I have read so many threads that my head is spinning!! :confused:

I have a well lit room which seems to knock out plasma. I really want a large screen 50+ with 1080p for under $2000, which seems to knock out LCD. I have never had a RPTV so I don't know if this is the best option. I would like the best combination of picture quality and price.

I am really looking for peoples experience with RPTV, especially if you have had either an LCD or plasma.

Thanks for any input!!

If price and size are very big factors at all, you have little choice in the matter. Unless you're will to go smaller and/or significantly raise your budget, the question of what is better is somewhat irrelevant. RPTV's are great value, and your only real option at that size and price.

I would or could go as small as 46". Knowing that, is LCD the better option for PQ? I think at this point plasma would have too much glare.

I'm interested to see what replies you get on this. To me, I'd rather have a 60" RPTV at that price than a 42-46" LCD, assuming you can even find one at that price. Most of the higher end, non budget LCD's are running more than your budget, even at those sizes.

Perhaps someone on the LCD forum can hook you up with a size/price ratio that works for you. I'm not aware of any of the non budget LCD's that fit your conditions, but some of them might.

Sony or Samsung?

Everything you are saying screams RPTV except some of the lower priced 720P plasmas at Sam's Club/Coscto/Conn's.

Yeah, there's a 42" 1080P LCD on sale for $1k at Costco. However, that's 8" smaller than what you want.

Most of the DLP/LCoS TV's deliver better PQ (subjective) than the larger LCD's in that price range--including black levels and contrast. (Resolution is overrated, but rear projection definitely trumps LCD at that price level for resolution.)

BTW, past 47"--LCD prices go way up as most of the budget brands--Vizio, Westinghouse, Sceptre--don't go past 47". Since you said you were willing to consider 46", you can consider those brands.

Samsung, Sony, Mitsubishi and JVC RPTV's will also likely have better PQ and features (as well as larger screen size) for the equivalent price range.

Everything you are saying screams RPTV except some of the lower priced 720P plasmas at Sam's Club/Costco/Conn's.

Yeah, there's a 42" 1080P LCD on sale for $1k at Costco. However, that's 8" smaller than what you want.

Most of the DLP/LCoS TV's deliver better PQ (subjective) than the larger LCD's in that price range--including black levels and contrast. (Resolution is overrated, but rear projection definitely trumps LCD at that price level for resolution.)

BTW, past 47"--LCD prices go way up as most of the budget brands--Vizio, Westinghouse, Sceptre--don't go past 47". Since you said you were willing to consider 46", you can consider those brands.

Samsung, Sony, Mitsubishi and JVC RPTV's will also likely have better PQ and features (as well as larger screen size) for the equivalent price range.

Of course with DLP sets You have one small and expensive problem, The Lamp only lasts a paltry 3000-4000 hours and the Lamps are Expensive and cost Between $180.00 to $249.00 each and usually have a 90 day to 1 year warranty.

Me If I had the extra $2,500.00 or so I'd get one of Westinghouses NEW 52" LCD HD TV, Lamps in LCDs last a lot longer than hot 150w Lamps.

http://gizmodo.com/assets/resources/2007/04/TX-52F480S_Front.jpg
Eyeball Test Later Today: Is Westinghouse's 52-inch 1080p LCD HD TV @ Gizmodo (http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/home-entertainment/eyeball-test-later-today-is-westinghouses-52+inch-1080p-lcd-the-new-king-of-budget-hdtv-254700.php)
Eyeball Tested: Tasty Westinghouse TX-52F480S 52-inch 1080p LCD HD TV @ Gizmodo (http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/home-entertainment/eyeball-tested-tasty-westinghouse-tx+52f480s-52+inch-1080p-lcd-will-cost-2499-254935.php)

My Relatives have a Westinghouse 47" TV, Outside of needing the color balance reset, It's a fine TV.

Of course with DLP sets You have one small and expensive problem, The Lamp only lasts a paltry 3000-4000 hours and the Lamps are Expensive and cost Between $180.00 to $249.00 each and usually have a 90 day to 1 year warranty.
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Not all DLP use arc-based lights that burn out. A Samsung LED DLP RPD (87S/89S 50/56/61 inches) makes use of a LED backlight that lasts as long as the set now. When they first came out with LED backlights they said 20,000 hours minimum, now Luminus (http://www.luminus.com/content119.html) is way up there on median lifetimes (120K). Same vendor is working on replacing the CCFL backlights on LCD displays to LED's to increase the life from 50k to about 80K hours.

Not all DLP use arc-based lights that burn out. A Samsung LED DLP RPD (87S/89S 50/56/61 inches) makes use of a LED backlight that lasts as long as the set now. When they first came out with LED backlights they said 20,000 hours minimum, now Luminus (http://www.luminus.com/content119.html) is way up there on median lifetimes (120K). Same vendor is working on replacing the CCFL backlights on LCD displays to LED's to increase the life from 50k to about 80K hours.
Ok I stand corrected, Now It would be nice If such a LED setup could be used with the WD-57731 TV. I can't even find info like that. Arc Lighting is pretty old tech as It pre dates the Edison Light bulb and was not suitable for indoor lighting back then from what I read in the History books at least.

I have been leaning heavily towards the Sony 55" KDS-A2020. I am not sure that 1080p matters, so I am still looking at the Panasonic Plasmas. Is the Blu-ray and PS3 content much better on 1080p than 720p? I sit 10-11 feet away.

You want to buy Hptv or LCD of which brand? sony, LG, Samsung....?

whatever the brand you use, the main thing is picture quality which will be enjoyed if that TV is utilizing high quality Lamp.

I have read so many threads that my head is spinning!! :confused:

I have a well lit room which seems to knock out plasma. I really want a large screen 50+ with 1080p for under $2000, which seems to knock out LCD. I have never had a RPTV so I don't know if this is the best option. I would like the best combination of picture quality and price.

I am really looking for peoples experience with RPTV, especially if you have had either an LCD or plasma.

Thanks for any input!!

Lamps compatibility, durability and reliability counts a lot.You can have Latest Lamps of Branded companies for Rear Projection TVs here at consumable prices with the life time of 5000hrs.

Projection DLP / LCD / D-ILA LAMP Update (http://www.discount-merchant.com/?Click=1971)

Is the Blu-ray and PS3 content much better on 1080p than 720p? I sit 10-11 feet away.

Yes.

I have narrowed it down to the Sony 55" A2020 and the Panasonic 50"plasma 77U. The Sony is 1080p and the plasma is 720p. I looked at both yesterday and I leaning towards the plasma. The refresh rate seems to be much faster on the Panasonic. Why should I choose RPTV over plasma?

see other thread....