Projectors/Plasma/LCD: Anyone have a definate favorite?

Dutch · 10-01-2006, 11:55 AM

I will be investing in a new TV sometime in the near future and have a few questions.

At first I considered a plasma, they seem to have the sharpest, clearest, most colorful picture. But in my bright living room, the glare will be a big factor during daylight viewing hours.

So next I considered the LCD TV's. Those seem less sharp and less vibrant, but a reduction in glare, probably along the lines of 75% less glare. So that seems like a big plus.

The last option I am considering is a projector with a large HD screen of some sort. Are projectors these days as good as plasma or LCD TVs? But I'm not very familiar with their appearance. So I'm definately looking for some advice or experience that some of you may have had in that realm (or in the plasma and/or LCD realm for that matter).

duckman · 10-01-2006, 11:58 AM

Be careful of projectors. My last one broke because mice got inside of it and nest. The repairman said it is actually quite common.

I'm most likely going with a plasma or LCD once I can get the money saved up to buy one.

Eaglesfan27 · 10-01-2006, 12:11 PM

I'll again tout the Sony SXRD. It's a great TV that is well worth the price (about 3000 for the 50" or 3800 for the 60" model at least if you can find it on sale.) With HD signals, it looks absolutely amazing. It also does a great job with upscaling of Standard signals. The only downside is that it has lamps that need to be replaced, but those are supposed to last 8 to 10 thousand viewing hours.

We don't have light directly shining on it, but the glare factor seems to be very good as well with this TV. I think it combines the best of all viewing characteristics unless you go for the ultra expensive (over 8,000 dollar TV's.)

Dutch · 10-01-2006, 12:11 PM

duck, I do live out in the country, so I will definately watch out for mice if I go that route.

Dutch · 10-01-2006, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

I'll again tout the Sony SXRD. It's a great TV that is well worth the price (about 3000 for the 50" or 3800 for the 60" model at least if you can find it on sale.) With HD signals, it looks absolutely amazing. It also does a great job with upscaling of Standard signals. The only downside is that it has lamps that need to be replaced, but those are supposed to last 8 to 10 thousand viewing hours.

We don't have light directly shining on it, but the glare factor seems to be very good as well with this TV. I think it combines the best of all viewing characteristics unless you go for the ultra expensive (over 8,000 dollar TV's.)

Do you lose viewing angle with that projection TV?

FWIW, I am considering a projector (that I put in the back of my living room and a screen on the front wall. Hadn't given much thought to projection TV's and don't think I could get one here in Germany anyhow since they are so big.

Eaglesfan27 · 10-01-2006, 12:18 PM

Great viewing angle. At least 150 degrees wide. Our media room is wide as well as long and we have couches on either side where people will sometimes sit at an extreme angle with no problem. Also, boasts about a 30 degree viewing angle vertically. It doesn't look as good if you sit too close (I think closer than 4 to 5 feet with the 60", but otherwise, I haven't found a bad viewing angle in this room or the showroom.

It does weigh about 100 pounds which is the only other drawback.

Dutch · 10-01-2006, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

Great viewing angle. At least 150 degrees wide. Our media room is wide as well as long and we have couches on either side where people will sometimes sit at an extreme angle with no problem. Also, boasts about a 30 degree viewing angle vertically. It doesn't look as good if you sit too close (I think closer than 4 to 5 feet with the 60", but otherwise, I haven't found a bad viewing angle in this room or the showroom.

It does weigh about 100 pounds which is the only other drawback.

That sounds fantastic for watching movies and sports. I'm jealous, I admit it. 'course, I'm still in a mostly empty house waiting for my furniture to arrive and have a 19" TV I purchased when I first got here to keep the family from strangling each other.

14ers · 10-01-2006, 01:02 PM

I hate to ask susch a broad questio, so why not.

What is the minimum ANSI for a projector in a normal theater room that is not completely blacked out. A room could you could eat a meal in while relaxing in your lazy boy.

Thanks for your help.

Crapshoot · 10-01-2006, 01:07 PM

I far prefer LCD's (I have a 32 inch) to a Plasma/Projector- I think the viewing quality is a little better, and its obviously far better space wise ( I have a studio apartment). The only question is how flexible you are with your budget, of course - I think you're still likely to pay a premium for LCD's.

One other advantage of LCD's - if you're ever moving to high altitude (7,000 ft and up) - they work fine, while plasma's have some issues.

sterlingice · 10-01-2006, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duckman

Be careful of projectors. My last one broke because mice got inside of it and nest. The repairman said it is actually quite common.

Wait, seriously? There's no way. He's got to have been just pulling your leg.

SI

10-01-2006, 12:11 PM	#3
Eaglesfan27 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: New Jersey	I'll again tout the Sony SXRD. It's a great TV that is well worth the price (about 3000 for the 50" or 3800 for the 60" model at least if you can find it on sale.) With HD signals, it looks absolutely amazing. It also does a great job with upscaling of Standard signals. The only downside is that it has lamps that need to be replaced, but those are supposed to last 8 to 10 thousand viewing hours. We don't have light directly shining on it, but the glare factor seems to be very good as well with this TV. I think it combines the best of all viewing characteristics unless you go for the ultra expensive (over 8,000 dollar TV's.) __________________ Retired GM of the eNFL 2007 Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles (19-0 record.) GM of the WOOF 2006 Doggie Bowl Champion Atlantic City Gamblers. GM of the IHOF 2019 and 2022 IHOF Bowl Champion Asheville Axemen. Last edited by Eaglesfan27 : 10-01-2006 at 12:12 PM.

10-01-2006, 12:11 PM	#4
Dutch "Dutch" Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Tampa, FL	duck, I do live out in the country, so I will definately watch out for mice if I go that route. Last edited by Dutch : 10-01-2006 at 12:14 PM.

10-01-2006, 12:18 PM	#6
Eaglesfan27 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: New Jersey	Great viewing angle. At least 150 degrees wide. Our media room is wide as well as long and we have couches on either side where people will sometimes sit at an extreme angle with no problem. Also, boasts about a 30 degree viewing angle vertically. It doesn't look as good if you sit too close (I think closer than 4 to 5 feet with the 60", but otherwise, I haven't found a bad viewing angle in this room or the showroom. It does weigh about 100 pounds which is the only other drawback. __________________ Retired GM of the eNFL 2007 Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles (19-0 record.) GM of the WOOF 2006 Doggie Bowl Champion Atlantic City Gamblers. GM of the IHOF 2019 and 2022 IHOF Bowl Champion Asheville Axemen.

10-01-2006, 01:02 PM	#8
14ers High School Varsity Join Date: Oct 2006	I hate to ask susch a broad questio, so why not. What is the minimum ANSI for a projector in a normal theater room that is not completely blacked out. A room could you could eat a meal in while relaxing in your lazy boy. Thanks for your help.

10-01-2006, 01:07 PM	#9
Crapshoot Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Dec 2003	I far prefer LCD's (I have a 32 inch) to a Plasma/Projector- I think the viewing quality is a little better, and its obviously far better space wise ( I have a studio apartment). The only question is how flexible you are with your budget, of course - I think you're still likely to pay a premium for LCD's. One other advantage of LCD's - if you're ever moving to high altitude (7,000 ft and up) - they work fine, while plasma's have some issues.

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