Tradeff: size vs PQ. Would you do it?

[Joe Schmoe]

Here is my dilemma: My 34" widescreen tube has fan-freakin-tastic picture quality, easily the best I have ever seen outside of the top Sony tube TVs. It is, however, only 34" and I would enjoy a bigger screen. Since I sit about 5' away, 42" is about the maximum size, and I will be able to afford one when my tax return arrives.
So, is the bigger screen worth the substantial drop in PQ? Would you go for it in my position? (Note: I would also have to get my 200 pound beast out the door and do something with it, a literal as well as figurative pain.)

 

[Johnd]

I would call that conspicuous consumption. If you're content, in fact, ecstatic about the pq of the 34"...why fret when you're only 5' away? Granted, it's an approximate 50% size increase...but if you love your current display. Granted, I watch a 100" screen.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

I would call that conspicuous consumption. If you're content, in fact, ecstatic about the pq of the 34"...why fret when you're only 5' away? Granted, it's an approximate 50% size increase...but if you love your current display. Granted, I watch a 100" screen.

That is exactly the sort of dialog that goes on in my head.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Here is my dilemma: My 34" widescreen tube has fan-freakin-tastic picture quality, easily the best I have ever seen outside of the top Sony tube TVs. It is, however, only 34" and I would enjoy a bigger screen. Since I sit about 5' away, 42" is about the maximum size, and I will be able to afford one when my tax return arrives.
So, is the bigger screen worth the substantial drop in PQ? Would you go for it in my position? (Note: I would also have to get my 200 pound beast out the door and do something with it, a literal as well as figurative pain.)

I wouldn't upgrade for that. Will there be a longer viewing distance in the future for an even larger set? Wait for that instead.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

I have been keeping the idea of a bigger screen in mind while watching my current set and, after viewing some 42"ers in the store, have concluded that I can live without it for now. I am sure the urge will strike again later, though.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I am sure the urge will strike again later, though.

Sure, of course, it strikes frequently and we will be here to help you to resist

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Sure, of course, it strikes frequently and we will be here to help you to resist

Sho 'nuff. It has struck already. Now it is largely a matter of which one to get. Here are the relevant issues:
1) My collection of SD DVDs is far too large for me to seriously consider HD or Blu Ray, and I don't watch broadcast TV. This means I really wouldn't benefit from 1080p.
2) I am all for saving $, but house brands and no-name brands worry me in terms of long-term reliability. Are name brands really better in this regard?
3) I watch in a fully dark room, making black levels a top priority.
4) I prefer local pick-up to ordering online (the delivery guys have a nasty habit of leaving expensive items outside my door!)

 

[Jack Hammer]

I upgraded from a 36" tube with fantastic pq to a 37" lcd with ok pq and really wasnt' happy(now ive got a 52" with great pq - happy again). That said, if you are happy with the pq you have now, I say stay with it until you are ready to get a big tv with excellent pq. I think you'll be happier in the long run.

BTW, my sd dvds look much better upgraded to 1080p (on the good tv via my BD player) than they looked on my old 36" tube. I think it depends on what you're watching them on. I used to think the same about Blu-ray as you mentioned, now I'm sold. There are only a few movies I plan to replace with a BD copy, but the newer ones I'm buying, i'm getting in that format. There is no real reason for me to replace most of my movies.

Jack

 

[mtrycrafts]

Sho 'nuff. It has struck already. Now it is largely a matter of which one to get. Here are the relevant issues:
1) My collection of SD DVDs is far too large for me to seriously consider HD or Blu Ray, and I don't watch broadcast TV. This means I really wouldn't benefit from 1080p.
2) I am all for saving $, but house brands and no-name brands worry me in terms of long-term reliability. Are name brands really better in this regard?
3) I watch in a fully dark room, making black levels a top priority.
4) I prefer local pick-up to ordering online (the delivery guys have a nasty habit of leaving expensive items outside my door!)

Not sure about which brand is more reliable. I guess you can always pick up a lemon even in a good brand
But with your requirements, may want to consider a plasma at 720p and upscale your SD DVds to it.

 

[Kolia]

Sounds like you should check out the Pioneer KURO series!

I have a 42" and picture is great! Very dark too. They also offer the 50" in 720p and 1080p, both of which will look great from 5 feet. You won't notice the difference between the 2 resolutions from that distance.

 

[bandphan]

Sounds like you should check out the Pioneer KURO series!

I have a 42" and picture is great! Very dark too. They also offer the 50" in 720p and 1080p, both of which will look great from 5 feet. You won't notice the difference between the 2 resolutions from that distance.

768p you meant, i install about 1 elite kuro a week, and still cant get over how great those black details are. Whatch the MHD promo with the crow and WOW.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

I upgraded from a 36" tube with fantastic pq to a 37" lcd with ok pq and really wasnt' happy(now ive got a 52" with great pq - happy again). That said, if you are happy with the pq you have now, I say stay with it until you are ready to get a big tv with excellent pq. I think you'll be happier in the long run.

You may be right. In any event, I ended up spending my tax return on audio gear, so the TV has been postponed.
I have discovered that I only think about screen size when I am firing up the system. Once I am watching a movie, I get completely absorbed in the plot and forget about it entirely.