Okay, I think I’ll get off my wallet and replace my 14 year old 32 inch TV. My better half has agreed that it’s time. My family room is very large (16x24) I was looking at getting as a big as I can get 60"-65", I need some advise on what I should be looking for. I’ve done some research but I would like to hear from you guys on what’s best and what I should stay away from.
Don’t go Plasma, it’s replacement(s) is already selling, well.
The Samsunfg DLP 50 inch is awesome. And it is not as expensive as plama. Very cool set four friends have them and that is the one I am getting as well
Wait - are you saying my 21" Toshiba from 1983 with rabbit ears isn’t state of the art anymore?
I just had to buy two new TV’s, one for the shop for the new video fitting system we installed today (along with a digital video camera) and another for my basement indoor training area.
Basically, Aderhold and I went to Best Buy and Circuit City, looked at a lot of TV’s, talked to friends and customers and then bought the ones with the best picture. I got a 32" widescreen JVC for my basement and a crappy tube thing for the shop that does the job. If the video fitting is a hit we will replace it with another flat panel like we have over the register.
I guess, buy the one that has the best picture… And widescreen rules.
Go w/ the DLP rear projection.
Make sure its DLP. You can see it clear from 170 degree arc in your room. DLP will also never experience screen burn-in like LCD and Plasma.
The old style rear projection systems (yes, they are still trying to sell these) lose clarity if you try and view from the sides. DLP does not have this problem.
Opinion: Save a few bucks and don’t get a “built in HDTV tuner in the TV”. Make sure you get an HDTV capable TV, but the built-in tuner is a waste of money if you plan on hooking up cable or satelite.
Lot’s of good information here… avsforum.com
I bought a 64" Pioneer rear-projection CRT. Most people agree that the CRT based tv’s still have the best picture quality but they are very big and heavy. The DLP tv’s are thinner, weigh a lot less, have a brighter picture, cost a bit more, but don’t do ‘blacks’ as well as CRT.
Just like a tribike… take several out for a test ride, and get the one that fits the best ( or looks the best to you in this case ). 
.
DLP front projection. You want big screen, mine is 90" diag. Effing awesome, and about $1300. Now that’s home cinema.
For any info you could require, check out avsforums.com
J.
where did you find a 90 " (diagonal) DLP for only $1300? What brand is it?
We bought a Philips LCOS (liquid crystal on silcon) at the beginning of the year. I know nothing about this stuff, but my husband is a techno-dork and he did a lot of research. If I remember correctly they are the same concept, but DLP uses mirrors (mechanical) and LCOS uses LCD technology (digital)- don’t quote me on this, though!! One thing I do know is that it doesn’t burn out like plasma and it has a nice picture. It is not as flat as plasma, but it still hardly takes up any room. Ours came with a stand and you can rotate it for better viewing. It is about 55" and cost about $3,600. The only place that sold them at the time we bought was the Bose stores, but I think they were supposed to become more widely available.
infocus screenplay 4805 dlp projector. It will totally knock your socks off.
Home made screen (after advice from the avsforum screen building section.
I bought mine in Singapore, but it’s cheaper in the US ( I don’t live in the US anymore )
Froogle search shows it down as low as $1100, but $1300 is the average. You could try emailing jason at avscience (the people who run the forum I mentioned) as they have some great pricing on these, and are very cool guys to deal with. Jason@avscience.com
enjoy the show, but don’t blame me if you never leave your house.
Oh, and can i just say that the scariest thing I’ve watched is a lifesize coach troy when I do my spinervals workouts in front of the big screen.
J.
Samsung 50". That’s what I have. Very happy with it.
“Save a few bucks and don’t get a “built in HDTV tuner in the TV”. Make sure you get an HDTV capable TV, but the built-in tuner is a waste of money if you plan on hooking up cable or satelite.”
We, too, are in the market and my husband tells me DLP is the way to go. He told me that we should get the built in HDTV because otherwise, we’ll have to get a “box”. I have no idea what he’s talking about and frankly, I’m not sure he knows what he is talking about. If we have cable and so long as the TV is HDTV ready, will we to need to buy an additional piece of equipment?
Lots of windows? If it is a bright room you can forget about DLP and Projectors. Unless you only want to watch TV at night.
bump
.
What are you planning on watching? DVD’s, off-air HD, HD cable/satellite, regular TV?
What other equipment (home theater, etc.) are you looking to integrate it with?
You will want to consider the number and type of inputs (s-video, component, DVI) you’ll need for the equpiment you have, or want, or think you’ll want. Do you want to use the TV or an AV Receiver for your switching? What kind of outputs does your receiver have?
What kind of outputs does your cable/satellite receiver have? Does your cable company support CableCards?
If you don’t want to bloat your cable bill, and are mostly interested in HD Network shows (CSI, etc.), then a built in HD tuner would be important.
Erick,
You just made this even more confusing! I’m not what you call a techno-nut or what ever you want to call it. I thought that buying a “TV” was going top easy! For what it’s worth, I have only a DVD and a VCR to hook up, I also have cable box (not digital at this time). I will use the TV for DVD’s and maybe some of the kids games every once in a while. An built in HDTV is most likely the way I’ll be going.
Jeff Morrow
I just went through this about two months ago. AVS, which was already mentioned, has a wealth of information, as does cnet.com.
I ultimately went with a widescreen tube TV because I was limited by the size of my entertainment center.
I would definitely recommend getting a built in HD tuner and cablecard slot, if you can. I got a cablecard (free from Comcast in DC) that plugs into the back of the TV. Then you just run the cable into the TV and the card does all the stuff the cable box would normally do. I gave up a little bit of functionality (on demand and channel guides) but also got rid of another box and saved ~$5/month on box rental.
The last time I bought a TV the guy in the store asked if I wanted black and white or color.
Things have gotten a lot more complicated.