OT: Upgrading the TV, help!

macsomjrr · Post by **macsomjrr** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 10:12 pm

Hey guys,

I'm looking to buy a new high definition set for the living room to be used for HD (duh), sports, movie watching, gaming, you know the usual stuff people do with their TVs (although I'd love to get one that vacuums as well...). Anyway, looking around on the web I'm seeing that rear-projections appear to be going the way of the Dodo but are still getting good reviews (Samsung HL61A650, Mitsubishi WD 60735) and will give me the best bang for the buck. Budget is $2000 unless there is something supremely awesome that I can get for a bit more that could convince someone of the female persuasion (read: my wife) to spend a bit more. Are plasma's really worth it? I want a really big screen and I don't care about hanging it on the wall, and the viewing angle (unless its super bad) isn't going to be a problem.

Does anyone have any input? ideas? suggestions? Do you have a set you're totally thrilled with? Any good websites to check out (besides CNET, consumer reports)?

Thanks gents.[/b]

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 10:50 pm

avsforum.org is a very good site as well

Sport73 · Post by **Sport73** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 11:15 pm

If you are open to a Rear-Projection set, I have a Sony 60" SXRD that is stunning. It's the 2020 series, which was subsequently replaced by the 3000. They have since discontinued the entire line, as everyone moves solely to LCD sets; but you might find one online for a steal.

http://www.practical-home-theater-guide ... ision.html

http://reviews.cnet.com/projection-tvs/ ... 68849.html

GameSeven · Post by **GameSeven** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 11:42 pm

If you are looking at RPTV, I'd recommend looking at the Samsung A750 line (LED DLP) instead of the A650. Can be had in your price range and no bulb or spinning wheel. Very good thread on avsforum.com.

macsomjrr · Post by **macsomjrr** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 11:55 pm

AVS forums has a bunch of useful info. Thanks for the feedback guys. Still trying to make my final decision with all this new info...

FatPitcher · Post by **FatPitcher** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 1:00 am

The Samsung A750's are awesome for the price. If you want a huge screen for cheap, I think this is the way to go.

If you want something a bit smaller, I have a 46" Samsung A530 LCD and think it's fantastic. A friend has a later model, the 46" 120Hz A650, and it's even better for only a bit more ($1650 @ Amazon - no tax/free ship/no interest for 24 mo.)

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 9:41 pm

My parents is looking for a set > 52" for under 3 grand. Whatcha guys recommend?

I'm so out of the high end tv game...I stick with Vizios. LOL.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 10:24 pm

I personally like the Olevia and Vizio sets as they have a solid picture and the price is real sweet. If your parents want high end I say Samsung makes some nice flat panels and Sony of course.

Circuit City 52" 1080p Flat panels:

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Samsung- ... tDetail.do

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Sony-52- ... tDetail.do

macsomjrr · Post by **macsomjrr** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 10:47 pm

For under $3000 they'll easily be able to get a massive RPTV or a sizable LCD or plasma in the 52" range.

I went to Best Buy on Tuesday and bought a 46" Samsung 1080p LCD for $1399. Originally I was set on a bigger RPTV but after seeing all the LCDs side-by-side with the RPTVs and going back and forth for awhile I had to go with the former. The money I saved by going with a smaller screen I used to buy a BOSE surround sound system and its amazing. Its true what they say about once you get it home it looks twice as big:)

NoJoke · Post by **NoJoke** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 9:12 am

Sport73 wrote:If you are open to a Rear-Projection set, I have a Sony 60" SXRD that is stunning. It's the 2020 series, which was subsequently replaced by the 3000. They have since discontinued the entire line, as everyone moves solely to LCD sets; but you might find one online for a steal.

http://www.practical-home-theater-guide ... ision.html

http://reviews.cnet.com/projection-tvs/ ... 68849.html

I have the 60a3000 and I love it. I got it last december for around 1700, I think, so I'm sure you can come in way under 2k nowadays, if you can find one.

Joe

matthewk · Post by **matthewk** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 11:39 am

macsomjrr wrote:Its true what they say about once you get it home it looks twice as big:)

I think you just found a new pickup line for bars

Once I finish our bonus room we'll be getting our first HDTV, which should be before Christmas. I always thought the Samsungs had the best picture. I've also always liked Plasmas over LCD, but it seems like LCDs are taking over.

Is 1080 pretty much a must over 720 now?

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 11:50 am

Matt, in my research, it seems as though there are a lot of variables. The Samsungs apparently have the best picture, but they have a glossy screen so it really matters what type of room it's going in and the ambient lighting. I am putting this TV I am looking for in a brightly lit family room so it needs to have a matte finish to reduce the glare. Plasmas mostly have the reflective screen as well, so that's the reason I automatically ruled them out. Also, the new Samsung line all have a red boarder around them...not exactly a big fan of that design decision.

I think I've settled on this Sony set. It's got the new 120hz refresh rate to "allegedly" reduce blurr and it's got the matte screen.

Sony KDL-52W4100

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/sto ... 1665405479

Anyone have any experience with this tv? Seems like the reviews are overwhelmingly positive. It's on sale for $2,500 at Circuit City and plus my 8% AAA discount, it's down to 2,200. Maybe I can convince them to get a PS3 as a BluRay player with the savings!

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 1:05 pm

Okay, take this from a guy who has done a TON of research...

Samsung LCD's are IMHO the best bang for the back. More specifically the 650/750 series. You can get a 52" 650 Samsung for $2150.

I did SO much research and viewing when I bought my TV last year and it boiled down to two TV's for me. the Pioneer Elite plasma and the Samsung 81 series LCD. I went with the Samsung for various reasons which I am still unbelievably happy with.

Anyway, during that research I was able to learn a ton of stuff that helped me understand the pro’s and con’s of just about every major TV manufacturer out there.

I have help numerous friends/co-workers buy TV’s now and I have steered them all to the Samsung LCD line and they have been super happy. One of my closest buddies just bought the 52” 650 and I helped him set it up and tweak the settings and it is a damn nice picture for the $$$. The 750 series is the same PQ but with some added features. The next step up is the 850 which is VERY nice and then there is the 950 series which is their new ‘top of the line’ models that replaced last years ’81 series. They use LED backlighting which allows for unbelievable black levels (but are expensive and can come with their own set of quirkiness – but very worth it if you have the means).

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 1:09 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:Matt, in my research, it seems as though there are a lot of variables. The Samsungs apparently have the best picture, but they have a glossy screen so it really matters what type of room it's going in and the ambient lighting. I am putting this TV I am looking for in a brightly lit family room so it needs to have a matte finish to reduce the glare. Plasmas mostly have the reflective screen as well, so that's the reason I automatically ruled them out. Also, the new Samsung line all have a red boarder around them...not exactly a big fan of that design decision.

I think I've settled on this Sony set. It's got the new 120hz refresh rate to "allegedly" reduce blurr and it's got the matte screen.

Sony KDL-52W4100

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/sto ... 1665405479

Anyone have any experience with this tv? Seems like the reviews are overwhelmingly positive. It's on sale for $2,500 at Circuit City and plus my 8% AAA discount, it's down to 2,200. Maybe I can convince them to get a PS3 as a BluRay player with the savings!

Dude...go Samsung. Get the 850 series for around the same price and it will blow away this set. Seriously.

Also, be VERY weary of the 120hz gimmick. Yes, it does help blur (which I have never been at all sensitive to luckily) but it introduces a ton of new problems, most specifically a VERY unnatural looking picture. Most call it the 'soap opera' effect. But to me it looks like a dvd that has been set to a constant 1.5x fast forward. It's really weird.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 1:22 pm

Hmmm...interesting info Spooky. I appreciate it.

However, I just cannot get past the fact that the Sammy's have the reflective screen. This room they are gonna stick it in is super bright all day, so the less glare, the better. Also, what's with the red boarder? Who the F decided on that from a design standpoint?

I understand that the Sammy's are better as far as PQ...but for my parents, there is NO WAY they will notice a difference. They are watching a 55" 4:3 CRT Projection TV they have had for 10 years. Anything they get will blow them away.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 1:29 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:Hmmm...interesting info Spooky. I appreciate it.

However, I just cannot get past the fact that the Sammy's have the reflective screen. This room they are gonna stick it in is super bright all day, so the less glare, the better. Also, what's with the red boarder? Who the F decided on that from a design standpoint?

I understand that the Sammy's are better as far as PQ...but for my parents, there is NO WAY they will notice a difference. They are watching a 55" 4:3 CRT Projection TV they have had for 10 years. Anything they get will blow them away.

Ahhh...understood. Did not realize it was for them. Sony's are not bad by any means.

And I kind of like the red border on the new Sammy's. Definitely not sure why they would not give the choice though.

HipE · Post by **HipE** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 1:35 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:Matt, in my research, it seems as though there are a lot of variables. The Samsungs apparently have the best picture, but they have a glossy screen so it really matters what type of room it's going in and the ambient lighting. I am putting this TV I am looking for in a brightly lit family room so it needs to have a matte finish to reduce the glare. Plasmas mostly have the reflective screen as well, so that's the reason I automatically ruled them out. Also, the new Samsung line all have a red boarder around them...not exactly a big fan of that design decision.

I think I've settled on this Sony set. It's got the new 120hz refresh rate to "allegedly" reduce blurr and it's got the matte screen.

Sony KDL-52W4100

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/sto ... 1665405479

Anyone have any experience with this tv? Seems like the reviews are overwhelmingly positive. It's on sale for $2,500 at Circuit City and plus my 8% AAA discount, it's down to 2,200. Maybe I can convince them to get a PS3 as a BluRay player with the savings!

DB, plasmas are much improved now in regards to glare, don't let that be a reason to automatically rule them out. Check out the anti glare coating on this Panny plasma next time you are in BB or CC:

http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=90562

IMO, glare is no longer even a detraction from the latest plasmas, this one in particular. If you look at it side by side with some glossy LCDs you'll see what I mean. Plus, if your parents are using the tv speakers for sound, you aren't going to find better ones than on this model.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 1:57 pm

Damn, that Panasonic just threw a wrench into my plans for them! I can get that Panny for $2,115 after my 8% off at CC...a couple hundred cheaper than the Sony. Hmmm...now I guess I gotta see which looks better in the store (even though I know that's completely subjective and inaccurate given the lighting and source that is being displayed).

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 2:02 pm

Sony is about to introduce XBR8 models which have LED backlights in the primary colors. But a 55-inch model will go for $7k list.

You might as well look at the Kuro Elites for that kind of money.

Or wait to see what happens with OLED.

They also announced 240 Hz models, XBR7 models.

In the 2008 XBR thread at AVS, they said the higher refresh rate helps with motion resolution. Plasma has the highest and LCD was at 1/3 the motion resolution of plasma until they started using higher refresh rates. 120 Hz got LCD to 600 lines motion resolution compared to 900 lines for the best plasmas. The hope is that 240 Hz will close the gap.

The high refresh rates help with film sources, which are at 24 fps, because 120 and 240 Hz are multiples of 24 and 30/60, which help eliminate "judder."

If want the best picture, best not to spend too much now and see what the market looks like 3-5 years from now.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 2:08 pm

XBR4 and XBR5 are discontinued and being discounted.

People who've seen those models and this year's XBR6 think the last year models look better.

As for 720p vs. 1080p, it depends on how big the screen is, what kind of sources you feed it (will you have Blu-Ray or a 1080p upscaling DVD player) and how far back you sit from the screen.

If the price difference isn't too great, might as well go for the 1080p, which is likely to have other better components.

GameSeven · Post by **GameSeven** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 2:13 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:Damn, that Panasonic just threw a wrench into my plans for them! I can get that Panny for $2,115 after my 8% off at CC...a couple hundred cheaper than the Sony. Hmmm...now I guess I gotta see which looks better in the store (even though I know that's completely subjective and inaccurate given the lighting and source that is being displayed).

I didn't get from your posts whether RPTV is out of the question, because the HL61A750 referred to earlier in this thread is currently listed at 1800 at CC, before your coupon. I don't believe it has a reputation of being terribly reflective.

I'm more or less convincing myself to stick with my 6 year old 57" RPTV, but the A750 (particularly the 67") is mighty tempting.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 2:59 pm

Those new Panny plasmas are getting great reviews! BUT...

If you're worried about the glare thing beacue it's such a bright room then you may want to think about the brightness of an LCD vs. a plasma as well. Probably a bigger issue than the glare thing. Seriously. Plasmas (even recent models) tend to wash out more and are less dim than LCD's in a bright room.

IMHO, most plasmas are for AV enthusiasts who can control the lighting in the room. In that environment and in the right AV geeks hands, plasmas are amazing TV's. Outside of that though...LCD might be a better bet.

And I do not think glare on any '08/'09 model LCD or plasma should be much of a concern.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 3:06 pm

Yeah, I think I'm still leaning towards the LCD...they are simpletons...clearly not AV enthusiasts!

macsomjrr · Post by **macsomjrr** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 3:13 pm

My 46" Sammy LCD has no discernible glare to my eyes. Even if I open up all the blinds and try and put a ton of light on the screen it is barely reflective.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 4:07 pm

So here it is...the two contenders after a couple days of research:

Sony KDL52W4100 ($2,300 @ CC)

Samsung LN52A630 ($2,115 @ CC) - the ONE Sammy model with the matte screen