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General discussion

need help.HDTV Decision. SEEKING YOUR EXPERT INPUT :-)

Dec 12, 2004 6:13AM PST

I'm looking got buy a wide screen, HDTV. I'm leaning toward projection because of the aggresive price point.

I would like any input on which tv to get. Here are my wants and needs.

1. I would like a very good price for a very good set. It doesn't to be top of the line; however, I want the best for my money. So what wide-screen projection TV is the best value today? I do plan on subscribing to HDTV via Charter communications in my area.

I am most interested in
- Picture quality
- longevity/life of tv
- Value on the dollar

I'm not totally bent on the bells and whistles such as;
- PIP
- tons of inputs
- style or status

Obviously, the bigger the screen the better, but I would be satisfied with at least 44".


So, I would look forward to your opinions getting into this, I'd like to get something the week of Christmas..

Thanks in advance,
AJ

Discussion is locked

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Re: need help.HDTV Decision. SEEKING YOUR EXPERT INPUT
Dec 14, 2004 3:51AM PST

I went through the same thing as you back in the summer. I ended up buying a widescreen rear-projection DLP TV. Specifically I bought the Samsung HL-P5063W. I spent a lot of time comparing rear-projection LCD vs. DLP, and I found DLP to have a slightly better picture. But that's just my eye. I have loved my Samsung and I would buy another in a heartbeat. Rear-projection LCD and DLP don't have burn-in, which is a plus. They are small in weight (my 50" is only 72 pounds). The only downside I can see is that you have the replace the bulb every 3-4 years. The Zenith rear-projection LCD 44" is now under $2000 at most Best Buy stores, which is a good price. If you have any more questions, email me: starr21@nycap.rr.com

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CRTs, if your looking for the best price.
Dec 14, 2004 4:53AM PST
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CRT's only up to 40"
Dec 14, 2004 11:25AM PST

And the 40" Sony CRT weighs WAY over 200 pounds. Plus it's huge, depth-wise. My 50" DLP was a good price, ~70 pounds, and is 14" deep.

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CRT REAR PROJECTION
Dec 14, 2004 3:37PM PST

i agreed that CRT rear projection are larger (approx. 2' deep) and heavier (apprx. 200lbs) then the DLP/LCD counterparts. i considered these points before buying my 51 HITACHI CRT. thanks to the popularity of the DLPs/LCDs, you can save 30%/40% on average with CRTs. as far as the weight is concern, the stores do deliver, the CRT units have wheels and how often do you to move your tv? overall picture quality is consider to be the better of the 3. if you have the floor space, the long standing CRTs deserve serious considerations. the latest technology may not always be the best technology, in my opinion.

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Maybe I have bad eyes, but..
Dec 16, 2004 5:06AM PST

to me CRT Rear Projection has an awful, awful picture. There is fade-off, burn in, color discrepancies, etc. I went to 10 different stores when looking for TV and only a Mitsubishi even came remotely close to a rear-projection LCD/DLP. For a few hundred bucks more, you can get a quality rear-projection LCD with no fade-off, no burn in, and great color. It's worth the price.

Maybe it's a NY thing or just the 10 or so stores I went to, but most would deliver within a certain radius for free, but after that there was a hefty delivery charge. And that doesn't include having the guy (or guys, in the case of a 200 lb. CRT) carry it into your house/apartment for you.

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NO YOU DONT HAVE BAD EYES.
Dec 17, 2004 2:24AM PST

bottom line is that everybody has their own taste. no matter which way you go, every type of HDTV has a downside. despite the fact i was intially looking for a DLP, i when with a top of the line CRT at 40% less instead. retail showrooms vary on their ability to adjust their HDTVs for display. i rely more on experts who arent looking to sell you something(CNET). speaking of which, here is they're opinion. http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6463_7-5023901-4.html?tag=txt