I currently have a 42" Sony Grand Wega III RP-LCD (42WE610) in my family room on a stand. Viewing distance = 99".

The TV is 6 years old and exhibiting symptoms of the optical block failing.

To paint the picture of my typical set I view on:
In the basement, I have an 1080p projector projecting a 106" image with a 162" viewing distance.
This is currently my primary set, but because it's in the basement it's not very convenient to regular daily viewing (need all lights out & not on main floor so wife/kids never sit down there with me).

I should also mention I'm a bit of a stickler for picture quality, as I do my own set calibrations and have an eye1 colour meter

Also, I'd really like to hang the new flat panel on the wall in the family room, which means the viewing distance will then be about 115" and not 99".

I only intend to have audio coming out of the TV's speakers in the family room, and do not intend to hook it up to a surround sound system like my projector is in the basement.

So, with all that being said, obviously I'm not looking to get a "big movie" viewing experience out of this new TV in the family room (although, some I may watch some when I don't want to get everyone downstairs), but because I'm used to the projector, anything that's too small won't cut it. While I have a keen eye for pq, I am willing to concede on this a bit for the family room TV (i.e. I don't need a Kuro or anything, although I'd love to have one).

Finally, my budget before tax and excluding the cost of a mount/cables, etc. is $2200 Canadian (which equates to about $1700-2200 for a TV in the USA).

One more thing: I have some bright windows during daytime viewing that make it bright in the room. This has never been a real issue for me on the Sony I have as it has a matte finish on the screen which helps greatly, and also most of our viewing is at nighttime.

My questions are:
1. What size would be optimal given all the above info?

2. What type of TV (LCD or plasma) would suit my tastes, given the available brands to choose from?

2. What brands/models will give me the best pq given my budget, and size answer from question 1?

You really may need to narrow the choices down yourself first, to get any meaningful suggestions. Preliminarily, I would say you should aim at the 54"-60" sizes given your history and viewing distance. The choice between LCD and Plasma will come down to a few aspects. Viewing angle, given the typically narrow viewing angle of most LCD's, seating in your family room may be problematic, if seats are off axis. Will the room simply be bright during the day, or will there be direct sunlight at times on the screen?

If you are giving size greater importance than PQ for the moment. For Plasmas, the Samsung PN58B540, PN58B530 are just within your budget at times. The LG 60PS11, 60PS60, 60PS70 are also just within your budget at times. The Panasonic plasmas are typically more expensive in Canada, than in the US, but the TC-P54S1 will also be within your budget at times.

For LCD's there are a few possibilities in the 55" size, which are sub $2000. Although you may want to consider higher quality panels and reducing size to 52", depending on your viewing habits/requirements. LG55LH40/41, 55LH55, Toshiba 55ZV655/650, Samsung LN55B640.

I am thinking an S1 panny. Wanting big and good PQ will be hard for around 2 grand.

im thinkin u should go 46"

if u do go LCD which generally works better in bright rooms, make sure it has 120hz minimum...

so honestly if i was u i would consider the samsung LN46B630... 120hz LCD

possibly consider the LED side lit tvs by samsung uc an get one for less then 2k but they are first generation... i have one in my bedroom a 40 inch just running standard cable on it with the local high def freebies of course... those r a decent choice... so model nubmer would be samsung un46b6000... or 7000/7100 8000 too much as is the 8500

panasonic plasma... honestly if its a gaming tv i would personally avoid the plasma if i was u.... 46 inch or 42 inch S1 panny like zivman said is the best plasma choice and will cost u much less then the LCDS

the 47 inch LG 47LH90 is also something to consider in that range...

the sound on the LED tvs will suck the most, just something to consider...

samsung LN52b750 would also be a fine choice

bright room = go lcd also im thinkin thats just what i would recommend and i sell tvs... get a samsung with 120hz minimum LCD not LED since u wont have a sound system, there problem solved

panasonic plasma... honestly if its a gaming tv i would personally avoid the plasma if i was u.... 46 inch or 42 inch S1 panny like zivman said is the best plasma choice and will cost u much less then the LCDS



He needs bigger than 46". He is sitting about 8.5' away from the display. I sit 8' on one of my 60" displays. He should buy as big as his budget allows.

With about 2 grand, He should be looking for a TC-P58S1 -> a 58" display! Even in a smaller display size, he has a few choices in the 50-54" panel sizes that will fit his budget. recommending a 46" display is bad advice.

He needs bigger than 46". He is sitting about 8.5' away from the display. I sit 8' on one of my 60" displays. He should buy as big as his budget allows.

With about 2 grand, He should be looking for a TC-P58S1 -> a 58" display! Even in a smaller display size, he has a few choices in the 50-54" panel sizes that will fit his budget. recommending a 46" display is bad advice.

He has 42" now and he wrote: "So, with all that being said, obviously I'm not looking to get a "big movie" viewing experience out of this new TV in the family room"

46" is perfectly fine for 9 feet and he should get the best picture quality and features he might want for his budget.

He has 42" now and he wrote: "So, with all that being said, obviously I'm not looking to get a "big movie" viewing experience out of this new TV in the family room"

46" is perfectly fine for 9 feet and he should get the best picture quality and features he might want for his budget.


"but because I'm used to the projector, anything that's too small won't cut it."

A 46" will look like a postage stamp. When he can easily get a good 54 to 58" plasma; why would he consider a 46 incher?

Thanks very much everyone for the feedback, much appreciated and some good advice all around.

I don't think I want to get anything smaller than at 50", and was thinking around the 54" range. My seating is wide, so again LCD might not be that great. There will never to direct sunlight on the TV itself, just that I won't be able to get it really dark during the day and usually it's bright in the room.

As mentioned, pq is a sticking point for me, but something has to give given that size is more important.

Question:
Given I am used to an LCD projector picture (i.e. Epson 1080UB projecting onto 106" zero gain screen), and that I've been viewing a six year old TV (Sony Grand Wega III) with picture issues, will I really blown away by an Panny 58S1's pq?
Or should I be thinking a bit smaller and go for a smaller 50G10?

Thanks very much everyone for the feedback, much appreciated and some good advice all around.

I don't think I want to get anything smaller than at 50", and was thinking around the 54" range. My seating is wide, so again LCD might not be that great. There will never to direct sunlight on the TV itself, just that I won't be able to get it really dark during the day and usually it's bright in the room.

As mentioned, pq is a sticking point for me, but something has to give given that size is more important.

Question:
Given I am used to an LCD projector picture (i.e. Epson 1080UB projecting onto 106" zero gain screen), and that I've been viewing a six year old TV (Sony Grand Wega III) with picture issues, will I really blown away by an Panny 58S1's pq?
Or should I be thinking a bit smaller and go for a smaller 50G10?
You would have to go look at them to make that decision for yourself. I think you will find, the size difference being what will matter more. With the S1, you will be able to get a 58" display

You would have to go look at them to make that decision for yourself. I think you will find, the size difference being what will matter more. With the S1, you will be able to get a 58" display

Since the S1 doesn't have THX, is the colour accuracy ok on it? Are the black levels the same as the G10 or V10?

And, finally, if it is not good colour accuracy, can it be adjusted (even through the service menu) to be accurate? (I have an colour meter and do my own calibrations, but it requires the TV to have those menu or service menu settings, such as gamma, gains and cuts for RGBCMY, etc.).

You would have to go look at them to make that decision for yourself. I think you will find, the size difference being what will matter more. With the S1, you will be able to get a 58" display

The OP is in Canada, throw everything you know about Panasonic pricing out the window. Our prices for Panasonics are 40-100% greater than US prices, even with the dollars closer to par. They are coming down a bit lately, but I assume so are those in the US for the season. The prices for other brands are typically higher, but not as much so as the Panny's.

The OP is in Canada, throw everything you know about Panasonic pricing out the window. Our prices for Panasonics are 40-100% greater than US prices, even with the dollars closer to par. They are coming down a bit lately, but I assume so are those in the US for the season. The prices for other brands are typically higher, but not as much so as the Panny's.

Agreed, but does that still make the, for example, 54S1 the best buy for my situation? Or should I be thinking towards a Samsung or something and if so what model?

And, I'm still looking for answers to the questions in my last post about calibrating the S1.

Agreed, but does that still make the, for example, 54S1 the best buy for my situation? Or should I be thinking towards a Samsung or something and if so what model?

And, I'm still looking for answers to the questions in my last post about calibrating the S1.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1127194

There is no pat answer as to which is best for your situation. Just a whole bunch of value judgements that you will have to make. What is more important to you, cost, size, black level, shadow detail, color accuracy, resistance to image retention, resistance to screen reflection etc? I'd say narrow it down to three or four models in or near your price range, of various sizes and manufacturers. Take a close look, and get some first hand impressions. Pare it down to a couple of models and sizes that you like, then perhaps ask for some more specific input. If you're leaning towards Plasma, I'd reiterate some of my above suggestions for comparisson.
Samsung PN50/58B540/530, LG 50/60PS60/70, The TC-P50/54/58S1, maybe a TC-P50G10.

Since the S1 doesn't have THX, is the colour accuracy ok on it? Are the black levels the same as the G10 or V10?

And, finally, if it is not good colour accuracy, can it be adjusted (even through the service menu) to be accurate? (I have an colour meter and do my own calibrations, but it requires the TV to have those menu or service menu settings, such as gamma, gains and cuts for RGBCMY, etc.).

I think Chad B answered this question pretty well. It looks like with the right calibration, it will be a good choice for you. I think we all agree that the G10 and V10 are better in terms of blacks and colors, but given your budget I think the S1 will fit your needs
Yes, the S1 is a good set. It's most significant flaw is colors and skin tones, but with the right settings they look good. Cinema mode is the most accurate mode on these, and then take color down to the upper 30's to 40 and put the tint between +8 and +11 G. The S1 is the only Panny plasma that needs such a severe green tint adjustment; without it, skin tones are way too red/violet, and yellow is pulled toward red. You also should experiment with the color temp preset if you are not planning to get it professionally calibrated, since warm2 may be numerically close but subjectively poor.

i think 50" is the smallest necessary. 58" is unnecessary considering your budget. (unless you can get a s1 within range) the panasonic g10 and s1's are good choices. you can go bigger with the s1 and your budget, albeit you'll get less features than a g10. depending on your light situation you might want to consider lcd, though you'll get better picture and more for your money with a plasma. will any windows be directly opposite your tv? if so, can you control light with drapes/curtains/blinds?