LCD Screen Size

I just read this:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/06/technology/06screen.html?8dpc

One of the larger and dumber mistakes my wife and I made was to get a flat-screen 32" Sharp Aquous (sp?) LCD to replace an older 27" Mitsubishi. At the time the Sharp cost $4500 (gag!), and we finally admitted to ourselves that the Mitsubishi not only had a better picture -- even considering the Hi Def Sharp -- but a larger image area. Dave

Just wait a bit longer. With a Vizio 50" plasma with a Faroudja scaler and 2 HDMI inputs now priced at $2K MRSP (and receiving praise in this month's The Perfect Vision), it won't be long before $1K buys a large flatscreen. The Chinese LCD factories are just coming on line and there will be huge economies of scale in the next 12 mos.

I've heard of this Vizio just recently. Thanks for all the input.

Zar,

I just recently purchased a 37" Viewsonic LCD TV for $1199 (after $300 in rebates). It is a fully integrated HDTV with speakers, SD and HD TV tuners, table stand, etc. It is a great TV at that price. I bought it because I had limited space and the Viewsonics speakers are on the bottom, not the sides, thus saving space.

IMHO, the 37" Viewsonic (or other panel) would be great for movies/DVDs, but not great if you watch much SD TV. SD is very watchable, but looks pretty grainy at your viewing distance. It looks great in my room, but I'm about twice the distance from the TV as what you are proposing.

Enjoy,

TIC