It's finally going to happen!

Yep, that's right, Timmy is finally going to get into the hi-def world!

I just finished my tax return for 2007 and I'm getting back $5,510! Whoo hoo! I can't believe I'll get to pay my credit cards off AND get a new HDTV! Biggest tax return I've ever had, thanks to all that house interest I paid last year! I'm so excited that I just can't hide it! I freakin' out and I'm about to lose my mind and I think I like it!

I'm probably going to go with LCD, as I've been hunting what I like over the last year and I think the LCD is probably my best bet. I love a lot of the Plasmas I've seen over the year, but that whole glass issue might get distracting IMO. The DLPs look nice, but I seem to notice a little too much grain with them, but perhaps I just haven't seen a good set yet.? However, you guys have been the HD gurus and I'm looking for some advice. I have a pretty good size living space (20x30), so I've been leaning towards a good 42", but if you guys think I can go bigger, then please advise. I already know about the whole 1080p and at least a couple HDMI connections, but advice on brand names (at a good price) would be greatly appreciated. And also let me know what trickery things the retailers might try to get me to buy that I don't need. I just want something that will make me happy but not rip me off. Thanks in advance!

Can you guys believe it?! I'm finally jumping on the bandwagon with the reat of you! I can't wait to see "American Beauty" on my new HDTV! Whoo Hoo!!!!

Ok, I AM AWAKE NOW AND I'M GOING TO SPEND YOUR MONEY TIM.

Samsung HL-S5687W-Avoid L.E.D. light sources. They dont have as good of picture(look it up) You can probably get this set for $1,700 bucks now(maybe cheaper) and that will leave you with enough to buy a spare bulb.(aprox $200) So for $1,900,you have yourself a "faceoff" winner. I paid far more for mine.Excellent set. And I have "THE EYE"
Sony PS3-For Blu-Ray
Toshiba Hd-dvd-Why not at those prices!?
So there ya go. I even left you plentyo'cash to take the wife and kids out to a nice meal. I have this same setup. You will love it.

[Post edited by bladerunner1 on Apr 16, 2008]

"HD Timmy" said -

Quote:
"I love a lot of the Plasmas I've seen over the year, but that whole glass issue might get distracting IMO. The DLPs look nice, but I seem to notice a little too much grain with them, but perhaps I just haven't seen a good set yet.?"

Well Tim, only avoid plasma if you're viewing conditions are in well-lit rooms, as objects can reflect off of the glass. Otherwise plasma is the highest quality HDTV image you can buy. And by the way, plasma screens (like CRTube TVs) are the easiest to clean, whereas with LCD glass you have to be very careful so as to not 'scratch' the glass surface, and avoid use the usual types of cleaning sprays/rags etc (that are OK with plasma glass).

DLP technology is quite good, as it uses a unique chip developed by Texas Instruments, and you get the largest screen for the best cost-value. However, rear-projection units do NOT have the same contrast, color accuracy, and long-lasting 'life' as that of plasma, since the bulb has to get replaced every few years (depending on hours of usage). With the newer LED DLP rear-pro units, yes they last even longer, but still will need to have their light source bulb replaced after 20,000 hours. Note: both plasma and LCD don't reach half-brightness until around 60,000 (or more hours).

And rear-pro requires that you sit almost dead center for the best picture, and with the screen level with your eyes. Once you move away from center, the quality suffers (like LCD), whereas plasma can be viewed from anywhere in a room and the image quality is the same as sitting in the center.

IF you choose LCD - I recommend (depending on your budget) models from Toshiba, Sharp, Sony, JVC, Samsung. No single model is 'perfect' in every way, but these are the best.

IF you choose Plasma - the best are easily Pioneer and Panasonic, with LG and Samsung also very good too (but not of the same quality).

IF you choose DLP - Samsung is the strongest in this market (both regular DLP models and the LED DLP units), with others like Mitsubishi, RCA etc also available. Avoid any of the 'slimmer' DLP models as A/V tests reveal that there is uneven screen uniformity seen in widescreen movies. Cnet has some reviews about this.

So, if watching primarily in a well-lit environment, LCD or DLP is the way to go. If watching alot of sports, with lower levels of light, and wanting the best possible hi-def image quality, PLASMA is it! By the way, I watch my Pioneer plasma during the day, and rarely ever see any object reflecting off the screen (but I keep the curtains closed), even though I have a fully-lit room in daytime. Pioneer has one of the best anti-reflecting screens available, along with other superior image processing technology.

Finally, you might decide to buy a last year's 2007 model that is currently being 'cleared' out of inventory, and save much money. OR, if you decide to wait a few more months (until August), there's usually some good deals since many are buying for the upcoming football season (plus the Olympics this summer). Of course, the BEST time to buy an HDTV is during the end-of-year holiday sales season, when prices are at their lowest, and the current year's models are now lower in price than when first introduced back in the summer.

Oh, and don't buy a screen less than 50" - you'll regret it otherwise. The bigger the better! I love my 50" Pioneer KURO plasma, but sometimes I wish I had bought the (higher-priced) 60" model, but it was about $2000 more. As you get older, you definitely need to see the image as large as possible, and anything lower than 50" won't cut it - trust me on this, you'll definitely be happier with the largest screen you can afford.

And just for you... John McCain for President (from your home state, as we all know)

-JIMI (the Voodoo Child)

If you want to go over 50, get a projector. A good HD projector is as close as you can get to going to the movies every night.

Wow Congrats Tim!!! My Return this year was 4,130!!! After the VISA, the Car loan is the next thing to get paid off. Still have 19,000 left on that. So maybe next year...

I have to say, I was quite impressed with Hendrix's post. They only thing I would change would be I would say stay away from the Sony and Samsung LCD's. Everything else is cool. I don't not like Samsung's DNIe control on the LCD's and Sony's DRC control on their products. They do similar manipulations to the picture. Sony's DRC inhibits signals from being displayed properly. Long story short, not a fan. Panasonic however makes a really nice LCD product. Toshiba Regzas are my favorite, and the 70 series from Sharp and good as well. It's for your eye to check out! In a room your size, I say go no larger than a 46" LCD, but if you can control your lighting, Go 50" plasma or bigger!!! Plasma's are awesome, but don't do so well with natural sunlight.

DLP's are nice, but too pixely for me too.

If you can can I like the SPY's idea. GO PROJO OR GO HOME!!! I think there is a few of us here that are using Projo's as their main source of HD in the home. Skyhawk, SPY and myself are all using Projo's to display HD. Man, when you see the HD on a 100" screen, WOW! My room is 18' X 11.5 and I have a 100" displayed on the 11.5' wall. The projo rests around 12.5' to 13' back, and it's smokin!!! The cool part about a projo is that you can make the picture as big or as small as you want. If you can't install one, think about it for your next HD purchase!

DILA for the win!

Tim,

Panasonic makes fantastic plasmas with very effective anti-glare screens. For their 2008 models, the anti-glare screen is replaced with an anti-reflective screen, which is supposed to be better. I have the 2007 42" model with the anti-glare, and the picture is perfect. The 08 models include a 46" 1080p, which I am guessing is fantastic. They should be available within the next 2 months. This address will take you to a rundown of their new 2008 models. Good luck
http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9891317-1.html?tag=dvdtown-20

Get a DLP LED Samsung. No color wheel and no lamp. They get real good reviews. I have a 58" DLP HP tv and it looks great to me. I don't notice grain. Samsung is supposed to be a great improvement compared to mine. Just make sure to look into the newest models as they came out this month I believe.

Tim, if you can get one of the Sharp D92U series LCD's those are probably the best money can buy. The D82U series are good as well but STAY AWAY FROM THE D62U.

The D92U has incredible blacks levels and a great contrast ratio which all results in improved color reproduction. They are 1080P, 3 HDMI inputs I believe and just fantastic overall picture quality.

Howfar are you going to be sitting from the TV? If 8 feet than you can go 50" but it will take a few days to get used to it. You will LOVE it though.

Otherwise I would STRONGLY suggest you look at the Pioneer plasmas 4280HD (42'), 5080HD (50"etc. You seriously cannot get a better image than these Pioneers right now.

Tim, I guess Mr. Bush is going to thank you for spending your tax return very wisely...