Looking for a HDTV for under $1200

[Rowdy S13]

A friend of mine's mom is looking to get a new TV. She dosnt watch a whole lot of TV, but she would like a nice HDTV. Shes looking to spend around $1000-$1200. I dont think it will kill her if its not 1080p but it would be nice if it was. Rember too she is comming up from like a 20" no name TV.

Sean

 

[gus6464]

Sears has the Panasonic TH-42PX75U (768p) plasma for $1099. Very good deal, I bought the 50in version 2 weeks ago and I love it.

 

[Rowdy S13]

Well I just found out its gonna go in a basement like area (Its part under ground but more like a split level) so there wont be much outside light in the area. Im thinking DLP for sure then. I have a DLP currently (see sig) and Id say the only SMALL complaint would be slight washout during the day. Well in a low light area (like where this TV is going) thats not really a concern, so then you can really take advantage of the size per dollar. Thats more my opnion though, and she may only want a plasma or LCD no matter what. Keep em comming guys.

Thanks,
Sean

 

[Gasman]

The Sanyo 50" Plasma at Wal-mart for 998.00 (tomorrow)
http://holiday.ri-walmart.com/?section=secret

GREAT price (about 300.00 off)

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Well I just found out its gonna go in a basement like area (Its part under ground but more like a split level) so there wont be much outside light in the area. Im thinking DLP for sure then. I have a DLP currently (see sig) and Id say the only SMALL complaint would be slight washout during the day. Well in a low light area (like where this TV is going) thats not really a concern, so then you can really take advantage of the size per dollar. Thats more my opnion though, and she may only want a plasma or LCD no matter what. Keep em comming guys.

Thanks,
Sean

I have become a big fan of the DLP. Out of my DLP, plasma and LCD the DLP is the best in high light conditions and the PQ is awesome.

 

[gus6464]

Some of the best DLPs that I have seen PQ wise are the Mitsubishi's (diamond series I think) and the Sony XBR SXRD ones (although I think those are LCoS).

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I can verify the Mits...it is awesome.

It's the million tiny mirrors you know...lol...

 

[Rowdy S13]

I think for sure Im gonna talk them into a DLP. I think all it will take is for her to come over on a game day and check out mine So back to whats out there for that price?

Sean

 

[Rowdy S13]

ANYONE?!??!?!?!!!?

Sean

 

[evilkat]

I think for sure Im gonna talk them into a DLP. I think all it will take is for her to come over on a game day and check out mine So back to whats out there for that price?

Sean

I got the TH-42PX60U last year for around ~1300, so I'm sure by now it's in your price range. I shopped around a bit, before buying one, and I have to say that the DLPs I looked at didn't impress me at all. I personally found that the vertical viewing angle is very restrictive, i.e. if you're not in exactly the right height, parts of the image around the periphery of the screen, become dark and unclear when compared to the center of the screen. After looking at the Panny, I felt that the colors were more vivid and less washed out as well as having a very nice and uniform distribution throughout the whole screen. Black levels were better than on a lot of LCDs I saw.

The screen was smaller (I wanted 50", but I wound up with the 42" panny) for the price I range I was looking for, but I felt that the improvement of image quality over the DLPs made up for it.

 

[annunaki]

What size screen does this woman want? How far from the set will she be sitting (how far was she sitting from the 20")? My guess is that you could get by with a nice 37" plasma like the Panasonic (Last yrs. model if still available) for under a grand. I would look into a Sharp LCD as well (37"). She will be impressed by the screen size of a 32" or 37" coming from a 20" set. This will let you stay under her budget yet still get a very nice set.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I got the TH-42PX60U last year for around ~1300, so I'm sure by now it's in your price range. I shopped around a bit, before buying one, and I have to say that the DLPs I looked at didn't impress me at all. I personally found that the vertical viewing angle is very restrictive, i.e. if you're not in exactly the right height, parts of the image around the periphery of the screen, become dark and unclear when compared to the center of the screen. After looking at the Panny, I felt that the colors were more vivid and less washed out as well as having a very nice and uniform distribution throughout the whole screen. Black levels were better than on a lot of LCDs I saw.

The screen was smaller (I wanted 50", but I wound up with the 42" panny) for the price I range I was looking for, but I felt that the improvement of image quality over the DLPs made up for it.

You didnt look at the Mits Diamonds then

I agree that the off angle picture get bads in a hurry but the overall PQ is very much in the same class as a plasma regardless of the lighting. My set-up has seating that doesnt require views from the side so the DLP works great for me. I wouldnt have gotten one if I had a set up that required viewing from the sides or off angle.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I'm not going to take the bite on a specific model recommendation for that price, but I will jump on to agree that rear projection TV in the form of DLP or LCoS (Sony SXRD), is a very good choice for a basement setup and will deliver a better overall image than LCD or plasma can deliver.

The 18" deep footprint rarely is an issue in these setups, so it's a good buy.

I always look at www.bestbuyplasma.com for some general pricing information and there are 50" models available for right around $1,200 or so there, but I would still check out my local stores for deals... especially Sams Club and Costco.

 

[evilkat]

You didnt look at the Mits Diamonds then

I agree that the off angle picture get bads in a hurry but the overall PQ is very much in the same class as a plasma regardless of the lighting. My set-up has seating that doesnt require views from the side so the DLP works great for me. I wouldnt have gotten one if I had a set up that required viewing from the sides or off angle.

I did look at the Mits, and while it looked a bit better than the Sammys I saw, I can't say that the viewing angles were any better. Perhaps it was the show-room floor that had poor lighting and a badly adjusted set...but to my eye, the plasmas looked a lot better than the DLPs, with NOTHING touching the Pioneer Elite line. Holy crap, those TVs are something else!!

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I did look at the Mits, and while it looked a bit better than the Sammys I saw, I can't say that the viewing angles were any better. Perhaps it was the show-room floor that had poor lighting and a badly adjusted set...but to my eye, the plasmas looked a lot better than the DLPs, with NOTHING touching the Pioneer Elite line. Holy crap, those TVs are something else!!

The viewing angle is just bad on a DLP but that's the only thing I dont like. The PQ is awesome and easily rivals that of a plasma. How things look in a show room offers little as there are too many variables

 

[patnshan]

If you have room for it, one of the DLP RPTV's is what I'd recommend. I will get one in my LR when the beast SDTV RPTV dies. If you don't have the space, I'd recommend one of the bigger vizio LCD's. I have a 32 in my bedroom and think you can't beat them for the price.

Pat