Yeah yeah, I know there is probably a thread or 12 about this somewhere, but I'm new to these forums and can hardly find my way around as it is...so here it goes:

I know NOTHING about tv's - except that someone told me not to buy anything smaller than a 50", and not to buy anything less than 1080p if I want to hold onto the tv longer than 4 years - which I intend to do.

With that said, I don't want to spend an absolute fortune.

Please respond with your preference as to brand, size, preference (LCD/Plasma) and why...and then tell me if you've heard of laser tv's that are suposedly coming out this christmas. From what I have heard, plasma/lcd you can see approximately 30% of the colors seen with the naked eye, but with laser you can see up to 90% of the colors.

Again - I know nothing, so don't flame me. But I would love to get some feedback on all of this...

To top it off, tell me where I can find some good deals/prices.

Much appreciated in advance.

jhamby,

Check out the 8G Pioneer Kuros. THe 720Ps like the 5080 are already out at BB and others but the 1080P versions are what a lot of folks are waiting on.

Short story:

My wife and I were at BB the other day and she spotted the new Pio difference in Black levels and color saturation right away. Not being a fan of shiny bezels, I was surprised to hear her say that she could see going with a Pio next time around. I told her the 1080Ps are coming and I would like to wait a good bit for the prices to fall. She stared at the sets for awhile and said maybe we should go larger than 50" without me saying a word.

I'm a happy man.

well, sounds like i need to borrow your wife...

So what's the word then? 1080p pioneer and forget this laser crap i've been hearing?

Is it possible that you've confused laser with LED? I haven't heard anything about laser TVs (but I'm a newb too), but the Samsung 81 series, which will be LED TVs, will be out in August/September. This is supposed to be a big step in technology, but we'll have to wait and see if it lives up to the hype.

As far as the 768p v. 1080p argument goes, it depends on a lot of things. The main two IMO are your viewing distance relative to the TV size and whether you will hook up a computer to the TV.

Look at this chart (http://www.carltonbale.com/wp-content/uploads/resolution_chart.png) and match up your desired TV size with your viewing distance. For example, I sit 11 feet away from the screen and will be getting a 50" TV. According to the chart, I should not be able to tell a difference between 720p and 1080p, meaning that I'm going to save some money and skip 1080p. If your viewing distance is 6.5 to 8 feet and you want a 50", then you will definitely want to get a 1080p set.

If you hook a computer up to your TV, then you'll probably want the resolution at 1920x1080 rather than 1366x768.

Jhamby,

If you can wait a bit there will be more possibilities from which to choose.

Personally I prefer plaz...at 1080P...and larger than 50". If you check out the Pio 5080, you will likely also see the older 6070...both 720P. You may even see a 5070 still hanging around as well. See if you can appreciate the difference onscreen between the generations. Bear in mind the sets are likely to vary in appearance for a number of reasons but most set 'families' are set up similarly from the factory. With increased Black levels the new 8G's pictures are simply richer looking in direct comparison. And with any increase in screen size over 50", the jump to 1080P yields great benefits. Sitting closer without detail loss allows for a more immersive experience. Look at the 6070 and see if you can resolve the PQ difference between the older and newer models. Notice also the need for proper distance more critical with lower rez like 720P. The big picture draws you in but there is a limit with 720P which is why 1080P is the way to go. But as kalrith pointed out, you need to first look at your viewing setup in terms of seating distances (also light reflections) to see what is appropriate for you. If you are sitting far enough away from the screen, no matter the size, your eyesight will not resolve the added resolution.

It may be your environment is filled with light in which case plaz may not be the best choice. In that case waiting to see the new sets while waiting for more 1080P plasmas to become available may be just what you need to make a better decision.

It depends a lot on what you want to spend. To get a great bang for the buck TV at 55" or 60", consider the excellent bargains on the Sony LCOS RPTV's like the KDS-60A2020. Microdisplays ('dem new-fangled generation of Rear Projection TV's) have none of the LCD and Plasma negatives except depth and weight. If you can afford the space, but not the money, I'd get that.

Robert

all great stuff. Thanks to all who posted.

I guess the days of Pioneer being a piece of crap are gone then? Because last time I checked, no one wanted to buy anything with Pio stamped on the front.

What ever happened to Hitachi leading the proverbial way?

I suppose most of my tv watching is done in a realatively dim environment, and I would then surmise that Plasma is the better way to go if only for reliability's sake (shut me up if i'm already off the boat).

As for distance, I would estimate my distance to be no less then 11 feet - and probably more like 12-14 feet depending on which side of the couch I am sitting on.

With that said, will I ever notice the difference between 720p and 1080p at that distance? (what about blueray, gaming, etc.?)

I tried to post a link to the laser TV site, but this forum won't let me post links until after I have 5 posts...

post # 4

Post # 5

Laser TV Link:

http://www.i4u.com/article5383.html

(take that moderators)

As for distance, I would estimate my distance to be no less then 11 feet - and probably more like 12-14 feet depending on which side of the couch I am sitting on.

With that said, will I ever notice the difference between 720p and 1080p at that distance? (what about blueray, gaming, etc.?)



No. At those distances viewing a 50" panel, it would be visually impossible to disern the difference between 720P and 1080P. 13-14' is a long way away from a 50" panel. I view my 92" screen from 10-11 feet and it could be bigger.

LCD is a blury picture when standing close to the screen. LCD is a more washed out picture.

Plasma is a much better picture.

1080p is not important. Not one broadcast is in 1080p. Everything is in 720p or 1080i. The only reason to want 1080p is if you plan on buying a playstation and want to play games.

If you are on a budget, the very best plasma is Vizio. It has a very sharp picture and great colors.

If you have a little more money, Panasonic makes very good plasmas.

I can't tell you about Pioneer because I never owned one.

DLP is worse than LCD.

DLP is worse than LCD.

Nope. DLP can be better than LCD or Plasma depending on your priorities.

Robert

Nope. DLP can be better than LCD or Plasma depending on your priorities.

Robert

...and people wonder why we are confused??? :confused:

doogie - thanks...that is probably the most helpful post so far - I like to be told exactly what to look for.

No one wants to comment on Laser huh?

No one wants to comment on Laser huh?
Well, by and large no one has seen one. For practical purposed, when they come out a laser TV should be compared to a DLP or LCoS (rear projection) set.

why? it will be flat panel like a plasma or LCD
or are you saying that just because a laser is a form of projection?

Jhamby,

Just go look for yourself at what is available now. Don't worry so much about what is/might be in the pipeline.

Do yourself a favor and check out the 8G Pios currently available. They are killer. Compare them to very nice sets like the current Pannys and see the difference with your own eyes. Same scene Black level difference is very obvious. Once you have an idea of what really good plaz looks like, you can use it to compare against other technologies/sets both current and in the pipeline when they become available.

Just know this. Many factors affect PQ and home viewing environment is always key to any decision. But Black level affects virtually everything seen onscreen. The deeper the Blacks, the better overall PQ. Test it with your own eyes.

No one wants to comment on Laser huh?

http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9734098-1.html

Let's wait and see, but if they will make Laser TV to compete in price range of Fujistu's and B&O, what's the point of waiting for 60" $50000 TV when you can get 60" 1080p Pioneer Elite in just about 15% or 65" 1050 Panasonic? And by the time it's on the market we'll have LED-LCDs and Blacker than black plasmas for under 5k for 60"...
INHO, I don't see Laser TV become affordable in the next 3 to 5 years.

No one wants to comment on Laser huh?

Laser, like LED and cold coupled florescent is a form of backlight. On microdisplays (rear or front projection DLP, LCOS, or LCD) LED or Laser diode backlighting eliminates the need of bulb replacement, generally offers a brighter higher contrast image than other projection backlighting. In the case of DLP it also replaces the neeed for the expensive to replace, rainbow effect color wheel. LCD and Plasma are the current types of flat panel displays. There are only 2 reasons to have a microdisplay--larger image size and lower price. Anything you hear or read bad about LCD or Plasma are probably wrong, but when shopping for a tv as any product get a hands on experience and treat negatives with a grain of salt. In LCD look for 1080P, XVC color and 120 hz for best viewing experience. In Plasma and LCD, despite what may be said elsewhere, there are definately some brands and models that are superior to others.

'nough said.

LCD/Plasma it is...

Now does anyone want to lend me 2 grand?

1080p is not important. Not one broadcast is in 1080p. Everything is in 720p or 1080i. The only reason to want 1080p is if you plan on buying a playstation and want to play games.

I disagree - 1080p is very important...well to some like me. BD and HD-DVD movies are in 1080p, and I can't stand the screen-door / mesh effect in non-1080p panels. Sure if you sit a viewing distance far enough 1080p/720p wont make a difference but when you walk just a foot closer to the display, you'll see a huge difference and on the non-1080p panels, the mesh will clearly creep right into sight.

I guess the days of Pioneer being a piece of crap are gone then? Because last time I checked, no one wanted to buy anything with Pio stamped on the front.

What ever happened to Hitachi leading the proverbial way?.


Don't take this the wrong way, but when was the last time you looked at TV's. If Pioneer was Crap and Hitachi was leading the way, I am assuming it is sometime in the 70's.

Pioneer simply makes some of the best TV's on the market. Hitachi... not so much.

Well, I've had my tv for 7 years - so, that's the last time I looked...and back when I bought mine, hitachi made a decent product when comparing to sony, pio, panasonic, etc.

I dunno, but as far as I can recall, Pioneer has had a good general reputation for making televisions, at least, not ever approaching a "wouldn't be caught dead with one" reputation (lol). Their Elite rear projection models were some of the most highly regarded, for example. but whatever, it's not really important in the context of this discussion.


It depends a lot on what you want to spend. To get a great bang for the buck TV at 55" or 60", consider the excellent bargains on the Sony LCOS RPTV's like the KDS-60A2020. Microdisplays ('dem new-fangled generation of Rear Projection TV's) have none of the LCD and Plasma negatives except depth and weight...

Robert

... and Silk Screen Effect (some aren't bothered, but many cross off them off the consideration list as they simply cannot abide it). These Sonys have their own issues which for some are more problematic than the ones which might potentially effect plasma or lcd. different technology strokes for different folks, etc.