I'm shopping for something in the $1000 price range, the bigger the better obviously...has to have HD.

What should I be looking for? Are these projection TVs crap or something? a 51" for $1000 seems like alot of real estate: http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Hitachi-51-CRT-Projection-HDTV-51F59-/sem/rpsm/oid/148043/catOid/-12870/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Judging from this guide http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/tv-buying-guide.htm/printable the standard projection tvs dont give me space below to store boxes etc...to get that space below I'd have the get a DLP right?

Are there particular manufacturers to look seriously at (Sony?) or some to avoid? I remember Samsung made some of the highest quality LCD monitors so I assume that extends to LCD TVs..

Any ideas?

7/26/2006 3:29:49 PM

even if they're cheaper, i would hate to go back to a gigantic CRT.
That 51" Hitachi is almost 2 feet deep and 150lbs!
A DLP will be 1/2 as deep and 1/3 the weight, and plasmas and LCDs obviously even smaller, but i don't know about the weight - still probably 1/2 as much as the CRT.

7/26/2006 5:25:54 PM

You're limited with $1000.

Those CRT projections are decent, if you are sitting at a good angle, and if you really NEED a big screen they would work.

But, for around a $1000, you could get the 34" Sony XBR CRT tube TV that will have excellent picture quality.

Alternatively, you could get a decent projector and cheap screen for that much too.

I've never seen a Hitachi projo in this type of TV, but Toshiba makes some really nice ones, if you can find a Toshiba.

7/26/2006 5:36:23 PM

http://www.outlet.philips.com/b2c_redesign/promotions/list.do?PROMOTION_ID=OUTLET-42FLAT-0706&NEXT_PAGE=promotionDetails&shop=OUTLET
Basically, $999.99 for a 42" Plasma.
I'm not a huge fan of plasma TV's and would recommend a Mitsubishi DLP any day of the week. I love mine and haven't had a problem with it yet.

7/26/2006 8:36:34 PM

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=233507&prodlist=pricegrabber

Only 37", but pretty damn nice screen. My dad and uncle both have this model and love it. You really aren't going to get something huge in that price range though that's also good quality. 37" widescreen is fairly respectable though, and the flatness of LCD and Plasma tv's impress people more than having a monolith. Also consider viewing angle limitations. If you get something massive that can only be seen from a small area, it's not really going to matter that it's big. You're not going to be able to use it like a real home-theatre centerpiece if only a few seats in your living room get a decent view.

That projection tv you mentioned SEEMS like a good deal for something that size, but consider the actual quality of its picture. Look at it in the store first. I saw some mixed opinions on message boards about that model. Some people loved it, others said it had a lowsy viewing angle range and the "worst picture of all the 50+ inchers." If that's right, you'd be much happier with a 42" plasa or 37" lcd tv with better quality, brightness, and viewing angles.

NOTE ABOUT DLP's: Probably the most cost effective screens in terms of quality and area per dollar. With that being said, prices on DLP's in particular should drop fairly dramatically in about 4-5 with sony's answer to the DLP hitting the scene and with LED DLP's also making their move onto the scene early next year. That doesn't solve your problem now, but meh.

[Edited on July 26, 2006 at 9:02 PM. Reason : ]

7/26/2006 8:58:33 PM

So I've thinking about these two LCDs, both 37" LCDs and both $999

1) Local Pickup - SAMS
http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=337232&pCatg=5883

Quote :

"Screen Size: Vizio 37” TFT Active Matrix LCD Resolution/Contrast Ratio/Aspect Ratio: Resolution: 1,366 x 768 pixels Contrast ratio: 600:1 Brightness: 500 cd/m2 typical Tuner, Reception, Transmission: Display compatibility: HDTV Signal Compatibility: 480i (SDTV), 480 P (EDTV), 720P (HDTV), 1080i (HDTV) Viewing Angle: 176° Inputs/Outputs: Inputs: 2 x RF (NTSC and ATSC tuners) 1 x HDMI (Digital Video + Digital Audio) 2 x Component + Audio 3 x Composite + Audio 1 x S-Video / Composite 1 x RGB (Analog) + Audio 1 x Service Port (RJ-45) "

2)Internet Purchase
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824022014

Quote :

"Model Brand Olevia Model LT37HVS Display Screen Size 37" Recommended Resolution 1366x768 Model Cabinet Color Black Display Panel TFT LCD Aspect Ratio 16:9 Viewing Angle 178°(H) / 178°(V) Brightness 800 cd/m2 Contrast Ratio 1600:1 Response Time 8ms Connectivity Input Video Compatibility ATSC/NTSC, 480i, 480p, 720P, 1080i HDTV Capability HDTV Tuner Inside Connectors Audio Input: AV/S-Video x 2, Component x 2, Mini - Stereo Jack x 1 Component Input: Y, Pb/Cb, Pr/Cr x 2 Composite Video Input: RCA x 2 Digital Input: HDMI x 1 S-Video Input: 4-pin DIN x 2 TV Tuner Input: RF x 1 VGA Input: VGA x 1 Audio Output: RCA x 1 Earphone Output: Mini - Stereo Jack x 1 HDMI Connection Yes "

They both have good ratings online (the Vizio i read about on a forum site, the Olivia on Newegg). The Olivia has better specs, but can you always trust what the manufacturers tell you on the brightness and contrast ratio specs? What do you guys think about these two panels?

8/13/2006 9:21:01 AM

Olevia makes a good no-frills tv. They're also a very large OEM screen producer for high-end lcd panels. I'd tend toward them over the Vizio.

Also, the olevia has a VGA input which means it oculd double as a monitor for a media pc. S-video just doesn't cut it for that. It'd be a lot better if it had DVI though, but so many things are replacing what would be a DVI connection with an HDMI connection instead of keeping both.

[Edited on August 13, 2006 at 11:34 AM. Reason : ]

8/13/2006 11:28:19 AM

Tiger Direct had a floor model 65" DLP for 999.99 a couple of weeks ago. Not sure if it's still there.

8/13/2006 5:01:44 PM

1080p > 1080i

https://www.westinghousedigital.com/pc-59-7-47-1080p-monitor.aspx

8/13/2006 5:53:40 PM

I think the Vizio is out, looked like crap in the store.

We saw a 42" Toshiba DLP for 1350 at sears where we can get a 10% off for employee discount...so considering that right now.

ALso still curious about the Olivia...anyone know if we can look at one locally anywhere? I really want to check out the picture quality before purchasing.

Anyone know of any good specials locally like open boxes or anything?


^ yeah but how much is it

8/13/2006 9:02:21 PM

also thinking about a 42" LCD projection Sony at BB for $1300
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7298998&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat95100050016&id=1118841724863
free massage chair

8/13/2006 10:06:56 PM

https://www.westinghousedigital.com/pc-44-7-42-1080p-monitor.aspx

42" Westinghouse 1080p LCD

Think they still have one at Best Buy, one of the best looking monitors Ive seen

$1799 & Free Messaging Chair ($399 value) at bestbuy.com

I'll be getting one next month to hang on my wall

8/14/2006 12:28:38 AM

Comp USA had some Olevia screens on display a while back.

8/14/2006 12:36:59 AM

would you guys choose a 42" DLP or a 50" LCD Projection if they were the same price (the DLP is a Toshiba and the LCD Projection is a Sony)?

8/14/2006 12:03:29 PM

dlp maybe...yes 1080p > 1080i but not many service providers nor channels are showing in 1080p...

8/14/2006 12:22:25 PM

Quote :

"$1799 & Free Messaging Chair ($399 value) at bestbuy.com"

Sweet! haha..i was going to get this exact tv from Crutchfield this week, but they're on backorder until september. TV now + free chair =

I normally don't get the extended warranty but would it be worth it for this?

Also, I've been checking out the BB in Cary to see if I can look at one before buying and they haven't had one displayed yet.

One more thing...Crutchfield doesn't seem to charge tax, but if I order it from BB it'll cost me $128 in tax. Is it just because Best Buy has physical stores? I think an extra $150 to get it now and a chair is worth it, but just wanted to check if that was correct.

[Edited on August 14, 2006 at 2:44 PM. Reason : bleh]

8/14/2006 2:35:29 PM

Quote :

"dlp maybe...yes 1080p > 1080i but not many service providers nor channels are showing in 1080p..."

HD-DVD / BlueRay is going to be the standard long before I plan on upgrading a TV. Also, a few other sources can output in 1080p at the moment, and that number is only going to increase. Plus my HTPC is gonna look nice at 1080p

synapse, what model Sony are you looking at? They have a couple nice 1080p LCOS monitors I was looking at. Im sticking with LCD over DLP.

8/14/2006 2:39:59 PM

^ its a sony KDFE50A10
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000A2K3Y6/103-5534082-2940649?v=glance&n=172282

8/14/2006 5:27:11 PM

is that 1080i? i didnt see it listed anywhere

8/14/2006 5:41:33 PM

^nope, 720 native

8/14/2006 5:57:04 PM

FYI if you order anything from BestBuy.com. I ordered the Westinghouse TV above from them earlier tonight, partly because of the chair, but mostly because they said that I could schedule a delivery for Sunday (8/20). An hour later I got an email saying that I had to reschedule the delivery date. So I called them up and they tell me that the date I selected wasn't available, but I could have it delivered on the 23rd. I said that was fine. A minute later they told me that the "system" would not let her schedule the delivery for the 23rd and the next available delivery date was September 2nd. I then asked if they could deliver to the store and I pick it up. That was a no go. Next was transfering from another store, but that was a no go as well. The woman then had the balls to ask me for random zip codes I'd be willing to drive to to pick the TV up. Needless to say I was frustrated and ended the call without rescheduling. I checked online to see what it said, and as of 1:30 this morning, it lists the 23rd as being available. In fact, it lists 8 dates before the 2nd as being "available." I called back and spoke to someone else, after painfully trying to navigate their menu system, and they also told me I could schedule the delivery for the 23rd, only to once again be told it was not available. Supposidly they are looking into the descrpancy of when they say you can have it delivered vs when it can can actually be delivered. If it was a matter of the item being on backorder, which I think is actually the case, than I wouldn't have that much of a problem except they're telling me that its not a matter of getting the item, but rather the delivery service. Just thought I'd share in case anyone was looking at ordering from them. Someone is supposed to either call me or email me tomorrow, if that doesn't go well, i.e. no delivery for another week because I didn't rechedule tonight, I'll probably just end up canceling it and ordering one from somewhere cheaper.

[Edited on August 15, 2006 at 1:48 AM. Reason : bleh]

8/15/2006 1:46:34 AM

^ ah, that sucks, keep us updated.

8/15/2006 8:37:52 AM

my 52" Toshiba DLP roxors the boxors


much, much cheaper than anything else in its size/resolution range. Looks almost as good as a CRT to me, and it's not too heavy to move around.

Haven't had a single problem with it (had it for about 2 years now)

8/15/2006 9:06:31 AM

^^will do. I honestly think that the tv is just on backorder and whoever I talked to last night didn't know what they were talking about. Its not available until September, or listed as being on backorder, everywhere else I've looked. Also checked the available delivery dates this morning and now the 21st is listed. Their "system" can't be that off. I'll reply again when I hear back from them.

8/15/2006 9:34:56 AM

just got a confirmation email from BestBuy. Says that I have a confirmed delivery date of 8/23. Also got an email from Customer Care. Looks like it will work out for the most part. I'm still a little weary about ordering anything that has to be delivered in the future because of this, but it looks like they did take care of it. Now I'll just have to see if it actually gets delivered then.

8/15/2006 12:56:14 PM

I'd tend to go with the DLP tv over the LCD projection TV just because DLP tv's usually have a better picture and better contrast. Again, you should really try to see one of these tv's first and compare.

8/17/2006 7:43:58 AM