HDTV Checklist / Recommendations

[~Shard~]

Just thought I'd resurrect this thread again, since I am getting closer (I think) to making a purchase. I am hoping to buy one this fall, but as with anything, timing is everything.

So, is there a specific time when companies release new sets? September? October? December? Should I at least wait until then?

I am still undecided on what I am going to get, but am seriously considering picking something up from the States, depending on shipping costs. TVs in the US have always been cheaper than here in Canada, however any price savings was always negated by duty, shipping and most significantly the exchange rate. With USD/CAD being more favorable, it definitely makes things more viable.

So, as of now, I'm trying to decide whether to go plasma or LCD (i.e. flat), or DLP (not quite flat ). I'd only really need a 42" or so, 50" max, due to the size of my living room, so I don't need anything too crazy either. And for future-proofing, 1080p would be ideal, although not mandatory. HDMI and HDCP would be though.

For plasmas, I'm still looking at Panasonic or Toshiba. Any others I should consider? For DLP, I have read some awesome reviews about the HP sets. LCDs, not sure...

So, since technology is always changing so fast, I'd appreciate any updates anyone might have on the latest and greatest which might fit my needs.

 

[h0e0h]

Just thought I'd resurrect this thread again, since I am getting closer (I think) to making a purchase. I am hoping to buy one this fall, but as with anything, timing is everything.

So, is there a specific time when companies release new sets? September? October? December? Should I at least wait until then?

I am still undecided on what I am going to get, but am seriously considering picking something up from the States, depending on shipping costs. TVs in the US have always been cheaper than here in Canada, however any price savings was always negated by duty, shipping and most significantly the exchange rate. With USD/CAD being more favorable, it definitely makes things more viable.

So, as of now, I'm trying to decide whether to go plasma or LCD (i.e. flat), or DLP (not quite flat ). I'd only really need a 42" or so, 50" max, due to the size of my living room, so I don't need anything too crazy either. And for future-proofing, 1080p would be ideal, although not mandatory. HDMI and HDCP would be though.

For plasmas, I'm still looking at Panasonic or Toshiba. Any others I should consider? For DLP, I have read some awesome reviews about the HP sets. LCDs, not sure...

So, since technology is always changing so fast, I'd appreciate any updates anyone might have on the latest and greatest which might fit my needs.

Shard,
good to hear from you again... i was about to broach the topic again as well. A majority of brands have already released their new lineups with ship dates soon to come. New Sony XBR2s are getting ready to ship (flat-panel LCDs) and Toshiba's new Regza (sp?) line has shipped as well. My store just got a phenominal 1080p 47" Toshiba flat-panel that is stunning. The XBR2s from Sony are due some time next month, and with the interchangable color faceplates they should be interesting. Mitsubishi has also released their new flat panel with a power-swivel funciton that hasn't shipped yet, along with their 732 DLP line that is due soon. Exciting things are on the horizon, and I will post my thoughts and small reviews as soon as I get all the models to compare side-by-side.

 

[DMPDX]

I know there are similar threads on this topic, and I have read through most of the ones I could find, but I thought it would be useful to start a definite "checklist" and get some input from the knowledgeable MacRumors members on their recommendations and opinions on what I am looking at for my HDTV purchase.

First of all, no Plasma for me. From what I've read, it doesn't last as long, there seems to be burn-in issues, etc. They also don't seem to have as many benefits as LCD or DLP. Agree, disagree?

(I also am not interested in the whole front projection setup, btw, just personal preference.)

LCD versus DLP - thoughts? I have heard many great things about DLP, however I know some of the drawbacks of LCDs were that they didn't come in large sizes and were expensive - two traits which seem to have been resolved as of late.

How about HDCP. HDMI. Essential?

Contrast ratio - what's good? How about response rate - is 8 ms good?

I'd like to wait for 1080p - is this silly of me?

How about for HDTV signals - do some/none/all sets have built in tuners yet, or would I eventually need to get a set top box receiver/decoder type of unit for a few extra hundred $$$ to make my TV truly HD? Just thinking about future-proofing.

What else should I be looking for, or put a priority on?

Lastly, FWIW, I won't be buying for a few more months, so I have the luxury of waiting for price drops, new technology advances, etc.

Please share any thoughts you might have on this - I'd really appreciate it!

DLP tv's (rear projection) have limited life also. They are recommended to have their bulbs replaced every year to year and a half or so. Plasma tv''s have usually xxx,xxx hour life spans. And LCD's fall only a little bit ahead. Either technology works well and is appreciated by me, although I picked a samsung DLP as my home theater set up.

1080p sets are already available and have been for months.

You usually have to buy or "rent" a set top box from your cable provider to decode and recieve hd programming, or, if you have a tuner built in you can recieve over the air or regular channels that you get on standard cable.


As for everything else, just make sure you invest a decent amount of money in your audio like you do your video. Usually those home theater in a box systems just dont have enough bang and boom. You should go with a reciever, then buy the center channel, then the rear surrounds, then the fronts, then the sub. *(for a 5.1 set up) Wether or not you choose 5.1, 6.1 or 7.1 just make sure your audio is in "porportion" with your video set up.

 

[EdDean67]

A couple of months ago I bought an LG 50PC3D-H. It is a 50 inch plasma. It is a new model from LG (LG bought out Zenith) with a 10,000:1 Contrast ratio. So far it has been great. You can spend a little less money on a DLP if you don't need to hang it on the wall.

http://us.lge.com/products/model/detail/tv|audio|video_plasma%20flat%20panel__50PC3D-H.jhtml

 

[AppleinJapan]

Hi,

Im currently in Japan at the moment and my apartment is quite small so as a result of space issues, im considering getting a HDTV (or Hi vision as its called for over here) to use as a TV and monitor...26 inch or 32 inch to be used with a Mac mini...So I'd like some advice on what would be good....Thanks for your advice

 

[prostuff1]

I am looking at getting a 1080p LCD here in about a week and i want some opinions if anyone out there has one of these or knows about them.

I am looking at the Westinghouse LVM-37w3. This seems most likely for the one i will get.

The other one i am looking at is the LVM-42w2. Which is basically the same as the 37in one.

Thanks

 

[KingYaba]

Actually DLP bulbs need to be replaced every 3-4 years. Plasma's gas tends to burn up (at least in the older models) after 4 years and then you're stuck with a dim picture.

 

[~Shard~]

Actually DLP bulbs need to be replaced every 3-4 years. Plasma's gas tends to burn up (at least in the older models) after 4 years and then you're stuck with a dim picture.

I know "a bulb is a bulb", in theory, but with how fast technology is advancing, especialy with respect to the TV industry, are there any risks that you will not be able to get replacement bulbs for a specific model of DLP set 3-4 yerars after it is purchased? What about 3-4 years after that? I know some people will say, "Oh, you'll just end up buying a new TV by then, so it doesn't matter", but that's not really the point. Just curious.

 

[bembol]

I am looking at getting a 1080p LCD here in about a week and i want some opinions if anyone out there has one of these or knows about them.

I am looking at the Westinghouse LVM-37w3. This seems most likely for the one i will get.

The other one i am looking at is the LVM-42w2. Which is basically the same as the 37in one.

Thanks

My Westinghouse 1080p LVM-37W1 is coming this Thursday...!!!

Several Best Buy Canada stores says they don't know when they are getting the W3...besides getting a sick deal, I got them to include HDMI-to-DVI Adapter...!!!

 

[dcv]

I love my Loewe Individual 32 Selection DR+ HDTV Picture quality is superb, sound is great, plus it looks gorgeous Twin tuners and a built-in hard disk recorder too.

The *only* thing that bothers me slightly is that it's slow to change channels. Apart from that it's an awesome TV.

Mine's the black model with aluminium end inserts.

 

[Steve Jobless]

W W how much does a thing like that cost?

 

[tarjan]

I purchased a westy 42w2 2 months ago. 1080p and a beautiful image. Expected led life is 20k+ hours, with slightly less for the backlight.

Highly recommended, especially if you can get a discount. (cost was 1399 in my case)

 

[dcv]

W W how much does a thing like that cost?

If you're referring to the Loewe, then about £2,300 in the UK. I bought mine on a "10% off" day. Yeah, pretty pricey for a 32" TV but remember that includes a built-in digital recorder... and honestly, the picture quality is excellent, plus the overall set is beautiful. Good review of it here. That's the top of the range model. The cut-down version (the Individual 32) with a non-aluminium finish (available in silver-look or anthracite I think) and without the DR+ recorder is something like £1,999.

 

[prostuff1]

I purchased a westy 42w2 2 months ago. 1080p and a beautiful image. Expected led life is 20k+ hours, with slightly less for the backlight.

Highly recommended, especially if you can get a discount. (cost was 1399 in my case)

Were did you get it for that price. If i could find the 42w2 for that price i would buy it in a heart beat.

 

[Steve Jobless]

I guess Loewe is a British brand?^

 

[dcv]

I guess Loewe is a British brand?^

It's German.

Link to the UK site. Just tried opening the US site but unfortunately it seems they've stopped selling in the US! Sorry, this probably isn't a very useful TV recommendation to many people here then!

 

[Sox]

Samsung LCD and Comcast/Motorola STB?

I just bought the new 40" LN series LCD (fantastic!) and I'm trying to get the included remote to work with and control my Comcast/Motorola HDTV STB. The code is apparently 064 according to the manual, but that doesn't work. So, I'm asking here - anyone run into this and figure out a work-around?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Jschultz]

I just bought the new 40" LN series LCD (fantastic!) and I'm trying to get the included remote to work with and control my Comcast/Motorola HDTV STB. The code is apparently 064 according to the manual, but that doesn't work. So, I'm asking here - anyone run into this and figure out a work-around?

Thanks in advance.

LNS4051? 4052? 4092? 4096? Please, I must know!

I'm sure you'll love it. I sell those all day long at work (circuit city). I haven't had a chance to look at the Westinghouse 1080p set yet, although I probably should.

 

[Sox]

It's the LN-S4501D, and it's perfect for what I need right now, although I think I'll need to get some good home theater speakers to go with it.

In the meantime, I really want to figure out how to get the Comcast STB to run off the Samsung remote. I wonder if it's even possible.

 

[h0e0h]

odds are you'll have a hard time getting that Samsung remote to control that STB. I wound up havin to program my DVR STB remote from Time Warner (Now Comcast) to work my Samsung LN-S2641D when I had it.

 

[dodong]

I am in the market for Panasonic TH-42PX600U 42" Plasma TV. I have been reading expert reviews and that has been useful to me. It may be help you too. I had been using PCWorld.com, cnet.com to find reviews. Yesterday I used PriceGrabber’s expert review tab (http://www.pricegrabber.com/info_expertreviews.php/masterid=21287451)
and found a site (www.smartratings.com) that aggregates expert reviews. It only covers a few categories but it is pretty neat. Just my $.02.

 

[Multimedia]

Samsung T Series LCDs (2007 models) with 6ms Refresh & 1080P Auto Up-Convert will be the way to go late Spring. The T series will be the new 2007 models with 6ms refresh on the LCDs and 1080P Auto-Upconvert from 1080i broadcast signals. Those are the main two new features to wait for this year. The S series from 2006 do 8ms refresh and are 1080P on the HDMI and VGA inputs. But they don't do an auto up-convert to 1080P on the fly as the 1080i broadcast signal hits the tuner like the T series will when it hits the streets this late Spring. I got this info directly from customer service at Samsung.

They have the world's best customer service toll free. 800.726.7864.

I just bought a 2006 LN-S4095D with 8ms refresh and 1080i from broadcast reception. Action sequences collapse. I strongly recommend you shoot for 6ms refresh 1080P from 1080i broadcast auto up-convert as a minimum to avoid these collapsing action sequences.

I am in the market for Panasonic TH-42PX600U 42" Plasma TV. I have been reading expert reviews and that has been useful to me. It may be help you too. I had been using PCWorld.com, cnet.com to find reviews. Yesterday I used PriceGrabber’s expert review tab (http://www.pricegrabber.com/info_expertreviews.php/masterid=21287451)
and found a site (www.smartratings.com) that aggregates expert reviews. It only covers a few categories but it is pretty neat. Just my $.02.

Curious why you would choose Plasma over LCD. Would you mind your executive summary of why you think Plasma is better than LCD? I think the opposite. But I'm willing to be turned. I'm a new samsung LN-S4095D LCD owner. I have it attached to my Quad G5 as a 4th monitor also.

 

[dodong]

Curious why you would choose Plasma over LCD. Would you mind your executive summary of why you think Plasma is better than LCD? I think the opposite. But I'm willing to be turned. I'm a new samsung LN-S4095D LCD owner. I have it attached to my Quad G5 as a 4th monitor also.

One of the primary reason I prefer plasma over lcd is because it is way much cheaper than the latter in the large screen category, 42" - 50". Another thing is plasma emits better contrast than lcd because of the difference in technology that favors the former in this area. Actually, nobody can say one is better than the other. The decision primarily depends on how he is going to use the item and how much he is willing to spend. Both has advantages/disadvantages over the other and this is clearly illustrated in this article.

I am not into gaming nowadays not like before where I used to play a lot. The moment the connection to the internet came into our home, I totally forget about it. I am just content to watch TV or a movie on DVD after I finish surfing the internet. I hope I answered your question.

 

[ftaok]

=Curious why you would choose Plasma over LCD. Would you mind your executive summary of why you think Plasma is better than LCD? I think the opposite. But I'm willing to be turned. I'm a new samsung LN-S4095D LCD owner. I have it attached to my Quad G5 as a 4th monitor also.

I know you didn't ask me, but I'll chime in for giggles.

Personally, I find that the picture on a quality plasma to be better than on a quality LCD. It's hard to quantify, but it just seems more natural. There's a certain "pop" that you get with plasma that just isn't there with LCD.

However, I ended up buying a Sharp 1080p LCD because of other reasons. The glare issue was a big one for me. My eyes are pretty sensitive to glare. Even with my LCD, I notice the reflections from the windows behind me. With a plasma, I'd be outta my mind.

The second reason I chose LCD over plasma was the resolution. I wanted a 42" TV and plasma only offered 1024x768 resolutions. Not optimal for hooking up a computer. I needed at least 1366x768, but my room won't fit a 50" TV. I ended up with a 46" 1080p TV and have not regretted the purchase one bit.

ft

 

[Multimedia]

More About The Sharp What?

I know you didn't ask me, but I'll chime in for giggles.

Personally, I find that the picture on a quality plasma to be better than on a quality LCD. It's hard to quantify, but it just seems more natural. There's a certain "pop" that you get with plasma that just isn't there with LCD.

However, I ended up buying a Sharp 1080p LCD because of other reasons. The glare issue was a big one for me. My eyes are pretty sensitive to glare. Even with my LCD, I notice the reflections from the windows behind me. With a plasma, I'd be outta my mind.

The second reason I chose LCD over plasma was the resolution. I wanted a 42" TV and plasma only offered 1024x768 resolutions. Not optimal for hooking up a computer. I needed at least 1366x768, but my room won't fit a 50" TV. I ended up with a 46" 1080p TV and have not regretted the purchase one bit.

Which Sharp Model Number? My 40" is native 1920 x 1080i/P. Is it 1080P all the time? Native 1920x1080 or less?