lcd or plasma....out of my depth.

[stato]

Hi, has anyone got any suggestions on what display to buy?
have been trying to understand all info on this site but is becoming a bit overwhelming. I would like to purchase a screen soon but withal these ''420i,1080p,hd this and that i find it hard to know what i should be looking for. Have been to a few stores and seen 50' pioneer that i liked (plasma) but is lcd better,what resolution should i be looking for? do i need hdmi? what set top box or get one with one built in?..... as you are no doubt aware i am lost in all of this and just want to make a half informed decision when i buy a new screen and hopefully get something that will not be outdated with all the new formats coming. i will be using my new screen for all my tv, dvd viewing and my current system is as follows.....
yamaha dvs657
sony strdb930
rotel rb981
jamo e875
jamo e8 surround
jamo e8 sub
phillips 68ctv (this needs to go)
my budget for a new screen is app. $4-5k.
any help forthcoming on the above would be most appreciated.
thanking you in advance.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

$4000-$5000 will buy a nice, updated flat screen. To make sure you get something compatible with upcoming technology, make sure the unit has HDMI inputs - two if possible, but one for sure. Try to get a unit that displays true 1080p - there's not many out there right now. The new DVD format Blu-ray will be capable of 1080p contect, as will the PS3 gaming system. There aren't that many sets out now with 1080p, so you may need to wait for the market to catch up a bit. If you're anxious to get a set now, and can't wait for true 1080p, then go for current pq - the Pioneer Elite at 1080i.

You need to decide what size screen your room can handle. You may opt for a projector and a large screen if the wall is large enough, and room dark enough. Flat screens like LCD's and plasma's are great for pq and viewing angles, but sacrifice size. Pioneer Elite probably makes some of the best plasma displays, so if you're leaning towards plasma, research Elite. LCD isn't competitive in that size screen...yet. For 37" and smaller, go LCD. 42" are becoming more popular, but the largest LCD sets are out of your budget. The screen life of an LCD is 60,000+ hours, and there are no burn in issues. The color depth is said to be a bit behind plasma, as well as black levels lacking slightly. You need to compare two side by side to see the difference. Of course, a very good LCD is going to look better than a cheaply made plasma screen.

High definition signals would be 720p/1080i or 1080p. Your screen resolution would need to be rated at minimum those parameters. Those are lines of resolution. The highest HDTV resolution is 1920 x 1080 pixels. I'm not sure how versed you are with i/p, but I'll assume you know what they mean. Just check the frame rate - 60 frames per second is the highest available.

A unit with a built in ATSC tuner is nice if you can receive over the air high definition programming from local stations. ABC, NBC, CBS, and PBS offer free over the air signals. If you live in a metro area, you may get by with an inexpensive rabbit ear type antenna inside. If you're a distance away, you may need a larger antenna in the attic or roof.

Check this website for stations in your area. My parents get about 7 HD channels and have no need to purchase an expensive HD box since they only watch the national broadcasting stations.

www.antennaweb.org

 

[Daz3d&Confus3d]

Great post buck!!! Good stuff!! I would also add to that: when do you primarily watch? day or night? LCD's are generally brighter and better for day viewing in a living room with lots of windows (my wife refuses to let me close the drapes during the day to watch tv...something to consider).....plasma's are better in darker rooms. Personal taste is a factor too.....my wife and I went looking at lcd's and plasmas bout 4 weeks ago and she likes the lcds better an I prefer the plasmas.....

How far is your viewing area from the set? If it's 15 ft or more I'd prefer the 50" or 55" which places you in much better shape with the plasmas if your 15 or closer then 42" is prob fine but again that's kind of a generalization, you have to look and see for yourself. Measure your distance and then bear that in mind when looking at sets the next time.

Also Im partial to the Elite's but they're alittle out of my price range and will prob. go Panasonic 50" plasma when we're ready.

 

[runninkyle17]

I just ordered a 42" 1080p LCD and have heard very good things about it. If you decide to look into LCD's, check out the 47" Eyefi LCD (you can buy it at SAM's). It is a 1080p monitor, so you have to get a HDTV tuner too, but it is a great TV. I saw one in my local SAM's and it is awesome. I would have bought it, but it is too big for the space I have.

So I settled for the 42" Westinghouse 1080p monitor.

 

[Hanse18]

I think Dazed hit the nail on the head when he mentioned the lighting factors. I bought a LCD (sharp LC-45GD4U) because we needed a panel that wouldn't reflect light. Our biggest problem with our old crt was that it was completely unwatchable for 6 hours in the afternoon / evening while the sun was coming in, and the window blnds were not allowed to be used. Plasma wouldn't solve these problems, even though the picture was better (especially last summer when large LCD's were just coming out). I also think LCD's tend to be easier on the eyes. I think plasmas can probably be calibrated to better color, but they sometimes appear oversaturated, while LCD looks more crisp. In the end, just compare and make a personal decision. btw, 1080p isn't overly important. Yes, things will be available in 1080p shortly, but that doesnt mean they WON'T be available in 720p, and the difference in resolution is supposed to be minimal at best.

 

[Daz3d&Confus3d]

Kyle do you remember what that LCD monitor was going for at Sams? Im curious as to how the pricing is going on large lcd's. It seems the prices are continuing to drop like last year.

 

[stato]

i would like to thank all who replied above. your help is much appreciated. i am still partial to the pioneer but now have info needed to compare with different brands along with some technical idea with what i should be looking for. once again thankyou.

 

[ruadmaa]

Glare Screen

i would like to thank all who replied above. your help is much appreciated. i am still partial to the pioneer but now have info needed to compare with different brands along with some technical idea with what i should be looking for. once again thankyou.

No matter what technology you decide on your biggest problem can be the glare screen. Most of the plasmas that I have seen reflect light like a mirror. When I bought my first HDTV the glare screen reflected so much light that I had to return the tv. Even in the evening if we had so much as a small lamp on it reflected very brightly on the screen. Most LCD sets I have seen are non-reflective and can be watched in bright rooms. This is a VERY IMPORTANT matter to think about.