I think I want to get a rear projection since they don't get burn in and you can go pretty big for cheaper. Seems like Plasmas wear out too quickly for me.

I'm trying to decide between the Samsung DLPs and the Sony WEGAs. Any of you guys experienced in this field that can help me out?

7/7/2006 8:43:21 AM

whats your price range?

7/7/2006 8:48:12 AM

not too horribly experience but i do know this:

sony == $$$$

7/7/2006 8:48:14 AM

^^ not much over $2000

7/7/2006 8:49:05 AM

Consumer Reports has all the WEGAs ranked higher than the Samsungs. The prices all seem to be comparable.

7/7/2006 9:04:21 AM

pops has the 55 grand wega and its the hot shit

7/7/2006 9:08:20 AM

where did you read that a rear projection set won't suffer from burn in?

7/7/2006 9:14:17 AM

well, a rear projection set (LCD or DLP projection) does not have any tubes. Therefore, they are impossible to burn-in. Think about it, you've just got a light shining through some color-making device (color wheel or LCD) and onto a screen. Nothing to burn in.


I have a Toshiba 52HM84 (DLP). I considered the Samsungs, IMHO they're some of the best looking DLPs out there. Pretty much comparable to Plasmas. I went with Toshiba cuz it was teh cheap, and pretty much as good looking as the Samsung.

Only complaint I've got with my TV, is that there is a minor delay ONLY noticeable when playing video games. It is due to the TV converting the output from the PS2 (480i --> 720p), and it's only a problem on time-sensitive games (like Madden kicks, for example).

replacement bulbs can be an issue w/ DLP, but I've had mine for 1-1/2 years w/original bulb, and it gets quite a bit of use.

hope that helps.

7/7/2006 9:30:20 AM

Quote :

"LCD or DLP projection"

thats kind of important right there, since there are more ways to do rear projection than just that.

7/7/2006 9:50:17 AM

There's also the issue of the newer models coming out now supporting 1080P, so I'm not sure if it is worth it to spend the extra grand just for that. I'm not even sure when 1080P will even be used. Any more info would be greatly appreciated.

7/7/2006 9:58:30 AM

When you finally get real Hi-Def, the 1080p will be worth every penny.

7/7/2006 10:10:28 AM

^ Why do you say that? 1080P isn't even supposed to be broadcasted or on video fromat for years.

7/7/2006 10:26:48 AM

^ What the hell are you talking about? You can have 1080p today if you have the cash. Or did you somehow miss the whole HD-DVD/Blueray thing?

7/7/2006 10:35:27 AM

Here are some things to consider.

HD-TV is not currently broadcast in 1080p. There is a major issue with the increased bandwith needed for this signal, not to mention a need to upgrade existing broadcast equipment. It could be another 5-10 years before it is a viable option. Even then, I find it hard to believe that there won't be some diminishing returns in quality going from 1080i/720p to 1080p.

HD-DVD and Blu-Ray will also eventually offer 1080p support. Blu-Ray should already. The last time I checked HD-DVD was alot further behind. I'm personally going to wait until the HD-DVD/Blu-Ray war plays out unless I drop the cash on a PS3.

Make sure the 1080p TVs you are looking at actually support 1080p instead of just upconverting lower sources. I've read that alot of what is out there don't actually support it.

I haven't researched the prices lately on the 1080p sets. If the added cost is minimal, go for it. Personally, if the difference was like 500 bucks to a grand, I would pass.

[Edited on July 7, 2006 at 10:39 AM. Reason : ]

[Edited on July 7, 2006 at 10:41 AM. Reason : ]

7/7/2006 10:37:52 AM

We have some giant ass 51" flat screen sony (not plasma) hdtv extravaganza and a 40something" Dell Plasma and I like the Dell better. I know you're not looking for a plasma, but with the Sony, it's kind of weird. It's maybe about 4-4.5 feet tall and the colors and picture looks darker unless you're sitting at actual eye level with it. I'm probably going to get a 20-30ish" LCD sometime soon that is wall mountable or on one of those little tripod stands to save space.

7/7/2006 10:40:44 AM

I own a Sony 50A10 (50") HDTV and absolutely love it. The VGA input is perfect for hooking up my HTPC, and the quality is outstanding. Renders HD television signals perfectly and does an *outstanding* job of making standard def. TV watchable and the Intelligent "Wide Zoom" does an amazing job of zooming standard def. signals to fit the screen w/o distorting the image very much.

I'd recommend my exact TV, escp. since the newest Sony models just went on sale and you can probably find a bargain on this one.

7/7/2006 10:46:20 AM

Thanks for all that info Hydro. That will help me out a lot. The price difference for upgrading to 1080p is definitely about $600+, and since I mainly will be using it to watch football, looks like I will be fine with 720p for a while.

That 50A10 looks like a pretty hot tv actually at a decent price. I'm going to look more into that.

Hydro, you seem to know a lot about it. If you were to drop up to $2500 bucks on a rear projection HDTV, what would you go with?

7/7/2006 11:53:23 AM

i've got the 50" Samsung DLP. With the TV and service plan I paid I think 1800 for it at Best Buy. It is a kickass TV.

7/7/2006 12:07:44 PM

I haven't seriously looked at TVs in over a year, so I don't really know. The Sony 50A10 is one of the highest ranked 50 inches on consumer reports and is only 1800. Like Southpaw said, you might want to go with that or read up on some of the newer models. You can probably get a pretty solid 55 inch for that much money.

[Edited on July 7, 2006 at 12:10 PM. Reason : ]

7/7/2006 12:09:06 PM

Yeah, I'm looking at the 55" Grand WEGA™ model KDF-E55A20. It sells at Best Buy for $2100. I'm not really sure what the difference is between this one and the 50" Wega listed above, or really the difference between "Wega" and Grand Wega." Seems like a good deal though. I think I may have to go with Sony over the DLPs.

7/7/2006 12:56:23 PM

my girlfriend got a 30" widescreen HD Advent tv for 400 bucks and the picture is perfect

7/7/2006 3:04:00 PM

sigh.... Sony is so overpriced....

7/7/2006 3:04:58 PM

not to be one of those "Wrong Message Board n00b" guys... but you should take this to Tech Talk where all the nerds hang out... they'll argue for a long, long, long time about what tv is best but somewhere in it all you'll get some good info

7/7/2006 3:06:17 PM

i have a 51" toshiba and my friend has the same tv but the 65" version. Never had a prob with either. THey are a lot cheaper than sonys are too

7/7/2006 3:11:58 PM

^^^ but this is one of the things they actually still do well. so stfu

7/7/2006 3:31:38 PM

Keep in mind that the size of the TB affects the optimal viewing distance... if you are going to have this TV sitting relatively close (like the short distance of a rectangular living room or a second bedroom) then don't get something like a 55" because you are probably going to be too close to get the best view.

7/7/2006 3:56:53 PM

yea i decided to go with the rear projection for the same reasons, burn ins and price. Like I said i got the 50" samsung DLP, which was by far the most popular rear projection tv when i worked at best buy.

My dad bought a 42" Panasonic plasma. The picture is amazing on it, but I just can't see spending that much money and risking burn in's.

7/7/2006 3:59:32 PM

Yeah my sister bought a Pioneer Elite series plasma for like $8,000 and while it is beautiful, they were a tad upset when minor burn-in issues emerged. They mainly notice it when watching sports.

7/7/2006 4:03:36 PM

^lol, yea i can see how that would make you upset. Those are about the best TVs you'll find in stores around raleigh right now though.

7/7/2006 4:47:38 PM

any SONY is good. i got the WEGA not HDTV, but a solid TV nontheless. i've had it since 2000.

7/7/2006 5:08:36 PM

http://www.cnet.com/4520-7874_1-5102926-1.html?tag=arw

7/7/2006 6:11:21 PM

Go with the WEGA, it's your best bet I'd say... Speaking from experience I've had two of these. They are excellent TV's

7/7/2006 9:17:03 PM

You may think my opinion may be baised because I work for Toshiba but they are the BEST!

7/8/2006 12:50:45 AM

I would get the Sony...Sony electronics are always good. I work at Sears and sell TVs and I'd def go with the Sony. They have a great customer satisfaction rate, and I hardly have any returns on them. I like the Samsung Dlps as well, but I have gotten better feedback off of Sony Wegas.

7/9/2006 3:15:15 PM

I've considered getting an hd projector for my house when it is built soon, what do yall think?

this isn't for primary viewing, just movies and when people are over

I'll buy a regular TV for casual viewing

7/9/2006 4:03:36 PM

Ive mentioned this in the forums somewhere but HP TV's are some of the only TV's to truely support 1080p. HP's creation of Wobulation is something to consider as well.

However, you will be spending >$2,000 on those. Check out their LCD and Plasma TV's in BB. Im going to snag the 42' plasma for about $1,200 with my corp discount as soon as I return to NC and dont haveto transport that bad boy. PM for more info if interested.

7/9/2006 4:10:34 PM

HP TVs have the worst black levels though, and don't look as good for non-HD as some of the other brands. Plus they are uglier.

And what does them creating a DLP technology have to do with their LCDs/plasmas?

[Edited on July 9, 2006 at 7:05 PM. Reason : ]

7/9/2006 7:04:48 PM

Plasmas are better these days. The half life is something like 60,000 hours in the new models.

[Edited on July 9, 2006 at 7:40 PM. Reason : -]

7/9/2006 7:40:12 PM

slut said:

Quote :

"but this is one of the things they actually still do well. so stfu"

did I fuck your girlfriend or something? If so, I'm sorry...

I never said Sony didn't do TVs well, I think they make great quality stuff for the most part. Their stuff is still ridiculously overpriced.

7/10/2006 10:11:27 AM