Scrib

OK, so my Dad has had a pretty shitty year. Recently, he tore up his knee and hasn't been able to do much of anything. He was over this past week watching the bowl games and got the HD itch.

He doesn't want a HUGE TV, but wants something of a decent size; 50" or so. Width is a bit of a limit, so we don't want to get over 52" or so wide for the actually width of the set, not the viewing size.

Budget... There really isn't one. He doesn't want to go nuts, but $4K for a TV isn't out of the question.

He wants a flat panel, so it's down to a LCD or Plasma. However, with a 50" size TV it seems like Plasma is the way to go??? I'm not confident on LCDs picture (or competitive price) at sizes of 50".

HOWEVER... There is quite a bit of TV that is watched during the day. I'd say that the set is on 12+ hours a day as either his girlfriend or himself watches... Seems like the thing is always on.


With all of this...

1) What is the best technology to go with given the above? There is a depth issue, so that's why DLP and RP LCD was eliminated. I suppose I could see if a DLP would work, but honestly... If we can keep it thin, that would be the best move IMHO.

2) Given the amount of time the TV is used, would a Plasma TV be a bad play?

3) What models of TVs would be the best? I know what to look for; specs, etc. but I'm not sure who is doing things the best these days for Plasmas and LCDs.


Costco is going to have a $300 rebate on the Panasonic 50" Plasma starting next week.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...opnav=&browse=

He's not opposed to going to Tweeter or a highend store to talk to people. So choices don't have to be limited to Circuit City and Best Buy.

Thanks in advance.

Chief F1 Fan

I just checked out the 42" Panasonic hi def plasma--it's awesome. The consumer reports review place it and the 50" on top of the ratings. Good choice, I was just waiting for the prices to drop below

5000 bishes!

teg_to_bike

I think the Sony Bravia tops out at 40", but its definitely worth a look.

Sarlacc

LCD = Sony XBR or Sharp Aqous, maybe even Samsung

Plasma = Panasonic.

2001AudiS4

The Panasonic Plasma doesn't look great without HD signal. Honestly, even with the HD feed, it doesn't seem all that sharp. Sony makes a 50" plasma that has a much better picture, althouth the inputs are somewhat limited (one Component, one Composite, one S-video, one HDMI) but you can purchase a card for more if you really need it. I also think that Pioneer/Mitsubishi gives you a clearer picture then the Panasonic. I know it gets higher reviews then everything on the market, but I have to say it's picture quality has left me a little disappointed. Try out a few places and take a look. Make sure you look at both HD picture and NON-HD picture to see what your father likes most.

Sarlacc

Sony Bravia XBR 40":
Bravia XBR

Sharp Aqious Line....largest LCD is a 65" :WOW:

Sharp Aqious Line

Panasonic Plasma 50":
Panny

Sarlacc

Unfortunately, most SD feeds look like crap on HDTVs....since the resolution is so much higher then a SD TV.

2001AudiS4

Oh, absolutely. But some tv's will display them better. I recommend that sony and the pioneer/mitsubishi because they seem to do the best job of balancing hd/sd signal from what I have seen. The HD looks incredible on either set and the SD looks pretty decent for a non HD signal on a HD set. I still recommend seeing as many tv's as you can before purchasing. Especially if you are going to spend several thousand.

is300eater

I'm pretty sure at some Costco (in store, NOT online) have a 50" Pioneer for $4000, (if I'm wrong, then it's a Panasonic), but it's NOT the one in the link you attached... the TV itself is black... which makes it look so much better aesthetically in the room... IMO.

Sarlacc

Personally...I'd go for the 40" Bravia XBR......smaller then 50" yes...but I bet it has better overall quality then any of the others.

is300eater

...yeah, I have to admit... I haven't seen those demo around here, but last month when I was in Malaysia... I saw a line of them being demo in the Sony store.... and the picture is quite impressive...

Sarlacc

I never seen any TVs(consumer) look better then a Sony with the XBR label.

I still love my 32" XBR tube. Its one reason I've haven't bothered to go HD yet.

Scrib

Not sure if he has the room, but...



http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...rodid=11100427

fsttyms1

How about the LG brand. Ive seen some pretty impressive pictures with them

SpeedyV6

x 5,000 posts!

is300eater

Damn it! about a year and half ago, when that model first came out (pre 1080p), I bought the 50" model at Best Buy for about $1000 more!!! (but it was, literally the week it came out so... ) But I still love it...

Hojo061782

I have the 32" widescreen Sony KLV-32M1 LCD and it completely rocks. HD looks amazing on it, and when I use the internal scaler for SD programming (as opposed to my cable box), it actually looks pretty decent.

Of the widescreen LCDs, Consumer Reports also rated the Sony the highest. Unfortunately the model isn't out anymore, but I'm sure the newer models are even better.

soopa

Two years ago, I would have agreed.

Scrib

One thing that concerns me is the amount of time he TV is actually used. 12 hours a day is quite a bit... To me, Plasma would be a bad choice considering the amount of time it would be on.

I need to help him figure out what his depth limitations are. Perhaps we could get away with a RP LCD Sony SXRD? The Grand Wega 50" SXRD has gotten awesome reviews.

proaudio22

Most Plasma panels are rated HIGHER now (60,000 hrs) than the backlight rating of an LCD (50,000 hrs). Either one is a fine choice now. I still prefer the look of plasma - it just has so much more punch and better colors as you aren't toning something else. The new Sonys are sharp tho...

Sarlacc

I was bumming around Frys the other day looking at all the TVs...I still feel this way.

Scrib

It's going to be a Plasma. He'll go through a bulb every couple of years on a RP LCD or DLP (at least) and at $250 a peice, that'll add up quick. No sense in getting the SXRD and spend $250 every 18 months on a bulb. Plasma makes sense to me...

With 8hr of TV viewing a day (less in the summer, more in the winter) he should get 15+ years out of the set. That should work.


Seems like the LG 50" is a nice set. Hitachi has a kick ass 55" but it's just too big. The 50" Panasonic looks good too.

Decisions, decisions...

cM3go

we have the 60" version of this TV... its OWNS

soopa

^ agreed.

Most Plasmas these days have a healthy shelf life, and I continue to prefer the look of Plasma over any incarnation of LCD.

soopa

You should wait until next week to check out the new Apple Plasmas

Scrib

We'll see.

Scrib

Ok, so we went shopping today.

Ended up at a high-end store local to us and spent some time there. They carry LG, Hitachi and Mitsubishi and Runco to name a few...

The recommendation was: http://www.mitsubishi-tv.com/televis...ils.asp?id=198

It looked MUCH nicer than the LG that was sitting right next to it. The salesguy said that this is where the "high end" plasmas start. It was on-sale for $5,000.

Any one have any thoughts?

2001AudiS4

I have said all along that I like Pioneer/Mitsubishi the most. Both are the same set made by NEC I believe. I have installed quite a few of that Mitsubishi set and it has a great picture. I definitely recommend it. The speakers on the Mitsubishi are better then the Pioneer's by the way. And it comes with the speakers where the Pioneer you have to buy a kit to get the speakers.

doopstr

Take a look at the NEC 50xr5. I'm so close to pulling the trigger on this. I'm just trying to decide if 50" is too big. It can be had for about $4k. The NEC is a monitor. It doesn't have a tuner.

Below is a discussion thread.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=622396

BTW, I'm sure the one you picked is fantastic.

is300eater

I'm assuming you're talking about plasmas, right? What's your take on Mitsu's DLPs? Do they still have that screen with the glare? I can't stand that, but they do have one of the biggest DLPs out right now... I think it's like 70+ inches..

mrsteve

iTrader: (1)

Or speakers.

2001AudiS4

I was talking about the plasma. They do have a 73" DLP that is capable of displaying 1080p, but I believe it is only possible to connect via a serial connection (not 100% sure, but I believe I read that somewhere). Their DLP's are nice, just finished installing a home theater an hour ago with a 50"+ Mitsubishi DLP. I believe it is the same as the 73" set, only smaller. It has a nice picture and for a DLP I think it is one of the nicer ones out there. I am more of a plasma fan, but if you are looking specifically for a DLP, I'd definitely say take a look at the Mitsubishi.

Scrib

Well... After a few weeks of research, visiting various HT stores and taking numerous measurements, he has decided to go with the Pioneer Elite 1130HD 50" plasma.

We looked at every possible panel possible and the Pioneer really does outshine the others. It is pricey, but he doesn't give a shit. We watched a bunch of programming on it yesterday and decided that is the panel for him.

Not sure when he'll ultimately take delivery, but it'll probably be a few weeks. Now the question is, what programming should he subscribe to? Dish Network (current provider), DirecTV or Comcast. I think that decision will be more difficult that identifying the correct panel to buy.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pn...940811,00.html

doopstr

Good choice Scrib. Paying for a higher end plasma I think is worth it because they have the better scalers. I'm sure your dad will be happy.

I have Comcast service, every channel in my area (even 1-100) is in the digital domain. Everything looks great. The HD stuff is incredible. I may be wrong but I believe the satellite companies compress their HD stuff more than Comcast.

My biggest surprise with my NEC was how good SD looks. Since they share technology with Pioneer, I bet his does a great job with it too.

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

Wow, nice TV!!

Scrib

OMFG, it came yesterday. I stopped over there after work. It's a piece of art.

Heading over there this weekend to get him all set up. Cable is coming next Thursday, but he can use an antenna for local HD for the time being.

I've written the "break in" tutorial for him. I know he will want to watch the NASCAR race this weekend. That could spell image retention HELL.

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

Just have him flip channels every commercial break and he should be fine. That way he's not staying on the same channel for more then 15-30 minutes at a time....

2001AudiS4

The Elite is a nice tv indeed. It is not different then the commercial version, but it does have the glossy black casing that looks great. NEC actually makes the Pioneer's I believe. So they share quite a bit (along with the Mitsubishi's as well). Does this unit have the seperate media box? If so make sure that you NEVER lose it. Pioneer is a HUGE pain in the ass about replacing them. We had a customer that inherited a 50" Elite plasma and whoever removed the tv never realized what the media box was so it was somehow lost. It took the guy about 6 months before pioneer would agree to send him a new unit, at a very hefty price. Also, good choice to not go with Dish Network. It has the worst HD image I have ever seen. DirecTV is much, much better, as is cable.

doopstr

So did he enjoy the race? I don't even watch NASCAR but I sat there and watched it because the colors mesmerized me.

Scrib

He called me about midway through and said it was the coolest thing he's ever watched on TV. lol

Cable is coming this Thursday. He'll probably shit himself.