HDTV suggestions - bought 50" plasma

[KnightRid]

Welp I might get to finally buy a 50-65" hdtv this weekend! Been told for the past 3 years I could get one, but never happened >:(

So I am asking for any insights, suggestions, first hand experiences with any brands, models, etc.

I was looking for a 56-65", but I do NOT want to pay over $1500 for a tv! so I dropped it to a minimum of 50".

I was also looking at DLP projection, since I still think it has the best lifespan - replace a bulb, you got a new tv , but with the prices of Plasma and LCD coming WAY down, I am open for suggestions.

Mike

Oh it would be nice to hear about HD service also. I will NOT get Comcast since their service is WAY overpriced and WAY overcompressed. I am looking at either Dish or Directv - we have Dish now. I dont have the FIOS option yet

Oh and the tv will be used for everything...gaming consoles, movies, digital tv and hdtv, maybe even a computer at one point in time.

[Sporg]

Well, I personally went with a 50" Samsung DLP. It's a 1080P and uses LED instead of the old bulb/colorwheel. The screen is bright and picture is very crisp.

The only time I really notice that the picture quality degrades is when running a DVD (via upconvert) and there are a lot of dark areas. At some point I want to try a better DVD player, but the one we have works fine and isn't really that old, so can't justify it. *Edit - I think the DVD upconvert is 480P but can't remember for sure*

I have an Xbox 360 hooked up to it (via HDMI) and have no complaints. Gaming freakin rocks. Games I'm playing are Halo3, Mass Effect, and Orange Box.

One thing I really like is that there are a ton of inputs. I had to reorganize my components because all of the ports are on the right side of the

For HD service I'm using local cable. They broadcast in 1080i, and it looks decent most of the time. I have looked into the satellite options and probably would go Direct TV.

Bang for your buck I'm all over the DLP. Like you said though, LCD and Plasma are coming down a bit in price.

Anyway, my $0.02. Have fun shopping!

[vbironchef]

Hope this helps http://reviews.cnet.com/4370-6485_7-168 ... ml?tag=dir

[KnightRid]

Well, I personally went with a 50" Samsung DLP. It's a 1080P and uses LED instead of the old bulb/colorwheel. The screen is bright and picture is very crisp.

*Edit - I think the DVD upconvert is 480P but can't remember for sure*

I was looking Samsung or Sony for DLP/LCOS, didnt know who to really look for in LCD or Plasma. I was comparing the color wheel models that people are getting rid of and the new LCD ones, and the main difference I can see is just the LCD will last longer and be quieter. I did not notice really any picture quality difference as of yet.

dvds are native 480p, so upconverting should take it to 720p,1080i, or 1080p.

Thanx!

Mike

vibron - have been reading reviews online, I was hoping for first hand experience like Sporg has Thanx for the link though, I did take a look at it! Actually it is still open now and i am reading more..lol

[Sporg]

As far as the picture difference between the bulb/colorwheel and LED the most noticable thing is brilliance of the picture.

I have 3 buddies who have Samsung DLPs. One is 1st generation 720P, one is 1080i, and I think the other guy's is a 1080P model. All 3 of theirs are bulb/colorwheel. One thing that I consistently noted was the brilliance. It could be setup on their end but I think my viewing angles are better and the pictures are brighter.

For reference I have a Samsung HL-T5087s. They also have the 89 series, which I think has bluetooth support (e.g. headphones) and HDMI 1.3.

I don't know what the latest and greatest is from them.

[KnightRid]

As far as the picture difference between the bulb/colorwheel and LED the most noticable thing is brilliance of the picture.

For reference I have a Samsung HL-T5087s. They also have the 89 series, which I think has bluetooth support (e.g. headphones) and HDMI 1.3.

That is one of the models I was looking at - the 5087s, didnt know about the 5089.

buy.com has the 5087s for 1150 right now! Which i think is a pretty good deal. Just will suck if i cant find it locally and get it the same day I was also looking at the 56" version but they want $1700 for that one - I cant see $550 for 6 inches

Mike

[hnzw_rui]

dvds are native 480p, so upconverting should take it to 720p,1080i, or 1080p.

I thought most commercial DVDs are 480i? At least, I've always had to deinterlace my DVDs when converting.

[w00fd06]

I'd go for a Visio, plenty of reviewers say they're great, good quality, fairly low price, so you may want to look at their offerings. good luck!

Edit: that's supposed to be Vizio, not Visio, sorry

[KnightRid]

dvds are native 480p, so upconverting should take it to 720p,1080i, or 1080p.

I thought most commercial DVDs are 480i? At least, I've always had to deinterlace my DVDs when converting.

You are correct
I just use all-in-one programs to rip my dvds to avi when I want to take them with me on the laptop, so I never noticed it was deinterlacing..DOH!

DVD = Digital Video Disc, or Digital Versatile Disc. Regular DVDs are almost all 480i, but some "progressive DVDs" exist at 480p.

I was wrong - sorry about that people!

Mike

Kinda wierd why they wouldnt just make all dvds 480p now a days, since progressive scan dvd players show 480p anyway

Oh looking at this tv - http://www.buy.com/prod/samsung-hl-t508 ... 87675.html - online anyway. I want to look at the Vizio plasmas and lcds also - thanx for the suggestion!

Just wish a 56" would be that price

[KnightRid]

Well I got a 50" Panasonic Plasma model TH-50PX75U

It is only 720P, but I didnt realise 1080p in plasma was hardly existent and in lcd they are pretty darn expensive. I had a HELL of a time trying to find any DLP projection tvs locally! When I did see them, they had them calibrated so crappy that noone would ever want to buy them.

I just hope I dont have the same problems as our fearless leader

So far the picture is good with Dish network and is of course AWESOME with the antenna hooked up for HD! Now I have to upgrade to HD or switch to DirecTV for HD.

I ran it through the THX video setup program I have using the blue shades, but does anyone else know of a dvd that is better?

Mike

Didnt get the extended warranty since Sears wants $300 for 3 years and that includes the first year that is covered by Panasonic. I think there are some places online that offer warranties, I have to check around.