly concerned with picture quality and something I won't have to have serviced often! thanksThe Panasonic TH-50PZ85U is a great bang-for-the-buck TV, it has a great picture and is the most reliable brand.

IF you are not concerned about vewing angles you can get the Samsung LED DLPs (the 750 series) in both 61 and 67 inches in your price range, excellent sets at amazing prices.

If viewing angles are an issue I would look at the Panny plasmas or the Samsung LED flat panels. Either way you go you are in the 50" range at your price point.

Yeah it seems like for my preferred size and price point it's gonna be either plasma or DLP. Too bad no local stores have the Samsung DLP's on display...I'd have to order without actually seeing them in person. Do they really match flat panels for overall picture quality? Oh and viewing angles aren't really a big deal to me.

Yeah it seems like for my preferred size and price point it's gonna be either plasma or DLP. Too bad no local stores have the Samsung DLP's on display...I'd have to order without actually seeing them in person. Do they really match flat panels for overall picture quality? Oh and viewing angles aren't really a big deal to me.

Then if you want a bigger set than 50" I'd say DLP. The image on that Samsung as well as the Mits are very good and look great when fed a good source, Mostly HD. I had a 73 Mits and loved it but in the end I needed something smaller as I am moving into a smaller place. But definitely enjoyed the set when I watched Blu-rays and HD sat. Also games were phenomenal. For your price range if you want a bigger set and not concerned with viewing angles then get DLP.

Yeah I really want something 50' or more. Seems like it's down to either DLP's or Plasmas. I do have cox cable hd but I would still be viewing mostly SD stuff since they don't have a whole lot of HD channels and I don't have Blu-Ray yet.

Sd will look worse the bigger the screen gets. Trust me on that. However refer back to my post. If you want bigger then either a RPTV or a front projector is where you want to be since you have a tight budget. I'd say 50" plasma above DLP only because after 50" your gonna pay.

Yeah it seems like for my preferred size and price point it's gonna be either plasma or DLP. Too bad no local stores have the Samsung DLP's on display...I'd have to order without actually seeing them in person. Do they really match flat panels for overall picture quality? Oh and viewing angles aren't really a big deal to me.A good Plasma has better picture quality than DLP sets, and will be much more "tube TV-like". Aside from maybe the Sony XSRD (or whatever it is), i've never seen a DLP that looked as good as a good Plasma.

Plus, with the DLP you have to buy a new $200+ bulb every so often and that really sucks. DLP is dying.

If I do go with a plasma it'll most likely be the Samsung 550 or 650. Is it really worth the extra $ for the 650? The touch of color doesn't really add anything in my opinion.....other than that is there much difference?

Any thoughts on comparing the Samsung plasma 550 vs 650?