Opted out of a new HDTV

[navychop]

I'm having some minor problems with my 19" CRT in the exercise room (gotta distract myself while working out). And my 27" CRT in the master bedroom no longer responds to it's remote, but still mostly responds to an older remote using "old" codes. The problem lies within the TV. I have a 61" HDTV and ViP622 in the living room. The ViP is beginning to have HDMI problems.

I'm considering tossing the 19" and replacing it with the 27", until the 27" dies out completely. And putting a new 42" - 50" HDTV in the master bedroom where the 27" was. I considered doing this now, because:
- I hoped to get one of the last jvc d-ila RPTVs at 50" or less. Too late.
- Prices of HDTVs probably will not come down this year, due to the weak dollar & other factors.
- I suspect the last 2 months of this year may see limited selection & few deals as people prep for 2/17/09.
- Memorial Day sales. Big Whoop.
- Eastern Arc might get me to upgrade my 508 & 721 to a ViP DVR at a great price. But that could be a year or more off for current subs.
- If my 721 dies (I'm on #6) I can't see going with a 522 or 625. Move to a ViP DVR. Better to have HDTV first?
- Want to dump CRTs before they charge more for dumping. Prob happen later this year.

So I immediately ruled out Vizio, Insignia, Westinghouse, Polaroid and similar. Last Xmas I bought my MiL a 42" Toshiba 768 LCD. Model no longer available, but prices haven't changed much on the new model. It looks like the new 42" Sony shipping tomorrow is pretty good- for $1600. I prefer to not buy Sony. The Samsung A650 sounds good, but is pricey at 40" and the next size is 46". Not sure about LG. Mostly, for 1080p it looks like $2k - $3k, including 120Hz.

I shopped two stores today, and was not impressed with what I saw, esp for the prices. Plasmas are much cheaper in that size range, but I'm not thrilled with plasmas.

So it looks like I'll keep my CRTs until they rot.

Am I overlooking something?

 

[teachsac]

The 46" A650 is very nice. It is actually cheaper than the 40" right now. 2249. Go figure.

S~

 

[charper1]

I always need to mention; but have you even considered a FPTV? (please disregard the common myths about them) at least take a look.

 

[navychop]

FPTV, to me:

- Requires a screen. GOOD screens COST.
- Ceiling mount most likely, esp in bedroom. Wife won't allow 61" TV from LR to be moved to bedroom.
- FPTV bulb life, last time I looked, was around 2,000 hours.
- Running wires invisibly can be a "challenge." Since attic is above, maybe not so much.
- Bedroom TV not watched too much. Rarely more than an hour a night.
- FPTV screen brightness is lower than direct views. Not such a problem since we watch at night.
- Living Room is rather brightly lit, FPTV not a good choice for there, plus wire runs problem. But might do FPTV one day in another house. Will rethink in 15-20 years. Really.
- WAF likely to be extremely low for FPTV in bedroom.

Please feel free to address these concerns. I may well be out of date on most.

 

[navychop]

The 46" A650 is very nice. It is actually cheaper than the 40" right now. 2249. Go figure.

S~

Apparently I missed a heck of a sale a few days ago at Best Buy. $1799. $1983 with free ground shipping from Fry's now. Maybe I'll visit BB tomorrow with Fry's price in hand.

 

[teachsac]

Apparently I missed a heck of a sale a few days ago at Best Buy. $1799. $1983 with free ground shipping from Fry's now. Maybe I'll visit BB tomorrow with Fry's price in hand.

$1983. How can you pass that up?

S~

 

[charper1]

FPTV, to me:

- Requires a screen. GOOD screens COST.
- Ceiling mount most likely, esp in bedroom. Wife won't allow 61" TV from LR to be moved to bedroom.
- FPTV bulb life, last time I looked, was around 2,000 hours.
- Running wires invisibly can be a "challenge." Since attic is above, maybe not so much.
- Bedroom TV not watched too much. Rarely more than an hour a night.
- FPTV screen brightness is lower than direct views. Not such a problem since we watch at night.
- Living Room is rather brightly lit, FPTV not a good choice for there, plus wire runs problem. But might do FPTV one day in another house. Will rethink in 15-20 years. Really.
- WAF likely to be extremely low for FPTV in bedroom.

Please feel free to address these concerns. I may well be out of date on most.

Most of these points are wrong and/or very exaggerated to say the least and WAF is always a joke, a cop out excuse for most. But one that can neither be proven or disproven. But whatever you choose is your decision; just trying to shed light and open eyes and dispel myths. Most if not all these point have been addressed numerous times; including the costs over 7 years of life & with new lamps VS what you actually get locked into with a tiny flat panel that actually cost more $$$. (search those posts in this thread). Other than those post of details you really can't be "shown" reality unless you go see a PROPERLY SELECTED and PROPERLY SETUP unit; and most time this doesn't mean Fry's, Best Buy, a sports bar, or a buddy's home IMHO.

 

[navychop]

$1983. How can you pass that up?

S~

Just broached the idea with She Who Must Be Obeyed.

Let us just say, WAF of anything over $1200 is not impossible, but is real low.

I blurted out earlier today that I'm concerned that we might have to replace our a/c this year to the tune of $4-5K. Oops.

Most of these points are wrong and/or very exaggerated to say the least.

Specifics?

 

[mike123abc]

You could probably get a 50" plasma for 1200, but even then it is pressing it to get a good brand. Panasonic is probably the best at the lower price range, Pioneer gives a great picture but costs more.

I tried to look at rear projection for the bedroom but, given the height of the bed and the height of the dresser it would not be at eye level. They have made great improvements in RP side to side viewing but up and down is very poor still.

I investigated FP, but just could not work it out with the ceiling fan, and headboard (I have a 6'2" headboard). In TX I have to have a fan to keep the AC at a resonable level. I thought about it hard. FP has an excellent price/size ratio, and I have very controlled light in the bedroom.

So, it came down to LCD and Plasma. I got a good deal on a Pioneer Kuro 50" for $1950 at Best Buy and got that. Plasma works fantastic in the bedroom since it tends to be a dark environment. Panasonic has come out with a new line of lower cost plasmas that look pretty good (something like TH-50PX80U - VIERA® Plasma HDTVs - Shop and Compare at Panasonic can be found for around your price range). It is not 1080p, 1080p would go up to about $1700 for 50".

I know 50" sounds large for the bedroom, but as the projection guys will tell you, 50" is small after a while.

 

[jayn_j]

I know 50" sounds large for the bedroom, but as the projection guys will tell you, 50" is small after a while.

I hung a 32" LCD in the bedroom last December, and really wish I had gone larger. 50" is not too big.

 

[Kevinw]

If your limited by price, why eliminate Vizio? They have some of the best PQ for low cost tvs. One of the best to use for a part time tv.

 

[gadgtfreek]

I blurted out earlier today that I'm concerned that we might have to replace our a/c this year to the tune of $4-5K. Oops.

That may have been a booboo.

I know you said you dont like plasmas, but here is a couple:

Panasonic Viera TH-42PZ85U 42-inch 1080p Plasma HDTV $1299 at Amazon


Panasonic Viera TH-50PZ80U 50-inch 1080p Plasma HDTV $1763 at Amazon

 

[navychop]

Definitely taking another look at plasmas. Probably moot. Looks like there won't be a new TV in this house for a while.

 

[gadgtfreek]

Definitely taking another look at plasmas. Probably moot. Looks like there won't be a new TV in this house for a while.

I really like my 50" 85u. Only complaint is some modes are kinda noisy, it almost appears they jacked up contrast and gamma in these modes to compete on the showroom floor. Every on avs has pretty much settled on the cinema mode and it yields a great pitcure. Im trying to get an appointment now with a calibrator Ive been talking to.

 

[duckydan]

If you're looking to buy today Navy there is an additional 12% off any tv over $399 coupon floating around for bestbuy. It is what I used yesterday. It took almost $200 off the tv I purchased so it could help make something less affordable into something that is affordable.

 

[mike123abc]

Definitely taking another look at plasmas. Probably moot. Looks like there won't be a new TV in this house for a while.

I was scared of plasmas too. My first plasma drove me crazy at first worrying about burn in. But, after 3 years of owning it, there is no burn in. My next plasma in the bedroom, I ran it a 100 hours on Discovery HDT (very brief logo popping up) to break it in, and that is it. They still are probably not for hardcore gamers, but unless you are someone that likes to leave something paused on it for hours at a time I do not think burn in is an issue any more.

 

[gadgtfreek]

I agree. I see Image Retention on my plasma(diff from burn in) when leaving things paused 15-20 minutes. This is easily remedied by running Panasonics scrolling white bar for a few passes.

 

[navychop]

If you're looking to buy today Navy there is an additional 12% off any tv over $399 coupon floating around for bestbuy. It is what I used yesterday. It took almost $200 off the tv I purchased so it could help make something less affordable into something that is affordable.

Edited: Nevermind. Definitely not getting a TV today. We'll wait until one of them dies.

 

[allargon]

No worries on eliminating the TV--times are rocky at best. It's better to conserve and save $$$$.

However, I have to ask WTF would put a front projector in his/her bedroom? I can see a 60" plasma, but a front projector even with a drop down screen? The noise and the aesthetics of the whole thing would drive me nuts.

Bedrooms scream cheap flat panel! The name brand stuff goes in the family/entertainment/great room, so you're not embarassed when entertaining guests.

 

[charper1]

I am one of those WTF'ers. And also in the family playroom. I added a portable, size adjustable and cost effective $800'ish FPTV that shoots awesome HD in those "extra rooms". Why shouldn't I be able to enjoy the same den H/T experienses in my other rooms if I want oo?

A small HT audio setup added to each of those smaller rooms cost about $600 ($1400 total).

WTF would crap out more than that for a smaller and less versatile unit? Even with the extra costs of a lamp every 2700 - 3000 hrs for 6 -7 years I still come out ahead in cost per size and overall versitility. So why crap on it?

P.S. What noise are you referring to with FPTV; I don't even know mine are in the room; other than the HUGE 90+" HD images. LOL!