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Overwhelmed....

4170 Views 48 Replies 18 Participants Last post by Kinma, Jan 26, 2008

Kinma

Discussion Starter · Jan 17, 2008

So I'm reading and reading and reading, and getting more and more confused...to the point I'm not sure what I want/need anymore.

I'm currently using a 32" Wal-Mart tube special, and would like to move up into the realm of big screen/HD programming, and am now totally lost.

I think I want a plasma, rather than LCD, as from what I gather standard TV/Movie watching looks better on the plasma. I've got a Wii, but as I'm a PC guy, and my daughter is more into the PC than the Wii, it's more of an occasional use thing than a primary item.

All the shops I visit (Costco, Best Buy, etc.) have all these TV's lined up next to each other, or a massive wall, and I have no idea how big these things really are, relative to what I'm using now, so I'm not entirely sure how big to go....is 42" enough? Is 46" mandatory? I think 50"+ is out of my price range , but might be too big anyway...I'd like to spend around $1500.

I'll be sitting about 10-12 feet from the screen...the front edge of my current screen is about 10' from the edge of my couch, so another foot or so to where my eyes will be...

Is 720p enough? Is 1080 something I need to be looking at? I've never even seen an HD set in action (other than on display, so context is out the window), so is it even going to matter? It's going to be so much better than what I currently have, I'm likely to be blown away by even the lowest end HD stuff, aren't I?

I see "MaxEnt" 50" plasmas for $1199, and somebody elses 42" for $1599...I understand there are technical differences, but for an average use TV watching family (cartoons for the kid, movies/sports/news for mom and dad), how high end do I really need to aim?

I'm drowning in information, and don't know what I need to grab onto to stay afloat....any suggestions? I'd like the TV to last me at least 5 years, and really can't see changing my viewing habits over that time, though what I end up with may change that...I've heard HD can be life-changing.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

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1 - 20 of 49 Posts

iamkoza

· #2 · Jan 17, 2008

go as big as you can, a 42" will not feel much bigger than your current 32".... especially while watching SD content in 4:3, search around some of the forum sponsers for a decent 720p 50" TV within your price range (they can be had) If you plan to use your PC on your new TV, a 1080p TV would make things easier... however at 10-12ft away you will not see any benefits of a 1080p's resolution.

If you are having trouble comparing new tv's to your current... find some cardboard and cut out a piece that is the same area as your current tv and bring it tot he store with you to compare.

batpig

· #3 · Jan 17, 2008

Suggestions:

1. If you are planning to keep the TV for 5 years or more, don't quibble over a few hundred $$ in terms of low-end Maxent vs. a nicer brand. What's $400 amortized over a 5 year lifespan anyway? Compared to how much TV's get used? Yes, your kids won't notice the difference between a Maxent and a Panny/Sammy/Pio, but you will when watching movies, HD TV, etc.

2. If you are at 10-12 feet, go with a 50 inch but you don't need 1080p. If you decide for a 42" to save money, you DEFINITELY don't need 1080p.

3. If you have a decent sized living room and you are truly 10-12' away, a 50 inch will be fine. It may look crazy big at first compared to the old tube, but you will get used to it. I have a 42" plasma at about 9-10' in a smallish living room, and it wows a lot of people but for me, living with it everyday, it could definitely be bigger

4. If you've never been the type to obsess over picture detail and get OCD fiddling with your setup, then don't sweat it too much. Get the TV that matches your decor, budget, wife's tastes, and looks good to you. Stick with a "safe" brand like Panasonic, Samsung, or Pioneer (more expensive but the best picture). All these HDTV's look really nice once you get them home and start feeding them HD cable and DVDs. Frankly, if you're not obsessive, a lower-tier Vizio plasma will probably look fantastic to you.

However, I can warn you: Do not start reading this forum everyday, as soon you will regret your decision and sit there for hours fiddling with settings, starting at black levels, looking for processing artifacts, and generally making your wife insane. It's a slippery slope...

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tower101

· #4 · Jan 17, 2008

At 10-12ft you would be fine with 720 but you need a 50 a 42 would be to small. You can get a 50PX75u or a HPT5054 in your price range.

DPowers

· #5 · Jan 17, 2008

I like the cardboard cutout idea. That's what I did. I was going to buy a 58 or 60 inch and after I found out the dimensions and made some cut out I realized 60 was too big for where I wanted to hang it.

I do agree with tower101 at 10-12 ft a 50 inch would be great! I think you would enjoy a 768p very much at that distance. I hear there are some great sales on the Pioneer 5080 right now. It's a great display. All the Panasonic 50 inch 768p models are great too. You have many choices. Good luck.

GC3

· #6 · Jan 17, 2008

10-12 feet translates to minimum 58" for me...but that's just me...if the room doesn't allow it then so be it...

not to spread heresy in the plasma forum...but you may want to consider an LCD to get something sized between 50" and 58"...unless watching sports and fast motion is a priority...

cjm7c

· #7 · Jan 17, 2008

All the above posters gave you excellent advice. I'm going to second tower101's comment. Check out the Panasonic TH-50PX75U (50" 768p plasma TV) and the Samsung HPT5054 (50" 768p plasma TV).

Panasonic, Samsung, and Pioneer are the leading manufacturers of plasma TVs. Other, lower end companies like Vizio and Maxent do not produce their own plasma cells and typically offer significantly lower reliability than these brands.

Kinma

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jan 17, 2008

This is exactly the sort of non-technical advice I needed!

Thanks all!

ewitte

· #9 · Jan 17, 2008

Definately get a name brand and you will probably be fine. Most people will not have an issue with Panasoic/Pioneer/Sony/Toshiba/Samsung/etc. For plasma that would be Pioneer/Panasonic/Samsung being on top. You can definately get a 720p 50" for $1500 or less from a name brand company. My 5064 was $1317 shipped. Unofortunately that deal is gone now though.

ewitte

· #10 · Jan 17, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by GC3 /forum/post/12846961

not to spread heresy in the plasma forum...but you may want to consider an LCD to get something sized between 50" and 58"...unless watching sports and fast motion is a priority...

Just where would one get a 50"+ LCD for $1500 or less

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Detox

· #11 · Jan 17, 2008

A 50" set is perfect from that distance. I have the Pioneer 5080HD (768P) and my neighbor boought the Panasonic 50PX75U (720P). We also both came from 30" Tube sets.

With HD content I can honestly tell you both sets look very good. You will not be dissappointed. I wish SD was a little better, although right now I have SD being sent to my Pioneer 5080 via S-Video from my cable box (HD Box will be here soon). I've noticed that some major network SD shows (eg. American Idol) look much better than other SD channels.

Honestly though, SD really doesn't look that good on a 50" set. Don't let anyone try to convince you it does, or you will be diappointed, and I have a Pionneer 5080HD which is supposed to be one of the best for SD display.

That being said HD will blow your mind. We downloaded some HD WMV clips from Microsoft site to test the HD on our sets via laptop. And it looks amazing, there was no shortage of awesomeness. I can only image that a proper HD Television signal will look super awesome also.

My take. Buy a decent 720P set now (Panny/Sammy/Pio), save some cash, let the TV world work it's self out and in 4 years upgrade.

But trust me, HD on a 720 set is wicked awesome.

Cheers,

Detox

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ewitte

· #12 · Jan 17, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by Detox /forum/post/12847431

With HD content I can honestly tell you both sets look very good. You will not be dissappointed. I wish SD was a little better, although right now I have SD being sent to my Pioneer 5080 via S-Video from my cable box (HD Box will be here soon). I've noticed that some major network SD shows (eg. American Idol) look much better than other SD channels.

Digital SD and DVD with not too much compression can look fairly good. Not HD quality but not horrible either. Analog SD isn't the best thing to be watching with these displays.

GC3

· #13 · Jan 17, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by ewitte /forum/post/12847349

Just where would one get a 50"+ LCD for $1500 or less

guess i missed reading that part of the post...

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Clypher

· #14 · Jan 17, 2008

My question is do you REALLY need a flat panel? If you aren't hanging the thing on a wall I would suggest going DLP/SXRD/LCoS for more screen for less money.

If you want flat panel, I will reaffirm your initial post and say go plasma. You can find a good panasonic in your price range I think.

fcaico

· #15 · Jan 17, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by Clypher /forum/post/12847710

My question is do you REALLY need a flat panel? If you aren't hanging the thing on a wall I would suggest going DLP/SXRD/LCoS for more screen for less money.

I disagree on that point. I have mine on a stand and I love the fact that it can sit closer to the wall -- it makes my room look bigger with a larger set than it used to with a smaller one. Even as thin as the RP sets can get, they still take up more space.

Quote:
If you want flat panel, I will reaffirm your initial post and say go plasma. You can find a good panasonic in your price range I think.

I agree. Especially if you watch alot of SD programming or for anything motion related. Plasma kicks LCD but on SD material, and motion looks more smooth and natural (even than the 120Hz sets).

Kinma

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jan 17, 2008

One question, given the comments on the poor quality of SD content....is that when compared to the HD, or is the SD content on a 50" poorer than what I'd normally be getting on my 30"+ tube set? Is the SD content worse than I'm getting now?

Also, I don't "need" the flat panel, but every DLP I've seen looks 'greyer', more washed out, and not nearly as sharp as the plasmas...but as I mentioned earlier, I've not really been able to check these things out anywhere but the shops, where they are lined up like refridgerators...poor lighting, etc.

Thanks again, all.

tower101

· #17 · Jan 17, 2008

Depends on how good of a CRT you have but generally most will say that SD looks better on a CRT.

"Flame suit on" IMHO No RP (rear projection) can come close to the PQ of a FP (flat panel) Best bang for the buck, for screen size yes for PQ NO.

K9feces

· #18 · Jan 17, 2008

Shop around, I got my TV for far less than I thought I would have to pay. I ended up getting my TV at a store that I never shop at.

Goofoff

· #19 · Jan 17, 2008

Kinma for the SD quality even on the best of sets think of it this way.

Its the same programming just BIGGER, its like zooming in on a picture way to much on your computer to where it gets slightly out of focus. All the pixels and colors are the same just stretched out to 42 or 50 or 60 inches instead of the same ones down at 19,26,30 inches. I will say though that upconverting and all that can help but not to terribly much (IMO), it all depends on the quality of the signal you are getting.

Kinma

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jan 17, 2008

2

Ok, I'm familiar with the effect that a digital zoom has...blocky images, etc. So I have some idea...

Guess I'm just going to have to commit myself to watching nothing but HD programming.

Now...if only the wifes stuff is on the HD channels, I can probably sell her on a slightly higher budget.

This thread has been very helpful...thank you.

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1 - 20 of 49 Posts

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