Another HDTV thread (dlp vs plasma vs lcd)

Shooter Mcgavin

So my wife and I are now looking to get an HDTV, ANY HDTV as long as it's in our price range ($700-$800) and at least 30-32". But none of that is important. What I want to know is between DLP, LCD, and Plasma, which is the best kind to get? I know with DLP you have to replace bulbs, and Plasma tends to die in a few years, and I think LCD's have started to fade around the edges. Which one is the "best"?

MarvellousM

So no tube TVs? You could get a good old fashioned tube for the required size around your price range and without the disadvantages of the other technologies. Of course, they weigh thousands of tons.

Lunker

Shooter Mcgavin wrote:

So my wife and I are now looking to get an HDTV, ANY HDTV as long as it's in our price range ($700-$800) and at least 30-32". But none of that is important. What I want to know is between DLP, LCD, and Plasma, which is the best kind to get? I know with DLP you have to replace bulbs, and Plasma tends to die in a few years, and I think LCD's have started to fade around the edges. Which one is the "best"?

I am just as confused as you, but from what I've gathered, there is no singular "best" answer. Each format has strengths and weaknesses, and it's up to the individual person to decide what's the best for his/her situation.

AFAIK (and someone please, please correct me, because I'm sure some of this is wrong):
• DLPs only start in the 40"+ range, so they're kind of out of your criteria. People say viewing angle is a detraction, but if you're looking straight-on most of the time you're fine. You also can't mount it on a wall/they take up more room.

• Plasmas handle shades of black better, but there is a continuing debate about burn-in/brightness fading with age. Burn-in is supposed to be minimal/inconsequential now, and the bulbs fading can still last you years upon years, depending on hours of usage. They're also still pricier than comparitive-size LCDs.

• LCDs seem to be the best solution for me (should I eventually step into the HDTV ring); they're the more economical solution, but some occasionally have ghosting/lag problems with gaming, so test individual sets.

gamergirl220

that price and that size i'd have to say go with lcd

LaPuzza

gamergirl220 wrote:

that price and that size i'd have to say go with lcd

I shopped for years before I figured out what I wanted, and decided on a sony sxrd

For the size you're shopping for, I think you're going to either have to do tube or lcd. I'd vote tube, because it will just look better and should be cheaper. Although, now that I'm having to move my old Sony tube tv (190 lbs), I can understand the desire for a more movable unit.

templewulf

You need to define"better". Do you mean "cheapest", "cheapest cost per unit of awesome", "best picture", "most durable"?

Rear-projection CRTs are still the cheapest with the best black levels. I'd personally go with a DLP, which is still big, but not thousands of tons like CRTs.

Plasmas and LCDs are both nice these days, as plasmas have reduced pixel burn-in and LCDs hardly get the "screendoor effect" like they used to. Of course, I'm not crapping money, so those are both out for me.

EZ

http://www.samsung.com/Products/TV/SlimFitHDTV/TXS3082WHXXAA.asp

I recently bought this tv for $650 at best buy, it does 1080i has all the hookups you might need, including 2 hdmi. I had to take the first one back because of a slight geometry problem, but the second one was perfect. I would recommend this tv to anyone who is waiting for either lcds to get better, or plasmas to get cheaper.

precisionk

With that price range, your not going to get much. Plasma's are completely out of your price range, DLP's pretty much as well.

Your looking at CRT's and LCD's.


I would either:


a. Save more for a better tv

b. get a LCD


Really, just save more. Decent DLP's are at around $1500, 1080p is going to cost around $2k, and plasmas are around $2k as well.

saltiness

Used Sony XBR400 (or 350/450 not much of a difference). It's a 36" CRT that you can get for around $500 on craigslist and beats the shit out of anything under $2,000-3,000 in terms of picture and sound quality (I actually use it as a stereo sometimes).

Only downsides are it's big and weighs 260lbs.

Jragghen

On a bit of a tangent, does anyone have any expereince with the LED-based DLP sets vs. the bulb-based ones? (For that matter, are they even out yet?)

The Burnin8or

Jragghen wrote:

On a bit of a tangent, does anyone have any expereince with the LED-based DLP sets vs. the bulb-based ones? (For that matter, are they even out yet?)

Go here for information on the 1st generation Samsung model. Get comfortable and use the bathroom before you start though.

BubbaT

I'm not aware of any DLPs or plasmas smaller than 40", and plasmas that size are expensive, so really you're just looking at LCD. There's also CRT if you want to plant a 200-lb electronic boulder in your living room.

An $800 price point probably eliminates Sony, while you might be able to snag a Sharp or Samsung.

Sharp Aquos LC-32D40U, $795

http://www.projectorexpo.com/productdetail.asp?level=81&catid=82&productid=6003

Sharp Aquos LC-32D42U, $790

http://www.pcvideoonline.com/productdetail.asp?level=81&catid=82&productid=6760

There's also Westinghouse, Syntax Olevia, and Vizio in the budget section.

StormyWaters

To be clear-there's no downside to CRTs besides bulk/weight for HDTV? I wasn't aware they made them in 16:9 to a reasonable size (i.e. equivalent of 30' 4:3, but wider).

gneGne

I have observed some Sharp's at my local store, and I really like the image quality. I wonder how they perform in games though?

BubbaT

StormyWaters wrote:

To be clear-there's no downside to CRTs besides bulk/weight for HDTV? I wasn't aware they made them in 16:9 to a reasonable size (i.e. equivalent of 30' 4:3, but wider).

There are drawbacks.

You're not going to find many, if any, CRTs that do 720p native. This caused quite a few problems when the PS3 launched and was downscaling 720p games to 480p because their CRT sets were 1080i. So if you need progressive scan, you should probably look elsewhere. And the 1080i CRTs usually don't have an actual full 1920*1080 resolution, but that's a problem on many types of sets, not just CRT.

On the plus side, CRTs are far superior to any other type of TV in handling SD/ED content, such as the Wii. This is due to the ability of CRT to resize and reshape displayed pixels, as opposed to fixed-pixel displays like LCD. It's like PC monitors - an LCD looks great at the native resolution and crap with any other resolution, while a CRT scales between resolutions much better.

If you're considering a 30+" HD CRT, Sony's XBR series is at the top, and their sets are often used as reference standards for judging other HDTVs of all types.

Great.Indoors

I would check out Cnet's information on HDTVs, if you haven't done so already, much better than waiting around here for someone to give you their opinion.

On that note, for the range and price that you are thinking of, I am very partial to the Samsung LCD TVs, they have a decent contrast ratio and to me look a lot better than other LCD TVs in that price range. But don't take my word for it go to a few stores and look at the TVs, mess around with the setting and get one that you like. I would also go to store with a good return policy (ie no restocking fees) that would allow you in the case you get it home and are not completely content to return it for a different set.

Big Dookie

In that price range, I would definitely recommend a CRT. Yes, they're big and heavy - but honestly, once you put your TV where it's going to go, how often do you need to move it? Probably about as often as you need to move your couch, and I'll bet your couch is heavier than a 40" CRT HDTV. I have a 51" HD CRT, and I love it. As others said, the HD picture quality is excellent, but I also get the added bonus that other stuff (like SD and 480p) content doesn't look like someone took a dump on my TV.

Plus, CRTs are cheaper.

Deusfaux

51" crt....?

i've never seen/heard of bigger than 40 or 42...

Big Dookie

Deusfaux wrote:

51" crt....?

i've never seen/heard of bigger than 40 or 42...

I'm sorry, Rear-Projection CRT, not the traditional kind. But yeah, for RPCRTs, they make them pretty large.

Bouncing_Soul

gneGne wrote:

I have observed some Sharp's at my local store, and I really like the image quality. I wonder how they perform in games though?

I recently (about a month ago) bought a 37" Sharp Aquos and I'm really pleased with it. It's mostly an Xbox360 monitor because I don't watch TV a whole lot.

The games look fantastic to me on it. I also watched Superman Returns with my Logitech surround speakers and had my own personal theater.

Lastly, I also bought a calibration DVD to help me get everything right on it. The blacks don't match a plasma or CRT but they're pretty damn good.

Flesh Into Gear

I also have a 37" LCD and the blacks are good. Pretty much the same as a CRT with the lights on. When the lights are off black near the edge of the screen isn't too perfect because of the back lights. Near the center its all good. No lag, looks great, my only complaint is the viewing angles aren't too good.

JeffH

Rather than creating yet another HDTV thread, I decided I'd post in this one. Due to my company's stock option policy which takes $$ out of my bi-weekly every paycheck, and my company's stock rising quite a bit today, I've found myself with a large amount of money, and an HDTV is first on my list (currently have a 25 inch non HD )

I've been looking at this - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16889102103

My main use for the TV is gaming - I play far more than I watch. I have a 360, wii, and a PS2 I'd want to hook up. Should i be concerned with the 8ms refresh rate? Are there better options for similar pricing? Will the connectors in the back be sufficient for my systems? Sorry for the noobish questions, but this is my first HDTV ever.

Also, I've heard getting a tuning DVD is almost a must - any good reccomendations?

Variable

from what I've seen in stores, Samsung is excellent. I couldn't decide for the longest time what budget brand to go with, and I almost bought the 32" samsung crt mentioned above, but I finally decided to just wait until I have enough for a nice samsung 32" lcd. they are too pretty, and this isn't a decision I can make the wrong choice on... it's too much money to get something I won't be happy with.

RainbowDespair

Rather than start a new thread for this, I figured I'd just ask here. I'm getting married in a month. I own a tiny 15" TV. She owns a 25" or so TV that's dying. A new TV would be a very nice thing to get.

These are my criteria:

Widescreen
Does 720p well (for my 360)
Around 32" give or take a little
Under $1000 (preferrably around $600-$800)

Any suggestions?