$1500 HD Plasma/DLP/LCD TV's... Comments, thoughts, suggestions...

[Vegas_Dave]

You definately need to go see them in person. Low Cost Plasma's are usually only EDTV in that price range and like someone else said, low black levels (that look more like Grey).

I would HIGHLY suggest DLP. I have the 42" Samsung DLP and frankly, as long as you are looking at it at viewing level, I have no "side view" loss of picture. I have seats up to a 150 degree circle of viewing (75 degrees from center on either side) around my DLP with absolutely zero picture quality loss.

Now if you set it too high or too low from a straight on sitting viewing angle, you can run into a little brightness loss there, but the picture is still great.

My model, I bought at $1498 many many months ago.

[Infidel Goat]

I'd save a little more money and consider getting this one:

woo-hoo

--Infidel Goat

[Raiderhater58]

when ready to buy go check out www.buydig.com I bought my Toshiba 56" DLP from them for around 1200 less than the stores where selling them. I bought the 56HM195, Sears sold the same model for $3100. I ordered my TV on a Tuesday it was at my house by Friday

[Infidel Goat]

Originally Posted by Raiderhater58

when ready to buy go check out www.buydig.com I bought my Toshiba 56" DLP from them for around 1200 less than the stores where selling them. I bought the 56HM195, Sears sold the same model for $3100. I ordered my TV on a Tuesday it was at my house by Friday

I'd suggest using froogle to find the company with the best deal. On-line retailers (assuming they are well reviewed and legitimate) are almost always considerably less expensive than brick and mortar stores--especially BB and CC.

You'll have to add shipping charges (which aren't cheap), but you probably won't have to pay taxes which helps.

The buydig mentioned above does not carry Sony and won't necessarily be the least expensive legitimate on-line retailer for many tvs.

--Infidel Goat

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by Vegas_Dave

You definately need to go see them in person. Low Cost Plasma's are usually only EDTV in that price range and like someone else said, low black levels (that look more like Grey).

I would HIGHLY suggest DLP. I have the 42" Samsung DLP and frankly, as long as you are looking at it at viewing level, I have no "side view" loss of picture. I have seats up to a 150 degree circle of viewing (75 degrees from center on either side) around my DLP with absolutely zero picture quality loss.

Now if you set it too high or too low from a straight on sitting viewing angle, you can run into a little brightness loss there, but the picture is still great.

My model, I bought at $1498 many many months ago.

I am looking for a new TV as well and I really have decided on a Samsung DLP. Everywhere I have been the Samsung's picture is alot better than any of the others.

So are you happy with your Samsung?

[Raiderhater58]

no shipping , no tax

[jAZ]

Originally Posted by Raiderhater58

no shipping , no tax

Huh?

[jlscorpio]

a few places have no shipping. Best Buy and Circuit City both have free shipping if you order online. I'm likely buying a Samsung plasma in about 6 months. Samsung pretty much is the best brand across the board (Plasma, LCD, DLP) when it comes to HDTV. Pioneer is nice but very spendy, and I have heard good things about Panasonic and Toshiba as well. Ultimately, its whatever TV you fall in love with. I'd probably stay away from EDTV models, and as far as specs go, pay attention to what the contrast ratio is.

[Vegas_Dave]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

I am looking for a new TV as well and I really have decided on a Samsung DLP. Everywhere I have been the Samsung's picture is alot better than any of the others.

So are you happy with your Samsung?

Love it. I do wish it had more then 1 HDMI input but oh well. The only area that really takes some getting used to is whites & VERY bright colors.

Beacuse of the nature of the way that DLP technology works (miniature mirrors rapidly moving their orientation to reflect the color at different angles), you can get a "shimmering" look to it... bright white specifically.

However, once you get used to it, you dont even notice.

Also, make sure that you get whatever HD programming you can because Standard Definition looks like crap once you get used to HD.

Lastly, make sure that whatever cable/satellite box you use allows you to setup displaying in 720p. I know my cable box was set to only output in 1080i be default. This is fine for high detail... but for sports and fast action, 1080i sucks. You get a digital choppy picture with 1080i. With 720p, the detail may not be quite as high (though most cannot tell the difference) but when you get high action, you dont get the choppy picture.

With my cable box, I had to download the full PDF manual from the makers site (as Cox did not provide a FULL one) and was then able to turn on this feature. So now, my FOX, ABC, ESPN & UHD HD channels are all showing in 720p (since they broadcast in that format).

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by Vegas_Dave

Love it. I do wish it had more then 1 HDMI input but oh well. The only area that really takes some getting used to is whites & VERY bright colors.

Beacuse of the nature of the way that DLP technology works (miniature mirrors rapidly moving their orientation to reflect the color at different angles), you can get a "shimmering" look to it... bright white specifically.

However, once you get used to it, you dont even notice.

Also, make sure that you get whatever HD programming you can because Standard Definition looks like crap once you get used to HD.

Lastly, make sure that whatever cable/satellite box you use allows you to setup displaying in 720p. I know my cable box was set to only output in 1080i be default. This is fine for high detail... but for sports and fast action, 1080i sucks. You get a digital choppy picture with 1080i. With 720p, the detail may not be quite as high (though most cannot tell the difference) but when you get high action, you dont get the choppy picture.

With my cable box, I had to download the full PDF manual from the makers site (as Cox did not provide a FULL one) and was then able to turn on this feature. So now, my FOX, ABC, ESPN & UHD HD channels are all showing in 720p (since they broadcast in that format).

Thanks for the info.