My budget is $3,000

Well, if I sell a couple of my toys, I could stretch this to $3,300.

Thanks in advance. I know you regulars here must be tired of these questions. I come to you because I'm unable to find clear answers to some questions I still have after weeks of research. Perhaps there aren't clear answers... but I need to at least make an attempt to educate myself before taking the plunge. I don't want to depend on the sales rep to educate me on the spot.

Some facts: I sit 15 feet away from my current TV (which is a 32 inch rounded [non-flat] non HD tubed TV).

I have a window to one side of the room which is 4.5ft tall by 12ft long (a big window), which faces pretty much to the west.

As much as I don't want to say it, I believe my primary concern with the purchase of a new TV is going to be reflection/glare. As of a year ago, I was hearing that LCD's were the way to go if you were concerned about glare. They sales rep at Best Buy states that plasmas have become better (caught up) on this issue. We, at the time, were discussing the Pioneer Kuro PDP 5020FD plasma TV.

#1 So... are the new plasma displays indeed catching up (anti-glare-wise) to LCD displays? If this is "in certain cases only" or "with certain coatings only", what coating should I be asking for? Or, in general, what manufacturers tend to be known as good in this department of glare issues? Also, should this really be my first priority in the first place? (Are both LCD and Plasma displays going to be much less reflective than the tube TV I have now?) Should I just take a flashlight to the store with me to try testing this myself?

There is only about 1-1.5hrs of the evenings (thanks to a large overhang) where I have to draw the curtains in order to see my current TV. I know that the problem is exacerbated on my current TV because of its glass surface and because that surface is convex. This may be offset (on the flip side) by the fact that the new LCD or Plasma that I purchase will be much wider than my current TV. Another point I would have to add to both sides of the equation is that I live in sunny San Diego (but I don't complain about that too much .

#2 I have the budget to actually purchase the Pioneer Kuro 50inch PDP5020FD. However, CNET's HDTV for beginner's website is showing me that I really should get a 60-inch display, which the website states has a max viewing distance (for a 16:9 display) of 15ft.
If this is true (and I do trust CNET), then I all of a sudden feel constrained (even with a $3,000 budget). Most websites say that above 50-52 inches, plasmas are better on your wallet. So if it IS the case that I should go with LCD due to glare (which I'm hoping you can all shed some light on for me), then I can no longer afford the proper size LCD display for my room. Am I looking at this right? My mindset right now is that I should purchase a display between 56-60inches.

#3 I really really really had my mind set on getting a GOOD quality (it doesn't have to be "highest quality") 1080p display. My idea (a few years down the road) was to purchase a low-profile (mini) PC and to use that PC (along with a small array of large-storage hard drives) to store movies on and/or what not.

If you have any pointers, I'd love to read them. As you can see, I'm struggling on the point of how to align my priorities in the purchase of a new display. I've been holding off (due to purchases of other things/furniture/stuff the wife wants) for 3-4 years now, and I always told her this would be about $3,000. I'm looking to buy around Dec/Jan/Feb (Christmas bonus/PTO cash out/IRS tax return).

Thanks again!

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How about the Panasonic Viera TH-58PZ800U?

by Pepe7 Oct 9, 2008 4:53AM PDT

I've seen it in person, and it's a stellar flat panel. It would save you a little money since the Kuro's are pricey. Whether or not the amount of glare from *any* HDTV (LCD or Plasma) is acceptable is purely subjective IMHO. I don't know your exact room HDTV experience, so I couldn't make the call per se. At least you have the ability to block out the sunshine during certain hours of the day, unlike some HDTV enthusiasts with less than ideal viewing arrangements. YMMV. Here's a link to the review:

http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/panasonic-viera-th-58pz800u/4505-6482_7-33234548.html?tag=dtBody;[object%20NodeList]

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Thanks

by OjLeno Oct 9, 2008 5:16AM PDT

I'll check this out.

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JMO

by jostenmeat Oct 9, 2008 5:02AM PDT

please feel free to completely ignore.

first off, 60" from 15 ft, assuming 20/20 vision to begin with, means that 720p is more than enough. 50" from 15 ft means that 480p is good enough. Just FYI.

60"/15' = 16.5 deg viewing angle.
50"/15' = 13.8 deg viewing angle.

If it was my money, I'd save up another grand or so.

Then $800 Pana 42" tv for $800.
Projector for $2.5k
Screen with remaining $700 (or possibly a lot less, maybe even $300). Draw the screen over the TV. Manual is fine. Electric does not make the screen last any longer, a misconception.

Just something to consider, then toss aside, and ignore.

Good luck.

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Agreed 110%, but the reality is...

by Pepe7 Oct 9, 2008 5:17AM PDT

...most folks won't focus on viewing angle regardless of how you dress up that particular pony. Also, you always need to ask yourself if a somewhat 'specialized' setup you've helpfully suggested such as a motorized/electric projector over a HDTV is going to appeal to the other folks who use the room besides the OP(?) It's a cool idea (your posts always give me great ideas!), but might not fly in a lot of households to be perfectly honest. A 50 or 58" plasma might actually work for the OP's situation, and provide a decent enough viewing arrangement @ 15', perhaps only more slightly from a psychological standpoint, although obviously we don't know for sure. Preferences and viewing habits can vary widely. FWIW, although I have also recommended such panels to friends, IMO some of the PX series-equivalent 42" plasmas sold by Costco have some issues with NR that the newer, larger PDPs do not from what I have seen in person. It won't necessarily be an improvement in overall video processing such as moving up to a Kuro IMO, but perhaps enough to worry if the lower priced plasmas will work for everyone.

cheers,
Pedro

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good counterpoints for sure.

by jostenmeat Oct 9, 2008 5:26AM PDT

Well, what's nice about a screen is that its not so overwhelming to a room when its rolled up. Some people even recess it, and it's invisible.

All I will say is that for as long as I am into AV, I am going with PJ. IMO, the value blows away any flat panel, except in the rare cases where viewers are within 6 ft. If I sat 6ft close, Id get a 60" Kuro if I had the money. Funny thing is that it probably costs more than my PJ and screen combined. A JVC RS-1 and 159" High Power.

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Sorry, I didn't get that

by OjLeno Oct 9, 2008 6:04AM PDT

"sold by Costco have some issues with NR that the newer, larger PDPs"

What is NR?

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NR=(video) noise reduction

by Pepe7 Oct 9, 2008 7:33AM PDT

FWIW, I find some of the slightly older Panny's to be noisy, especially when dealing with typical Comcast Motorola Cable boxes. DVD's are a little better, but I see less noise on the newer Panny's like the 50pz85 & 50pz800u. But maybe my eyes are (finally) going bad(!)

best,
Pedro

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I'd like to learn more

by OjLeno Oct 9, 2008 5:41AM PDT

Ok. I haven't seen the degree viewing angle stuff before. Looking that up currently (thanks for introducing that to me).

So, in other words, since my distance is far enough away, at 20/20 (I'm actually 20/15, but that may change... I'm only 30), I won't be able to see the detail that 1080p would provide? How much does the 20/15 visual acuity change that, if at all?

So, the Panasonic 42" TV would be like a useless light fixture if I understand right?

Projector screens probably have zero glare issues.

I have thought about projection (if you are serious, which I'm guessing you are... but I'm obviously a newbie as I haven't even heard of degrees of viewing angle). The only reason I have not considered projection is because I can't physically reach the attic space above my TV room. Before I moved in, years ago, I wired the house for audio and networking (just before wireless routers became popular), and found that I could not pass through some cross beams to get over the TV room even though I'm skinny. So I had to snake wire beneath the carpet and up the walls instead of going down the inside of the walls like I wanted. I certainly can't run wires up to a projector (on the inside of the room), even if the projector could attach to the ceiling without someone having to be above the ceiling.

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Welp, as Pepe has pointed out

by jostenmeat Oct 9, 2008 6:10AM PDT

it really all boils down the individual consumer, his viewing habits, and his source material.

PJ has no glare, but just as bad is that ambient light will kill contrast, exponentially.

Ok, so you know I like PJ's value. The reason I often throw in the 42" is for background TV, news, etc. Even for more "serious" programming, I often find TV programming to be less than ideal, if not just downright overcompressed anyways.

So, you gotta ask yourself, what do you mostly watch? Even if you mostly watched daytime TV, would you sacrifice that performance to get "ultimate" night-time movie watching? Only you can answer.

My PJ sits on top of a bookshelf. I want get into details of my situation, but getting my PJ closer to viewer's height is ideal, as I use a "retro-reflective" screen. (emulsified glass beads, multiplies your brightness by 2.8x if sitting relatively on axis. I think dead-on, which is impossibly, might be a bit over 3 in fact).

just something to consider, and ignore, like I said. I just want you to know that its quite reasonable within budget, if completely unreasonable for your habits.

graph for 20/20 viewers
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v471/tha_trixta/resolution2.png

viewing angle calculator
http://myhometheater.homestead.com/viewingdistancecalculator.html

you can see THX recommends 36 deg. I opt for 42 degrees, particularly because 95% of my viewing is with aspect ratios that are smaller than 16:9. 100% movies here.

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I'd also like to add

by jostenmeat Oct 9, 2008 6:14AM PDT

that the costs of bulbs are expensive. Expect to replace bulb every 1k hours, at the cost of $300-400.

This is another reason why I recommend the cheap flat panel to many persons. Two bulbs = free Panny 42". I myself forgo TV altogether now.

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No, seriously

by OjLeno Oct 9, 2008 6:13AM PDT

You've got me thinking...

Are there projectors which allow for the streaming of wireless (video) data to be sent to the projector itself (from where all the AV equipment is in the room)? Cause if so, this is something I'm definitely going to check out.

If you CAN install projectors safely WITHOUT having to get into the attic above, and there are "wireless" projectors... ahh, nevermind. Still need a power source. Well, are there wireless projectors you can install without having to be on the attic side of the ceiling? Right now, I'm wondering if it is possible to just drill a hole and run a snake from the room, through the attic, to the point where I CAN reach the snake and attach an extension cord. I still can't actually get over the room itself though. Hmm

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Wireless=performance hit

by Pepe7 Oct 10, 2008 2:55AM PDT

Wired is still vastly preferable to any wireless setup passing along HD signals. AFAIK we haven't crossed that bridge just yet to affordable wireless consumer HD video applications as you've described.

I also suggest you visit a specialized home theater shop in your city to view in person what was suggested regarding ambient light affecting the overall contrast of a projection system. They are awesome, but you & your housemates/family might prefer going the standard route of a large flat panel. Heck, take them along with your when you scope out the new equipment. But remember to feed them first- that's how you get them in the correct mood for purchase .

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My own warped 2-cents

by Dan Filice Oct 10, 2008 5:59AM PDT

Reflection is obviously caused by incoming light from windows, etc., but some TVs are better at not causing reflection. These TVs, like my Sony, have a nice matte glass over the display, while others have shiny glass that reflect like a mirror.
I've seen projection systems in friend's homes that are stunning, but they aren't for everyone because they aren't mobile. Once they're setup, don't think about changing their location. This is probably what's kept a lot of people from going in this direction, plus I think many people just want something that's more familiar to a traditional TV.
As far as 720p vs. 1080p, I own both, and both are good, but my 1080p TV is a 55" and I think once you get into 50" and above, 1080p will be better. But more than that, 1080p is the "best" resolution available for a TV today and BluRay players output at 1080p, so if you bought a 720p TV and had it hooked up to a 1080p DVD player, don't you think you'd be asking yourself "I wonder how much better this might look if my TV was 1080p?" So, since almost all new TVs are 1080p, why not go for the best resolution available so that you won't be obsolete for at least a year.

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52" lcd

by empire29 Oct 19, 2008 1:53PM PDT

My suggestion for you is going to be a 52" 1080p @ 120hz LCD that supports 5:5 pulldown (and does frame interpolation of course) with a matte screen to reduce glare. With this criteria the best HDTV is the Toshiba REGZA 52XV545U. Now I know Toshiba doesnt normally pop into your mind when you think HDTV (like Samsung or Sony) but the REGZA line is very high quality, and even uses Samsung LCD panels. The reason I like the 52XV545U is:

1) has frame-interpolation and 5:5 pulldown support
2) matte screen to reduce glare
3) simple yet elegant trim (unlike the red/blue samsung ToC)
5) SRT technology - upconverts non-HD signals to "near HD" quality
6) 50,000:1 contrast ratio (just like the Samsungs)
7) sells for under your $3000 budget

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I wasn't impressed by this HDTV...

by Pepe7 Oct 20, 2008 12:54AM PDT

...or any other of that particular line of Toshibas. It may be a Sammy panel but you can see the PQ difference clear as day if you do a side by side comparison with (for example) the Samsung A650 plasma. Again, as this topic has been beaten like a dead horse, focusing on those contrast ratio numbers does nothing to help the OP since it in no way relates to picture quality.

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