In the market for new TV!

[dalumberjack]

So, my father is the one that is getting the new TV and since he is out of the loop these days with all this HD stuff, I am going to be doing the buying for him.

I have broke down the three categories (LCD, plasma, dlp) and chose the best in each and explained the pro's and con's for each tv.

The LCD I chose the Samsung LED 55 8500.
Plasma: Panasonic 65 Vt25
DLP: Mitsubishi 82 838

Now, between best buy and frys electronics, I can demo all three of these tv's for my dad and try to find the best for his room(I have seen 2 of these already). The room does have a sliding door to the backyard which doesn't have curtains (trying to get them to get one) so its bright in the room during the day. I don't know if these eliminates the plasma or dlp but hope I can convince them to get curtains.

I do have a question about the Mitsubishi L75-A91 75-Inch 1080p LaserVue HDTV. Has anyone demoed or see one of these? I have yet to find a review of one or from someone who has calibrated one. Just wanted to know if it truly is that much better than their 838 line of dlp and how they compare to other tv's in the market considering the price.

If anyone else can suggest a TV in one of those categories that I should take a look at, I'd appreciate it.

 

[96cobra10101]

I have a Mitsubishi DLP, the 73737. I love it. No complaints so far, especially for the price. You don't realize how big a 6' tv is until you put it in your living room. The only issue I had was trying to find a nice console to put it on that was solid wood and had room for my components. I wanted to stay away from pressed wood, they usually bow after time due to the weight combined with humidity, Florida weather.

 

[Hi Ho]

I would not buy a rear projection TV myself. Part of my job entails servicing rear projection sets and they are FAR more trouble prone than flat panel sets. On top of that there is the regular bulb replacement which can be anything but regular. Bulbs very rarely last as many hours as manufacturers claim they do.

I do not have a lot of experience with Samsungs backlit LED LCD sets but I know that their first sets had a very annoying halo effect. The new ones I'm sure have improved but I have mostly seen their edge lit models which look OK but have rather poor veiwing angles.

On the other hand, the VT65 is on of the best sets on the market.

 

[jostenmeat]

Yep, and if your pops doesn't like calibrating displays, and you're not around a whole lot to do it for him, well . . . while it's a lot more gradual with the RPTV bulb, I have to calibrate about every 200 hours with my PJ. EVERYONE I know with RPTV never changes the bulb when they should. Forget calibrating.

VT25 is the best TV currently being made, so far as I know, at anything below the insane pricing of those 100" monster Panas or whatever size they are.

But, I have a screwball to throw at you. For the money that I think this display would cost, you should be able to easily get a nice 1080p projector, and I did say nice (cuz you could yet spend less for 1080p), a decent 50" plasma, a projector mount (if necessary), and a screen. Tab tensioned will be the most expensive, but the most recommended. At a much lower cost, you can use the Dalite HP as a rolldown as it is the stiffest material there is that I know (and super duper bright), and in fact you can only* get it as a rolldown.

 

[dalumberjack]

now that's an idea. I never considered a projection screen, I just assumed my mother (my dads thorn in his side when it comes to toys sometimes lol) would die before that went up in their big TV room.

But, I got them to buy curtains the other day, so you never know. I have heard good things about Epson 8500 Projector. Would just have to find a screen for it.

I will bring this up with him on Friday and see what he says.

 

[dapack69]

My vote for the Panny!

 

[Patrukas777]

Go with the Panny

 

[simonsparker]

Glad to be the part of this wast knowledgeable place.

 

[jostenmeat]

At a much lower cost, you can use the Dalite HP as a rolldown as it is the stiffest material there is that I know (and super duper bright), and in fact you can only* get it as a rolldown.

This probably doesn't matter right now, but since the thread has been bumped, I need to say that I have since been corrected regarding the above. The HP can be built as fixed frame.

 

[dalumberjack]

wow, resurrected from the dead lol

Thank you guys for all your comments. We went with the Panasonic vt25 65 inch.

Did all the break in slides etc and now he is loving his new tv!

 

[jostenmeat]

Thank you guys for all your comments. We went with the Panasonic vt25 65 inch.

Very Nice!!!

 

[AVRat]

Ditto!!!!!!!!

 

[dalumberjack]

Ditto!!!!!!!!

Hey AVRAT, did you get your laserview yet? How is it?