New TV

[gramps]

Does anyone have any pros or cons on the newer TVs on the market. We are looking for a rear projection LCD 50". The Sony Grand Wega seems to be in all the stores near us. I have heard that the Samsung is rated #1. Any thoughts?

[Scottes]

I've always believed that Sonys were over-priced, but they always seem to work. Just my opinion.

What about all the rest of the components you have? I find that mis-matching components can be a pain - I have 6 components, 5 different brands, and I need 4 remotes to control them all. From now on I'll only buy Sony, just to get a single remote that will do everything needed on a normal day. (Yes, I know about the programmable ones.)

[mbze430]

Personally I don't like LCD or Plasma, because I notice the "screen door effect". Just place your face against a screen door, and thats how I see plasma and lcd.

I personally own DLPs. But not samsung, but Panasonic. However 10% of the population might see the "rainbow effect" with DLP single color wheel unit. You can try this by position yourself in front of the DLP unit, than look 80 degrees to your left or right and see if you start seeing rainbow from the edge of your eyes.

CRT is still the best. They have the best black point. LCD is the worse. You can never get true black. The best I have seen is IRE 20 from a LCD.

[roanjohn]

I just bought a Panasonic 34 widescreen CRT - its pretty good..........and its HDTV ready...........Just very very heavy though!!!

Ro1

[Belmondo]

We just bought a 50" Mitsubishi Diamond DLP HD set---my first experience with HD, and it's incredible.

[Persian-Rice]

Some TV tech told me that projection LCD is the way to go. I'm still waiting for our tv to die so we can get one.

[FlipsidE]

Well it depends. My guess is that, since you are considering the Grand Wega, you are looking into HDTV. Keep in mind that there are five different types of HDTV's (I'm leaving out front projection)

CRT
LCD
CRT Rear Projection (CRT-RPTV)
DLP Rear Projection (DLP-RPTV)
LCD Rear PRojection (LCD-RPTV)

First you need to decide which type of TV you want. Compare and contrast the types and brands, and then make your purchase. Each has its pros and cons. IMO, I don't think rear projection is really quite ready yet. I think it needs a bit more work. Either way, check out www.hometheaterforum.com. You don't have to register to view the site, and honestly, you can get most of the info you need just from browsing topics.

I recently went with a Samsung 26" Widescreen CRT HDTV. I decided that, while I wanted to get into HDTV, I wanted to wait until rear projection really comes into its own. It's gettin close...just not quite there yet.

FlipsidE

[FlipsidE]

Some TV tech told me that projection LCD is the way to go. I'm still waiting for our tv to die so we can get one.
Buddy of mine bought a DLP but ended up being one of those that suffered from seeing the dreaded "Rainbow Effect" that DLP's can cause. He went with a Grand Wega Rear Projection LCD and absolutely loves it!

FlipsidE

[FlipsidE]

To ellaborate.

CRT - Tried and true. They work, we all know they work, and a good CRT is going to have a great, clear, crisp picture. The only real downside to the CRT HDTV's is that they have a size limit. I don't think you're going to find a CRT HDTV over 40".

LCD - Thin and low profie. The downside is that they can have ghosting issues caused by low response times as well as the dreaded dead pixels.

CRT-RPTV - Again, these are tried and true. The picture may not be quite as crisp as some other types of RPTV's, but they do look good! The downside is that they are HUGE and VERY heavy!

DLP-RPTV - They are thin, light, low profile, and have a very crisp picture for a projection television. Unfortunately, because of how they work, they can case something called the "Rainbow Effect." From what I've heard, not many people suffer from the rainbow effect, but it can happen. Here's an excerpt taken from extremetech.com

"The rainbow effect appears as a momentary flash of rainbow-like striping typically trailing the bright objects when looking from one side of the screen to the other quickly, or when quickly looking away from the TV to an offscreen object."

LCD-RPTV - These are, again, very light, thin, and low profile. And, while I'm not sure, I don't think the ghosting issues play as much of a part in these. But, you still have the possibility of the dreaded "Dead Pixels."

As you can see, I truly believe that RPTV really has a good while before it comes into its own. Give it another 5 or so years, and I think we'll really see a large improvement in RP Technology. If you can hold off at around 30" to 36", I'd recommend a CRT for the time being. If you want over 40", then you must decide which pros and cons you are willing to live with.

FlipsidE

[IanD]

I've always believed that Sonys were over-priced, but they always seem to work. Just my opinion.

What about all the rest of the components you have? I find that mis-matching components can be a pain - I have 6 components, 5 different brands, and I need 4 remotes to control them all. From now on I'll only buy Sony, just to get a single remote that will do everything needed on a normal day. (Yes, I know about the programmable ones.)
Scott,
If you want the ultimate remote, look here:
ww.harmonyremote.com (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm?PATH=products/features/harmony&CRID=2078&PAGE=products/features/harmony&REF=CRID=2078&countryid=2&languageid=1)
I picked one up last year and this thing really works with 99% of the equipment out there. You DL your equipment profiles from their web site and voila! 1 remote for everything. It can even open the garage door:):)

[Fills]

I won't get into the tech details, but I bought the 50" LCD RP Grand Wega and bottom line is I love it. It's very clear on standard cable, and unreal (or more real I guess :D ) with HDTV and DVD. I was 80% in favour of DLP but the more reviews I read, the more I got scared away. I do not regret the Sony.

[FlipsidE]

Fills,

With as complex as DLP's are, I have NO IDEA how they don't break constantly. I am very tentative to even think about buying one of those...they are just insanely fragile....like A LOT more fragile than the inner workings our digital cameras. My only guess is that DLP's are very well built.

FlipsidE

[PacAce]

I still have an old TV set from the 50's. It allows me to watch all the old TV shows that I used watch when I was a kid -- you know, those really wholesome TV shows. I'm going to keep it for as long as the tube lasts. :p

:mrgreen: :lol: :mrgreen:

[musthavemuzk]

wow
mention of hometheatreforum.
had not heard any thing of that in a year or so.
as car audio is my thing and many guys do both in car and in home setups.
so ya run Adire substage or speaks then?

would love HD, but do not watch near enough TV to justify the cost. of the tv and of the programming.

Monty

[timmyquest]

Some TV tech told me that projection LCD is the way to go. I'm still waiting for our tv to die so we can get one.

I hear hammers work pretty well...

[Citizensmith]

When am I going to be able to get one of those new fangles holographic TVs that show up in SciFi movies, or occasionally as protopypes in science shows.

and a 3D camcorder to go with it. :)

I guess for now I'll stick with my 27" CRT. It's not like I really watch TV.

[mbze430]

I am in the process of selling off my old junk in my masterbed room to create a new HT in there. My old setup was bulky and ancient. But I think I am going with a DLP front projector this time around.

Only if they make a $10k 3 color DLP....sigh....