TV selections


I am currently looking for a new TV, probably 36" or above for my living room.

My living room is like this:

_______empty space________
|-------------------------TV----|
|SP--------------------------SP|
|--------------------------------|
|--------------------------------|
|--------------------------------|
|--------------------------------|
|--------------------------------|
|--------------sofa--------------|
|________________________|

The vieing distance is about 9-11'.
Should I get a 16:9 RPTV (47" or 42")(panny, Toshiba, Samsung) or a Direct View 36" TV (Sony HS500, XBR800 or Panny)? I am going to watch DVD 35%, Direct TV 40% and tape 25%.

I know this may not be the optimal location to place the TV but that's the only option for me (WAF). Also, RPTV is mostly for watching DVD althought samsung 42" RPTV is acceptable for watching SDTV, tape, etc when I tried it in Best Buy. For direct view, it is more for my wife to watch TV and tape. I am going to keep this for a while so I am more incline to get a HD-ready TV.

Or, should I just save it up now and get a 36" analog TV for 600-800 bucks and wait a couple more years? What's your experience with Direct view TV with 9-11' watching distance, will that make a differece between a HD TV and an analog one?

Thanks so much for your helps.
fever104
I would look at the Focus X1 thats been being promoted this past week...mose places are $999. with a $100. rebate...plus a 5 Year warranty...my son bought one and he brought it by to show me...I have a $15000. CRT with a Faroudja line doubler...and the little box (6lbs) gave it a run for the money...so much so I just ordered one for the bedroom...it did 16.9 at the touch of a button and then back to 4.3 I was impressed...just a thought...if you have the wall space...it was film like with no pixels showing.
Final decision:
40XBR800

I will give me a decent pq and screen area for now and I can still watch HD broadcast in the future.

My friend's friend works for Sony so I can get a good price for it (21 grand total with stand and tax)

_______empty space________
|------------------------sp--T--|
|------------------------------V-|
|-----s-----------------------sp-|
|-----o--------------------------|
|-----f--------------------------|
|-----a--------------------------|
|--------------------------------|
|---------sofa-------------------|
|________________________|

Thank you all for your inputs.

Have a good day.
I have that Sony and I love mine. Good choice....in a few years I will move to a 16:9 50+ inch plasma.

Z
hi
has anyone bought or looked at the panasonic 34wx52,it either that or the sony kv34xbr800 that i am going to buy
any imputs
thanks
al
"Alpass":

I have......

In fact, I have checked out both of these sets. And I find both of them to be excellent TVs. So, if either one of these sets tickle your fancy, then go ahead..... make your move. You won't get any objections from me. I'm sure you won't get any objections from any of the fellas here either.

Good Luck and Happy Shopping!!!!

--Charles--