Replace 35" TV with something bigger

i AM ALSO GETTING CLOSER TO BUYING A RPTV. iVE DONE QUITE A BIT OF RESEARCH AND NARROWED DOWN TO TOSHIBA 56H80 AND PHILIPS 55 INCHER. gO TO PRICESCAN.COM FOR CHEAPEST PRICE.

As always, it depends on your budget. If you can go >$3500, I'd look at one of the Pioneer Elite PRO models, a Mitsubishi or a Sony. If you want to stay below $3K, I'd look at Toshiba or a cheaper Sony. But, absolutely, upgrade the display if you really like HT, preferably to about 55". It makes the experience MUCH better and, at least for me, the RPTV's look pretty awesome.

I agree that budget is kinda the biggest factor when purchasing a new screen, used or new is the other big factor, IMO. I recently purchased a 100in screen with a front projector and in love with it now, I wonder how I lived with out it. The picture is as good if not better then my 32" toshiba TV, I was not expecting that. I have the projector 13' from the screen and it does not have a problem with 100" at all and when a DVD/movie is 16:9 ratio the screen size is still 87" which is not over whelming at all. I have a slightly smaller home theater room with only 7'6" ceillings(which really sucks), like I said it depends on your budget new my TV set up is a little over $10K but I bought used and have under $2500 into everything, be patient but when you see a good deal pounce upon it. Also with a smallish room a front projector or plasma screen for that matter will make the room seem much larger then it is. Best of luck and let us know how you make out, :-) Tim.

Too much talk about budget with all due respect. He didn't say anything about pinchin' pennies, just bigger than 35". Therefore, I suggest the new fujitsu 4222 HDTV flatscreen. Kinda pricey at $10k, but meets your requirements of bigger than 35" and top of the line. (Its got like about a million DPI X a million DPI).

Ok, I'm done. I concede right now budget is everything and I'm livin in a dream world.
Thanks,
Chris

Like we've mentioned before and is repeated here, MAKE SURE that the TV has a good picture at ANY viewing angle at various distances. This alone will eliminate almost every brand of RPTV except a VERY few. I will say that there is a reason why Mitsubishi has the highest amount of sales and repeat customers when it comes to big screens. I will also say that the Pioneer Elite's are EXCELLENT but pricey. Check them out for yourself and see what YOU like.

To repeat what was already said (again), having ANY TV properly aligned ( convergence, contrast, brightness, color, etc...) CORRECTLY via calibration standards and NOT by eye makes a WORLD of difference. Most EVERY tv comes set WRONG from the factory and the "amateur tune up" doesn't do much to help. Keep in mind that RPTV's work best with a small amount of difuse light coming from behind the TV.

I would also like to add that if a GOOD quality RPTV is PROPERLY set up, you will not have a problem viewing it up close OR at quite an angle. I can view my 55" at a 90* angle from a 20' distance without ANY problems whatsoever. Our normal viewing distance is also only about 10' from the screen. Those that can't enjoy their big screen like that REALLY need to check their settings and probably invest in some rudimentary ( and quite easy ) calibration discs like Video Essentials or Avia. Both are WELL worth the money, even for a "normal" sized TV's.

One more suggestion is to look for a TV with PLENTY of inputs. Component video is most desired with S video being second and composite video being bottom of the barrel. Hope this helps. Sean
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PS... don't forget to include a "screen guard" when shopping.