baddox
08-23-2009, 05:52 PM
Hey guys, I've really been doing TV research the past couple of weeks because I need an HDTV in my room. I have a pretty good idea of what I want, so I'll throw out the info as well as the TV's I've been looking at. I'd appreciate ANY thoughts you guys have.
Screen size: The room is 12 feet from front wall to back wall, so the viewing distance would be between 10 and 12 feet. Therefore, I estimate I need a 50" panel. I could probably get by with a 46-47" panel, but only if that would get me significantly better quality for the same price.
Screen technology: The majority of my viewing will be in a dim or dark room. There's one window in the room and I keep the shades drawn. I don't watch broadcast television, just movies. This has led me to consider plasma over LCD, although I am no "fanboy" of either. Plasma also just tends to have better prices around 50" screen sizes. I am very open to either plasma or LCD, it all depends on price vs. performance. I think black levels are most important to me, since I will be viewing in a dim or dark room.
Price: Price is always the real kicker. I would like to spend not more than 1300 dollars. I realize this puts me toward the cheap end of 47-50" panels, but from what I've read and seen in stores, I still think a very respectable TV can be had for that price.
Other:
I want 1080p. Some plasmas that size offer 720p for significant savings, but I don't want to regret that later, especially since I have a fair amount of 1080p content.
I will rarely be playing games or watching broadcast television, so hopefully burn-in and image retention shouldn't be much of an issue.
The panel will be connected to a media center computer, either by VGA or HDMI (with a DVI-HDMI adapter). Are there any special considerations with using a PC with an HDTV? I assume DVI-HDMI is better than VGA?
Built-in speakers is not an issue, since I have a separate receiver and speakers.
Current considerations:
Samsung PN50B550 50" plasma. Is on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-PN50B550-50-Inch-1080p-Plasma/dp/B001VSCH74/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=tv&qid=1251046026&sr=1-1) and at Best Buy (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9239399&st=PN50B550&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1218065984837) for 1100 dollars. My only worry is black levels and contrast in a dark room. Most reviews are positive on image quality, but note that black levels and contrast is a bit lacking in dark room.
Panasonic TC-P50S1 50" plasma. On Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B001U3YJTY/ref=pd_luc_mri?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance) and at Sears (http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_05775559000P?vName=Computers+%26+Ele ctronics&cName=Televisions&sName=Flat+Panel) for 1200 dollars.
I welcome any and all comments and recommendations!
Screen size: The room is 12 feet from front wall to back wall, so the viewing distance would be between 10 and 12 feet. Therefore, I estimate I need a 50" panel. I could probably get by with a 46-47" panel, but only if that would get me significantly better quality for the same price.
Screen technology: The majority of my viewing will be in a dim or dark room. There's one window in the room and I keep the shades drawn. I don't watch broadcast television, just movies. This has led me to consider plasma over LCD, although I am no "fanboy" of either. Plasma also just tends to have better prices around 50" screen sizes. I am very open to either plasma or LCD, it all depends on price vs. performance. I think black levels are most important to me, since I will be viewing in a dim or dark room.
Price: Price is always the real kicker. I would like to spend not more than 1300 dollars. I realize this puts me toward the cheap end of 47-50" panels, but from what I've read and seen in stores, I still think a very respectable TV can be had for that price.
Other:
I want 1080p. Some plasmas that size offer 720p for significant savings, but I don't want to regret that later, especially since I have a fair amount of 1080p content.
I will rarely be playing games or watching broadcast television, so hopefully burn-in and image retention shouldn't be much of an issue.
The panel will be connected to a media center computer, either by VGA or HDMI (with a DVI-HDMI adapter). Are there any special considerations with using a PC with an HDTV? I assume DVI-HDMI is better than VGA?
Built-in speakers is not an issue, since I have a separate receiver and speakers.
Current considerations:
Samsung PN50B550 50" plasma. Is on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-PN50B550-50-Inch-1080p-Plasma/dp/B001VSCH74/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=tv&qid=1251046026&sr=1-1) and at Best Buy (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9239399&st=PN50B550&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1218065984837) for 1100 dollars. My only worry is black levels and contrast in a dark room. Most reviews are positive on image quality, but note that black levels and contrast is a bit lacking in dark room.
Panasonic TC-P50S1 50" plasma. On Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B001U3YJTY/ref=pd_luc_mri?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance) and at Sears (http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_05775559000P?vName=Computers+%26+Ele ctronics&cName=Televisions&sName=Flat+Panel) for 1200 dollars.
I welcome any and all comments and recommendations!