ok i'm going to bite the bullet and buy a big screen. my question is? plasma? lcd? dlp? what is recomended. i have looked at all and see very little difference. any ups and downs? i have seen some that are cheaper models and you can tell the picture quality. looking at around $1700. big chunk of change

First word of advice - don't rush into the purchase.

Each technology has it's pros and cons. Best bet for you is to do the research so you can make an informed decision based on your own criteria and factoring the strengths and weaknesses of each different display technology.

Go here: www.avsforums.com

There you will find all the information you'll need.

After spending a lot of time reading in those forums my own choice was plasma.

Dan

It depends on how much room you have. Best bang for the buck (in my opinion) is still the CRTs. I think you could probably get a Hitachi 57" RPTV for around 1K and it will produce a beautiful picture.

Something like this:

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Hitachi-57-CRT-Projection-HD-Monitor-57F59A/sem/rpsm/oid/150394/catOid/-12867/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

dlp isnt a type of screen. It is related to the resolution and the format. There are CRT (old school style tube), projectiont (rear and front), LCD and plasma types of screens/display methods. Digital Light Processing (DLP) is a technology used in projectors and video projectors. It was originally developed at Texas Instruments, in 1987 by Dr. Larry Hornbeck.

One application is DLP front projectors (small standalone projection units). DLP, along with LCD and LCoS are the current display technologies behind rear-projection television, having supplanted CRT projectors. These rear-projection technologies compete against LCD and Plasma flat panel displays in the HDTV market

Until recently, LCD panels were used exclusively on notebook computers and other portable devices. In 1997, however, several manufacturers began offering LCD TV's as alternatives to CRTs. The main advantage of LCD displays is that they take up less space and are lighter. Currently, however, they are also much more expensive

thought I had heard it all until one day a nice couple came into the store to buy a new TV. Then upon talking with them the man said he was not interested in plasma because you had to have them refilled with plasma every few years and it was expensive. I did not laugh becuase this was just another bogous big box employee's training comming through (or lack there of). Anyways, Plasma TV's are rated from 20k-60k hours of use to half brightness. For most consumers, this is 8 to 20 years depending on use. Chances are if you have an old school TV it will be half as brite after 8-16 years as well but you still watch it. You can not refill plasma screens, however you can hang them upside down, diagonal, or lay them flat on the ground. They are made with glass like a regular TV so you cannot drop them either. Plasmas do work in higher elevations, but not too high. If you do live in a area over 2500 ft, check with your retailer to see whether there might be an issue. If they do not know what you're talking about then find another retailer. There are plasmas that will work at 10k ft and above, but some of the chinese imports will produce a buzz if you take them too high. There are two downsides to plasma, first is that they can burn like a traditional TV and are a bit more senstive to it. What I mean by burning is the phospher on the inside of the glass can burn out, so to speak, and result in an image staying there forever. I have seen this in airport installations where the same image is always on the screen and changes very little or not often. The second is price. Plasmas are expensive; $2500-$25,000 is their price tag. But they are well worth it in my opinion if looks or space is important. People spend thousands of dollars on furniture everyday, but then spend $300 on their TV. I do not get that one. Anyways, some people are saying that Plasma will be replaced by LCD (see LCD) in the near future. The reason this is likley to happen is for price reasons more than any other issue. LCD's currently do not preform as well, and in larger size formats they cost more. But LCD's will go down in price and up in image quality, even so, plasma is here to stay for the next 5-10 years. But if you are thinking of waiting for LCD then you might as well wait for OLED (5-10 years), or better yet wait for Motorla's nano organic thinga majig, that will be here in 10-15 years. One buys Plasma becuase they want a thin TV that gives them the best picture, that's all, it is that simple.
Tech Stuff

I bought a 65 inch Mitsubishi DLP. I went that route since they are supposed to last a little longer and dont have the burn issues. The main reason though was with the DLP you can get a bigger TV for less bucks. Thats it. Also keep in mind if you go DLP there is a bulb that will need to be replaced every 3 to 5 years depending on your usage. Cost, about $350. I got the TV, HD receiver and a VCR to DVD recorder with all wires and surge protector for right at 3 grand.

Now if you go HD receiver and live in an area where your local channels are not HD then you will be somewhat dissappointed as I am since very few channels are HD right now (at least with Direct TV). I have a 65 inch and watch everything with a 480i input (non HD) on a narrow screen, only dvds and HD channels on the wide screen.

I'm very happy though.

Chris

Well done Rod.

One other area to consider is off axis viewing. If you've ever looked at the old, giant box, CRT based rear projection sets you know that there is a definate sweet spot - basically directly in front of the unit with your orbs in line with the center of the screen. If you stand up, or move to the side, the picture takes a nose dive.

Plasma and LCD excell in this area, making the seating position far less critical. DLP seems to do ok but not as good as the prior two, unless they've improved them since when I did my comparisons just over a year ago. Other issue with DLP is the inevitable bulb replacement - might want to find out how much they are.

Dan

nice write up Rod.
I currently have an Loewe. (pronounced Lueva its German)
38" CRT widescreen

next one will be a Pioneer Elite 50" Plasma

You've got to be careful when researching LCD, as there are LCD screens ( skinny, like plasma) and LCD projection (similar to DLP). I'm also in the market, and am looking at LCD screen over plasma. Right now, the only disadvantages for LCD seem to be contrast ratio and price (I'm looking at 50inches). Advantages over plasma are : seems to be more 1080P offerings, less fragile, lighter, no burn-in. I would be replacing a 55" 4:3 rear projection, so wife says if I upgrade, I have to go skinnier, so DLP/LCD rear projection are not options.

If I wanted to hang one on the wall, it would probably be plasma because I like the blacks better. Especially in your price range >$1700. For a big TV I would go CRT. You are going to get rainbows with DLP in that price range. If you're sensative too them, you'll be pissed. Now, if you want to add another $1000, I like the Sony SXRD.

nice write up Rod.


next one will be a Pioneer Elite 50" Plasma

Good choice, that's what I have and I'm very happy with it....

Rainbows????

Rick - Info on rainbows in the DLP section.

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6463_7-5023901-4.html

http://hdguru.com/?m=200612

thanx for all the replies. i have pretty good eyes and have found on one lcd projection i could see the little squares. it was a 61 inch though. i will do some more actual looking.

thanx for all the replies. i have pretty good eyes and have found on one lcd projection i could see the little squares. it was a 61 inch though. i will do some more actual looking.
Also known as SDE (screen door effect). The screen image is made up of square elements - pixels and there are fixed number of them, and the number is the same no matter what the actual screen size is. So, if you have X number of pixels on a 42" set, and the same X number of pixels on a 61" set, the pixels are larger and spread out over a larger area.

Just like the rainbow effect produced by some DLP's, some people are more sensitive to SDE than others. If you see SDE then slowly back away from the screen and you will notice it goes away. Then measure how far away from the screen you are and that's the distance you will need to have when it's set up in your room at home.

Dan

I just purchased a 46"Samsung LCD after doing some homework. The main difference I learned was Plasmas are better in a room with no windows or a darker room because the screen is shiny/reflective. LCD is better in a room with windows. Also, plasma has a better pic recovery rate. This applys to watching fast moving scenery where you will get a slight blur with LCD. Also, the 720p 1080p stuff will get ya too. 1080p is the best but I was told nobody broadcasts in that yet and wont be until 2009.
I got the 720p and when you are gettin HD, the pic is unbelieveable!! I find myself just in awe of the picture. If your buying one of these tvs, you have to get HD signal even though not all channels are HD now. I get about 20 from Comcast.

Can't beat My Name is Earle in 1080i!