Metro273

I'm looking to purchase a tv that's larger than 50". I need help deciding which kind to buy: Plasma, LCD, projection & so on. Name brand also would help and if you are wondering, I'd like to keep it under 3 grand. Come on people, help me decide...

AKgoalie7

I say go with lcd or DLP Projection......

there's no way you're getting plasma 50" for under 3k.... I wouldn't do plasma anyways.. just wayyy to expensive.. I would honestly go with a DLP projection HDTV.... tha'ts what i'm getting soon.

iyzmi

I would say flat LCD, not projection, but for 50" or more that would cost a lot... Plus, non-projection LCD's are hard to find.

ILLCRXSI

They typically don't make lcd's over 40" anything over that is usually plasma. You can get a 50" plasma for under 3 grand if you look around. Circuit city usually has the best deals. You won't get a t.v. with a cable card for 3 grand but i don't see why that would stop anyone anyway. It basically comes down to how much room you want to take up. DLP would be cheaper but i would get the plasma. I just bought a 32" lcd and i can say that nothing beats being able to carry your t.v. under one arm.
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Zenit...oductDetail.do

grizzly_choppers

Are you gaming with it? If so, forget about plasma. Read up on it and you'll find that plasma burns in really easy if you have a life bar or map or something like that on the screen.

I just went with a Magnavox DLP HDTV (50") myself. It's really sweet and it's not that big (front to back). You can't hang it on the wall, but it's not one of the gigantic cabinets that most projections used to be.

I just saw the one I got advertised at Best Buy for $1799. It looks fantastic on both TV and games.

Here's the one I got:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1110265593054

cmndrjamesbond

Get a 1080p DLP. 1080p is 1080 progressive scan lines, versus the 720p that is more common on earlier DLPs and all LCD based displays. CRT HDTVs often use 1080i, which is also inferior as it is interlaced. Samsung and Mitsubishi both have models out.

Overstock.com is selling a Toshiba 56" 1080p DLP for under 3k. This is a great deal, as many 720 DLPs still go for that much. The manufacturer of the DLP is really unimportant, as they all use the same TI chip.

http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2....ROD_ID=1735415

ILLCRXSI

the burn in problems with plasma t.v.'s has been pretty much eliminated. an extended warranty would cover you if anything did go wrong. and if you're going to spend that much on a t.v. i would get the warranty.

^^^^^^^^^1080p is better than the 1080i that most plasmas have, but once again it's really going to come down to size. each has it's pros and cons the two defining ones being price and size. either is within your range so it's up to you to decide what works better for you. DLP's aren't as big as old projection tv's but theyre still pretty large. I still vote for plasma. teH fLattsCReen oWns jOO

cmndrjamesbond

Plasmas never come in 1080i. As they aren't CRT based, there is no reason for them to be interlaced. Furthermore, even though many of them claim to be 1080i compatible, this is not the same as 1080i. Most plasmas are either 1280x720 (720p), 1280x768, 1024x1024 or 1024x768. 1080i is 1920x1080 interlaced (meaning you get 60 fps of 1920x540. 1080p is 1920x1080 with 30 fps of 1920x1080. Show me a plasma that supports resolutions this high.
Another thing you have to realize with plasmas is that many of the cheaper ones you see are really EDTVs (720x480). While this is optimized for the current generation of DVDs, you would only have a minimal advantage over a conventional TV for viewing HD content. BluRay DVDs are going to support 1080p, so why go with something inferior.
The three types that I have seen that support 1080p so far are the TI based DLPs, Sony's 1080p LCOS TVs, and flat panel LCDs. Westinghouse and BenQ both have 37" flat panel 1080p displays that retail for under 2000. I believe they both have 42" models on the way.
Before you start knocking Westinghouse and BenQ, realize that everyone has their LCDs produced in the same factories now. The same panel that Westinghouse and BenQ currently use will soon be showing up in Sonys that cost twice as much. With LCDs, you are paying for the name, not the quality.

ILLCRXSI

^^^^^^^^

Kilo6_one

COSTCO............they have a great price on tv's
check bsetbuy too, i have noticed since Xmas prices are dropping again

A brand to consider, zeinith makes a great TV for the price

THansenite

I have personally seen grizzly_choppers TV and it is amazing. I was sitting up really close to it and the picture was still very crisp. I would recommend taking a look at one like he got. Good luck though, whatever you go with.

Metro273

I don't plan on playing games with it BUT...
This one does look like a great buy, I'll probably take a look at it this week since I have a Best Buy like 2 miles down the street from me. Thanks for posting it...

Scion05BOPxB

Toshiba 50HP95, 50" Plasma HDTV will be wall mounted in the basement of my new house.

Screen burn in from gaming isn't really an issue anymore unless you fall asleep... for about 1.5 days.

WagenMaster

jamesbond definitely knows what he's talking about. I work in Sam's Club's electronics and can tell you what they have.....there's a Vizio 50" Plasma for $2800, and similar Panasonic and Samsung units in the low-mid $3k range. The largest lcd we carry is a 37", but you can find SEVERAL lcd projection units for under $2k that are 50" or more.

I personally would go with that 50" plasma if size is a necessity, otherwise go with a dlp.

Just shop around and look at the image quality of the units. I think Circuit City price matches and takes off an additional 10% too...

pillage

Sharp makes LCD's in 45 and a 65 inch but way over the range you are looking.

Pioneer Elite plasma tv's will produce very high res levels.

There is a whole lot more and just if the point was not made you should not have any burn in problems from video games. I know this because I play games on my plasma a lot.

If you find a plasma under the 2k mark it is more then likely ED not HD and remember even though most think they come from the same place....YOU GET WHAT YOU PLAY FOR....they are not all made in the same place just may use the same glass panels or little things like that...

If anyone cares or is wondering how I know this things I am a Home Theatre Manager...so if you or anyone else has questions please feel free to ask....ultimately good luck.

Scion05BOPxB

I'm a Home Theater Manager too... as long as I can keep the remote out of my wifes' hands. j/p.

pillage

Well thats a diff topic all in itself.. lol.....I just trying to help....

doctorcue

Well, this is my opinion:

If you want 50"+ for less; I would recommend DLP. You can get many of the 720P sets for a good price now. That being said, yes, there are a few manufacturers selling 1080p sets (Samsung being my personal favorite). Yet... there aren't any devices out-putting 1080p just yet (possibly Blu-ray or HD-DVD players, but I have yet to see a spec sheet on one). So, a 1080p set will just upconvert all the incoming HD signals to a 1080p output. The picture does look better on 1080p sets, just know it isn't true.

As for plasma they have all but minimilzed the ghost effects. LCD's are a good monitor choice as they are really durable (won't burn-in). I got a LCD tv for it's performance, size, & application (I use it as my Mac monitor also).

All of the different technologies have their pro's & con's. Just take some time to research it and you should find a good fit. Check Circuit City, Costco, & Amazon. If you really want the ultra-geek breakdown, do some reading here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/. Just be ready for TONS of info. I read through so much prior to buying my Samsung LCD.

HTH & good luck. You have two weeks to the Super Bowl!