Any one here can help me out with big screen tv options?

[rkjunior303]

I'm not looking.

AND. For $1200 you can get a decent 1080i LCD or a HUGE DLP but I've never been a fan of them. The picture sucks IMO unless you're looking at it straight on.

Hell, I only paid $1400 for my 40'' 1080p Samsung LCD a year ago.

[Hilltop Customs]

I'm not looking.

AND. For $1200 you can get a decent 1080i LCD or a HUGE DLP but I've never been a fan of them. The picture sucks IMO unless you're looking at it straight on.

Hell, I only paid $1400 for my 40'' 1080p Samsung LCD a year ago.

most dlp's have great viewing angles.....mine I can look at from almost perpendicular to the screen and still have a good image....vertical viewing angle is a different story, but I rarely lay on the floor to watch tv(thats actually how I noticed that the vertical viewing angle isnt as good as horizontal). They are not like old rear projections where if your off by 15 degrees from center the image starts to fades out quickly.

I think the actual numbers are at aroud 60 degrees off center the brightness starts to fade. but thats what i read 2 years ago when getting mine....so might have changed by now

[robnix]

most dlp's have great viewing angles.....mine I can look at from almost perpendicular to the screen and still have a good image....vertical viewing angle is a different story, but I rarely lay on the floor to watch tv(thats actually how I noticed that the vertical viewing angle isnt as good as horizontal). They are not like old rear projections where if your off by 15 degrees from center the image starts to fades out quickly.

I think the actual numbers are at aroud 60 degrees off center the brightness starts to fade. but thats what i read 2 years ago when getting mine....so might have changed by now

The LED DLP's have eliminated the rainbow effect of old as well. They really are the best bang for buck AFAIC. It's most likely what I'll get when we upgrade. The problem is that my CRT HD RPTV still has such a nice picture it's hard to part with it.

[robnix]

for a 50" tv, between 5-10 feet is where 1080p starts to show a noticable difference over 720p, 4 feet was just off the top of my head and the point I was trying to get across is: look at the tv from your normal viewing distance. Theres no point of getting right up on the tv when buying, if your going to view it from 15 feet away.

I don't even bother going to the store. I can browse AVSforum and get all the info I need.

My bad about saying 1080p doubles the price, I havent dont much shopping around lately, only prices Ive seen are in big box stores. I argee closeouts have the best deals, but you also have to weigh the features against the price difference of the older models. I know with my DLP they were having horrible lag issues with the older modles(i think it was the type R, but thats off the top of my head again) so I stayed away from those closeouts since my primary HD viewing is games.

Defintely a problem with older DLP and LED TV's.

You bring up some great points about blu-ray. Its kind of like arguing about HD-dvd vs blu-ray though, its hard to tell what really is going to happen, it has way too many variables. I do think blu-ray will take off, espically when players and then disc costs drop, blu will probably dominate the market as dvd's slowly die off. But IMO people are already starting to realize how cumbersom a media optical storage is, look at music and the transition from cd to digital.

I think music succeeded because
- people are used to carrying their music around, the culture was already in place to support it
- then apple came along and made it easy to do.

My tv is set up the absolute best I can do without paying someone else to do it. I watched 300, with digital download, comcast hd ppv, and normal upscaled dvd. Honestly there wasnt much difference that I could see other than both the DD and ppv looked slighty better than the dvd. I would imagine an hd-dvd or blu-disck would produce a cleaner image with no evidence of compression, but thats something I can accept....for now.

I've been using DVE, and even have the service manual for my TV. :-) I've compared a few upscaled DVD's to the same Blu-Ray disc, it's not just the sharpness of the picture, the colors are richer as well.

As for game downloads, gaming is all about the newest and best.....show me where I can buy GTA4 and COD4 through a digital media and I would instantly. Hell I would pay more just for digital instead of hard media. I'm already getting dirty disc errors on GTA4 and it hasnt left my 360 since it was unwraped(no I dont smoke either) The download time doesnt bother me at all(athough bandwith limits will play a big role in the future as you said) I would rather have my entire library stored on 1 hard drive instead of 50 freaking optical discs which can easily be ruined. Maybe I'm just spoiled from having a modded xbox with 50 games, 100 movies, and 30gigs of music at my fingertips for access without even leaving my chair.(not to mention Steam is doing great in the computer gaming market, but that is a small niche market compared to consol gaming)

If download services would get on the ball and have the same release dates as hard media, there would be some stiff competetion, untill then hard media will dominate.

My problem is that all the services that offer them for the PC are more DRM filled than just buying the disc. The only exception is Stardock, all you need from them is a serial and you can play their games anywhere you want. They even keep adding content to make it more attractive. The PS3 is getting it right with SOME games, most of my kids games are downloads, but games like GTA4 are just too big to download. MGS4 is supposed to be over 25GB in size.

[doc_Zox]

[Hilltop Customs]

doc-Zox thats the chart I was thinking of, I couldnt find it on my computer.....probably would have been better off googling it.

devildog-sorry for taking this on a tangent. One thing you might want to consider no matter what tv you get is picking up a calibration tool like DVE.

I don't even bother going to the store. I can browse AVSforum and get all the info I need.

Its been awhile since ive been on avs, but I studied that forum like it was my job be4 I bought my tv. I love going in that forum and looking at the The official 235:1 screen picture thread. gives me somthing to dream about. It is so funny to read all about everything and then go into stores and listen to the BS some emp working try to pass off.

I think music succeeded because
- people are used to carrying their music around, the culture was already in place to support it
- then apple came along and made it easy to do.

easy and fashionable. I think they had a huge help by the bandwagon effect. Everyone wanted those shiny white earbuds. I saw it happen on campus, it went from you might see one out of 100 people having them to 1 out of 3 over the course of 2 years. And because it was fashionalbe, everyone wanted new, so they upgraded to ipod video, ipod nano, iphone, i touch and all the other igarbage.(sorry apple fans) Apple knew what they were doing ...they knew their customerbase had the money and the desire to look cool.....so they released features 1 at a time, slightly changing the exterior so you could recognize the newest iturd. /apple hate rant

I will admit, i have a nano(512kb) but only because it was given to me.

anyhow your right about needing to be easy, searching through menus is something a lot of the public despies. IDK if you have been on xbox lives marketplace, but they are doing an absolute horrible job of organizing it IMO. The interface is cumbersome and it has very limited organization options that are made coplex by having to navigate through different levels of the interface. I dont mind the advertisements, many of them I click on because its something I want to see(just checked out the gears of war 2 add as typing this) Huge amounts of content is not revieled to the user because of how the menus are designed. On the first page in marketplace there is "spotlight" new arivals and 2 big ad's for new content......arent these all the same thing? Thats just an example. /end xbox marketplace rant

You mention music being mobile, video has gone mobile too. Look at all the vehicles shipping with tv's and dvdplayers now. I will admit digtial delivery has some major hurdles it has to get over.....but digital storage has huge advantages over hard media(that is until a drive fails lol).

I've been using DVE, and even have the service manual for my TV. :-) I've compared a few upscaled DVD's to the same Blu-Ray disc, it's not just the sharpness of the picture, the colors are richer as well.

My problem is that all the services that offer them for the PC are more DRM filled than just buying the disc. The only exception is Stardock, all you need from them is a serial and you can play their games anywhere you want. They even keep adding content to make it more attractive. The PS3 is getting it right with SOME games, most of my kids games are downloads, but games like GTA4 are just too big to download. MGS4 is supposed to be over 25GB in size.

Digital video essentials is great, had my girlfriend buy it for my birthday after I got the tv....its shows how overpowered most tvs come from the factory(makes sense since they have to assume bright lighting conditions for a good looking tv) Its probably the best tool; besides paying a calibrator to come to you house, for setting up your tv.

Speaking of power, do you know if DLP's are still the most efficient? I'd imagine the newer LED DLP's should be use a lot less power than the older lamp models.

As for the digital computer game services I know next to nothing about them, just heard some good things about steam from friends. Does Stardock have problems with serial sharing, or is it limited to 1 access point at a time? How else would they combat sharing?


I hope I got the quotes right

[robnix]

doc-Zox thats the chart I was thinking of, I couldnt find it on my computer.....probably would have been better off googling it.

devildog-sorry for taking this on a tangent. One thing you might want to consider no matter what tv you get is picking up a calibration tool like DVE.

Well, I think some good information has been added to the original post along with the sidebars. devildog - The $25.00 you spend on DVE will be the best investment you'll make for your TV. They have an HD version now as well.

Its been awhile since ive been on avs, but I studied that forum like it was my job be4 I bought my tv. I love going in that forum and looking at the The official 235:1 screen picture thread. gives me somthing to dream about. It is so funny to read all about everything and then go into stores and listen to the BS some emp working try to pass off.

You mean like...you HAVE to buy these Monster brand component cables for the best picture!

easy and fashionable. I think they had a huge help by the bandwagon effect. Everyone wanted those shiny white earbuds. I saw it happen on campus, it went from you might see one out of 100 people having them to 1 out of 3 over the course of 2 years. And because it was fashionalbe, everyone wanted new, so they upgraded to ipod video, ipod nano, iphone, i touch and all the other igarbage.(sorry apple fans) Apple knew what they were doing ...they knew their customerbase had the money and the desire to look cool.....so they released features 1 at a time, slightly changing the exterior so you could recognize the newest iturd. /apple hate rant

I will admit, i have a nano(512kb) but only because it was given to me.

anyhow your right about needing to be easy, searching through menus is something a lot of the public despies. IDK if you have been on xbox lives marketplace, but they are doing an absolute horrible job of organizing it IMO. The interface is cumbersome and it has very limited organization options that are made coplex by having to navigate through different levels of the interface. I dont mind the advertisements, many of them I click on because its something I want to see(just checked out the gears of war 2 add as typing this) Huge amounts of content is not revieled to the user because of how the menus are designed. On the first page in marketplace there is "spotlight" new arivals and 2 big ad's for new content......arent these all the same thing? Thats just an example. /end xbox marketplace rant

I haven't seen the Xbox interface, the PS3 interface was horrible until the latest software update, and now it's actually pretty good.

You mention music being mobile, video has gone mobile too. Look at all the vehicles shipping with tv's and dvdplayers now. I will admit digtial delivery has some major hurdles it has to get over.....but digital storage has huge advantages over hard media(that is until a drive fails lol).

I still use a portable DVD player for flights with DVD's instead of a media player. I want to be comfortable, a small screen just doesn't allow that. You can't really bebop down the street while watching a video either. Music is just the perfect digital format for portability.

Digital video essentials is great, had my girlfriend buy it for my birthday after I got the tv....its shows how overpowered most tvs come from the factory(makes sense since they have to assume bright lighting conditions for a good looking tv) Its probably the best tool; besides paying a calibrator to come to you house, for setting up your tv.

I'll repeat, a calibration disc in the single best purchase a TV buyer can buy now.

Speaking of power, do you know if DLP's are still the most efficient? I'd imagine the newer LED DLP's should be use a lot less power than the older lamp models.

AFAIK, they are, followed by LED's, CRT's, then Plasmas.

As for the digital computer game services I know next to nothing about them, just heard some good things about steam from friends. Does Stardock have problems with serial sharing, or is it limited to 1 access point at a time? How else would they combat sharing?


I hope I got the quotes right

Steam and Stardock do pretty much the same thing, Steams client is a bit more restrictive though. With Stardock, you can pirate their products with any serial, but in order to get updates and the free addon content that they deliver, you need to have an email based login to get them. They're going after people that will play a game for several years, instead of just finishing it and then moving on to the next game. It's worked very well for them, Sins of the Solar Empire is selling very well, and GalCivII was one of the best selling games of the year when it came out.

[Hilltop Customs]

Well, I think some good information has been added to the original post along with the sidebars. devildog - The $25.00 you spend on DVE will be the best investment you'll make for your TV. They have an HD version now as well.

You mean like...you HAVE to buy these Monster brand component cables for the best picture!

I feel bad for the people who fall into the monster cable trap, espically when you can make your own or buy some from www.monoprice.com that will perform the same and cost at most 1/10th as much. It would be much better to invest in a good surge protector or battery backup than waste hundreds of dollars on moster cabling.

I haven't seen the Xbox interface, the PS3 interface was horrible until the latest software update, and now it's actually pretty good.

I still use a portable DVD player for flights with DVD's instead of a media player. I want to be comfortable, a small screen just doesn't allow that. You can't really bebop down the street while watching a video either. Music is just the perfect digital format for portability.

I cant wait to pick up a ps3, but I'm holding out for more ps3 exclusive content or another price drop. How is the online gaming? Ive heard some bad things like the majority of people playing dont have mic's, so communication is lacking.(then it might be nice to get away from the screaming 12 year olds on xboxlive) Metal gear is really calling my name along with gran turismo, but I'm resisting until a few more exclusives with good reviews come out.

I just use my pocket pc if I want to watch movies on trips....I bought one of those "recharge your phone with AA battery" jobs and use rechargable batteries. Run time is actually decent off a couple AA's. The small screen is nothing special, but its nice to be able to pocket it.

Steam and Stardock do pretty much the same thing, Steams client is a bit more restrictive though. With Stardock, you can pirate their products with any serial, but in order to get updates and the free addon content that they deliver, you need to have an email based login to get them. They're going after people that will play a game for several years, instead of just finishing it and then moving on to the next game. It's worked very well for them, Sins of the Solar Empire is selling very well, and GalCivII was one of the best selling games of the year when it came out.

I just checked out stardock, Sins of a Solar Empire looks great....any experience with how it runs on low end systems? I hope horrible because old RTS's ate up so much of my time lol. If I would get into PC gaming again IDK when I would time for paintball.

[robnix]

I feel bad for the people who fall into the monster cable trap, espically when you can make your own or buy some from www.monoprice.com that will perform the same and cost at most 1/10th as much. It would be much better to invest in a good surge protector or battery backup than waste hundreds of dollars on moster cabling.

I send people to the same place and tell them to use the savings on a GOOD surge protector.

I cant wait to pick up a ps3, but I'm holding out for more ps3 exclusive content or another price drop. How is the online gaming? Ive heard some bad things like the majority of people playing dont have mic's, so communication is lacking.(then it might be nice to get away from the screaming 12 year olds on xboxlive) Metal gear is really calling my name along with gran turismo, but I'm resisting until a few more exclusives with good reviews come out.

To be honest, I really don't play online with it so I can't say. You won't see a price drop, but there will be a MGS4 bundle with a Dual Shock Controller soon. There's also HAZE, and FFXIII coming out.

I just checked out stardock, Sins of a Solar Empire looks great....any experience with how it runs on low end systems? I hope horrible because old RTS's ate up so much of my time lol. If I would get into PC gaming again IDK when I would time for paintball.

They have a demo so you can see.

[spacedtedybear]

The Panasonic PX-80u series should be in your price range if you want current models. As far as picture quality goes though, Pioneer Kuros reigns over all, but they cost an arm, leg, kidney, and possibly a few other organs. Panasonic comes in at #2. IMO, Panny's blacks are just a bit deeper than Samsung's plasmas.

If you don't mind last year's models, you should be able to find Panasonic PZ700U, PZ77U (what I have), or the PX-75U (1080, 1080, 720 respectively)on clearance since their 8' series are just starting to be released.

[devildog]

So I was about to lock in on the panny th-50px80u plasma, when a local appliance store has brand new sammy hlt5087s 50" led dlp tvs for $999 on sale. Thats very tempting at that price, especially local, but I am hesitant with the led technology. I assume that this tv is a little deeper like a rear projection? can I mount this on the wall? it has 10k : 1 contrast vs. 15k : 1 on the panasonic, is this a huge difference i should worry about?

is this led set going to look like crap when i play games on it?

sorry for the noob questions, but the sale is this weekend so im trying to get answers fast

[robnix]

So I was about to lock in on the panny th-50px80u plasma, when a local appliance store has brand new sammy hlt5087s 50" led dlp tvs for $999 on sale. Thats very tempting at that price, especially local, but I am hesitant with the led technology. I assume that this tv is a little deeper like a rear projection? can I mount this on the wall? it has 10k : 1 contrast vs. 15k : 1 on the panasonic, is this a huge difference i should worry about?

is this led set going to look like crap when i play games on it?

sorry for the noob questions, but the sale is this weekend so im trying to get answers fast

Go look at it, a DLP won't hang on the wall you'll need a stand, but they aren't nearly as deep as a CRT RPTV is.
Contrast Ratio is overrated, manufacturers will use their own standards and can measure it in some deceptive ways.
Games should look as good as any other TV.