Plasma Screen Dealers in Calgary - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Reaper · 02-16-2006, 02:00 PM

Does anyone know of any good Plasma Screen dealers in Calgary?

I'm looking to get an EDTV 42 inch version. It does not need speakers or a TV tuner as I'll be running everything through my receiver with digital cable (for now...ugh) or satellite television. A display monitor is more than okay with me but it must have a table top stand.

The only real hitch is that it has to top out at $2000 for me to swing this deal with my wife.

Flames_Gimp · 02-16-2006, 02:12 PM

too bad Dell doesn't appear to sell the EDTV anymore....(can't find it on the site) thats the TV I would have suggested...

JBR · 02-16-2006, 02:41 PM

We purchased a 42" Plasma HDTV from CompuSmart of all places. They carry a LG EDTV and HDTV. Very highly rated by several consumer site and magazines. They also have a nice Panasonic EDTV. The service was great at the Deerfoot Meadows location. (Crowfoot was filled with idiots).. Financing if you need. Very happy with the LG. Good price. At the time we bought (2-3 weeks ago), the ED version was right about 2g's

FireInTheHole · 02-16-2006, 02:45 PM

I saw an ad with Visions for a 42" LG Plasma for around $1870... check out todays flyer at www.visions.ca. Otherwise, Costco should have something as well.

Hack&Lube · 02-16-2006, 02:52 PM

If this is in anyway a long term investment, I wouldn't buy a plasma screen right now.

There will be OLED and SED televisions coming out maybe by the end of this year that will simply make plasma and LCD almost obsolete.

Incinerator · 02-16-2006, 02:54 PM

If you're looking for an el cheapo screen this can be had for $1400, yeah I know it's FutureShop but you can buy online and save yourself the hassle of dealing with salespeople, delivery is free. Just go to the store and look at it first before you commit.

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...10067117&catid=

metallicat · 02-16-2006, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

If this is in anyway a long term investment, I wouldn't buy a plasma screen right now.

There will be OLED and SED televisions coming out maybe by the end of this year that will simply make plasma and LCD almost obsolete.

Good, new technology means that existing technology should get cheaper.

Reaper · 02-16-2006, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

If this is in anyway a long term investment, I wouldn't buy a plasma screen right now.

There will be OLED and SED televisions coming out maybe by the end of this year that will simply make plasma and LCD almost obsolete.

Didn't Canon/Toshiba cease operations on their SED television co-venture?

ken0042 · 02-16-2006, 03:21 PM

Visions has an LG EDTV Plasma on for $1862.

Unless your current TV is dead; I would wait until next year. Or buy a cheap DLP Projection that is capable of 720p/1080i.

By this time next year we should have 1080p available, making the current 720p TV's the "new" EDTV standard. However; because of most providers' current bandwidth issues, I can't see anybody broadcasting in 1080p for a while.

Reaper · 02-16-2006, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fotze

Try costco.ca. Apparently they have a very liberal return policy, no questions asked.

I swear, Costco would give you a cash refund on a dead body as long as it was wearing a Kirkland shirt.

Reaper · 02-16-2006, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

Visions has an LG EDTV Plasma on for $1862.

Unless your current TV is dead; I would wait until next year. Or buy a cheap DLP Projection that is capable of 720p/1080i.

By this time next year we should have 1080p available, making the current 720p TV's the "new" EDTV standard. However; because of most providers' current bandwidth issues, I can't see anybody broadcasting in 1080p for a while.

My current TV isn't dead, it's just small at 27".

Also, I can't stand projection televisions because of their limited optimal viewing angle aspect. Plasma seems to be the best route for us because we'll be able to watch it from anywhere in the apartment regardless of the angle.

Since you're the Home Theatre Guy what do you think about this one:

http://www.mdg.ca/en/products/tv_plasma42.asp

It appears to be the same TV as the Daytek 4202 which I have heard is made by LG.

Incinerator · 02-16-2006, 03:55 PM

You might wanna stay away from MDG, it's common knowledge across the country that they are nothing but a bunch of scammers. Read RedFlagDeals for more details.

ken0042 · 02-16-2006, 03:58 PM

They say "HDTV Compatible (1080i, 720p, 480p, 480i)"

One thing to be careful of; that may be the type of inputs that the TV accepts. It can take the 720p input, and then downconvert it to 480p. However when this occurs you can get artifacts or pixelization on the screen.

A real eye opener is to take the TV's and place them side by side. I still have a 20th century projection TV. I have always gone on about how good it looked when playing HDTV. (I have my receiver set to downconvert to 480i.) For the Superbowl a buddy had just bought a new Sony LCD HDTV, and we set the two up side by side. Now I know in this case 480p is leaps and bounds above 480i, but it still isn't HDTV.

The other thing to consider, plasma is one of the worst HDTV delivery formats for watching regular SDTV. I'm not sure if EDTV would be better than a plasma HDTV, but it's another thing to look for.

Keep in mind that we all have Plasma associated with good picture because of the HDTV standard. Just like digital does not mean better with audio (CD's vs. 64 kbps MP3), plasma does not always mean better for TV.

Having said all that, there is a market for the EDTV's, so it might be good for you.

Bring_Back_Shantz · 02-16-2006, 04:33 PM

If you're worried about viewing angle you clearly haven't looked at any DLP or LCD projection TV's.

I just bought a DLP and the viewing angle is pretty darn close to 180 deg.

That being said. Why bother getting an EDTV. Why not go for the full on HDTV.
I just picked up a 44" Toshiba for $1500 (granted I got a great deal so you're probalby looking at more like $1800).

Seriously go check out the TV's before you start deciding, because if budget is an issue, I'd definately suggest getting either an LCD projection or DLP HDTV over an EDTV Plasma.

Draug · 02-16-2006, 05:56 PM

Locally, you can try Vistek. We went in with our base price, offered it to them quickly as to not waste their time, and they almost came down that low. In the end, they were only about $100 higher than online superstores, so we bought it there anyway. $100 was worth the local purchase on a $4000 item.

If you cant find it cheap enough in Calgary, try Ecost.com. They have a 'Canadian Purchaser' option which includes all exchange rate and, taxes, shipping, and duty costs. They are cheap, and trustworthy. I have bought many Camera's and computers from them, and would buy a TV from them also.

Reaper · 02-16-2006, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

If you're worried about viewing angle you clearly haven't looked at any DLP or LCD projection TV's.

Actually, I've looked at a lot of them. I simply want to be able to see the signal with the same clarity regardless of whether I'm sitting with the thing at eye level or working in the kitchen at another height.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

I just bought a DLP and the viewing angle is pretty darn close to 180 deg.

So, people sitting at a 90 degree angle from the television can view it perfectly?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

That being said. Why bother getting an EDTV. Why not go for the full on HDTV.

Since the majority of my viewing will be done with a 480p signal I'd rather not watch massively pixelated signals.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

I just picked up a 44" Toshiba for $1500 (granted I got a great deal so you're probalby looking at more like $1800).

I don't want a projection television. I want a flat panel television.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

Seriously go check out the TV's before you start deciding, because if budget is an issue, I'd definately suggest getting either an LCD projection or DLP HDTV over an EDTV Plasma.

I have looked at televisions. I wasn't impressed by projection televisions.

ken0042 · 02-16-2006, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaper

Since the majority of my viewing will be done with a 480p signal I'd rather not watch massively pixelated signals.

So, mostly DVD's then? (that's the only source I know of that's 480p)

If that's the case, then go for it.

Clarkey · 02-16-2006, 11:26 PM

Dude, didn't you write on here around Christmas time that you were struggling to get by and that the Ralphbucks would allow you to have a Christmas?

Sounds like you got a new, considerably higher paying job if you're looking at buying a $2000 dollar t.v. congrats man!

Bill Bumface · 02-17-2006, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

If you're worried about viewing angle you clearly haven't looked at any DLP or LCD projection TV's.

I just bought a DLP and the viewing angle is pretty darn close to 180 deg.

That being said. Why bother getting an EDTV. Why not go for the full on HDTV.
I just picked up a 44" Toshiba for $1500 (granted I got a great deal so you're probalby looking at more like $1800).

Seriously go check out the TV's before you start deciding, because if budget is an issue, I'd definately suggest getting either an LCD projection or DLP HDTV over an EDTV Plasma.

DLP's never look good when you are standing up, and I've seen some VERY new DLP's.

Also one thing to consider is some people's inability to see DLP's properly because they process image data too fast. I get this a bit with white on DLP's. It looks all speckled to me, and thus watching hockey on a DLP drives me absolutely crazy.

LCD Projection TV's are nice, but again if you stand up they usually are very dark.

From my experience of watching movies on LCD flat panels, Plasmas, LCD projection and DLP the Plasmas have looked by far the best when watching DVD's. Its true they do look like **** when watching regular TV though, hopefully things continue to go HD more and more, because hockey in HD on a good plasma =

mbrown · 02-17-2006, 07:36 AM

I bought a 52" Toshiba DLP. I absolutely love it. Defintely not your parents projection television. very bright and I can see it fine when I stand up and move around. Only at extreme angles does it get dark, but why would you watch any TV at that extreme an agle? Also, DLP is best for action movies and sports as there is no pixelation. Mine is a 780P, I love it. I have been having a hard time with Bell getting my HDTV to work, but they assure me it will be working this weekend - Can't wait!
$1898 boxing day special. Plasma is on it's way out people. GO LCD if you want flat panel, although my DLP is only about 10" deep. 1080 is going to take YEARS to be mainstream, they have alot of catching up to do. 780P will b current for 15 years or more.