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zelig2
05-20-2007, 11:39 PM
The wife has given approval to find a new tv for the house. I've got a person willing to give me $500 for my 65" Mitsubishi Diamond CRT RPTV HDTV. It's a fantastic set in terms of quality but the wife really wants some of our living room back not to mention due to the size of the tv it only fits in one location and that requires the couch to cover the fireplace (which has never been used). We're hoping to redo the living room so the new tv will be above the fireplace. For a while I was narrowing my choices down to either the Sharp Aquos 46" D82 model or the Samsung 4661 model, both being LCDs.

Well recently I've started taking a shine to plasmas. I never considered them mainly due to the stigma they had during their earlier years. But after watching lots of video on LCDs I'm not a big fan of the backlighting and motion blur that I constantly see (even on the 120Hz screens). It just doesn't look as smooth as the image coming from a plasma. I'll be sitting about 11 feet from the tv set. I'm thinking a 50" will fit without too much trouble above the fireplace mantle. Looking at the chart on the endgadgetHD site here (http://www.engadgethd.com/2006/12/09/1080p-charted-viewing-distance-to-screen-size/) I can't benefit from 1080p. Only if I move up to about 7' from the screen would my good eye be able to gain any more information. The two plasmas I've been looking at are from Panasonic (TH-50PX77U & TH-50PZ700U). The 77U has a sweet anti-glare that makes the surface look similar to LCD monitors which would be a nice bonus as I'm tire of super glossy screens in my living room. The 700U adds 1080p but looses some contrast. In the order of what's most important in terms of video image quality resolution is about 4th on the list. A better looking image is more important to me than a higher resolution image.

Does anyone have experience personally with any of these sets or can make any recommendation?

Robbiee19
05-21-2007, 08:34 AM
Hey zelig2,
I have been looking at the Samsung new Slim Deth TVs. I think one comes in 50". Its new from Sammy as a LED DLP 1080p with a great picture. I have looked at a few at BB and HHG. Every time the picture has been outstanding. Just food for thought for you. Price is not to bad either.

nicholc2
05-21-2007, 02:06 PM
I have a DLP myself, but I know when I was looking I went to Cnet and looked at their reviews. They do a pretty good job keeping up with new models from all the major brands. There are many review sites of course, but they seem to have a wider variety of models that they test than most.

Dbailey
05-21-2007, 03:17 PM
I personally love the new Sony SXRD sets right now. The picture on these sets are just unbelievable. I got one last sept at HHGregg and could not be happier. The value on these sets are great, much bang for the buck. I agree the lcd TV's, while are good, are not where I want them to be. that is why I got the SXRD...

Robbiee19
05-25-2007, 08:04 AM
zelig2,

So have you settled on a new HDTV? And if you have would you say from what dealler.

zelig2
05-25-2007, 04:03 PM
I haven't officially settled on a set yet but I think I'm going to buy the Panasonic TH-50PX77U. The lower cost will help fund a new stereo so I can have HDMI and component switching. I really like the picture on the 77U. From my seating distance of 12ft I can't resolve 1080p so why pay for it now? I'll get a 1080p projector someday when I build a hometheater in a future home.

As for where I'm getting it from that hasn't been decided. It looks as if the only place in town that carries the 77U is Circuit City. I'm not a big fan of them at all. I wish HHGregg could get the set in. Though my real goal is to actually get the set from Panasonic using their EPP to save even more cash. That brings the price of the set down to $1779 which is crazy cheap. I'll let you know how that process goes if I make it happen.

Robbiee19
05-25-2007, 07:35 PM
Sounds good. Have you thought about online buy? I have some friends that did it that way and had no problems at all and they got a good price. Just a thought.

zelig2
05-26-2007, 12:49 AM
The route through Panasonic is an online deal. The TV is about $300 cheaper than most online stores plus free shipping. Hopefully I'll get around to placing the order in the near future.

mace
06-01-2007, 10:08 AM
You can't go wrong with a Panasonic Plasma in my opinion. I have owned mine going on 2.5 years and not a single problem.

zelig2
06-01-2007, 06:02 PM
I got the call from the shipping people. I should receive the TV on Monday. The old RPTV will be removed on Thursday which gives me time to run a burn in DVD to help with image retention. The new TV purchase has added a number of additional purchases. I'm planning on rewiring my living room for new speakers along with hopefully a new receiver in the next month (Onxyo SR875) to handle the HDMI switching an upscaling. Can't wait for that toy also.

zelig2
06-05-2007, 12:57 PM
I've set up the TV in the basement and I'm looping a few DVDs to help break in the plasma. So far it looks great but I still have to calibrate it once the break in is completed. I can't wait to redo our living room and remove the giant RPTV. I've bought a new set of speakers too that will help clean up the look of the old stuff I had going. Once the new Onkyo SR875 receiver comes out the transition to a new home theater will be complete. Right now I'm having fun programming my new Pronto remote.

Robbiee19
06-05-2007, 01:49 PM
Zelig2,

Can you post some pics?

zelig2
06-06-2007, 12:33 PM
I will once I move the tv upstairs. Right now it's just breaking in down in the basement. I'm moving the old RPTV this evening and my wall mount shows up tomorrow from monoprice.

Robbiee19
06-06-2007, 01:35 PM
Cool!

zelig2
06-12-2007, 01:41 AM
The major part of the installation is complete. It's so nice to have some more room in our living room. Not to mention being able to see the fireplace again. I really like it so far. Still adjusting to a "small" screen. But I really like the image that I'm seeing. Now I need to get around to calibrating it.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1371/541936321_2481ec4db6_b.jpg

Robbiee19
06-12-2007, 08:13 AM
Thanks Zelig2,

Looks great! Very nice set up.

Scott
06-12-2007, 08:21 AM
Awesome setup!!