Hey all.

I'm kind of in the market for a new tv. Before I ask my questions, a little back story. A few weekends ago my basement got flooded. Well of course thats where I had my nice, dark, Sound controlled theater setup. I was running a CRT projector on a 110" screen, both of which survived, but I can't imagine redoing my theater in the basement and risking the death of all the new speaker equipment I had to buy to replace the flooded stuff. There are no other suitable spaces in my house for such a setup. I'm still toying with the idea of moving the theater to a loft above my garage. If I do I'm really considering moving to a nice LCD type projector, such as the JVC Rs1 or something. Until then, Everything is in my living room, which I currently have a 7 year old 27" JVC. I still think this is a great TV. It's always given me a great picture and I've never had any trouble with it. And that's saying a lot since it's been in 9 different Dorm/House/apartments since I bought it. :)

Anyway, while the JVC is a good television, it's old, 4:3, not capable of any HD (not
even 480P), and the smaller size really makes me miss my projector. So, while I am considering a projector upgrade sometime this summer or early fall, In the mean time I'm looking at getting a DLP or something similar to go in the living room.

So far I've been looking at Various Samsung models (haven't actually watched one yet, just read about them a little), but I'm having trouble finding the right price.
What I'm looking for is:

40"-50" widescreen (a 50" would fit perfect where I'd put it. I have approx 45" - 46" of horizontal space for it.)

Hd capable (1080P would be great, but I have no problem with 720P)

2 or more HDMI inputs.

and a price of around $700 or less shipped (I don't care if it's refurb, discontinued model, etc, or not and I'm willing to go to $850 if I consider it to be a real deal.)

I haven't gone around and looked anywhere locally yet. I first wanted to figure out which, if any, TV's fit my requirements and then go from there. I've seen a lot that do, but with shipping most go out of my range. I've found a Refurbed Samsung HL-R4266W for about my price point, but want a few more choices if there are any.


Any thoughts?

bumpity bump.

No comments?

I'm starting to debate if shouldn't maybe just wait on the projector and put some of that money into a big screen till such time I can do a nice dedicated theater. That being said, what are some of the better values out there in the 40"+ range? I'm still leaning towards DLP, but won't count out LCD or Plasma. Room and/or wall space is not an issue.


Any advice would be helpful as I've spent most of the last few years playing with a CRT and haven't kept up with non-projected tv much very much.

So far I've been looking at Various Samsung models (haven't actually watched one yet, just read about them a little), but I'm having trouble finding the right price.

First thing is first. Go out and look at some TVs. Get an idea what you like and what the market is like in cost.

Then come back and ask us about a few models. We can't tell you what TV to get - there are too many choices.

Naa, take this advice to heart.

Go flatpanel. If your green to all this and looking at projections for price point then save your money and wait until you can afford a reliable tv that will last you for years to come. Projection tvs are repair, maintain daily. Costly 300.00 bulbs to replace every year or two. And on and on and on I could go but I wont because I will spare you the confusion.

Just trust me.... I pondered for months and was green like you once. Looks like your looking for a deal so go Panasonic Plasma. Your about to play a long drawed out game of confusion and I am just telling you where you should end up. Catch a deal on a 60u series panasonic plasma. I have seen 50" models clearanced for about 1100.00. Think long term like you did when you bought your JVC CRT. The JVC that is still working just like a plasma will for years to come. ;)

IMO, DLP is the best bang for the buck. But as stated by assassin, you need to go out and see for yourself which technology you prefer since it just comes down to personal preference. What is best for one person may not be best for you.

Naa, take this advice to heart.

Go flatpanel. If your green to all this and looking at projections for price point then save your money and wait until you can afford a reliable tv that will last you for years to come. Projection tvs are repair, maintain daily. Costly 300.00 bulbs to replace every year or two. And on and on and on I could go but I wont because I will spare you the confusion.

Just trust me.... I pondered for months and was green like you once. Looks like your looking for a deal so go Panasonic Plasma. Your about to play a long drawed out game of confusion and I am just telling you where you should end up. Catch a deal on a 60u series panasonic plasma. I have seen 50" models clearanced for about 1100.00. Think long term like you did when you bought your JVC CRT. The JVC that is still working just like a plasma will for years to come. ;)

Also take burn-in, power consumption, screen glare, clayface, and lower resolution to heart. Every technology has drawbacks. Pick the ones you can live with and select accordingly. Plasma was apparently the best fit for this guy, but its by no means the best fit for everybody.

ok, perhaps I should have clarified a little more. I'm pretty familiar with the various technologies and how they work, I just haven't kept much track of the various brands and models, and which of those are at the top of the bang for the buck list.

As far as Dlp's go, I've definately been looking at the LED models by Samsung.

Notably the HL-S5679W, (which amazon currently has onsale) Less than a year old and nearly $1500 off the retail... Definately has my attention, though the reviews I read seem to be split. Some say the picture and black levels are horrible, others say if you actually take the time to calibrate the set, it's one of the better pictures out there.

Anyway, If I decide not to upgrade my projector this summer, I'm willing to spend as much as $1500 - 2000. a little more if it's a very good deal.

I've looked at the panasonic plasmas, even helped a friend set one up about a year ago. It did have a great picture, but things that concern me are A) Price/size(native res) and B) Burn in. I love widescreen and wish everything was filmed that way, yet I'd say half the stuff I watch is 4:3 and I prefer watching things in their native aspect ratio. One of the things prompting me to switch from my CRT proj is the burn in... Not noticable to most, but it bugs the hell out of me.

So... I'm not opposed to Flat panels, but hesitant because of burn possibility. Also I think I'd have a hard time paying X amount for a flat panel that was 720p, when X amount could also buy a DLP with 1080P and no risk of burn.

So what's the general consensus on the Samsungs? I haven't had a chance to sort through the multi-thousand post threads on them yet. Any major downsides?

I read a review somewhere that said the HL-S5679W had trouble with upscaled 1080p over hdmi from an oppo dvd player. I'm thinking of getting an oppo, mainly for dvd-a and sacd, but also for the excellent upscaling they are capable of. Is this still an issue or can it be resolved via a firmware update to one or the other?

Think that's all the queries I have for now. Any suggestions or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. :)

Also take burn-in, power consumption, screen glare, clayface, and lower resolution to heart. Every technology has drawbacks. Pick the ones you can live with and select accordingly. Plasma was apparently the best fit for this guy, but its by no means the best fit for everybody.

Cnet took a panny plasma and purposely left a static image on for 48hrs and that is just plain abuse. After 48 hrs the static image was there but after 2 hrs of normal viewing the static image was gone. The static image was a white cross over a black background. This was a extreme test that even a CRT would suffer from,

Power consumption is about 5 dollars more a month comparing 50 inch dlp to plasma...

Glare of a screen is much better than washed out I cant see it aka projection :cool: :cool: :cool:

Picture quality is more important than resolution anyday. :cool: :cool: :cool:

Go into a retail store and see a projection tv out under the lights and you cant even see the picture and Plasmas just keep on kicking with the best extreme side views. Plasmas are also great to entertain a party where everyone can enjoy the quality of your new HD tv. I would feel bad if I invited a bunch of friends over for the super bowl and only 3-4 people have good viewing aka projection. Plasmas look good when people lay on the floor or stand up it really doesnt matter. It just looks good. Projections you have to get way back and sit eye level or else you suffer with faded picture loss.

And just imagine trying to sell that big clunky projection in 3 years when they dont make them any more. Top manufactures of projections have either stopped production or reduced production of projections. Soon the flatpanel market will bottom out and projection tvs will be a thing of the past. People dont really want a projection they settle for one.

It's always tomorrow isnt it NEO?

Yes, the Panny 65 is my number one choice but I'm going with the 70SXrd2 for half the cost.

What are you doing trolling on a projection forum anyways?

What set did you have issues with that caused this state of affairs?

Former LCD owner here.

I absolutely love my Samsung DLP non-LED. It is incredible.

Cnet took a panny plasma and purposely left a static image on for 48hrs and that is just plain abuse. After 48 hrs the static image was there but after 2 hrs of normal viewing the static image was gone. The static image was a white cross over a black background. This was a extreme test that even a CRT would suffer from,

Power consumption is about 5 dollars more a month comparing 50 inch dlp to plasma...

Glare of a screen is much better than washed out I cant see it aka projection :cool: :cool: :cool:

Picture quality is more important than resolution anyday. :cool: :cool: :cool:

Go into a retail store and see a projection tv out under the lights and you cant even see the picture and Plasmas just keep on kicking with the best extreme side views. Plasmas are also great to entertain a party where everyone can enjoy the quality of your new HD tv. I would feel bad if I invited a bunch of friends over for the super bowl and only 3-4 people have good viewing aka projection. Plasmas look good when people lay on the floor or stand up it really doesnt matter. It just looks good. Projections you have to get way back and sit eye level or else you suffer with faded picture loss.

And just imagine trying to sell that big clunky projection in 3 years when they dont make them any more. Top manufactures of projections have either stopped production or reduced production of projections. Soon the flatpanel market will bottom out and projection tvs will be a thing of the past. People dont really want a projection they settle for one.


Ewwy, don't go for something because it is a good deal..the HL-S5679W isn't that great of a TV. It's good..but go for something else.