Plasma or LCD TV 42"

[Markster]

Anyone have one of these and suggestion on brand/price?

I have a Toshiba 48" projection that was bought in 1994 and is in good shape. Thought about upgrading to a slim TV that could hang from wall or ceiling.

[gcantu]

I don't know what your budget may be but, if I had the money I would go with a plasma. Picture is alot better when you go to HD. Pioneer has a 60''HD Plasma Elite series Television for about $8,000.

[Joe]

I don't have funds available for either one of them, but I have done a bunch of research lately. My tv crapped out on me last week. Plasmas are the only ones that can be hung from a wall or ceiling, but they're exensive - news flash!!! Plasmas can also experience burn-in just like a tube or rear projection tv. You can't watch a letterbox movie on the widescreen, the picture has to be stretched so that it will cover the entire screen. This is kind of awkward. LCD's don't burn in and the only thing to go out on a LCD is a light bulb that is simple to replace. The phosphors can burn completely out on a plasma over time. The newest thing is DLP which don't burn either. Sony can't be beat either way. Sony XBR is even higher quality, but expect to pay about $800 more for the XBR. Costco has a Panasonic 40"(not bad) for $1999. If money is not object, Bjorns has a LCD/DLP in 80" for $19999. If you're going to get that 80" you might as well get about seven of those surround sound speakers for $10000 each. I think Bjorn's had a 42" Sony LCD (not XBR) for $2699, that's a good deal.

Good luck, Joe

[Markster]

Another thought is to buy a data projector and use the wall or a drop down screen.

[TexasState]

Please try http://www.hometheateradvice.com/
http://www.avsforum.com/
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/
Stay away from those sub-$3K Plasma for sure!
You can get the screen for pretty cheap ($100 to $200) that will make your movies looks much better. For entry level projector with good bulb life & cheap bulb replacement price (~$300) try Infocus X1 Projector from Dell :
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/p...95-0-0-0-vccue
They have special once in a blue moon where you can get the Infocus X1 projector for $720 to $800 shipped from Dell. If you have more money laying around, then go with those $2K to $4K projectors.

The downside to projectos is that your room must be absolutely dark (reef tank interference?)

[Markster]

Thanks for the tips - VinH

[PsychFish13]

If you can wait 6 months do it!!! LCD technology is about to get revised. The new technology with drop the price and picture quality will be exponentially better. Plasmas have an effective life fo 7 years. This means that after 7 years they will be less than 50% as bright as they were new. There is no way to repair this other that replacement. LCD is a repairable technology. The above is true about burn in. Dell has a nice 30" that was released yesterday and is awesome. The NEC is also nice. The have a 40 inch that is very pretty. I have yet to see them side by side to compare. I guess it really depends on what you will be using it for. You might also look at a DLP projector as they are very adjustable in size. The problem with the projector is a 2000hr bulb that cost 200-500 bucks.

If you are wondering... I consult on computer perpherials and stuff like this all **** day.

I also just bought a rear projection 63" 2 months ago. It was a steal and nothing is worth the $$$ right now.


For parties... I borrow a projector.

[jeffsebern]

Just tagging along.
Real quick, used to work for home theater store in Htown. Had a customer burn through his plasma in two years. He used it for watching tickertape stock symbols at his office. He never turned it off. The clock hours that were stated by the manufacturer were derived using some algorythem(sp) so who knows how long the plasma gas will last. Kinda sucks that you have the feeling of "oh I better turn off the tv I m using up my clock hours". Fro the record, yes I still want one, but I cannot afford it right now. Anyone know anything about Zenith TVs?