My 13 year old Sony Rear Projection just **** the bed. Have been using it in my bedroom the past 4 years and we only watch Standard Definition television on this one. Based on size and bulkiness would ideally prefer to put something on the wall, but I know for us a Plasma wouldn't be right (my wife insist on watching soo much in 4:3 that she already burned the screen on my 60 inch Pioneer Plasma).

I would be cool with anything in the 40-50 inch range.

My concern is that with an LCD as much as they (and Plasmas) look so great with HD signal, they are usually not so good with standard def signal.

Can anyone make a suggestion on what televisions are hot nowadays that will excel with a standard definition cable box?

As stated above, would prefer to put something on the wall, but I am not married too the idea if a rear projetion is out there that wil excel.

Greatly appreciate any input.

-Steve

usually not so good with standard def signal

Well, of course a set with a SD signal will not be as good as with a HD signal. I guess that's not what you meant, though...

If the SD signal is not too degraded (compressed & split), and the set is of good quality and properly calibrated, and you are watching from a normal viewing distance (not 2 feet from the screen), then the picture will be fine. We think the SD picture on our LCD is clearly better than the picture was on the CRT it replaced.

Many people will complain about SD broadcast/cable images on their new sets, but then be delighted with their DVDs. Well, usually these DVDs are SD too! The problem is not the resolution, but the signal quality. - DR

It *is* true that next-generation sets are rather unforgiving in displaying SD in all its, erm, "glory".

EP plasmas (854x480) would be a good bargain right now, what little are left are just taking up stock shelf space I imagine. Or you could just skip the TV-in-bedroom thing. There are purists who hold the opinion that the bed is suitable for two activities only.

Doesn't mean you can't do one of the two activities with the TV on. Purists have no imagination.

Doesn't mean you can't do one of the two activities with the TV on. Purists have no imagination.

I have a hard time watching TV while sleeping.... ;) :rolleyes: ;)

I have an ED plasma (Panasonic) and about 80% of what I watch is SD (including SD DVDs). SD (analog or digital) looks very good, especially at a viewing distance of about 10 feet, and HD sources (cable) look almost as good as on a HD set (again at a 10' distance). SD DVD looks fantastic on these sets since their native rate (480p) is the same as DVD (progressive). ED sets are about to go the way of the dodo, but I think you can still find a few for around $1K. Look for a Panasonic if you can - by far the best. 42" is the biggest ED plasma Panny makes and in truth that is about as big as you want for a non-HD set. Check BB, CC, Sears, Sams, Costco, and the usual suspects to see what they have. Make them beg you to buy it (since it is not true HD) and you may be able to work an even better discount than usual.

I should add - if you have to sit much closer, say 6-7 feet, then you really want a HD set. Look at 42" or 37" Panasonic HD plasma.

I have an ED plasma (Panasonic) and about 80% of what I watch is SD (including SD DVDs). SD (analog or digital) looks very good, especially at a viewing distance of about 10 feet, and HD sources (cable) look almost as good as on a HD set (again at a 10' distance). SD DVD looks fantastic on these sets since their native rate (480p) is the same as DVD (progressive). ED sets are about to go the way of the dodo, but I think you can still find a few for around $1K. Look for a Panasonic if you can - by far the best. 42" is the biggest ED plasma Panny makes and in truth that is about as big as you want for a non-HD set. Check BB, CC, Sears, Sams, Costco, and the usual suspects to see what they have. Make them beg you to buy it (since it is not true HD) and you may be able to work an even better discount than usual.

I should add - if you have to sit much closer, say 6-7 feet, then you really want a HD set. Look at 42" or 37" Panasonic HD plasma.I 100% agree with all this.

But if for some reason you don't want to get an ED Panny or if you sit too close for an ED set, i think the next best option for SD would be the Pioneer 4270HD. SD looks great on this TV, and it has a couple of good 4:3 stretch modes where the Panasonic has only one. But it will cost you at least twice as much.

has a couple of good 4:3 stretch modes where the Panasonic has only one

This might be true for the Panasonic plasmas, but the original poster is looking for an LCD. I have to say I am surprised to learn that Panasonic does not give their plasmas the same nice stretch options that they have on their LCDs (which however are too small for the poster's requirements). - DR