Name Brand HDTV for under $1000?

Q. I'm looking to buy an HDTV by a name brand (Sony, LG, Panasonic, Samsung) around 50-55" for under a grand. Can anybody tell me who makes the best budget TV's?
so i'm leaning toward a panasonic and i found these two deals i'm considering.

1) Panasonic - VIERA / 50" Class / 1080p / 600Hz / Plasma HDTV
Model: TC-P50G20
about $1200 from bestbuy

2)Panasonic Viera 54" Widescreen 1080p Plasma HDTV - 2,000,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio
Model: TC-P54S2
about $970 from buy.com

it appears that the only major pluses with #2 are the size and price. it's lacking in many of the extra features (internet capability, USB ports, higher contrast ratio, etc.)
do you think it makes more sense to spend an extra 240 bucks for the better quality tv that's a couple inches smaller?

A. You'll have a better chance of maintaining that price with plasma than with LCD/LED. Here are the top rated 50 inch plasma sets from Consumer Reports, in order:

1. LG Infinia 50PK750 suggested price $1050
2. Samsung PN50C6500 $1200
3. LG 50PK540 $780
4. Panasonic Viera TC-50U2 $800

Here are the rankings among LCD/LED sets, and I've eliminated those that are way beyond $1000:

6. Sanyo DP52440 $1000
7. Samsung LN52C530 $1170
9. Hitachi Ultravision L555604 $1100

Note that the above LCDs are in the "budget" category, as they have the fluorescent backlight system, not LEDs.
----------------
Per your Additional Details: as for your two cited choices, you'll have to decide whether those special functions are worth the added cost. How important is that to you?

Another observation: Buy.com is an on-line seller, right? To each their own, but my choice is to only buy a TV from a local walk-in store, so that I can easily and promptly take it back for a refund when I open the box and the TV is unsatisfactory for some reason. (It's happened.) That also avoids shipping damage. On-line sellers, especially Amazon, are ordinarily good about taking care of such problems, but it involves time, bother, reshipping hassle, and maybe expense.

Original Question

What's the best quality HDTV under $1000?

Q. Although I'm fairly tech-friendly when it comes to computers, my head is spinning from all the HDTV advice out there. I'm simply looking for an HDTV with the best picture and most reliability for the lowest price. Could someone please break it down into the simplest terms for me?
The size question was raised. We're replacing a 32" TV with something bigger, but we haven't determined how much bigger. We have a large area to work, so size is pretty flexible.

A. Plasma has the best picture qualities!

They have the highest native contrast ratios(40,000:1), giving them the blackest blacks and most vivid and rich looking colors! They also have the fastest response times(.001ms) and fastest refresh rates(600hz), making them the best at fast motion content like sports, movies and gaming!

Plasma's are also the most affordable HDTV per screen size and no longer have problems with burn-in or energy consumption. For more info and facts, see this website: http://www.plasma-lcd-facts.co.uk/

However, you didn't specify what size range you are looking for. This is an important factor when searching for TV's. Plasma TV's don't come in sizes smaller then 42", so if you're looking for something 40" or less...LCD is your only option! Go with these brands of LCD; Panasonic, Samsung, LG, Sony, Sharp or Toshiba.

However, if you are looking for something 42" or larger, i highly recommend going with a Panasonic Plasma TV. Panasonic is the best performing and most reliable brand of HDTV i've ever seen!

Here are some recommendations for you:

This is their entry level, energy efficient model(TC-P42U1): http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9244301&type=product&id=1218066284214

This is a mid-level, energy efficient model(TC-P42S1): http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9317287&type=product&id=1218084032650

If you would like to see more, check these out! http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_dynSessConf=-4917890889582287728&id=pcat17080&type=page&lcn=TV+%26+Video&sc=TVVideoSP&st=processingtime%3A%3E1900-01-01&usc=abcat0100000&cp=1&sp=%2Bcurrentprice+skuid&nrp=19&qp=crootcategoryid%23%23-1%23%23-1%7E%7Ecabcat0100000%23%234%23%23wu%7E%7Ecabcat0101000%23%237%23%236d%7E%7Ecabcat0101001%23%230%23%233j%7E%7Ef312%7C%7C506c61736d6120466c61742d50616e656c%7E%7Eq70726f63657373696e6774696d653a3e313930302d30312d3031%7E%7Enf862%7C%7C50616e61736f6e6963&pagetype=listing

Hope this helps! Email me on my profile page if you need more help!

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LCD HDTV under $1000?

Q. I'm looking for a 30" (or so) LCD HDTV under $800 or if more expensive at least under $1000.
where should i buy, or be looking?

A. I would recommend the Toshiba 32" REGZA Black HD LCD TV. It will cost about a $100 or a little less and perhaps you might be able to find it cheaper. There is also a 26" model too which is of course cheaper.

The thing to look for in these TV's is the contrast ratio which means the higher the ratio, the better color contrast you will see. Another good thing to have is more HDMI inputs. This Toshiba model has 3. So you can hook up a cable/satellite box, video game, and blu-ray or HD-DVD player directly to the TV.

Where you go to buy it depends on where you live. I live in Chicago so Abt Electronics and Fry's Electronics are the best. Stores with a lot of different brands set up together are great places to check out which ones have the best pictures and are withing your price range. Also remember that cables connecting your TV to DVD players, game systems, etc. are expensive too. I would think about getting the warranty and of course you can price shop those as well.

Once you decide on what brand you want, use Google Product search to find who is selling it and for how much. I would stay away from generic/store brands and also LG because many of their products are defective. Best Buy always pushes that crap so don't listen to their lies when they say it is a good brand. Besides Toshiba, I also like the Philips, Samsung, Panasonic, and of course Sony although those are more expensive.

Good luck!

Original Question

Which hdtv under $1000 supports hd gaming?

Q. Thanks guys

A. all lcd tvs are usually hdtv's. Meaning they can support hd gaming. Just read the labels, HDTV,720p,1080i or 1080p, and Hdmi.

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LCD HDTV under $1000?

Q. I'm looking for a 30" (or so) LCD HDTV under $800 or if more expensive at least under $1000.
where should i buy, or be looking?

A. I would recommend the Toshiba 32" REGZA Black HD LCD TV. It will cost about a $100 or a little less and perhaps you might be able to find it cheaper. There is also a 26" model too which is of course cheaper.

The thing to look for in these TV's is the contrast ratio which means the higher the ratio, the better color contrast you will see. Another good thing to have is more HDMI inputs. This Toshiba model has 3. So you can hook up a cable/satellite box, video game, and blu-ray or HD-DVD player directly to the TV.

Where you go to buy it depends on where you live. I live in Chicago so Abt Electronics and Fry's Electronics are the best. Stores with a lot of different brands set up together are great places to check out which ones have the best pictures and are withing your price range. Also remember that cables connecting your TV to DVD players, game systems, etc. are expensive too. I would think about getting the warranty and of course you can price shop those as well.

Once you decide on what brand you want, use Google Product search to find who is selling it and for how much. I would stay away from generic/store brands and also LG because many of their products are defective. Best Buy always pushes that crap so don't listen to their lies when they say it is a good brand. Besides Toshiba, I also like the Philips, Samsung, Panasonic, and of course Sony although those are more expensive.

Good luck!

Original Question

Which hdtv under $1000 supports hd gaming?

Q. Thanks guys

A. all lcd tvs are usually hdtv's. Meaning they can support hd gaming. Just read the labels, HDTV,720p,1080i or 1080p, and Hdmi.

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What is the most economical 1080P HDTV for gaming?

Q. I recently bought a Sony PlayStation 3, and having seen how good my friend's 360 looks in HD, I've been looking for a small (32" or lower") 1080P LCD TV for under $1000. Help?

A. I'm sorry, i can't help you too much with actual tv's, but i can give a suggestion...
while 1080p is awesome, and obviously the BIG thing nowadays, don't be quick to ignore or write off any tv that's only 1080i...anything in true HD looks awesome, and while it might not be the best of the best, you can still find some killer 1080i tv's out there for good prices now!
Hope i helped a bit.

Original Question

What is a good site to buy LCD tvs for a pretty decent price?

Q. I am looking for about a 20" lcd tv for the basement.

A. All the HDTVs in this top 10 HDTVs under $500 list are in the 20" range and are, obviously, under $500. Some a lot under that.

http://www.degeeked.com/answers/detail/top-10-hdtvs-under-500/?utm_source=yask&utm_medium=txt&utm_campaign=top10hdtv500

But 22" might be a bit small, depending on the size of your basement. So, you may want to look at the top 10 under $1000, which bumps the size up to 32" and bigger.

http://www.degeeked.com/answers/detail/top-10-hdtvs-under-1000/?utm_source=yask&utm_medium=txt&utm_campaign=top10hdtv1000

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How do I fix my HP LC3760N LCD HDTV when an intermittent green light is blinking instead of steady power on?

Q. I have an intermittent green light blinking on my HP LC3760N LCD HDTV where the power on light usually comes on. I fell asleep with my TV on during an electrical storm to find my TV in this condition. I have not been able to turn the TV on since, but the blinking green light comes on every time I plug the TV in. Is there a way to fix this problem without spending half the cost (1000/2=500) of the TV?

A. these new tvs are unreliable and fragile and generally only last 4-5 years before the back lighting goes, they don't tell you any of that or that the built-in tuners are obsolete since they cannot receive HD television, I hope it is under guarantee since most faults with these tvs are unrepairable or uneconomic to repair

Original Question

What is the most economical 1080P HDTV for gaming?

Q. I recently bought a Sony PlayStation 3, and having seen how good my friend's 360 looks in HD, I've been looking for a small (32" or lower") 1080P LCD TV for under $1000. Help?

A. I'm sorry, i can't help you too much with actual tv's, but i can give a suggestion...
while 1080p is awesome, and obviously the BIG thing nowadays, don't be quick to ignore or write off any tv that's only 1080i...anything in true HD looks awesome, and while it might not be the best of the best, you can still find some killer 1080i tv's out there for good prices now!
Hope i helped a bit.

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How much would it cost to repair my TV?

Q. I have a projection screen TV (I know, a little old-school, but it's 52", so I'd like to fix it if possible). The red color gun is out of alignment and the motor is burned out so I can't adjust it with the remote. How much do you think it would cost to repair it? Can it even be repaired? I figure it's worth about $500, so if the repairs are going to be more than $250, it probably isn't worth it. I live in Madison, WI, if that makes a difference.

A. it would cost you double what the tv is worth. Plus the picture isn't very good compared to what is out there. You can buy a 55" HD LCD rear projection for like $1200 or go with a flat LCD HDTV for under $1000, like a 46", you will be much much happier than with an old 52" 4x3 tv.

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What is the difference between low-cost digital projectors and expensive ones?

Q. I mean in terms of picture quality, reliability etc. I want to get a projector to watch DVDs at home but I don't wanna get a useless one or else an expensive one that gives me stuff I don't really need. Thanks.

A. What's the difference between a budget and luxury car? Both will take you where you want to go.

Many things go into a digital projector. Like cars the differences can be subtle.

Better projectors will use better components -- better optics, better video processors, better LCD or DLP panels/chips, etc. There will be better thought out design resulting in superior cooling, quieter fans, higher contrast ratio, less light leakage, more user friendly menu structure, etc. A third difference is in extra features, like zoom lens range, horizontal and/or vertical offset adjustment, connectivity options.

But -- as with cars -- more expensive doesn't necessarily give better dependability or performance.

The cost of projectors -- particularly 1080p models -- has decreased greatly in the last couple of years (See the link for a comment on this). A 1080p projector can be purchased for under $2000, even less than some 720p projectors.

There are compromises on the lower priced models within a resolution class ... not quite as good sharpness, not quite the same contrast ratio, a bit less capable video processing, etc. ... but most still represent great value for the money.

If I were buying today I'd be looking at 1080p projectors simply because projectors are the only HDTV capable device where 1080p is ALWAYS a benefit (See Link 2 for why). And the price differential between a 720p and 1080p model has dropped to $1000 or less. If 1080p is still too rich for you, the 720p category has some great choices too (I have a 720p model and am not rushing to replace it any time soon).

That said, there are differences between the projectors in each resolution class (the only fair way to differentiat). The most obvious is in the technical basis for the projector -- LCD, DLP, LCoS -- and in the degree of mounting flexibility (zoom lens range, offset capability).

Past that I highly recommend reading detailed reviews .. particulalry comparative reviews where differences between models are specifically identified ... at the two sites at the links below (3rd and 4th link)

Hope this helps.

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What is a good site to buy LCD tvs for a pretty decent price?

Q. I am looking for about a 20" lcd tv for the basement.

A. All the HDTVs in this top 10 HDTVs under $500 list are in the 20" range and are, obviously, under $500. Some a lot under that.

http://www.degeeked.com/answers/detail/top-10-hdtvs-under-500/?utm_source=yask&utm_medium=txt&utm_campaign=top10hdtv500

But 22" might be a bit small, depending on the size of your basement. So, you may want to look at the top 10 under $1000, which bumps the size up to 32" and bigger.

http://www.degeeked.com/answers/detail/top-10-hdtvs-under-1000/?utm_source=yask&utm_medium=txt&utm_campaign=top10hdtv1000

Original Question

What is the best and cheapest Big Screen HDTV available?

Q. I'm looking for a 46" or 50" big screen TV. My budget is around $900 - $1100. I'm not to concerned with the type of TV, wether it's LCD, Plasma or Projection. Although, this new TVs main purpose is for gaming, so it must have HDMI and at least 720p. I'm also worried about latency as I've read that some newer televisions can be a little slow to display the image due to the image processing that takes place. Does anyone have any good recomendations as to a tv brand or type that fills all these criteria and is within my budget? I'm not opposed to purchasing online although I still want to stay within my budget after tax and shipping fees.

A. I do in fact have a recomendation and it's one shared by most experts in the audio/visual field. At this point in time the Hitachi f59 series is the absolute best bang for the buck available on the market, bar none. LCD? Plasma? DLP? Nope, it's got every set below $3000 covered hands down in every relevant category, be it picture quality, gaming performance or maintenance cost. The fact is that CRT is still the benchmark all others are judged by and at this point in time a High Def rear projection set such as the Hitachi offers the savvy buyer all the goodies without the hassles.

The F59 series is available in 51, 57 and 65 inch screen sizes, and as to price, well lets just say that on a good sale day you can pick up the 65 for between $1000-$1200 and the 57 for $999. Personally, I'd wait for the annual 'After the Super Bowl' sales as most retailers really offer some blowout pricing at this time, many close to those of 'Black Friday'. It was 'Black Friday' which put the 51 inch version on my doorstep at $699 shipped and I couldn't be happier with this set, heck I'd have paid full price and still considered it a steal. Yes, it really IS that good! But don't just take my word for it, take a look for youself at some of the factors which lead me to this purchase.

For instance lets look at the bulbs, or should I say lack of. ALL of the others technologies require an arc lamp bulb to provide the light source and it does a wonderful job...for about two years. 18-24 months is the average life expectancy of these bulbs under normal viewing conditions, then its time for replacement at a cost of $200. Average that out over the ten plus years you'll watch your typical CRT rear projection set like the Hitachi with ZERO bulbs and you'll see just what the latest 'High Tech' is really worth.

As you're a gamer this is the best choice once again due to a few things, the foremost being response time. CRT doesn't have to measure pixel response in milliseconds because there are none, thus instant and true image representaion is there 24/7/365. This is critical when playing first person shooters such as Halo on Xbox Live as the lag associated with the other technologies allows the slightest bit of lag. Sure, a 10ms lag doesn't seem like much but it is the difference in that hitting and missing those vital split second shots, the difference between tea bagging an downed opponent or cursing yourself blue over why your 'dead on' head shot failed to take out the bad guy. Of course the fact you require an HDMI port tells me you're of the PS3 persuasion but this set does indeed have and support HDMI so that's another base covered. Oh, and screen 'Burn In' isn't really an issue either anymore so than any other set, in fact less if proper caution such as not leaving ANYTHING paused for extended periods of time are taken.

Now as far as movie watching goes I certainly hope you have access to a lot of DVDs because viewing them on this set is more addictive than heroin or internet porn. My personal collection grows by the week now, even movies I've seen a million times gain new life on this set. And as for cable, well I have digital cable and see NO reason to upgrade to HD because the Standard def stations would remain the same and the combo of digital and this TV make you swear you were watching true High Def when tuned to any of the Discovery Network channels.

I'll not even go into the realm of picture quality, suffice to say 1080i with the true blacks and true color representation only CRT can deliver is still king of the hill despite every attempt to knock it off. So go ahead and pull the trigger on one of these bad boys, I promise, you'll not be dissapointed in any way, shape or form. Good luck and happy viewing

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Putting a home entertainment system in my basement - what should I use for a TV?

Q. I was planning on buying a 50 inch LCD, but have been hearing that the projectors are catching on. I would imagine it would be a larger image, but don't think it lasts as long. What are the advantages/disadvantages?

A. Personally I'd go with a projector if you have the room for a large screen and flanking speakers ... it will give the most immersive, cinema-like experience (particularly for more than 2 people)

The disadvantage -- as you already noted -- is that lamps typically last 3000 hrs (3-4 years at 2-3 hrs/day) and cost ~$350 to replace. In addition, most projectors need to have air filters checked and cleaned every few months (a 5 minute job).

My wife and I have a HT setup (HD satellite and HD DVD and DVD program sources) with a 110" screen (home made for <$100), 7.1 sound system, and a back-wall mounted projector ... and we wouldn't go back to a small (e.g. 40-60") screen willingly. We like to invite neighbours and friends to come for "dinner and a movie" ... and the home theatre setup enhances the experience immensely. We wouldn't do it if we had an LCD or plasma TV. That said, we have a 32" HDTV in a smaller room that we use for routine TV watching.

But to answer your question re pros and cons ...

Let's set the scene first. Assume a 50" LCD vs a 100" projection setup. Ideal viewing location will be about 7-8' from the LCD and 13-15' from the projection screen. The image will be, perceptually, equivalent (since it subtends the same visual angle). But, most people will sit further from a 50 LCD than ideal (simply to allow more than 2 p[eople to get into the "sweet spot" in front of the screen, rather than off at an angle), so in reality the picture seems bigger for the projector watcher. See viewing distance calulator (2nd link).

Prices for an HT projector: from <$1000 for 720p models and from $3000 for 1080p models (2 years ago this would have been $10K+). See Projector Central's "highly Rated" list (1st link).

A projection setup has more parts than an LCD -- projector and separate screen. Screens can cost more than $3000, but a reasonable screen can be purchased for $500 - $700, or you can make one from Blackout Cloth on a wood frame or paint your own on drywall for <$100. See AVS DIY Screen forum.

Projectors work best in dark rooms (think movie theatre), so light control is important. As with LCD panels competition from room lights or windows washes out the picture, but probably more on a projector screen than a smaller flat panel. This is not to say you can't watch a projector with the lights on, but unless you have a 2000+ lumen projector the picture will be significantly washed out.

Contrast ratio used to be inferior on projectors relative to flatpanel displays, but in the last year CR's of > 10,000 are increasingly common (but note this is compromised in anything but a dark room).

Multiple digital or component connections to projectors tend to be less common than on flatpanel displays (although a suite of composite, s-video, component and DVI or HDMI and VGA are normal), meaning you will probably do switching through an A/V receiver.

A projector throws the image from across the room (unless you have the capacity, and want to use the space to rear project from behind the screen), so sight lines must be kept clear. However, projectors are designed to be ceiling or shelf mounted so this does not have to limit seating. LCDs are easier to position and hide. On the other hand A/V equipment for a projection HT can be unobtrusively mounted at the back of the room and controlled by bouncing the remote signal off the screen.

Projectors turn out heat and have cooling fans that can be noticeable to a viewer sitting beside or under the projector, although recent HT designs have fans that are so quiet you would have to sit within a few feet to even notice them. LCDs are quieter.

So ... there are significant differences. Some can be considered advantages or disadvantages, but I'd suggest they are simply factors to consider. There are work arounds for most of the "disadvantages".

The bottom line to me -- since cost considerations are not major issues in my view -- is do you have the space and wish to view movies or HDTV in a close approximation of the movie theatre experience for 2-6+ people (minus the sticky floors, noisy strangers, and having to travel to the theatre and back), or do you prefer a big picture in a smaller, cosier setting for one or two viewers (or a small screen in a big room for more people) -- i.e. the LCD flatscreen.

I'd suggest you find a projector demo at a local high end A/V retailer and see what both types of diplays are like "live" before making a decision. Also read up on the subject at the links provided.

Original Question

What kind of tv is better for watching tv and playing games?

Q. I'm looking to buy a tv soon, and I was wondering what kind is the best for watching tv and playing games.

Plasma
LED
LCD
DLP

Also when you specify what type, specify what brand you'd recommend.
Price = 1000 or less U.S. $
I was referring to DLP Tvs, not projectors.

A. LED would be best choice. They have great picture quality like plasma but less problem, no burn-in like LCD. For under $1000 I would recommend LG 42LE5400 42-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LED HDTV with Internet Applications
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0039JBXSM?ie=UTF8&tag=computer0bd-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0039JBXSM

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What is a good site to buy LCD tvs for a pretty decent price?

Q. I am looking for about a 20" lcd tv for the basement.

A. All the HDTVs in this top 10 HDTVs under $500 list are in the 20" range and are, obviously, under $500. Some a lot under that.

http://www.degeeked.com/answers/detail/top-10-hdtvs-under-500/?utm_source=yask&utm_medium=txt&utm_campaign=top10hdtv500

But 22" might be a bit small, depending on the size of your basement. So, you may want to look at the top 10 under $1000, which bumps the size up to 32" and bigger.

http://www.degeeked.com/answers/detail/top-10-hdtvs-under-1000/?utm_source=yask&utm_medium=txt&utm_campaign=top10hdtv1000

Original Question

What is the best and cheapest Big Screen HDTV available?

Q. I'm looking for a 46" or 50" big screen TV. My budget is around $900 - $1100. I'm not to concerned with the type of TV, wether it's LCD, Plasma or Projection. Although, this new TVs main purpose is for gaming, so it must have HDMI and at least 720p. I'm also worried about latency as I've read that some newer televisions can be a little slow to display the image due to the image processing that takes place. Does anyone have any good recomendations as to a tv brand or type that fills all these criteria and is within my budget? I'm not opposed to purchasing online although I still want to stay within my budget after tax and shipping fees.

A. I do in fact have a recomendation and it's one shared by most experts in the audio/visual field. At this point in time the Hitachi f59 series is the absolute best bang for the buck available on the market, bar none. LCD? Plasma? DLP? Nope, it's got every set below $3000 covered hands down in every relevant category, be it picture quality, gaming performance or maintenance cost. The fact is that CRT is still the benchmark all others are judged by and at this point in time a High Def rear projection set such as the Hitachi offers the savvy buyer all the goodies without the hassles.

The F59 series is available in 51, 57 and 65 inch screen sizes, and as to price, well lets just say that on a good sale day you can pick up the 65 for between $1000-$1200 and the 57 for $999. Personally, I'd wait for the annual 'After the Super Bowl' sales as most retailers really offer some blowout pricing at this time, many close to those of 'Black Friday'. It was 'Black Friday' which put the 51 inch version on my doorstep at $699 shipped and I couldn't be happier with this set, heck I'd have paid full price and still considered it a steal. Yes, it really IS that good! But don't just take my word for it, take a look for youself at some of the factors which lead me to this purchase.

For instance lets look at the bulbs, or should I say lack of. ALL of the others technologies require an arc lamp bulb to provide the light source and it does a wonderful job...for about two years. 18-24 months is the average life expectancy of these bulbs under normal viewing conditions, then its time for replacement at a cost of $200. Average that out over the ten plus years you'll watch your typical CRT rear projection set like the Hitachi with ZERO bulbs and you'll see just what the latest 'High Tech' is really worth.

As you're a gamer this is the best choice once again due to a few things, the foremost being response time. CRT doesn't have to measure pixel response in milliseconds because there are none, thus instant and true image representaion is there 24/7/365. This is critical when playing first person shooters such as Halo on Xbox Live as the lag associated with the other technologies allows the slightest bit of lag. Sure, a 10ms lag doesn't seem like much but it is the difference in that hitting and missing those vital split second shots, the difference between tea bagging an downed opponent or cursing yourself blue over why your 'dead on' head shot failed to take out the bad guy. Of course the fact you require an HDMI port tells me you're of the PS3 persuasion but this set does indeed have and support HDMI so that's another base covered. Oh, and screen 'Burn In' isn't really an issue either anymore so than any other set, in fact less if proper caution such as not leaving ANYTHING paused for extended periods of time are taken.

Now as far as movie watching goes I certainly hope you have access to a lot of DVDs because viewing them on this set is more addictive than heroin or internet porn. My personal collection grows by the week now, even movies I've seen a million times gain new life on this set. And as for cable, well I have digital cable and see NO reason to upgrade to HD because the Standard def stations would remain the same and the combo of digital and this TV make you swear you were watching true High Def when tuned to any of the Discovery Network channels.

I'll not even go into the realm of picture quality, suffice to say 1080i with the true blacks and true color representation only CRT can deliver is still king of the hill despite every attempt to knock it off. So go ahead and pull the trigger on one of these bad boys, I promise, you'll not be dissapointed in any way, shape or form. Good luck and happy viewing

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What is the best and cheapest Big Screen HDTV available?

Q. I'm looking for a 46" or 50" big screen TV. My budget is around $900 - $1100. I'm not to concerned with the type of TV, wether it's LCD, Plasma or Projection. Although, this new TVs main purpose is for gaming, so it must have HDMI and at least 720p. I'm also worried about latency as I've read that some newer televisions can be a little slow to display the image due to the image processing that takes place. Does anyone have any good recomendations as to a tv brand or type that fills all these criteria and is within my budget? I'm not opposed to purchasing online although I still want to stay within my budget after tax and shipping fees.

A. I do in fact have a recomendation and it's one shared by most experts in the audio/visual field. At this point in time the Hitachi f59 series is the absolute best bang for the buck available on the market, bar none. LCD? Plasma? DLP? Nope, it's got every set below $3000 covered hands down in every relevant category, be it picture quality, gaming performance or maintenance cost. The fact is that CRT is still the benchmark all others are judged by and at this point in time a High Def rear projection set such as the Hitachi offers the savvy buyer all the goodies without the hassles.

The F59 series is available in 51, 57 and 65 inch screen sizes, and as to price, well lets just say that on a good sale day you can pick up the 65 for between $1000-$1200 and the 57 for $999. Personally, I'd wait for the annual 'After the Super Bowl' sales as most retailers really offer some blowout pricing at this time, many close to those of 'Black Friday'. It was 'Black Friday' which put the 51 inch version on my doorstep at $699 shipped and I couldn't be happier with this set, heck I'd have paid full price and still considered it a steal. Yes, it really IS that good! But don't just take my word for it, take a look for youself at some of the factors which lead me to this purchase.

For instance lets look at the bulbs, or should I say lack of. ALL of the others technologies require an arc lamp bulb to provide the light source and it does a wonderful job...for about two years. 18-24 months is the average life expectancy of these bulbs under normal viewing conditions, then its time for replacement at a cost of $200. Average that out over the ten plus years you'll watch your typical CRT rear projection set like the Hitachi with ZERO bulbs and you'll see just what the latest 'High Tech' is really worth.

As you're a gamer this is the best choice once again due to a few things, the foremost being response time. CRT doesn't have to measure pixel response in milliseconds because there are none, thus instant and true image representaion is there 24/7/365. This is critical when playing first person shooters such as Halo on Xbox Live as the lag associated with the other technologies allows the slightest bit of lag. Sure, a 10ms lag doesn't seem like much but it is the difference in that hitting and missing those vital split second shots, the difference between tea bagging an downed opponent or cursing yourself blue over why your 'dead on' head shot failed to take out the bad guy. Of course the fact you require an HDMI port tells me you're of the PS3 persuasion but this set does indeed have and support HDMI so that's another base covered. Oh, and screen 'Burn In' isn't really an issue either anymore so than any other set, in fact less if proper caution such as not leaving ANYTHING paused for extended periods of time are taken.

Now as far as movie watching goes I certainly hope you have access to a lot of DVDs because viewing them on this set is more addictive than heroin or internet porn. My personal collection grows by the week now, even movies I've seen a million times gain new life on this set. And as for cable, well I have digital cable and see NO reason to upgrade to HD because the Standard def stations would remain the same and the combo of digital and this TV make you swear you were watching true High Def when tuned to any of the Discovery Network channels.

I'll not even go into the realm of picture quality, suffice to say 1080i with the true blacks and true color representation only CRT can deliver is still king of the hill despite every attempt to knock it off. So go ahead and pull the trigger on one of these bad boys, I promise, you'll not be dissapointed in any way, shape or form. Good luck and happy viewing

Original Question

Putting a home entertainment system in my basement - what should I use for a TV?

Q. I was planning on buying a 50 inch LCD, but have been hearing that the projectors are catching on. I would imagine it would be a larger image, but don't think it lasts as long. What are the advantages/disadvantages?

A. Personally I'd go with a projector if you have the room for a large screen and flanking speakers ... it will give the most immersive, cinema-like experience (particularly for more than 2 people)

The disadvantage -- as you already noted -- is that lamps typically last 3000 hrs (3-4 years at 2-3 hrs/day) and cost ~$350 to replace. In addition, most projectors need to have air filters checked and cleaned every few months (a 5 minute job).

My wife and I have a HT setup (HD satellite and HD DVD and DVD program sources) with a 110" screen (home made for <$100), 7.1 sound system, and a back-wall mounted projector ... and we wouldn't go back to a small (e.g. 40-60") screen willingly. We like to invite neighbours and friends to come for "dinner and a movie" ... and the home theatre setup enhances the experience immensely. We wouldn't do it if we had an LCD or plasma TV. That said, we have a 32" HDTV in a smaller room that we use for routine TV watching.

But to answer your question re pros and cons ...

Let's set the scene first. Assume a 50" LCD vs a 100" projection setup. Ideal viewing location will be about 7-8' from the LCD and 13-15' from the projection screen. The image will be, perceptually, equivalent (since it subtends the same visual angle). But, most people will sit further from a 50 LCD than ideal (simply to allow more than 2 p[eople to get into the "sweet spot" in front of the screen, rather than off at an angle), so in reality the picture seems bigger for the projector watcher. See viewing distance calulator (2nd link).

Prices for an HT projector: from <$1000 for 720p models and from $3000 for 1080p models (2 years ago this would have been $10K+). See Projector Central's "highly Rated" list (1st link).

A projection setup has more parts than an LCD -- projector and separate screen. Screens can cost more than $3000, but a reasonable screen can be purchased for $500 - $700, or you can make one from Blackout Cloth on a wood frame or paint your own on drywall for <$100. See AVS DIY Screen forum.

Projectors work best in dark rooms (think movie theatre), so light control is important. As with LCD panels competition from room lights or windows washes out the picture, but probably more on a projector screen than a smaller flat panel. This is not to say you can't watch a projector with the lights on, but unless you have a 2000+ lumen projector the picture will be significantly washed out.

Contrast ratio used to be inferior on projectors relative to flatpanel displays, but in the last year CR's of > 10,000 are increasingly common (but note this is compromised in anything but a dark room).

Multiple digital or component connections to projectors tend to be less common than on flatpanel displays (although a suite of composite, s-video, component and DVI or HDMI and VGA are normal), meaning you will probably do switching through an A/V receiver.

A projector throws the image from across the room (unless you have the capacity, and want to use the space to rear project from behind the screen), so sight lines must be kept clear. However, projectors are designed to be ceiling or shelf mounted so this does not have to limit seating. LCDs are easier to position and hide. On the other hand A/V equipment for a projection HT can be unobtrusively mounted at the back of the room and controlled by bouncing the remote signal off the screen.

Projectors turn out heat and have cooling fans that can be noticeable to a viewer sitting beside or under the projector, although recent HT designs have fans that are so quiet you would have to sit within a few feet to even notice them. LCDs are quieter.

So ... there are significant differences. Some can be considered advantages or disadvantages, but I'd suggest they are simply factors to consider. There are work arounds for most of the "disadvantages".

The bottom line to me -- since cost considerations are not major issues in my view -- is do you have the space and wish to view movies or HDTV in a close approximation of the movie theatre experience for 2-6+ people (minus the sticky floors, noisy strangers, and having to travel to the theatre and back), or do you prefer a big picture in a smaller, cosier setting for one or two viewers (or a small screen in a big room for more people) -- i.e. the LCD flatscreen.

I'd suggest you find a projector demo at a local high end A/V retailer and see what both types of diplays are like "live" before making a decision. Also read up on the subject at the links provided.

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How much would it cost to repair my TV?

Q. I have a projection screen TV (I know, a little old-school, but it's 52", so I'd like to fix it if possible). The red color gun is out of alignment and the motor is burned out so I can't adjust it with the remote. How much do you think it would cost to repair it? Can it even be repaired? I figure it's worth about $500, so if the repairs are going to be more than $250, it probably isn't worth it. I live in Madison, WI, if that makes a difference.

A. it would cost you double what the tv is worth. Plus the picture isn't very good compared to what is out there. You can buy a 55" HD LCD rear projection for like $1200 or go with a flat LCD HDTV for under $1000, like a 46", you will be much much happier than with an old 52" 4x3 tv.

Original Question

What is the difference between low-cost digital projectors and expensive ones?

Q. I mean in terms of picture quality, reliability etc. I want to get a projector to watch DVDs at home but I don't wanna get a useless one or else an expensive one that gives me stuff I don't really need. Thanks.

A. What's the difference between a budget and luxury car? Both will take you where you want to go.

Many things go into a digital projector. Like cars the differences can be subtle.

Better projectors will use better components -- better optics, better video processors, better LCD or DLP panels/chips, etc. There will be better thought out design resulting in superior cooling, quieter fans, higher contrast ratio, less light leakage, more user friendly menu structure, etc. A third difference is in extra features, like zoom lens range, horizontal and/or vertical offset adjustment, connectivity options.

But -- as with cars -- more expensive doesn't necessarily give better dependability or performance.

The cost of projectors -- particularly 1080p models -- has decreased greatly in the last couple of years (See the link for a comment on this). A 1080p projector can be purchased for under $2000, even less than some 720p projectors.

There are compromises on the lower priced models within a resolution class ... not quite as good sharpness, not quite the same contrast ratio, a bit less capable video processing, etc. ... but most still represent great value for the money.

If I were buying today I'd be looking at 1080p projectors simply because projectors are the only HDTV capable device where 1080p is ALWAYS a benefit (See Link 2 for why). And the price differential between a 720p and 1080p model has dropped to $1000 or less. If 1080p is still too rich for you, the 720p category has some great choices too (I have a 720p model and am not rushing to replace it any time soon).

That said, there are differences between the projectors in each resolution class (the only fair way to differentiat). The most obvious is in the technical basis for the projector -- LCD, DLP, LCoS -- and in the degree of mounting flexibility (zoom lens range, offset capability).

Past that I highly recommend reading detailed reviews .. particulalry comparative reviews where differences between models are specifically identified ... at the two sites at the links below (3rd and 4th link)

Hope this helps.

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What is the best and cheapest Big Screen HDTV available?

Q. I'm looking for a 46" or 50" big screen TV. My budget is around $900 - $1100. I'm not to concerned with the type of TV, wether it's LCD, Plasma or Projection. Although, this new TVs main purpose is for gaming, so it must have HDMI and at least 720p. I'm also worried about latency as I've read that some newer televisions can be a little slow to display the image due to the image processing that takes place. Does anyone have any good recomendations as to a tv brand or type that fills all these criteria and is within my budget? I'm not opposed to purchasing online although I still want to stay within my budget after tax and shipping fees.

A. I do in fact have a recomendation and it's one shared by most experts in the audio/visual field. At this point in time the Hitachi f59 series is the absolute best bang for the buck available on the market, bar none. LCD? Plasma? DLP? Nope, it's got every set below $3000 covered hands down in every relevant category, be it picture quality, gaming performance or maintenance cost. The fact is that CRT is still the benchmark all others are judged by and at this point in time a High Def rear projection set such as the Hitachi offers the savvy buyer all the goodies without the hassles.

The F59 series is available in 51, 57 and 65 inch screen sizes, and as to price, well lets just say that on a good sale day you can pick up the 65 for between $1000-$1200 and the 57 for $999. Personally, I'd wait for the annual 'After the Super Bowl' sales as most retailers really offer some blowout pricing at this time, many close to those of 'Black Friday'. It was 'Black Friday' which put the 51 inch version on my doorstep at $699 shipped and I couldn't be happier with this set, heck I'd have paid full price and still considered it a steal. Yes, it really IS that good! But don't just take my word for it, take a look for youself at some of the factors which lead me to this purchase.

For instance lets look at the bulbs, or should I say lack of. ALL of the others technologies require an arc lamp bulb to provide the light source and it does a wonderful job...for about two years. 18-24 months is the average life expectancy of these bulbs under normal viewing conditions, then its time for replacement at a cost of $200. Average that out over the ten plus years you'll watch your typical CRT rear projection set like the Hitachi with ZERO bulbs and you'll see just what the latest 'High Tech' is really worth.

As you're a gamer this is the best choice once again due to a few things, the foremost being response time. CRT doesn't have to measure pixel response in milliseconds because there are none, thus instant and true image representaion is there 24/7/365. This is critical when playing first person shooters such as Halo on Xbox Live as the lag associated with the other technologies allows the slightest bit of lag. Sure, a 10ms lag doesn't seem like much but it is the difference in that hitting and missing those vital split second shots, the difference between tea bagging an downed opponent or cursing yourself blue over why your 'dead on' head shot failed to take out the bad guy. Of course the fact you require an HDMI port tells me you're of the PS3 persuasion but this set does indeed have and support HDMI so that's another base covered. Oh, and screen 'Burn In' isn't really an issue either anymore so than any other set, in fact less if proper caution such as not leaving ANYTHING paused for extended periods of time are taken.

Now as far as movie watching goes I certainly hope you have access to a lot of DVDs because viewing them on this set is more addictive than heroin or internet porn. My personal collection grows by the week now, even movies I've seen a million times gain new life on this set. And as for cable, well I have digital cable and see NO reason to upgrade to HD because the Standard def stations would remain the same and the combo of digital and this TV make you swear you were watching true High Def when tuned to any of the Discovery Network channels.

I'll not even go into the realm of picture quality, suffice to say 1080i with the true blacks and true color representation only CRT can deliver is still king of the hill despite every attempt to knock it off. So go ahead and pull the trigger on one of these bad boys, I promise, you'll not be dissapointed in any way, shape or form. Good luck and happy viewing

Original Question

Putting a home entertainment system in my basement - what should I use for a TV?

Q. I was planning on buying a 50 inch LCD, but have been hearing that the projectors are catching on. I would imagine it would be a larger image, but don't think it lasts as long. What are the advantages/disadvantages?

A. Personally I'd go with a projector if you have the room for a large screen and flanking speakers ... it will give the most immersive, cinema-like experience (particularly for more than 2 people)

The disadvantage -- as you already noted -- is that lamps typically last 3000 hrs (3-4 years at 2-3 hrs/day) and cost ~$350 to replace. In addition, most projectors need to have air filters checked and cleaned every few months (a 5 minute job).

My wife and I have a HT setup (HD satellite and HD DVD and DVD program sources) with a 110" screen (home made for <$100), 7.1 sound system, and a back-wall mounted projector ... and we wouldn't go back to a small (e.g. 40-60") screen willingly. We like to invite neighbours and friends to come for "dinner and a movie" ... and the home theatre setup enhances the experience immensely. We wouldn't do it if we had an LCD or plasma TV. That said, we have a 32" HDTV in a smaller room that we use for routine TV watching.

But to answer your question re pros and cons ...

Let's set the scene first. Assume a 50" LCD vs a 100" projection setup. Ideal viewing location will be about 7-8' from the LCD and 13-15' from the projection screen. The image will be, perceptually, equivalent (since it subtends the same visual angle). But, most people will sit further from a 50 LCD than ideal (simply to allow more than 2 p[eople to get into the "sweet spot" in front of the screen, rather than off at an angle), so in reality the picture seems bigger for the projector watcher. See viewing distance calulator (2nd link).

Prices for an HT projector: from <$1000 for 720p models and from $3000 for 1080p models (2 years ago this would have been $10K+). See Projector Central's "highly Rated" list (1st link).

A projection setup has more parts than an LCD -- projector and separate screen. Screens can cost more than $3000, but a reasonable screen can be purchased for $500 - $700, or you can make one from Blackout Cloth on a wood frame or paint your own on drywall for <$100. See AVS DIY Screen forum.

Projectors work best in dark rooms (think movie theatre), so light control is important. As with LCD panels competition from room lights or windows washes out the picture, but probably more on a projector screen than a smaller flat panel. This is not to say you can't watch a projector with the lights on, but unless you have a 2000+ lumen projector the picture will be significantly washed out.

Contrast ratio used to be inferior on projectors relative to flatpanel displays, but in the last year CR's of > 10,000 are increasingly common (but note this is compromised in anything but a dark room).

Multiple digital or component connections to projectors tend to be less common than on flatpanel displays (although a suite of composite, s-video, component and DVI or HDMI and VGA are normal), meaning you will probably do switching through an A/V receiver.

A projector throws the image from across the room (unless you have the capacity, and want to use the space to rear project from behind the screen), so sight lines must be kept clear. However, projectors are designed to be ceiling or shelf mounted so this does not have to limit seating. LCDs are easier to position and hide. On the other hand A/V equipment for a projection HT can be unobtrusively mounted at the back of the room and controlled by bouncing the remote signal off the screen.

Projectors turn out heat and have cooling fans that can be noticeable to a viewer sitting beside or under the projector, although recent HT designs have fans that are so quiet you would have to sit within a few feet to even notice them. LCDs are quieter.

So ... there are significant differences. Some can be considered advantages or disadvantages, but I'd suggest they are simply factors to consider. There are work arounds for most of the "disadvantages".

The bottom line to me -- since cost considerations are not major issues in my view -- is do you have the space and wish to view movies or HDTV in a close approximation of the movie theatre experience for 2-6+ people (minus the sticky floors, noisy strangers, and having to travel to the theatre and back), or do you prefer a big picture in a smaller, cosier setting for one or two viewers (or a small screen in a big room for more people) -- i.e. the LCD flatscreen.

I'd suggest you find a projector demo at a local high end A/V retailer and see what both types of diplays are like "live" before making a decision. Also read up on the subject at the links provided.

Original Question

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