I want to buy an HDTV

[SeeingRed]

If you are looking flat screen, than you might want to look at Vizio. They seem to be setting new price thresholds.

That's what I've been saying this whole time!!!

[tnedator]

You don't "have" to go to a DLP for gaming. Burn-in doesn't come from playing games and it isn't a problem. Burn-in happens from one image staying on the screen for very extended periods of time. I have left something on pause (movie, tv, or games) over night and have no screen burning on any of my TVs, this includes the 32" Samsung plasma screen in my bedroom.

Some plasmas and LCD's have screen saving technology, where it shifts the entire screen by a pixel or two every x period of time.

I originally purchased a Panasonice AE900 front projector, which is an LCD. I posted on AVS and asked about LCD burn in and was assured by some posters that it didn't exist.

I then watched standard def TV for several hours on Friday, and most of the day on Saturday. I can't stand stretched images, so I was watching the 4:3 material with black sidebars to keep the aspect ratio correct. Saturday night I watched Star Wars Episode I and on all light scenes I could see the dard sidebars that were burn in/retained. That was after only two days of watching TV.

I suggest anyone that is considering an LCD google "LCD burn in" & "lcd image retention" and read through the variety of material you will find.

[SeeingRed]

Some plasmas and LCD's have screen saving technology, where it shifts the entire screen by a pixel or two every x period of time.

I originally purchased a Panasonice AE900 front projector, which is an LCD. I posted on AVS and asked about LCD burn in and was assured by some posters that it didn't exist.

I then watched standard def TV for several hours on Friday, and most of the day on Saturday. I can't stand stretched images, so I was watching the 4:3 material with black sidebars to keep the aspect ratio correct. Saturday night I watched Star Wars Episode I and on all light scenes I could see the dard sidebars that were burn in/retained. That was after only two days of watching TV.

I suggest anyone that is considering an LCD google "LCD burn in" & "lcd image retention" and read through the variety of material you will find.

My 32" Samsung LCD must be a freak then because I've never had an issue with image retention and I've had that TV for over a year.

Bottom line, Vizio is going to start selling a boat load of TVs once more people become vendors for them. I bought mine about a week ago from Sam's Club online and it's sitting at the house in a box waiting for me to hook it up.

[slick7]

Some plasmas and LCD's have screen saving technology, where it shifts the entire screen by a pixel or two every x period of time.

I originally purchased a Panasonice AE900 front projector, which is an LCD. I posted on AVS and asked about LCD burn in and was assured by some posters that it didn't exist.

I then watched standard def TV for several hours on Friday, and most of the day on Saturday. I can't stand stretched images, so I was watching the 4:3 material with black sidebars to keep the aspect ratio correct. Saturday night I watched Star Wars Episode I and on all light scenes I could see the dard sidebars that were burn in/retained. That was after only two days of watching TV.

I suggest anyone that is considering an LCD google "LCD burn in" & "lcd image retention" and read through the variety of material you will find.

I was going to suggest possible a projector, depending on what kind of room AsianOrange is working with. I know Costco has quite a few, and they have probably the most liberal return policy of any store. As for price and the life legnth of bulbs, I have been researching this as well. I currently have a 12 year old Hitachi 62" and have been wanting to upgrade as well. I guess I'm kinda in the same boat as AsianOrange. "bout the same budget as well.

[tnedator]

I was going to suggest possible a projector, depending on what kind of room AsianOrange is working with. I know Costco has quite a few, and they have probably the most liberal return policy of any store. As for price and the life legnth of bulbs, I have been researching this as well. I currently have a 12 year old Hitachi 62" and have been wanting to upgrade as well. I guess I'm kinda in the same boat as AsianOrange. "bout the same budget as well.

I have been using a projector (first a BenQ 6100, now Infocus IN76) for about three years now, and I am not sure I could go back. Watching HD TV shows, DVD's and HD games on a 118" screen is just great.

As to bulb life. My projector bulb is rated at 3,000 hours, the bulb in my DLP RPTV is rated at $5,000. So, you will have to replace the bulb sooner on a projector, but it isn't like comparing projectors to the old CRTs that would basically go forever.

[slick7]

I have been using a projector (first a BenQ 6100, now Infocus IN76) for about three years now, and I am not sure I could go back. Watching HD TV shows, DVD's and HD games on a 118" screen is just great.

As to bulb life. My projector bulb is rated at 3,000 hours, the bulb in my DLP RPTV is rated at $5,000. So, you will have to replace the bulb sooner on a projector, but it isn't like comparing projectors to the old CRTs that would basically go forever.

So you returned your Panasonic and got the InFocus now huh. Copy that. I appreciate the review. As you can tell I'm a gamer junkie as well as a football junkie so its appreciated. I work for a home security company who also specializes in structured wiring and home theater and audio. I only do the rough wir ng right now and haven't seen any of the finished products yet. We can get BenQ and Infocus wholesale so I may have to go that way. Thanks.

[tnedator]

So you returned your Panasonic and got the InFocus now huh. Copy that. I appreciate the review. As you can tell I'm a gamer junkie as well as a football junkie so its appreciated. I work for a home security company who also specializes in structured wiring and home theater and audio. I only do the rough wir ng right now and haven't seen any of the finished products yet. We can get BenQ and Infocus wholesale so I may have to go that way. Thanks.

After I returned the Panasonic (in late December or early January), I had to wait until late April before the Infocus was out and there were a few reviews out on it.

The new crop of DLP's (Infocus IN76, Optoma HD72, Mitsubishi 3000 and some other's I can't remember) have all had great reviews. I opted for the Infocus because it was the brightest of the bunch (when calibrated for video, not in bright presentation mode) and more importantly because it had the right amount of offset (how high above the top of the screen it has to be).

There are a lot of 720p DLP and LCD projectors available in the sub $2500 range now. Projectorcentral.com is a great place for reviews.

[SeeingRed]

If I didn't live in an apartment, I would buy a projector. Can't beat that.

[KCLadyFan]

I was at work when I posted earlier and I couldnt remember what brand we had,our big screen is a JVC....56"...We spent about $1800.00 I believe....we wanted a big TV w/o going in alot of debt....We have had it for about 3 yrs...no problems so far...

http://www.abtelectronics.com/images/products/l_av48wp30.jpg

[AsianOrange]

Whoa, Best Buy matches prices with Amazon?!?!?

[KCLadyFan]

Whoa, Best Buy matches prices with Amazon?!?!?

I guess thats why their called Best Buy!!!

[Reidman]

Whatever you go with don't get a projection...

Don't get me wrong, I love mine (Sony Wega 55") but it's so big it doesn't leave many options where to put it or if you have a small living room (like my new house does) then it's quite cumbersome. I have been batting around the idea of getting a flat panel TV and just hanging it on the wall. I have read into many of the Not-so-name brands and Vizio is a good one (they are owned by a name brand manufacturer but I can't think who)....

I just watched the Sunday night game on a Vizio flat panel and the picture quality was exceptional.

Like TDK said though, it's smart to buy the extended warranty with whatever purchase you make. They are spendy (I paid 200$ for a 5-yr extended warranty on my TV) but given what it costs to repair it if it breaks down, well worth it in the long run...

[tnedator]

Whatever you go with don't get a projection...

Don't get me wrong, I love mine (Sony Wega 55") but it's so big it doesn't leave many options where to put it or if you have a small living room (like my new house does) then it's quite cumbersome. I have been batting around the idea of getting a flat panel TV and just hanging it on the wall. I have read into many of the Not-so-name brands and Vizio is a good one (they are owned by a name brand manufacturer but I can't think who)....

I just watched the Sunday night game on a Vizio flat panel and the picture quality was exceptional.

Like TDK said though, it's smart to buy the extended warranty with whatever purchase you make. They are spendy (I paid 200$ for a 5-yr extended warranty on my TV) but given what it costs to repair it if it breaks down, well worth it in the long run...

New rear projection (RPTV) or old?

My last RPTV which was a Sony 53" that was 10+ years old was a beast that took 3-4 people to carry, was over 2' deep and was just huge. The 50" Samsung RPTV I just purchased for my office room, is only about 15" deep, weights 66 pounds, and sits on top of the same types of stands that they sell for flat panel TV's. In the last few years, they have started making the RPTV's smaller and smaller.

Granted, you still can't mount an RPTV on a wall, but if you plan on putting your TV on top of one of those low/wide two shelf stands that most of the the flat panel TV's in places like Best buy are sitting on, then that is the same stand you would use with the modern RPTV's.

Also, as far as the bezel (the plastic running around the screen), my new Samsung is only about .9", which means the plastic frame/bezel running around the screen is about the same size as a 19" LCD monitor, and actually thinner than a lot of flat panel TV's I have seen.

So, there are a lot of nice flat panels and nice RPTVs out there right now, and you simply have to decide on which one (size and dislpay type - LCD, DLP, Plasma) fits your needs.

[Reidman]

New rear projection (RPTV) or old?

My last RPTV which was a Sony 53" that was 10+ years old was a beast that took 3-4 people to carry, was over 2' deep and was just huge. The 50" Samsung RPTV I just purchased for my office room, is only about 15" deep, weights 66 pounds, and sits on top of the same types of stands that they sell for flat panel TV's. In the last few years, they have started making the RPTV's smaller and smaller.

Granted, you still can't mount an RPTV on a wall, but if you plan on putting your TV on top of one of those low/wide two shelf stands that most of the the flat panel TV's in places like Best buy are sitting on, then that is the same stand you would use with the modern RPTV's.

Also, as far as the bezel (the plastic running around the screen), my new Samsung is only about .9", which means the plastic frame/bezel running around the screen is about the same size as a 19" LCD monitor, and actually thinner than a lot of flat panel TV's I have seen.

So, there are a lot of nice flat panels and nice RPTVs out there right now, and you simply have to decide on which one (size and dislpay type - LCD, DLP, Plasma) fits your needs.

My TV is only 2 years old but it is the "beast" variety you mentioned sticking out
almost 2 ft from the wall....and weighing in at well over 100 lbs...

I know the newer sets you're referring to and those are nice and way slimmer...

[Drew303]

Whoa, Best Buy matches prices with Amazon?!?!?

I called them, and they said they don't price match with the internet, but I just showed up one morning with the price and they matched it.