Ok i'm very new to this forum, been reading up here for the past week and I am purchasing my 2nd hdtv. Currently I own a sharp LD-26sh1U and I've been very happy for the past 2 years and still works and looks very nice. But i'm ready to jump to a 46" and going from a 26" to a 46" its a huge jump. I have $2000 to burn but hoping to spend around $1500 so I can pick up a ps3 as well with my hdtv purchase. I currently own a xbox 360 and I do have a nec DLP LT-240K projector but I use it mostly for movies and want to use the 46" hdtv for maybe 70% gaming xbox 360 and ps3(future) and probably rest watching t.v. and some movies.

Anyways I've been eyeing the Sharp LC-46D64U 1080p and at fry's I can pick it up for $1999, $2164 with tax. But I do see the 42" for $1399 which comes out to be $1514 and I can use the rest to buy a ps3.. but is going from 42" to 46" a huge difference?? Also the panels are they the exact same as the 46" and 42" and everything is identical?? I read somewhere here on the forums that the 46" and the 52" is identical and wondering if the 42 and 46 is identical as well.

I have no experience with samsung hdtv's or sony either, but I'm really eyeing sharp as I've always had good experience with sharp tvs so i'm leaning towards them but then I could give sony or samsung a chance.. please help!!

Also I've even considered selling my nec projector and just opting for a 52" sharp LC-52D64U but then I want to keep my projector because there's nothing like watching movies on a projector feels like a true movie atmosphere. But since gaming takes up alot more time I prefer using a hdtv instead of my projector which would be strictly used for viewing my favorite movies or future movies I've been wanting to see via xbox 360 hddvd. But I do want that true 1080p hd through those gorgeous sharp aquos.. but you guys really think that 42 wont be so small compared to a 46 inch?? That 46" does look like the sweet spot inbetween the 42 and the 52.

I went to my local best buy this afternoon and spent an hour looking at the 42" sharp vs. the 46" and looking at them I could tell a difference but not huge.. but then best buy is a huge store so its hard to tell.. and when I put this in my theatre room which isnt that big more of a medium sized room I would say, that 46" would look huge that's why i'm not even thinking about a 52" but just wondering if 42 would do good enough. I just dont want to choose the 42" and then kick myself for not getting the 46" later on.. man these tvs looks sweet, at best buy I never seen hd putout through the 46 or 42" only regular tv shows but still looks great..

What is your seating position from the set? I like Sammy's and Sharp's. Stick with these. Blacks are good and processing is better than most of the other brands. However, I prefer the Samsung LN-T4661F.

Chris

Check the Sceptre x46bv in AVS forums; a/b same specs as 46d64u and u can get the PS3 also.

Believe priced same as the 42" you quoted at Costco.

Note: has firmware updates from Spectre site which can be d/l off forum: improves picture.

Sharps have had issues with banding and a whole slew of other crap. Until they fix the issue, avoid them like the plague.

If you sit nine feet or more from a 46" TV, you won't be able to discern any more detail from a 1080p panel vs. a 720p one. So, with that in mind: If a 1080p set is best for you, the 47" Philips 47PFL7422D or 47PFL7432D is fine. If you only need a 720p set, consider the Sony KDL-46S3000, for well under $2,000 on Amazon.

From what I've read, the new JVC models are pretty good, too. But, I haven't read any objective reviews on those, so buyer beware

thanks for your inputs but I also read somewhere in this thread that the sharp lc-46d64u does not have any banding problems from new owners that exchanged their lc-46d62u models or 42" or 52".

I've read the 46d64u thread and there have been some reported cases of banding as well as CNet reporting minor banding. I get in impression it has been improved over the 62U though.

The 64U is definitely improved, but be forewarned that the 42" set is inferior from a hardware perspective to the 46", IIRC.. the 42" has a 3 wavelength backlight whereas the 46 and up has a 4 wavelength.

I have the 52" 64U and I am quite happy with it - no banding problems and an excellent picture. A friend of mine has the 46" 64U and is equally pleased.

thanks thats what I wanted to hear!! I did hear that the Sharp LC-46D64U is identical to the Sharp LC-52D64U, I knew there was a catch on the 42 =) I'll definetly pick up the Sharp LC-46D64U tomarrow at my local frys =D These sharp aquos looks sweet... I never owned an aquos before.. I've always wanted one for years though..

for gaming maybe u wanna take a lookie @ the 120hz sammy's or sony's. Samsungs are the lntXX71f