Replace 35" TV with something bigger

Hey "Swampy", do you feel that using Video Essentials made a worthwhile change to your video performance ? Would you buy and use it again knowing what you know now ? I don't want some of these folks to buy this thing if i'm the only one that thinks it's a good investment. Sean
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Thanks, I must be spending too much time at indecent A/V store's. I will go out and try to find a decent one today. :)
Chris

Have a look at the new Loewe Aconda that is scheduled to hit U.S. stores some time in May. It's gonna be the big brother of their 30" Aconda and clock in at 38" (both 16:9 aspect ratio screens). The 30" Aconda has the single best picture I've ever seen and I expect that the 38" inch will be equally impressive. Many claim that the Aconda is, bar none, the best direct view television on the market. The new one is suposed to retail for around $5,600 (the 30" is $3,600). The 30' will be my next TV, and I would seriously consider the 38" inch if I had the room for it. Don't know whether this is enough new real estate for you, coming from 35", but it would definitely be worth a look.

Sean, thanks for the tip on the Video Essentials DVD, I just bought one on eBay for $28. Amazon has it for $42.49.
Thanks for the other tip on writing down what you do. With the power issues out here in CA, this makes good sense!
This is the kind of useful stuff that I come here for. Thanks! -

Sean- Believe it or not, the Loewe has an NTSC standard calibration setting built in, and was pretty close to what I got using video essentials. However, its generally too dark (someone said that it has to do with the type of mask) for this set, esp on cable (closer to what I run with DVD). I found it was helpful to learn about the interactions between the settings and to use as a guide. For most audiophiles (all, I hope) the audio set up portion is not all that helpful but the DD test tone track works pretty well. I would guess that it is damn near mandatory for a projection TV. I did find its suggestion to turn the sharpness setting all the way down did NOT provide the best results with the Loewe. I guess for the $$ we're all plunking down on these displays (not to mention cables), its basically a real low cost accessory, which you could easily share with a friend.

BTW, in addition to a whole room for your 38" Aconda, you better have one hell of a stand, with industrial casters. I believe the tube along weighs nearly 300 lbs.