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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
 
Tvad,

Although a good concept, the 30" Samsung Slim-Fit TV has horrible geometry issues that I don't think can be corrected. I really wanted to buy that set, but after viewing 10-15 sets in different stores, it became apparent that the set is "not ready for prime time".

Drubin,

For me the choice was simple: My Plasma got me nearly 2 extra feet further back from my set which optimized the viewing distance at about 7 1/2" feet for a 42" Plasma. The 36" CTR that it replaced was only about 5 1/2 or 6 feet viewing distance, which was too close for my taste. The 42" Plasma is mounted on the wall and I gained viewing distance and space in the room by removing the 25" deep CRT.

Also, I don't think any 36" CRTs are 16X9. I think you have to go with a 34" CRT for the 16X9 aspect ratio. So, when you watch in widescreen, your picture is pretty small when compared to a 42" Plasma.

Lastly, I have Time Warner Cable and I have their HD STB with built in DVR. The DVR is high-def and I love it!

Enjoy,

TIC
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eldarado
381 posts
 
I have a question for you Videophiles. What plasma's don't pixelate, for a lack of better term, with a HD feed when there are fast moving scenes? Pretty much all of the plasmas that I have looked at in the past do this. When the picture slow or still it is incredible. Thanks in advance for your answers.
dlstephenson
121 posts
 
In response to plasma displays, there is one very real problem and that is plasma displays wear out! The average life of the display is rated at 7 years. There is no bulb to change, it becomes a throw away product. True, blacks are black, and the colors are breath taking but on a rear projection or LCD tv there are "bulbs" that you can replace when they become dim. Not so on the plasmas. If you have alot of cash to spend every so may years and want to hang it on the wall PLASMA is the way to go.
donbellphd
205 posts
 
If you were willing to move over to DirectTV satellite, the DirectTV HR 10-250 is an outstanding HDTV/TiVo receiver. SD at 480p looks fine on my Sony 36 XBR as does HD at 1080i. Although I don't think it's a great program, we are hooked on CSI: Miami just because the pan shots are so magnificant; the 5.1 sound is pretty effective as well.

I'm going through the same decision process myself. I want a larger screen that's more in keeping with the soundstage my audio system projects, and I want to eliminate mass between the speakers to enhance soundstage depth for stereo. Front projection is a partial answer, but not practical for general viewing, so I think a screen that pulls down in front of a wall-hanging plasma or LCD TV is the way I'll go. Pretty sure I want a 96" 16 X 9 Stewart Firehawk screen, but unsure about projector and plasma or LDC.

db
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