Just got my new TV... **Drools**

[digitard]

While I wont get into much on funds... I was able to sell a site I owned for a decent amount so I was able to take care of the wifes wedding ring and buy myself a TV and take care of a few debts.

In any case... I have had the same 27" TV since 1998. Before that I had the same 19" TV since probably 1992. We were saving up to buy a TV at the end of July but with this unexpected goodness I was able to buy it early.

I purchased an Optoma RD50A. Its a 50" DLP HDTV using the HD2+ chip. Holy Crap this thing is sick. For those not familiar with DLP its a pure digital projection TV. It uses mirrors for each pixel. Its like having PLASMA without the high cost of Plasma. Its obviously a bit more complex than that, but the RD50 series won best of 2004 at CES in the 50" TV's and I did a TON of online research and found this to be the best 'bang for the buck'.

I hooked up my HD-DVR (only a few bucks more on my monthly cable bill) and I'm addicted. I spent the first few hours just watching the HD Discovery channel... and then I watched UFC 47 on one of the 'random' HD Content channels. I cant turn the thing off. Even the XBOX w/o the HIDEF pack looks amazing! Even the wife is getting into the thing. Just watching normal shows that we watched in SD again in HIDEF is awsome. We watch LOST religiously... watched it in HD WIDESCREEN and its a whole new experience.

Threw in the 2nd season of 24 on the DVD player (component out) and again... BIG BIG difference. I dont think I'm getting off my butt all weekend. Yeah yeah I know 24. But I only started watching it this season so I'm getting caught up on whats happening. I'm halfway through the 2nd season. Its a great show. I cant wait til next January.

I'm rambling... but hte TV is just so sick compared to anything I've had and a leap above my friends traditional few year old HDTV's. Back to playing HALO 2 for a few then crashing out.

[Steelrat]

Sounds awesome! I just got a 60" Sony LCD projection, and its light years beyond the convetional projection I had a while back. The DLPs are very nice, but I am one of the unfotunate ones who can see the "rainbowing" that they can produce, which ruled them out for me.

Check www.avsforum.com for information about settings about your TV. Most systems are not configured properly out-of-the-box.

[Echo419]

Pictures... need pictures.

[Hexis]

Steel, when is the last time you looked at DLPs? The color wheel is spinnging so fast in the new ones, it's a lot harder to see the rainbow effect. It used to bug me a lot. I can't relly see it during normal viewing on any current set.

[Steelrat]

Steel, when is the last time you looked at DLPs? The color wheel is spinnging so fast in the new ones, it's a lot harder to see the rainbow effect. It used to bug me a lot. I can't relly see it during normal viewing on any current set.

I looked when I bought my set 2 month ago. Some people are more sensitive to it than others. My next big investment will hopefully be a huge LCD tv when those are available and cheaper.

[edweird]

so whens the AO-AZ halo 2 party?

[digitard]

I'm very familliar w/ avsforum.com. I'm digitard on there too...lol.

Rainbowing unfortunately will be something some people can see until they do a 3 chip design from what I am reading.

I also think that some people they will see the rainbow effect more when they initially get the TV. I saw it a lil bit the first 48hrs and since then I haven't seen it... I assume just like anything your eyes strain a bit w/ a new large TV and as they become more adapt at the dimensions/etc the effect lessens (or dissapears) as you get used to it. Those first 48hrs I could just feel my eyes straining. They felt tired watching the TV cause it was such a big jump in size (27" to 50" widescreen). But as my eyes got more comfortable I noticed I saw it less and less over a single day.

As for calibration. I'm on that. For now I'm going to use DVE to calibrate the basics and then in a few months when the sets properly broken in I'm going to have someone come out and tweak it so its 'just right'. I have already done a bit of minimal tweaking (contrast, brightness, little things like that) and got a pretty solid picture out of it. Optoma has some of the best 'out of the box' standard calibration out there which is nice. I mean I know it'll be even 'that much better' when I get it done professionally, but I'm not complaining now

I'll get some pics later today.

[Steelrat]

I love the HD cable service on mine. When I watched "Deadwood" in HDTV i was floored. Thehuge, clear image, plus a great sound system, equals an immersive TV experience. When people come over now they are drawn to it like moths to a flame

[Big'n slo]

When I watched "Deadwood" in HDTV i was floored.

I envy you

/Member of the Al Swearengen fanclub

[Hexis]

3 Chip DLPs have existed for a while in projectors. I don't think we will see them in RP sets. Maybe in a few high end sets, but for the money there are better options. A 3 chip design has issues other than rainbow effect.

[Steelrat]

I think big LCD sets (not LCD projecters, actual flat-panel LCDs) show the most promise. Plasmas just have too many drawbacks in their current form. Too many people buy them without understanding the issues related to plasmas.

[Hexis]

Yeah, I'm not a fan of plasmas either. OLED could be interesting. LCD is ok, but in general pretty bad black levels. Given unlimited funds I would prob go for a 3 chip DLP projector stack (2 or 4 projectors) on a negative gain screen. Back in the real world I'm looking at a 720p DLS projetor or RP set. Actually prob gonna go Optoma if I go that route. They have good automation hooks, and great quality.

[rkjunior303]

How's the quality in those big HD projectors? I have a perfect spot to put an 8ft screen.....

[Hexis]

Depends on what you spend. You can get crazy nice quality, if you want to spend a few hundred thousand. Better than film. For me the lowest acceptiable is 3k or so.

[SCpoloRicker]

Also thinking about digital projectors... I'm thinking more like 4-5k, as I want high def as well.

/mmmm... 8 ft screens