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Need help making TV decision

I'm looking to replace my ancient Proton 27" CRT with something new. I've poked around AVS forum and CNET but still feel confused and underinformed. Would welcome advice here and pointers to other sources of information.

Here's our situation:

-- Can accomodate up to 40"-42" wide display
-- Use Comcast digital cable box through TiVo box as main source; also DVD
-- TV (not DVD) probably 80% of viewing
-- Viewing distance is about 8 feet
-- Can accomodate the depth of a CRT or rear projection, but a flat panel would be just fine (will sit atop 40" AV cart)
-- Don't need built-in audio as I route audio signals through an AV receiver
-- Price not too much of an issue

So....LCD, Plasma, DLP or CRT? HD or ED? One of my main fears is that I will get a set that kills on DVD or HD but leaves me unhappy when I watch an old movie or a Seinfeld rerun or any non-HD TV program. There's also the issue of our addiction to TiVo and the absence of an HD TiVo box for digital cable (as far as I know).

Thanks for any guidance you can provide.
Ag insider logo xs@2xdrubin
reubent
6,956 posts
 
From what I've read on AVS forum, I think they are the same. I'm no expert, so if you need a true video geeks opinion, ask over at AVS forum under the display forum.

Enjoy,

TIC
joncourage
185 posts
 
Picked up a 60" Sony XBR / SRXD. We're extremely happy with it. After comparing to lots of plasmas, LCDs and DLPs, we thought this had the best picture short of some much more expensive plasmas.

Have been watching it for about a week now and haven't identified any shortcomings. Picture is sharp, colors are vivid, no artifacts or pixelation during rapid movement, and there's a nice 3-dimnesionality to the image (not something I've ever experienced before in a tv.

So far, highly recommended.
55dok
162 posts
 
I agree with the above post. If you have the space, the new 50" or 60" Sony SXRD models are better than any of the LCD,DLP or ED plasma sets that I've seen. Newer HD plasma sets are coming out which should have improved specs. The pioneer elite pro and Hitachi director series should be looked at in the 42"-43" plasma sizes. JVC also makes nice sets (D-ILA & plasmas)which seem to be mentioned less often in the forums.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
drubin OP
3,274 posts
 
We ended up getting an Hitachi 42HDS52 plasma. This cost about $300 more than the consumer Panasonic 42" but is an exceptionally attractive unit, has two HDMI inputs and is getting great buzz over at AVS forum and other sites. I can't say whether or not it suffers from any of the problems identified for some of the Panasonic models, but it sure looks like a great buy. It hasn't been delivered yet, so we'll see how things work out, but I feel good about the decision.

Just ordered an Oppo Digital DVD player to replace my aging Onkyo. The idea was to get the benefits of progressive scan, upscaling, and digital video out to the TV (DVI-HDMI). It is absolutely amazing to me what your money buys in digital gear these days. This player cost $200 (!!), uses the Faroudja DCDi, and seems to do just about everything you could want processing-wise. I should be able to stay purely in the digital domain for audio and video from both DVD and STB/DVR for as long as possible (my AV receiver, which handles the audio, is a digital device also). I think this is a key to getting great results from all sources. I'm pretty excited, as you may be able to tell.

Thanks to everyone for their advice and recommendations.
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