I know HDTVs may be off topic but...

vizio 47" lcd $1399
http://www.vizio.com/products/detail.aspx?pid=42

samsung 50" plasma $1299
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889102147&nm_mc=OTC-C173T&cm_mmc=OTC-C173T-_-Plasma-_-SAMSUNG-_-89102147

best ones by far imo

remember that lcd is better in a daytime environment while plasma is better in a dark environment.

thanks for the suggestions guys but 50" would probably eat me, not to mention its way outside the price cap of 1200. I'm only 22 and I still will be living in apartments for a bit, i think that 42 should be more than enough screen size. let me try asking this another way, is there anything you see that is seriously lacking with the specs on

Originally posted by harleyman Hey..I got a 27 in Phillips too...It is beautiful/clean picture......

You running HDMI from the cable box to the TV?  If not, you've got to do it.  Pure digital signal.

They sell Vizio's at Wal Mart. Nuff said.

but its a lot cooler saying i got a 1080p instead of a 720p...bigger is ALWAYS better in a mans world.

Originally posted by skyR You realize you have to sit at 10" or closer looking at a 60" or bigger screen to notice a difference between 720p and 1080p -.-'

Originally posted by traylorc First of all, if possible I would highly recommend that you view this set before purchasing.  I've have bought my share of TVs, currently in my house I have 70", two Sony Bravia XBR (46" and 42 inches), and two other LCDs (27" and 24")...yes I know I have an addiction.  My point is that you want to to make sure you live with the picture quality.  Magnavox's reputation amongts home theater ethusiasts is not the greatest...I have read a number of threads where people describe the numerous problems they have had with Magnavox sets after a few months.   How important is picture control to you?  Some sets give a user tremendous flexibility in calibrating your sets picture.  Other provides simply provide very basic control (brightness, color, contrast).  For a set in this price range I would expect very basic controls.  And I wouldn't expect that you are going to be able to dial in deep, deep blacks or bright whites.  Generally, that is one of the sacrifices made for sets in this price range (no offense).   I would definately go to the store and play around with the controls to see if you can adjust the picture to your liking.  This will also give you an opportunity to test out the sets menu system.  Is the menu intuitive? Or is it a pain in the butt to get to certain options?  Is the remote backlit?  That way if you are watching movies in the dark you don't have to reach for the light to pause the movie.   You may want to visit AVS forum...they have a number of threads regarding specific sets and specific manufacturers.  Read up, and do you homework and you will likely make a purchase which does not cause any buyer's remorse.  Good luck.   http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=166

Truth being, calibrating a 27" to 32" LCD is quite simple.  As you stated, contrast, brightness and all the visual adjustment at that size come easy to tweak.

I had an ISF calibration done to my Plasma and the difference is night and day.  It burns cooler, the blacks a truer and the blues were pulled out of the whites.  The color set-up is quite nice.  The problem with disk calibration on your big sets is that you cannot access the service menu to calibrate properly.  The service menu is not the options menu.  It's worth the money to ISF calibrate.

yea i did a good amount of research over the last few days, basically this is what im boiling it down to:

Edited by !ender_ - 01 May 2008 at 12:16am

wow good find duke

Originally posted by !ender_ yea i did a good amount of research over the last few days, basically this is what im boiling it down to:   ideally $900-1200 1080p DLP (seems more reliable/better quality) between 37-52" (more than 52 would be complete overkill imo) built in decoding (no top box or whatever they are called) viewing range will be roughly 10-15 feet (low lighting) use: brodcast tv and moives, occasionally may hook up my comp for fun id say order of importance: color information contrast black blacks white whites   just like with my computer, im not looking for a BENCHMARK CRUSHER, im looking for a solid, reliable, crisp/thick color television in a reasonable price range. im not an enthusiast, i dont have 8 speakers hooked to my walls, i just want a step up from the $58 4 year old 26inch panasonic   what do you guys think of this: http://www.dlp.com/hdtv/product_detail.aspx?id=S4270808 1199 at circut city   Obviously im going to be in the store playing with these things before i would even THINK of buying them, im just trying to get a solid idea of what my goals are before looking. main reason for DLP over LCD is it seems that the reliability is well worth the price   *edit* i keep reading about this bulb replacement deal with DLP tvs, ive seen that its once a year, once every 6 months, etc, is it based on how hard you push the TV, temps, or luck?   *one more edit* the only thing left that i really am clueless about is cable connection. right now all our TVs coaxial to the wall, if i get this will i have to get a box to get the HD, or is that exactly what the on board decoding that these things talk about is? i realize that you need the HDMI connectors to get the full HDDVD quality, but what happens when i want to watch basic, non HD cable, will the picture be completely screwed? or an old VCR tape (yes i still have lots of those )

I personally wouldn't invest into a DLP.  It's actually the opposite from what I've been reading.  The DLPs are more problematic.  I would invest into a LCD or Plasma.  

You'll either have to get a box or set-up an antenna to receive HD channels.   Definitely run HDMI from the box to the set and absolutely do not go and spend $100.00 on a HDMI cable.  HDMI is pure digital transfer, and unless you're running 20 to 40 foot cable runs, there is no need to spend the extra money for shielding.  There are two things to know about HDMI cables.  They either work, or they don't.  HDMI cables do not go bad, they just don't work if they're defective.  When they work, they work 100%.  Go to http://monoprice.com and spend 12 to 15 dollars and a 6 to 8 foot, if that's what you need, 1.3a cable and you'll be fine.   No need for cables with Ferrit Cores. 

You can use standard coaxial cabling and get your signal fine, you just won't have the best 1080i picture.  Component cabling is not pure digital and is affected by bleed out from other transmitted sources around your equipment.  Cable shielding is more necessary in a Component cable.  However, Component and HDMI are extremely close in PQ, so it really boils down to the user.  I go HDMI for the best digital signal.  Your picture actually and obviously relies on signal input anyway, so you can have the best equipment and cabling, but if your signal transmission from the source sucks, then you're at the mercy of that unfortunate situation. 

There is an article out right now that shines its light on two major providers, Comcast and Time Warner,  that are compressing the signal to add more channels on the line. Compressing the digital signal is not a good thing when it comes to running more data because of small bandwidth.  Compressing leads to pixilation and paneling on the set that you can see.  Many times people think it's something going on with the cables or equipment when it's not.  It's the provider.  You don't see providers that offer fiber optics to the house compressing signals, so therefore those providers will typically offer a better product you see on the set.

You'll never see 1080P unless your watching Blu-Rays (HD-DUD is a lost format now).  The signal from the provider is only as good as 1080i, so don't expect 1080P from the provider.  Your set will upconvert to 1080P when you're watching a Blu-Ray.  As I had stated before, 1080i will become the standard eventually and you'll see all cable channels go to that format.  

Hope this helps.


Edited by EdH63 - 01 May 2008 at 8:44am

Originally posted by EdH63 I personally wouldn't invest into a DLP.  It's actually the opposite from what I've been reading.  The DLPs are more problematic.  I would invest into a LCD or Plasma.

1080i will not be the HD standard because 720p is superior when it comes to sports, games, and action movies.

NBC, Discovery, CBS, ... are broadcasting in 1080i.

ABC, EPSN, Fox, TSN, ... are broadcasting in 720p.

Originally posted by skyR 1080i will not be the HD standard because 720p is superior when it comes to sports, games, and action movies.

You are right about 720p being "a" standard for sports networks, skyR, but the industry standard for non-sports networks will gravitate toward 1080i.  I would like to see more bandwidth in the pipeline so we can see both formats co-exist.  If it happens, and it probably will, we're going to pay for it.

You know, Why is a TV thread the longest thread on a computer forum?!

Originally posted by SunfighterLC You know, Why is a TV thread the longest thread on a computer forum?! This thread also probably has the most moderator responces as well...haha.

Funny thing is,  TVs are gearing toward PC integration anyway.  The future of television is to have voice activated commands you speak to the set that will take you to certain channels and integrated websites.  For instance, you say Ford, and the TV turns to a certain channel and brings you to a Ford website or a local Dealer. 

This integration is not to far off.  How will that affect PC boutiques like DS?  I believe that the smart boutiques will be the ones that align themselves with this technology and embrace the market.  They may not have a choice. 


Edited by EdH63 - 01 May 2008 at 6:47pm