Okay, first time on these forums, so bear with me! :)

I am putting together my first rec. room and would like some advise. This is the first time in my life where I get to design a room from the ground up! The first piece of advise I need is what TV set I should get. So far I am leaning toward a 56" Samsung DLP. But in my research of the matter have come up with many questions that I am hoping some of you can help with. I would like to keep my purchase in the $2,000 range, but up to $3,000 is not out of the question.

1) What technology should I really go with? I own consoles from the 8 bit era all the way up to the Nintendo Wii and will be purchasing a PS3 and 360 this fall. I would like to know if I should really go with DLP, or if should look into and LCD or Plasma. I would like to mention that while this setup will be used primarily for gaming, it will also be leveraged for HD movies and football games (GO CHIEFS!) I also have 2 Sony SDTV's so while it would be nice to play games of generations past on this setup, that really comes second to the consoles that display in HD resolutions.

2) What size set to I need? I estimate we will be sitting 6 -10 feet from the set. I have heard many rumblings about the human eye being able to tell the difference between 720p and 1080i\p from such a distance. Can anyone point be in the right direction or give me a break down of what is generally considered "too far." On the same note, I don't want the set to seem over sized at the distance I am sitting either.

3) What is a good contrast ratio? I am not sure I even understand what the contrast ratio is, but my guess would be how well the set displays black levels, but I am really no positive. I believe the set I was considering had a 10,000:1 contrast ratio, but I have seen them as high as 20,000:1 and have read the difference would be a night and day difference in picture quality. Would that be accurate?

4) Should I worry about response time for any of the current technologies? I know there might be issues if the image has to be scaled at all, especially if I am going from and interlaced signal to a progressive signal. So obviously this could effect older video games, which I am not horribly worried about. What I am concerned about is a slow response time on my HD games\Blu-Ray\HD-DVD\and Sports. I have once again heard a lot of talk about which technology would be better in this scenario, and really I am now just more confused.

5) Could someone explain the difference between the new LED DLP's and the "Bulbs" of last year?

6) What is all the talk of SED? Should I wait and consider that technology?

If you made it to the end of this post, thanks for taking the time! :) Please let me know your thoughts, opinions and suggestions. I will be happy to provide more information if needed. Thanks!

I can only help with a couple of questions....


2) What size set to I need? I estimate we will be sitting 6 -10 feet from the set. I have heard many rumblings about the human eye being able to tell the difference between 720p and 1080i\p from such a distance. Can anyone point be in the right direction or give me a break down of what is generally considered "too far." On the same note, I don't want the set to seem over sized at the distance I am sitting either.

This link should help answer your question as to the size of the set....

http://www.myhometheater.homestead.com/viewingdistancecalculator.html


3) What is a good contrast ratio? I am not sure I even understand what the contrast ratio is, but my guess would be how well the set displays black levels, but I am really no positive. I believe the set I was considering had a 10,000:1 contrast ratio, but I have seen them as high as 20,000:1 and have read the difference would be a night and day difference in picture quality. Would that be accurate?

Right, contrast ratio is basically the difference in the levels that the set can display, in regards to white and black. A higher contrast ratio allows the display to show a "truer" black, and richer colors. A 10,000:1 ratio is pretty good..I really don't think it would be a "night and day" difference, but I'm sure there will be slightly.


4) Should I worry about response time for any of the current technologies? I know there might be issues if the image has to be scaled at all, especially if I am going from and interlaced signal to a progressive signal. So obviously this could effect older video games, which I am not horribly worried about. What I am concerned about is a slow response time on my HD games\Blu-Ray\HD-DVD\and Sports. I have once again heard a lot of talk about which technology would be better in this scenario, and really I am now just more confused.

Sure, response time can certanly be an issue. But MOST of the current displays don't have that issue. As long as you're under 8ms, you should be good.


6) What is all the talk of SED? Should I wait and consider that technology?

From my understanding, this technology is still several years away from being ready. I wouldn't wait. There's always something better coming out around the corner, but you can't worry too much about that.

Bottom line, there's no one good answer to what is the perfect TV. Spend as much time as you can in front of the TV's you are considering. Tweak the settings, ask them to play an HD-DVD, bring in a game console and hook it up - just research research research.

OK, I'll give you my advice with the warning that there are those who disagree and are more knowledgeable of the technology.

1) Go with DLP. It's generally more cost effective in the 50"+ range of sets. These do have bulbs that can go out but you should get a warranty of at leas three years. The warranties are expensive but if youy assume it will cover the cost of at least one bulb that could be $200 alone. LED and SED are about the same thing. There are LED sets out, they are cool, but they do not provide better picture quality yet. I have seen them in several places on display and the Contrast/Brightness seems to be inferior to almost everything else, but they are bulbless.

Response time probably won't be an issue unless you want to hook up a PC, and then it's usually negligible unless you are a competitive/professional gamer.

Classic systems are a mixed bag. Many suggest bringing your favorite 8-bit console to the store and trying it out before you buy; I guess the salesman are usually cooperative (and curious themselves). There are ways of getting all consoles looking well but it is technical and possibly expensive. If you can get a Nintendo 64 looking good on a big screen than that's the one you want for gaming. Some sets have a game mode as well. Not always useful though.

2) I would think 56" is good at 6'-10'. Higher resolution content allows you to sit closer. HD, PS3, Xbox 360 - you can sit as close as you want without issues. Standard Definition TV looks bad on these sets, espeacially if you are close up. I have a 72" DLP and can sit at 10'.

3) Contrast ratios seem to be an advertising point more than anything else. There are different technologies in every set that can factor in here. Buy the one that looks like it has the best picture to your eye; read reviews and opinions on this site before picking a set.

4) Buy a set with a 2007+ manufacture date and you are probably safe.

5) See above. A bulb can put your set out of commisiion for a week or two unless you buy a spare. LED is superior technology that currently underperforms older technology.

6) I believe SED has been post-poned indefinitely for reasons I am unaware of. Searching the forums might shed more light. I read this news on this site a couple months ago.

Good Luck. Don't wait too long, the good games start appearing in August; Metroid Prime 3 is August 21.

I would not attack this problem in this way. What your initial post indicates to me is that you are designing a room for gaming, and your first decisions being made are the equipment you are putting into the room.

From what I've read on these forums, this is known as the "classic mistake" of HT. Before you move on, I suggest you sit down and decide what you want out of this room. Come up with a list of everything you want from the room (like 360, PS3, DVD, HD-DVD, Music, PC). Then come up with a budget.

Buiding a HT is a budgeting game. Don't let the choice of components drive your budget. Also don't try to overcome room deficiencies with equipment. Common mistakes go something like this:

Well, my room is bright, so I need a bright display. This is broadly a bad decision. If you want a bright room, that's fine. But if you don't want a bright room, just design the ROOM to be not bright, thus widening your equipment possibilities.

Most advise you spend a bulk of the budget on the actual room (floors, walls, acoustic treatments, seating), not components.

If you post your budget, requirements for the room, and room dimensions (in case you are remodeling an existing room), you'll probably get better advice.

Thanks for everyone's help. Midnite, I am designing this room from the ground up. I don't get to choose the dimensions, but I am tearing up the carpet and adding tile at the entry, and brand new carpet throughout the rest. I am also repainting. It will be deeper colors. Gaming is my favorite form of entertainment, followed by NFL\NCAA, and movies coming in last. The blinds going in are actually going to be shutters so I can close out all light if I need. Honestly, I have a budget for the TV right now, really don't want to spend more than 3k. The sound will have to come later. I would think that would take a little more research of room dimensions to get right.

From what I have read I am almost sold on the Samsung DLP. I am weary to take what I see in store because I know they are professionally collaborated, which while I might look into doing as well, it is just not the same environment. That is why I came here for advise. I wanted the consumers opinion.

I appreciate all of the input. If anyone has anything to add, please do!

I suggest you think a bit more about sound up front. You can always change out equipment later, but if you screw up that actual room, that costs a LOT to fix.

The first step to good advice is still an overall budget for the entire project, with the exception of building of the "shell" of the room (meaning external walls, roof, foundation, slab - but not meaning internal walls, drywall, paint, carpet...).

Now, having said that - I have a Samsung DLP and have never regretted the purchase. I've used it since about 2001 I believe, maybe even 2000. I've gotten great support from Samsung. I did have a lot of problems with the set, but I was an early adopter, and this is expected from early adopters. But Samsung took care of all my problems, including servicing the set twice out of warranty and even eventually replacing the set with a new one at my request. As long as the rainbows don't bother you, I'd go with a Sammy DLP.

But I'd first consider projectors if you can control the light in the room. We'd need some sort of room dimensions to really identify what your optimal screen size range is.

i'd go with either a 42-50" samsung DLP or a 42-50" panasonic plasma

I will get the room measurements and provide them. Thanks for all of the help!

By the way, you are the second person I have heard mention rainbows. What exactly do you mean? I have looked at these sets in the retail environment and have yet to see anything odd.

I hate to complicate your decisions even more, but have you considered a projector? If you have a light controlled room, gaming on a projector is spectacular not to mention movies and sports. The HD70 can be had for about $900 now and you could get a nice screen for about $500 or build one yourself.

Personally, I went from gaming on a nice 51" HD CRT RPTV but it pales in comparison to using my HD70 (which came in at less than half the cost of the RPTV BTW). If I was building a dedicated gaming room a projector would be at the top of my list.

Also, if you have a small room a projector can still work quite well. My HT is only 13' x 12' with 8' tall ceiling and everything meshes without a hitch with a 92" screen but I also have enough space to move up to a 106" screen if I so choose. The best part about projectors is that you get a great image at a low cost provided you have light control.

I have not really considered a projector, but I knew it was an option. I guess my big issue with this would be that I would want to ceiling mount the projector, and were does that leave me for an HD cable box. Like I said, gaming is the number one priority, but I also would like to watch my Chiefs in Hi-Def should my little heart desire.

Mounting it to the ceiling would just mean that you would have to invest in very long, high quality cables and could then put your components anywhere you want.

Thanks for everyone's help. Midnite, I am designing this room from the ground up. I don't get to choose the dimensions, but I am tearing up the carpet and adding tile at the entry, and brand new carpet throughout the rest. I am also repainting. It will be deeper colors. Gaming is my favorite form of entertainment, followed by NFL\NCAA, and movies coming in last. The blinds going in are actually going to be shutters so I can close out all light if I need. Honestly, I have a budget for the TV right now, really don't want to spend more than 3k. The sound will have to come later. I would think that would take a little more research of room dimensions to get right.

From what I have read I am almost sold on the Samsung DLP. I am weary to take what I see in store because I know they are professionally collaborated, which while I might look into doing as well, it is just not the same environment. That is why I came here for advise. I wanted the consumers opinion.

I appreciate all of the input. If anyone has anything to add, please do!

The displays in store usually will not be as good as when you get it home and do some basic tweeks and are not professionally calibrated. When you decide on a model, read the owner's threads and you likely will find that a professional calibrator will have posted some good settings -- not as good as a $400 professional calibration, much noticeably better than the factory settings or what you see in the store. That is what I did and my picture is much better than the factory settings.

I have a 56" 1080p Sammy dlp (HLS5687W) that I got this Fall. Never had any problems and love the picture and clarity. Good price, great performance. I am putting in a dedicated home theater, and so will be adding a PJ (probably Optoma HD80 --- 1080p under $2500). I plan on keeping the Sammy and am trying to decide which I primarily will use for gaming -- the bulb life on the PJs causes me some concern for using it for gaming. My "use" preferences are the same as yours (college football/golf, gaming, movies) but I have to gut my basement to fix some really expensive water problems and putting in the HT is the only thing that keeps me from choking on my own vomit when I consider how much the repairs and remodel of a basement that was otherwise perfectly fine will cost me.

i'd go with either a 42-50" samsung DLP or a 42-50" panasonic plasma

Since you plan on gaming alot I would not go with a plasma. Plasma displays are prone to image burn in, while the dlps do not have any risk of that (so I read on various threads this Fall).