So, our main TV died...

[FurnaceFace]

...the picture tube appears to have died (image only appears on half the screen and then it shrinks further and the entire screen goes blank) so we're looking for a new plasma/lcd/whatever.

Recommendations? I know this has been asked before but it's technology so every 2 months or less there are new options. All I know is I really want 1080p amd dual HDMI for as low a price as possible.

Thanks CP.

[underGRADFlame]

If you can hold off a month do, prices drop after Superbowl. Plus Sharp is going to be forcing the prices down because of their new production facility.

[jam26]

Got a 42" LG Plasma in December and couldn't be happier with it. Paid $1,799 but have seen it for as little as $1,499 since.

[photon]

As low as possible?

http://www.crutchfieldcanada.com/Pro...ode=647LVM42W2

Not sure how much lower you can get for 1080p... and a # of people have had good experiences with that TV on the avsforums.

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde...31&catid=24558

If you want more mainstream brand, though I don't know anything about that TV (800:1 contrast ratio is a bit low).

EDIT: Any particular reason for needing 1080p? Xbox 360 / PS3? Otherwise you won't notice a difference from 720p, unless you go huge TV and HD DVD or Bluray movies.

[FurnaceFace]

Originally Posted by photon

EDIT: Any particular reason for needing 1080p? Xbox 360 / PS3? Otherwise you won't notice a difference from 720p, unless you go huge TV and HD DVD or Bluray movies.

From what I've read (which could be BS) 1080p is the "native" HD resolution or "true HD". I figure since we're not going to be buying a TV every year I want something that will be good for now and the future.

[I_H8_Crawford]

If you have the room for a "larger" TV (read: not flatscreen) check out the Sony SXRDs or the JVC HD-ILA TVs - both have dual HDMI and are 1080p.

[fanforever1986]

the only thing i have to say is go sharp.

[Bill Bumface]

Take it from an LCD owner... get a plasma! Cheaper, and they look better than an LCD for TV/Movies.

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by FurnaceFace

From what I've read (which could be BS) 1080p is the "native" HD resolution or "true HD". I figure since we're not going to be buying a TV every year I want something that will be good for now and the future.

Native resolution for everything cable/satellite is either 1080i or 720p. HD DVD/blu ray are 1080p.

Don't get a crappier tv though just because it is 1080p. I've always felt that resolution is the 3rd most important factor in making a good picture. Contrast/black levels and colour saturation and accuracy are more important to a pleasing picture.

Also take a look at this chart to see if you are even likely to see a difference between 1080p and 720p:
http://www.carltonbale.com/wp-conten...tion_chart.png

ie, if you get a 50 inch tv, you can't see a difference between 1080p and 720p unless you sit closer than about 10 feet. You have to be about 6 feet away to realize the full benefit.

Panasonic plasmas are a good place to start looking. They are great tvs priced pretty reasonably.

Also, be careful when comparing at stores, they don't usually set up the tvs properly, they often have all the colour/brightness settings cranked up to make certain tvs stand out, etc.

[Sample00]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

Take it from an LCD owner... get a plasma! Cheaper, and they look better than an LCD for TV/Movies.

really? I have always thought that the LCD would be better in the long run.
someone once told me that the advertising image in the bottom right hand corner of the screen eventually burns into the screen. This burn would ruin the screen. On the other hand the LCD can be repaired as well.

currently I am looking at the SONY 70" and its an LCD I believe, now you have me questioning that purchase

[I_H8_Crawford]

Originally Posted by Sample00

really? I have always thought that the LCD would be better in the long run.
someone once told me that the advertising image in the bottom right hand corner of the screen eventually burns into the screen. This burn would ruin the screen. On the other hand the LCD can be repaired as well.

currently I am looking at the SONY 70" and its an LCD I believe, now you have me questioning that purchase

If you are looking at 70" from Sony, you must be looking at their SXRD lineup, which is NOT LCD, it is LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicone) and as such has a great contrast ratio, excellent colour reproduction, and is a full 1080p.

[burn_baby_burn]

I just bought a 50" Samsung 1080p DLP for $2,400 on Boxing Day. I wanted to get a 50" plasma. But was told that if I was watching a lot of sports to go with projection. I thought this was garbage so I checked it out on line. I'm happy with the TV so far. But I havn't got the HD reciever hooked up yet.

[TurnedTheCorner]

"True HD" is sales BS geared towards getting people to spend more. You're fine with any TV that does 720p or 1080i for several years. If money is no object, go for a 1080p. But it's not at all necessary anytime soon.

But heed nfotiu's words. Black levels are far more important.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by nfotiu

Don't get a crappier tv though just because it is 1080p.

Agreed. And don't a whack more money on 1080p.

If you are looking at two Sonys, both 40" and one does 1080p and the other is native to 720p; if it's $200 then sure. But if it's $1000, I wouldn't yet.

Cable and satellite companies are strugling with bandwidth (how much data per second they can send along the cable) right now. The big drive will be to get more HD channels, not to up the quality of the current ones. 1080p requires about 50% more bandwidth, so we won't be seeing it very soon as the standard.

[Top Shelf]

I think it all depends on the content you'll be viewing on the TV.

If it's going to primarily be used for television (SD and HD) there is no reason to go 1080p as there are not any current networks that broadcast in 1080p, and there won't be for a very long time. The infrastructure is not in place and there would not be enough bandwidth to handle the signal.

Regarding the network logo burn in issue, lots of networks are moving towards the transparent logos, which is helping. Combine that with the fact that plasma technology is getting better at preventing burn-in (pixel shift, signal patters, etc.), it is getting to be less and less of a serious issue. You still need to be careful and turn down your settings for the first 100 hours, but as long as you exercise a little bit of caution you should be okay.

However, if you are going to watch a lot of movies, it might be worth it. Blu-ray and hd-dvd movies do look very, very nice. But to take full advantage of the increased resoltuion, you'll want to go at least 50 inches, and go with a respected brand as well. So now your cost is really getting up there.

I have a 42" Samsung plasma and I love it. However, if I had the space and the chance to do it again, I would probably get a large tube tv. The color and black levels on those things is still the best IMO.

Some good suggestions in this thread already. I really like Sony's SXRD line, they are more expensive but the picture is really sweet. Soundsaround usually has them on display right when you walk in the door.

There are lots of good sites around too for doing research. One of the best is www.avsforum.com

Also, Digital Home Canada is pretty good for the Canadian side of things. Good discussions on BEV vs. SC vs. Shaw/Rogers. Plus, our good buddy ken0042 is a moderator there too!

Good luck in the TV search, I had a blast doing mine.

[I_H8_Crawford]

Originally Posted by ken0042

Agreed. And don't a whack more money on 1080p.

If you are looking at two Sonys, both 40" and one does 1080p and the other is native to 720p; if it's $200 then sure. But if it's $1000, I wouldn't yet.

Cable and satellite companies are strugling with bandwidth (how much data per second they can send along the cable) right now. The big drive will be to get more HD channels, not to up the quality of the current ones. 1080p requires about 50% more bandwidth, so we won't be seeing it very soon as the standard.

Bell is working on a High Def receiver that uses MPEG 4 encoding for their signals, with less bandwidth used up due to compression, would this potentially lead to 1080p signals on TV?

[ricosuave]

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/s...d.php?t=395641

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/s...ght=home+depot

[Red]

Plasma is the best choice right now, unless you play games, then an LCD is the safer choice. Plasma has a much better picture than LCD.

1080p is a waste of money. By the time the content arrives you'll need a new TV anyways. Never buy future in electronics and you'll be able to upgrade more often for the same cost.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by I_H8_Crawford

Bell is working on a High Def receiver that uses MPEG 4 encoding for their signals, with less bandwidth used up due to compression, would this potentially lead to 1080p signals on TV?

Sure, it could but that would mean all the stations upgrading their equipment to put out 1080p when they have just gotten into regulat HD. Not something I see happening any time soon.

What I like about a 1080p set is that it upconverts the signal to 1080p and it futureproofs you for HD DVD and internet downloads if you want to build a HTPC capable of 1080p.

[ken0042]

Whatever you do, keep this in mind:

720p TV with HD cable/satellite box >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 1080p TV with shaw digital box.