[dtram]

Please help. I currently have a 42" ED Panny and sit 9 feet away. I apologize for the price talk but it is relevant for the discussion. I can get the 720p 50" for 900 and the 58" 1080p for 2900. From 9 feet, will 58" be overkill? Will it be worth spending 3 times as much for 58"? I'm not a gamer and don't have a Blue ray so the 1080p really isn't important to me. I am more worried about the 9' viewing distance being too close for 58".


Any advice?


Dave

 

[TurboDog1]

If there is a significant other, how does she feel about this? If there is one, definitely get her input, as these TVs are pretty large and definitely affect the look and design of a room, especially when you are talking about a 58" TV.


If I were you, I would do what I did and tape together a bunch of printer paper to the size of both TVs and put it up on your wall. You'll be surprised by the size of the TVs in your own house. I used it to justify breaking over the 50" mark.


As far as size goes, you are going to get differing opinions here. Some say bigger is always better and some are more practical. My opinion would be based on the room function. Would this reside in a basement/game room/ent room/etc?...or is it going to reside in the traditional family/living room? If it's the former, then going larger is never a bad thing. I had a 100" projector screen in my home theater and can attest to the benefits of going large. If it's a living room, then 50" would be ample at 9' viewing distance. I view my PX80 from 12-15 feet in my family room and I am satisfied w/ the size of the picture. Similarly, my wife is satisfied w/ the size and it's affect on the room. If we had tried to go 58" in that room, she would not have been happy with how it consumes the room.


Something to consider also is the wallet. If you are looking at a 720P 50" plasma versus the 1080P, then I assume that you are conscious of cost. If that's the case, you cannot go wrong w/ the PX80 for as low as $800 right now. Then, you can always upgrade later when the economy is a bit more stable.


Good luck.

 

[dtram]

Thanks. I am consious of cost of course but more for the fact that I'm sure the 58" will be around 2G's in a year. The SO says it's my call. I did tape it out but that helped only a little. It seems the upgrade from 42" to 50" isn't really worthwhile but I'm afraid the 58" will take over the room and I will feel like its too close. It's a weird room, 33x11 with a huge wall to hang a tv, I could fit the 103" if I wanted.


Really torn on this one.

 

[PrimeTime]

Looks like you've answered your own question.


First, purchase the PX80. Enjoy it for a while (maybe a long while).


Subtract what you paid for the PX80 from the price of the 58" set now. That amount is indeed what you will most likely pay for a 58" display later this year. You'll have both (a bedroom set too?) -- if you still think it's worth it by then.


Besides, maybe the LCD guys will have something more interesting to look at by then.

 

[dtram]

Already have a 42" ED in the bedroom too


That is the question then. Is the upgrade to 50" from 42" worth it right now or should I just make due with the 42" until the 58's have a 1 in front of their prices and get that. If I knew 58" was the right size, the wait is a no brainer, if 58 is too big, it makes sense to strike on the 50 right now. That really is what I am struggling with, whether or not 58 is too big.

 

[30XS955 User]

What if you go too big and you get a screen that shows just how crappy even DTV signals are and the only thing that looks good is Blu ray?

 

[dtram]

That is what I'm asking and in searching other threads, there doesn't appear to be consensus. Wish I could hand the 58" on a trial basis.

 

[PrimeTime]

If you're planning on planting a display on that short (11') wall that will be shooting video out into the long (33') room dimension, don't worry about anything being too large.


If I had your room, I'd cover that short wall with a screen, buy a Front Projector and fill that wall with HD. Might even be less expensive than a big flat panel.


(But then, what would the spouse say?)

 

[funkyman010]

I will tell you this, going from 42 to 50 will leave you craving more, the only problem as you have seen is that more means jumping to 58". I had went from 37" to 46" and was still craving more and ended up going 60". It felt big at the time but you can figure out how to make the room and TV work together, I had a fight as at the time I was in an 8x12 room but do consider you will crave more for the exact reason you said. If you do only get the 50, then I would suggest what PrimeTime said and account for the 58" later as you WILL want it.

 

[dtram]

TV goes on the 33' wall, that's why I could fit the 103 incher. I think I'm going to wait for the price to drop on the 58's and scrap the 50. I agree with funkyman's post, I'll hang the 50 and be like, what f did I just do?


Thanks for the help.

 

[Slabshaft]



Quote:
Originally Posted by PrimeTime /forum/post/15446746


Looks like you've answered your own question.


First, purchase the PX80. Enjoy it for a while (maybe a long while).


Subtract what you paid for the PX80 from the price of the 58" set now. That amount is indeed what you will most likely pay for a 58" display later this year. You'll have both (a bedroom set too?) -- if you still think it's worth it by then.


Besides, maybe the LCD guys will have something more interesting to look at by then.

Brilliant! I say this is a good idea. I'd be surprised if the current 58" plasmas aren't under 2k a year from now with the prices dropping and new tech next season. In the meantime you can enjoy a relatively good and cheap set and afford a Bluray player to boot. Besides a $2900 TV is a waste if you aren't taking full advantage of the quality. You might as well just get a 61" Samsung HL61A750 ($1500) for pure size at that point. The PQ on those isn't too shabby either.