[augieman]

After 10yrs staring at my aging 32" sony from 12' my wife and I have decided to go with a RPTV. Based on what I'm reading, a 60" would be just right.


After visiting some stores and doing some research, (and all the rptv's PQ essentially looking the same to us) it's down to: ($avg online delivered price)

1) Panasonic PT-60LC14 - ($2750)

2) Sony KDF-60WF655 - ($3450)

3) Toshiba 62HM84 - ($3350)


A couple of quick questions regarding all these models:

a) Are these all new models or are any more than a year old already?

b) Why can't I find brightness and contrast specs for these? I was originally thinking of going with a projector and while I know specs can be misleading, it would still be nice to know what they are.

c) I read alot about tuning the picture. When one 'sets up' their picture, are the settings stored per INPUT or are they global to the TV? I'd hate to set my DVD up perfect and then have bad SD.

d) I noticed the panny lets me disable inputs. Can I do that on the sony or toshiba?


We ruled out the Mitsubishi because of the easily visible glare and my wife and I don't like the styling of samsung. Samsung does have that higher end model in all black but apparently that stand is a part of the tv so it's out too.


Right now the best bang for the buck appears to be the 60LC14. Is there any reason it's significantly cheaper than the others? The price difference alone lets me get a new home theater receiver (and more) to replace my 10yr old one.


I've always read about better blacks on DLP vs better colors on LCD but we really couldn't tell the difference at the B&M stores. Of course, they didn't have the best material on and the tvs might not have been setup properly.


Some notes and conerns:

a) Should I really worry about LCD aging? This will be my primary tv and my kids watch a lot of DVDs.

b) I was originally going to go with DLP but now I'm inclined to go LCD simply to avoid the issue of a guest possibily seeing rainbows (which seems to be the problem that most easily surfaces and causes headaches). My wife and I didn't see any rainbows but who knows if a guest might.


Most importantly, watching standard definition cable. I live in orlando and have bright house. Currently I use their DVR (SA 8000). They don't offer an HD DVR yet. They 'think' the HD DVR may be out in Jan 2005. If I upgrade to the HD box I loose the DVR functionality which I'm now hooked on. I know the SA 8000 has it's issues but at only $6/month for dual show recording, it sure beats the cost of a tivo.


So if I just keep the SA 8000 for now, is SD PQ really the gamble that reading past posts seems to indicate?


60LC14 specific question: I've read that this is an HTPC friendly RPTV and I was thinking of setting one up. Do current users do everything through the HTPC then or just DVDs & games? Would I get better SD going through an ATI card? I want a PC so I can flip over to PC input and browse web,IM during commercials. An ATI board would let me continue to see the TV while browsing.


Finally, what are the reliable online sources for purchasing? Anybody here bought from:

1) Electronics Expo

2) BuyDig

3) Butterfly Photo

4) DigitaleTailer


When these delivery services show up, do they stick around so I can plug it in to make sure it works?


thanks and sorry for all the questions.

pat

 

[Tub-n-it]

All three are great tv's. I was about to pull the trigger on the new panny AE-700 or Sanyo z3 projector until I saw the panny 60" DLP. Pulled the trigger instantly and have been very happy!


SD pictures depend on the source. I find the higher channels look good, while the lower channels are more grainy. HD and DVD - WOW!


The picture quality of the 60" Panny DLP is stunning. Find a store with the LC and DLP side by side and you will instantly see the difference.


Was concerned about rainbows with DLP because of this forum, have tried shaking my head and quick eye movements and have yet to see one rainbow on this tv. Neither her have any of my family of friends.


60" is definitely the way to go! Huge difference over 50"


Hope I didn't make your decision tougher.

 

[augieman]

I too was almost ready to pull the plug on a projector. However, for my setup, a projector would only be usable at night since it would have gone in my family room. And then setting up the screen, etc. So now I'm on a RPTV.


The panny 60" DLP (PT-60DL14 I assume) is not readily available and appears to command a $1000 premium over the 60LC14. I know the B&M stores are not the ideal setup but at two different places, I just couldn't really tell the difference amongst various DLP and LCD (excluding the terrible glare on mitsubishi) . One scene, I "might" prefer an LCD, then another I might prefer DLP. Seems to me, they've each got their pros and cons and neither is superior to the other in every single scene or aspect. Thus, at least for me, I doubt I'll see a $1000 improvement in PQ. Also, since there's no panny 60" DLP locally to preview, I'm not going to get it sight unseen. There's always the toshiba 60" DLP for $600 extra.

 

[mcguirefxst]

augieman,


I too was very interested in DLP. After reading about all of the concernes DLP faces I am considering LCD. Specifically the Pan. PT60LC14. This one caught my eye in the store. What was your final decision and are you happy with your purchase?

 

[BillP]

Quote:

Originally posted by mcguirefxst augieman, I too was very interested in DLP. After reading about all of the concernes DLP faces I am considering LCD. Specifically the Pan. PT60LC14. This one caught my eye in the store. What was your final decision and are you happy with your purchase?

Don't go by "concerns" posted here. You really need to see for yourself and judge with your own eyes. In fact, there are pros and cons for each technology. Some (the minority) see rainbows with DLPs. Nobody in my family, and no visitor, has ever seen one with my 16 month old Sammy DLP. LCDs have worse blacks and worse screen door effects than DLPs. So again, everything is a tradeoff. Go with whichever looks best to you.

 

[mcguirefxst]

Bill P.,


I like the picture quality on the DLP very much. In my shopping so far the blacks did not really make a difference to me. I have not seen any of the rainbow effect on any DLP's yet (and not trying). What is the screen door effect you are talking about with the LCD?


My concern with the DLP is all of the moving parts and still pretty new technology. I know LCDs have been out for some time now. At least since '97. Also the fact that you have to replace a bulb every few years seems annoying in the DLP. Bottom line is like you said, there are positives and negatives to each technology and it will come down to what looks best to me.

 

[BillP]

Replacing the bulb goes for both DLP and LCD. I do not have an LCD, but I believe the screen door effect is when you see the actual pixels (looks like a screen door). I would recommend extended service contracts (I bought mine form Tweeter when I bought my DLP) to protect your investment. I generally do not buy them, but these are fairly expensive sets, and have, as you say, fairly new technology.