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kman42 · Jan 17, 2007, 05:44 PM

I'm starting to look for an HDTV. I don't need anything huge, probably less than 40". I don't want to spend a fortune, probably less than $1000. I need to hook it up to my DVR cable box which currently goes through my ancient A/V surround sound receiver (RCA cables: two for audio, 1 video which is composite, right?) and my AppleTV. I also have a DVD player which currently goes through my receiver as well.

I'd be just as happy getting rid of the receiver if possible as I no longer use the rear speakers. I just use the center and two fronts. Hmmm...maybe that's not really possible. Anything to simplify though.

I still can't figure out the whole p vs i issue. Which is better? Do I want a 1080p?

thanks,
kman

Railroader · Jan 17, 2007, 05:54 PM

A friend just bought a 37" Visio for $900 and I was impressed with the picture for the money.

The black level wasn't as good as I like, but for $900 it's hard to be real picky.

I might pick one up just to get in the HDTV game and then move it to another room when I eventually buy a front projection system.

Railroader · Jan 17, 2007, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by kman42

I still can't figure out the whole p vs i issue. Which is better? Do I want a 1080p?

[In my opinion]

You want 1080p for anything larger than 42" or anything you're going to sit VERY close to.

[/in my opinion]

mduell · Jan 17, 2007, 06:06 PM

Originally Posted by Railroader

[In my opinion]

You want 1080p for anything larger than 42" or anything you're going to sit VERY close to.

[/in my opinion]

Depends how far away you sit: 1080p Does Matter - Here’s When (Screen Size vs. Viewing Distance vs. Resolution)

Here's just the size vs distance graph. Suggest being 6 feet (or closer) to a 42" to see the difference between 720p and better than 720p.

el chupacabra · Jan 17, 2007, 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by kman42

I still can't figure out the whole p vs i issue. Which is better? Do I want a 1080p?

thanks,
kman

If you buy anything other than 1080p your tv might be outdated quickly IMO.
I would just go to several electronic stores ask the guy to point out all the 1080p or full high def TVs and then just watch them and see what picture looks better.

keep in mind as you watch them the picture needs to be coming from a 1080p source at the store. 40" isnt to big

kman42 · Jan 17, 2007, 06:45 PM

LCD, plasma, projection?

stevesnj · Jan 17, 2007, 06:55 PM

Originally Posted by kman42

LCD, plasma, projection?

Plasma is the biggest fraud in TV's today...fewer life hours than LCD and more expensive to repair than and LCD...projection is good and there are some great 1080p projectors out and coming out...like the dual bulb Panasonic. But for low cost on future repairs go for LCD. If you have money to spend in 3-5 years for a new TV buy Plasma, if you want reliability over 5 + years go with LCD

jokell82 · Jan 17, 2007, 07:37 PM

Originally Posted by stevesnj

Plasma is the biggest fraud in TV's today...fewer life hours than LCD and more expensive to repair than and LCD...projection is good and there are some great 1080p projectors out and coming out...like the dual bulb Panasonic. But for low cost on future repairs go for LCD. If you have money to spend in 3-5 years for a new TV buy Plasma, if you want reliability over 5 + years go with LCD

Don't listen to this post at all. Plasma technology (especially the picture) is still better than LCD and the life of new plasma tvs greatly exceed the life of an LCD backlight today. LCD is definitely closing the gap (and the new Sony Bravia LCDs are very nice), but the picture still isn't quite where plasma is.

My recommendation in your price range is the Panasonic TH-37PX60U - a 37" plasma. I have the 42" version and it's a VERY nice picture. Friend of mine has the 37 as well.

kman42 · Jan 17, 2007, 07:59 PM

I see that Panasonic (the 42") has digital audio output. Can I then go from DVR/AppleTV-->(HDMI) HDTV-->(digital out) receiver-->speakers for the audio? I know the AppleTV has HDMI so that would move digital audio to the TV and then digital audio out to the receiver. I think my DVR has digital audio out as well. This seems much better than going with RCA cables from the DVR or AppleTV (since there is only one digital audio in on the receiver) to the receiver.

I'm used to thinking of the receiver as the center of the entertainment world: all the inputs go into the receiver and then there is one video output to the TV and the audio outputs to the speakers. But it seems that TVs now have lots of inputs/outputs.

kman

Heavy Fluid · Jan 17, 2007, 08:08 PM

We just bought a 50" LG Plasma table top. 720p. It is nice, especially with the Dish Network High Definition package, local channels in HD with powered rabbit ears (yes, this works) and HD upconverting DVD player + HDMI cables.

Railroader · Jan 17, 2007, 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by stevesnj

Plasma is the biggest fraud in TV's today...fewer life hours than LCD

YEAH! Cause 60,000 hours is only 27 years at 6 hrs/day viewing. Yu're just throwing your money away buy a plasma HDTV.

Plasmas no longer suffer burn-in and have a much better picture than LCDs. Deeper blacks and truer colors.

But you can keep spreading FUD if you want to.

Adam Betts · Jan 17, 2007, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by Railroader

Plasmas no longer suffer burn-in and have a much better picture than LCDs. Deeper blacks and truer colors.

Can't say I agree with this. While it's true that they've improved Plasmas from experiencing burn-in, the problem isn't 100% gone. Colors, especially black have improved greatly recently but I've never liked Plasma's glow look. It hurts my eyes if I stare at it too long.

Quality-wise, plasma and LCD are pretty much the same, it's all about features nowadays.

jokell82 · Jan 17, 2007, 09:22 PM

Originally Posted by kman42

I see that Panasonic (the 42") has digital audio output. Can I then go from DVR/AppleTV-->(HDMI) HDTV-->(digital out) receiver-->speakers for the audio? I know the AppleTV has HDMI so that would move digital audio to the TV and then digital audio out to the receiver. I think my DVR has digital audio out as well. This seems much better than going with RCA cables from the DVR or AppleTV (since there is only one digital audio in on the receiver) to the receiver.

I'm used to thinking of the receiver as the center of the entertainment world: all the inputs go into the receiver and then there is one video output to the TV and the audio outputs to the speakers. But it seems that TVs now have lots of inputs/outputs.

kman

I *think* the digital output is disabled when using an HDMI source, due to the copyright (read: bullshit) restrictions. It would make a lot of sense to have it work that way, but it just doesn't.

Heavy Fluid · Jan 17, 2007, 09:28 PM

Originally Posted by stevesnj

Plasma is the biggest fraud in TV's today...fewer life hours than LCD and more expensive to repair than and LCD...projection is good and there are some great 1080p projectors out and coming out...like the dual bulb Panasonic. But for low cost on future repairs go for LCD. If you have money to spend in 3-5 years for a new TV buy Plasma, if you want reliability over 5 + years go with LCD

Can you affordably purchase a 50" + LCD TV? I didn't think so. Plasma is the way to go if you want anything bigger than 50". We went from a 54" Mitsubishi rear projection HDTV to the 50" LG Plasma. What am I supposed to do, go from 54" to a 42"? Not a chance in hell.

Agasthya · Jan 17, 2007, 09:35 PM

Amazon.com: Samsung HL-S5087W 50" 1080p DLP HDTV: Electronics -- Spend the extra money.

and here's some info on the AppleTV: Apple TV | A load of hype for nothing - PVR Wire

jokell82 · Jan 18, 2007, 05:22 AM

Originally Posted by Agasthya

Amazon.com: Samsung HL-S5087W 50" 1080p DLP HDTV: Electronics -- Spend the extra money.

Unless you sit 6 feet away (or closer) from this set you wont get the full benefit of 1080p, and you wont even be able to tell the difference from 720p unless you sit closer than 8 feet.