Big Screen TV Buying Advice
| Posted by Admin on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 01:31 am: |
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Ten Tips to Getting a Big Screen TV
We all want bigger screens for increased impact, because larger TV screens, like high-quality 5.1-channel surround sound systems, pull us into the movie action or TV show's story line just the way big movie theater screens and sound systems do. But a too-large TV can really overpower a room. To get the right big-screen TV for your needs, you'll need to consider screen size, the display technology, your budget, and your viewing preferences.What follows are most of the crucial questions you'll need to answer for future viewing pleasure.
1. Choose the Right Screen Size for your Room
Your seating distance will determine your sense of picture clarity and detail as well as the quality of the viewing experience. If all you watch are true HDTV images, then you can sit as close as twice the diagonal screen size-- about 8 feet away for a 46-inch or a bit more for a 50-inch diagonal screen. But sitting that close may not be practical, because until the final conversion to all-HDTV broadcasting is complete and that's at least 5 years away-- a lot of your TV viewing may well be conventional analog TV, and those images may look fairly crummy up close. (Remember early big screen TVs?) If you watch regular non-HD TV sitting too close to a big screen, you'll see all the flaws. Figure on three times the diagonal screen size as a minimum viewing distance. So if you want a 60-inch diagonal screen, you should be 15 feet away to watch regular TV and still be pleased with the picture. For HDTV or DVDs, the picture will be fantastic at that distance; you could even move your chair up closer, to perhaps 10 feet.
2. Flat Panel or Box
Those futuristic and admittedly very cool plasma and LCD flat panels that are only a few inches thick are alluring, but budget, screen size, and your need for optimal HDTV clarity are big factors you must consider. To get full HDTV resolution on a plasma panel means getting a 50-inch diagonal screen, and that's expensive - about $8,000 USD and up. If you are willing to abandon the flat panel and accept a more conventional box (one that's no more than 14 inches deep), you can get full HDTV resolution for a fraction of that amount. A 50-inch diagonal DLP rear-projection set that's only 14 inches deep and weighs about 75 pounds would be $3,200. And you will still get a bright, stunningly good HD picture minus the ultra-cool flat-panel appeal, of course. If you still like the flat panel and are willing to accept good but not true HD picture quality, you can save a lot of money on a smaller LCD or plasma display.
3. Do You Really Need HDTV Resolution?
Let's say you won't give up on the thin flat panel display, that you simply must have it. If you are satisfied with DVD clarity-- it's called Standard Definition (480 lines) in digital TV lingo-- or Enhanced Definition (EDTV) with 480-line progressive scanning (480p), you can get a pleasing-looking EDTV 42-inch widescreen flat-panel display from Panasonic for about $3,000. The picture won't be HDTV, because the plasma screen will convert incoming HD signals to its "native resolution,"¯ but DVDs will look great, and any programs shot in HD will look a lot better than on your old analog set. And you'll have your flat panel!
4. Wide-Screen 16:9 vs. Standard 4:3
Though the widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio (the ratio of the screen's width to its height) is the HDTV standard, and matches most movies on DVD and HDTV programs, there are still lots of TV series and news shows shot in the conventional, squarish TV shape of 4:3. Give some thought to the ratio of material you watch, and whether you'd prefer a digital HD 4:3 set that will display conventional TV programs full-screen, and wide-screen HD programs with black bars at the top and bottom. Remember that if you choose a wide-screen HD set, regular TV 4:3 programs will have large black bars to each side, unless you use the set's "stretch"¯ mode, which will extend the edges of the image to fill the wide screen, at the expense of sometimes considerable image distortion. Some 4:3 sets also have "raster compression," a vertical compression mode that maintains HD 1080i or 720p scanning lines so you get true HD clarity. You should look for that feature in a 4:3 HD set.
5. Budget Alternatives: Consider the good ol' CRT
Don't write off the familiar "direct-view"¯ CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) set that we grew up with just yet. You can still get true HDTV performance with excellent picture quality, a wide viewing angle, long life (14 years or more), and a bright, contrasty picture that can be viewed in bright rooms--all for $2,000 or less. The downside, of course, is weight and bulk, and limited screen size -- the largest available is 40 inches diagonal. If you get a 34-inch HD Sony, Panasonic, Samsung or Toshiba, picture quality with an HDTV broadcast can be superb, the standard by which other sets are measured, and because the screen isn't all that big, non-HD programs and DVDs will still look excellent.
6. Big-Screen Choices: Know the Virtues and Flaws
If you are set on a big HD screen and you don't want the hassle of a front projector that requires a totally darkened room, then a rear-projection TV (RPTV) is a logical and in some instances more economical choice. Most RPTV sets will get you true HD picture resolution, and will cost much less than a 50-inch plasma HD flat panel. Least expensive are the big and bulky CRT rear-projection sets, available in a wide choice of screen sizes, from 40 to 80 inches diagonal, almost all in HD versions with 16:9 widescreen displays. These use three CRT tubes, red, green and blue, one for each primary color, that must be regularly aligned or converged¯ if the images are to remain sharp and free of colored halos or fuzzy borders. Most sets have an auto-convergence circuit that lets you do it yourself, or you can bring in a technician to fine-tune it for you for several hundred dollars. Like direct-view HD CRT sets, rear-pro CRTs are very heavy and have considerable depth. The image looks its best in a dimly lit room, and at increasing angles, the screen typically becomes dim or darkish. Uniform brightness over a wide viewing angle is not a virtue of CRT rear-pro sets. Lifespan on average is about 7 to 10 years.
7. DLP or LCD Rear Projection?
Unquestionably more technically exciting and less bulky, these two new rear-projection TV displays all share a number of advantages over CRTs, but they are also more expensive. The biggest advantage is that they never need convergence alignment so are essentially maintenance-free, except for the projector bulb. Both use a fairly expensive user-replaceable projector bulb as the light source, which is claimed to last from 3,000 up to 8,000 hours. Replacement cost varies between $300 and $500, depending on the brand of the set. DLP sets produce a very bright, sharp picture viewable in normal room light, with excellent black levels, almost the equal of a CRT set. So far, in my judgment, the best-looking DLP displays are from Samsung. Prices begin at about $3,000 or less for a 46-inch DLP RPTV. DLP sets use a Texas Instruments 1280x720-pixel chip that yields excellent HD clarity. With DLP rear-projection sets, the picture tends to get noticeably dimmer at extreme viewing angles (this does not occur with DLP front projectors). And about 20% of viewers see "rainbow effects"¯ with DLP sets -- streaks of color when they move their eyes quickly while looking at the screen, although newer sets with faster color wheels are said to be essentially free of these effects.
LCD rear-projection sets are also getting very good indeed, especially the LCD RPTVs from Sony (the Grand WEGA sets) and Hitachi, with black levels much better than in the past and close to that of DLP sets. HD resolution and sharpness is comparable to DLP, even better with some sets, with perhaps a bit less overall contrast than DLP. Like DLP, no convergence or maintenance is required, except for bulb replacement. Lifespan of DLP and LCD RPTVs is unknown, as the technology is too new, although in theory they should last at least as long as a typical CRT RPTV.
8. What About LCoS?
Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS) is a new display technology that always seems to be showing great promise, with the potential to yield even finer resolution and clarity than LCD or DLP. But to date there are very few LCoS models available and Toshiba, which had introduced several LCoS sets, has since abandoned the technology in favor of DLP. LCoS also is more expensive than DLP or LCD.
9. Can You Live With Front Projection?
The impact of a huge movie-theater-like widescreen image is undeniable, but using a front projector requires a dark room, or the projected image will looked washed out, with poor blacks and no shadow detail, because the ambient room light falls on the screen. If your room can be totally darkened then a front DLP or LCD projector can be relatively affordable and convenient, with quite stunning picture quality. All DLP or LCD front projectors are remarkably compact and come with zoom lenses which, within limits, let you adjust the image size to the screen and viewing distance. If you will accept EDTV clarity, you can get a DLP front projector from InFocus for less than $1,000. True HDTV in a DLP or LCD projector comes with a much higher price tag. Think $4,000 and up. With either type of projector, remember to include the cost of a good-quality screen, which may run $1,000 or more. And if you want it to electrically descend and roll up, the cost goes up. Using the wall for projection purposes is not a good idea. The downside of using the wall is that the image loses some brightness and contrast.
10. Consider the Signal Source and Reception
The highest-quality HDTV signals are available from satellite or digital cable-boxes. With either of these, the satellite receiver or set-top digital cable boxes will receive and decode HD signals as well as analog TV stations carried by the cable system, so you won't need a separate HD tuner built into the HD set you purchase. However, you may be within range (30 or 40 miles) of terrestrial digital HDTV over-the-air broadcasts, which of course are free but you must have an HDTV tuner to receive them. That may add about $400 or more to your setup.
Handy Definitions
CRT (cathode-ray tube): The familiar heavy glass "picture tube" common to TV displays for over 50 years. An electron beam emitted from a cathode in the neck of the vacuum tube is focused and scans across the inside face of the tube which is coated with fluorescent pixels that light up to produce a TV image when hit by the scanning beam. Capable of superb color accuracy and picture detail viewable over a wide angle. Large, heavy, and limited to a maximum of 40 inches diagonal screen size.
LCD (liquid-crystal display): color LCD panels used in flat-screen computer monitors, some flat-screen TV displays, and in rear- and front-TV projection. Maintenance-free and capable of high resolution. Less than perfect blacks because in most displays light shines through the LCD panels to illuminate the image. May produce grid-like "screen-door effect" if pixels are too coarse.
DLP (digital light processing): A TV projection technology developed by Texas Instruments that uses a light source bounced off the surface of a tiny chip, a digital micro-mirror device (DMD) whose surface is covered by many thousands of tiny, moveable mirrors. Maintenance-free and capable of bright, high-contrast images with good blacks and rich color. May produce "rainbow effects" visible with rapid eye movements in about 20% of viewers.
LCoS (liquid crystal on silicon): Similar technology to liquid-crystal display (LCD) but uses a light source reflected from the LCD panel rather than shining through it. Also known as D-ILA (direct-drive image light amplifier). Capable of performance superior to DLP and LCD but not yet realized in practice. Expensive and still in development.
HDTV (high-definition TV): Part of the new digital TV standard, with much increased vertical and horizontal resolution, either interlaced or progressive scanning, and a widescreen 16:9 screen shape similar to that of most widescreen movie formats like Panavision. True HDTV displays have resolution of either 1080i (interlaced) or 720p (progressive) scanning lines.
EDTV (enhanced-definition TV): Also part of the digital TV standard and better than Standard Definition (SDTV), EDTV refers to any TV display that uses 480 lines progressively scanned (480p) with 60 frames per second display and a 16:9 widescreen or 4:3 screen shape.
SDTV (standard-definition TV): Typically a digital TV image with 480 interlaced scanning lines (480i) like DVD, and usually superior to conventional analog TV picture quality.
by Alan Lofft (bio), Axiom Audio (reprinted with permission)
| Author | Comments | ||
     Unregistered guest |
I have the opportunity to buy a 3 year old zenith 52" projection tv for $800.00. It was purchsed with a 3 year service warranty which has been completed. Is this worthy buy or should I pass this up and go for a newer model? Any info would be appreciated. |
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Anonymous |
THAT IS A TERRIBLE DEAL consider this: you can buy a 51 inch screen size 1080i HI DEF TV, a MAGNAVOX model 51MP392H WIDESCREEN HI DEF TELEVISION at Circuit City that sells at around $1000 or less on sale and Walmart as low as 900 dollars. Circuit City usually will match the low Walmart price if need be It includes wheels and a fully integrated stand- which by itself saves another few hundred dollars Now this also includes a FREE Magnavox in home one yr PART/LABOR WARRANTY that comes with the unit. Circuit City offers in-home delivery and Walmart does not, important on a unit this heavy Only problem with Circuit City is they don't like selling ANY tv w/o the CIRCUIT CITY extended warranty aka "PSP", let alone a loss leader set like this- which is really a magnet to draw customers to the store to buy higher priced units. These special warranties are a ripoff and in fact accounted for 100% of Circuit City's net operating profit last year (see Business Week article Dec 19th) All you need to do is hook the Magnavox via component cables into a cable-hi def box or satellite hi def box - and you will be getting extraordinary 1080i hi def pictures on the hi def channels Bottom line if you live in the U.S. at least, the deal you described is very bad |
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doeboi Unregistered guest |
i could buy a 99' mitsubishi 46 inch for 650$ is that a good or bad deal? |
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Unregistered guest |
I just bought the Toshiba 32" 16:9 LCD TV (32HL84). DVD movies such as "The Gathering Storm" are wonderfully sharp and clear with a progressive scan player. Basic Cable (for the nightly news) from TimeWarner is of variable quality but the feature which allows you to surround a 21" picture with 8 small ones of news or other channels makes surfing to avoid the commercials worth the price of the set! |
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Unregistered guest |
I am in the market for a large (60-62inch) rear Projection HDTV. I have not decided on the make but I am leaning to the DLP system. I keep getting conflicting reports about the ability of that system to do well with computer games (PC, Flight Sims and shoot-em-ups). I read that there is a time lag from the command to the action that makes games unplayable. Anyone have any comments? |
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Unregistered guest |
That's a very good question George. What TV type is best for when a computer is connected and used bascially as a big-honking computer monitor (i.e. for gaming or watching HD res DivX's from your hard drive)? I have no clue, but I'll email you if/when I find out. Please do the same! |
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why345 Unregistered guest |
Does the MAGNAVOX model 51MP392H have picture in picture (pip) |
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Unregistered guest |
Why is a flat panel screen clearer than a big screen tv |
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Kristal Unregistered guest |
My dad wants to give me a big screen tv, I think it is a 45". But the screen is totally shattered-I mean completely GONE. I don't know what kind it is or anything......Does anyone know about how much a replacement screen may cost, or should I just trash the thing??? |
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Anonymous |
I recently had a house broken into and my 42" Hitachi big screen which is a couple of years old was damaged severly the screen is broken out and the tubes inside I'm sure are broken is it even worth looking into replacment parts to fix? |
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Unregistered guest |
hi im going to buy a new 50in hitachi lcd rear projection tv model 50v500 is this a nice tv the way i have my living rm set up ill be sitting about 7 feet from it i have a 57in toshiba now its not lcd tell me what you thing |
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Papaplopolous Unregistered guest |
Best TV for video games is LCD because you don't have Burn In. Also, if you get an LCD from a computer manufacturer like Toshiba or Samsung, you won't have to worry about connectivity. |
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RMC Unregistered guest |
Any high altitude advice for a bigscreen? I live at about 11,200' and am considering a 48inch set under 2k. Thanks for any advice... |
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Stevenhenle Unregistered guest |
Are ProScan (RCA) T.V.'s any good? I can buy one with the wall unit and souround sound for $2000 Canadian. The set is four years old and the screen is about 40 inches. |
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WhiteGuy69 Unregistered guest |
***Warning on the Mitsubishi DLP TV for gaming*** My lounge at school bought a brand new one for like $3500 and the thing died after only 6 hours of Halo 2 :-(...don't know what was wrong with it...wouldn't turn on at all anymore... I heard that the DLP's can't handle the refresh rate of consoles...don't know if that's true, but just throwing it out there... |
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New member Username: VideobruceBuffalo , NY Post Number: 10 Registered: Nov-04 |
Really need to include JVC's D-ILA in the above list! It isn't complete without them! |
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Unregistered guest |
Hi, I am looking to purchase the largest non projection CRT HD TV either in widescreen or Standard format. Any recoomendations and price info would be appreciated |
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ramona Unregistered guest |
Is $1000.00 too much for a used 60" Mitsubishi big screen; not wide screen? I am told it is 4 years old. I thought they stopped making big sreens 5 - 6 years ago. Need some advice. |
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Unregistered guest |
I am in the market for a new tv. My minimum specs are 50in. digital wide-screen hd. I would also like to stay in the range of 2000-2500. Do you have any suggestions. If so just send me an email. |
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anewbie Unregistered guest |
My 12 year old Hitachi rear projection just gave out after providing excellent performance. I'm now ready to purchase a newer version big screen and looking at rear projection options. One thing that bugs me is the wide screen choice which is now the IN thing. I just don't understand how folks can stand the distorted image when using the whole screen for a typical tv show. Most folks I've seen don't black out the sides. If you're going to spend that much money buying "the best" available tv, how can you stand to watch a noticeably distorted image on a wide screen tv? |
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Unregistered guest |
i need all the help i can get!! i'd like to get a big screen for my husband, but with very limited funds-- hopefully around $1000. i know NOTHING about televisions, other than you can turn them on and off. he has an eye disease, retinitus pigmentosa, which is degenerative, so i'd really like him to have his "dream" while he can still see. we don't need anything fancy, just a really big television that could withstand our 3 sons, and give my husband a great t.v. experience!! any help would be sooo appreciated!!! |
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Unregistered guest |
My roommate and I bought a 51" Toshiba rear projection TV, HDTV ready, from Best Buy in August of 2001. We no longer live together and are trying to figure out the value of the T.V. so that one of us can buy the other out. I think we probably paid around $2200 originally for it. Can you offer any help in determining the value of this T.V.? |
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Unregistered guest |
I have a 54 inch area for a big screen - don't want to spend over $2500....any recommendations on the best unit? Picture quality and durablity are very important...please respond or email me at mjspoto@comcast.net - thanks! |
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Unregistered guest |
OK. Here's my confusion. I want to purchase a 36-45 in. LCD rear projection or DLP rear projection or just a plain LCD. But, i am worried that my DirectTV connection will look terrible. I don't have HD...and won't anytime soon (unfortunately). I am worried because i was at a friend's who had a Sharp LCD 32" and his HD signal looked great...but, directTV signal looked horrible. Who has any advice? Please. Thanks. |
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Unregistered guest |
yes i want to know about how much a 50 inch toshiba tv would be worth if it was sold used. made in 1999? just a estimate would help |
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New member Username: Rf186Post Number: 1 Registered: Sep-04 |
moetex, a used crt rear projection in good condition from any recent year should net you about $500 if it's HD capable, or $300 if it's not. |
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New member Username: Rf186Post Number: 2 Registered: Sep-04 |
af, how a large screen hdtv displays a sd signal varies greatly, it's due to the units video processor/scaler. Whatever store you're looking at buying from ask them to show you how the set displays a sdtv signal (if they won't show you don't buy from that store). If you're looking at the sony lcd's & sammy dlp's both of these will give you an pretty good sdtv signal. Another problem is that some people aren't getting a strong enough signal from their cable/sattelite provider which can also make a huge difference, most large hdtv sets take a sdtv signal (480i) and upconvert it to the units native resolution (1080i or 720p) it's similar to taking a picture on your computer and blowing it up to twice or three times the normal size, so these tv's use complex video processors & scalers to correct this problem, the cheaper tv's won't use as good of a scaler as the mid-higher priced units. |
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Ralph W. Unregistered guest |
My cat's breath smells like cat food. |
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Anonymous |
I`m looking for a 50`` screen for a 1999 zenith.. Any sugestions?? reply to james.mcintosh@insightbb.com |
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mariya... Unregistered guest |
hi ...how much a 11 yr old 52inch zenith tv worth??working condition... |
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New member Username: HotjiggamanPost Number: 1 Registered: Sep-05 |
i got a new hdtv panasonic 50" or 52" but is there a way to adjust the picture like the people look skinner but the screen picture in full mode. the people in the picture look so stretched up. |
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Anonymous |
What's the going rate for a USED mitsubishi rear projection 50" big screen? im going to a household auction and may bid on one. i dont wanna get screwed over..i think its an older one but cant be sure. im guessing 150-250 bucks. |
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Anonymous |
What's the going rate for a USED mitsubishi rear projection 50" big screen? im going to a household auction and may bid on one. i dont wanna get screwed over..i think its an older one but cant be sure. im guessing 150-250 bucks. |
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Anonymous |
What's the going rate for a USED mitsubishi rear projection 50" big screen? im going to a household auction and may bid on one. i dont wanna get screwed over..i think its an older one but cant be sure. im guessing 150-250 bucks. |
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New member Username: JrgriffithDowns, KS USA Post Number: 1 Registered: Nov-05 |
Hi, I am trying to deside between a Toshiba 72HM195 and a Mitsubishi WD-73727, does anyone have experence with these models? |
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Anonymous |
I have a 5 year old 60 inch hitachi big screen projection tv with picture in picture. It has vivid color and surrond sound. it has ultravision. The screen has a few minor scratches nothing that's bothersome when watching tv. what would be a good selling price? |
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New member Username: Sean22Post Number: 1 Registered: Feb-06 |
I am looking for a big screen tv and I would like to stay around the $1000.00 mark what should I be shopping for?? What would be good places to shop for this??? |
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New member Username: Donna_sowellPost Number: 1 Registered: Mar-06 |
how much would a Hitachi wide screen tv be worth. It is 3 years old. high defination. |
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New member Username: Donna_sowellPost Number: 2 Registered: Mar-06 |
how much should i pay for a 55 in big screen zenith tv. it is 6 yrs old. |
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New member Username: Wash0556Post Number: 1 Registered: Mar-06 |
someone has a 60 inch mitsubishi that's 1 1/2 years old still under 3 yr warrenty high def says paid 3500 sell for 1500 is this good deal |
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New member Username: ToddlaPost Number: 1 Registered: Jul-06 |
I am getting ready to buy a large screen HDTV very soon. I have been watching and learning about them for the past 5 years following this ever changing technology. I have a huge living room approximately 30 x 35 so I am looking for nothing smaller than a 60" TV and the room could handle a larger one. I am willing to spend up to $4,000 and have been looking at the Sony 60" Grand Wega SXRD (KDS-R60XBR1) for the past year. Do you think this is a better TV than DLP or any other options? How does this TV compare and differ to the Sony Grand Wega SXRD 60" (KDS-60A2000)? Which is the better TV bewteen these two? |
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New member Username: RvengoshPost Number: 1 Registered: Aug-06 |
The Sonys are all pretty good. Personally, I prefer the Pioneers - I own a 43" plasma and love the picture quality. Here is my advice on how to choose: www.squidoo.com/bigscreen |
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New member Username: ToddlaPost Number: 2 Registered: Jul-06 |
I am also looking at the following two 72" DLP TV's: Toshiba 72MX195 and the Toshiba 72HM195 1. Can you tell me the + and - between these two TV's? 2. Can you tell me the + and - between the Sony KDS-60XBR1 and the Sony KDS-60A2000? 3. How do these compare to these Sony TV's compare to the these Toshiba TV's? Which to buy? |
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New member Username: LanceandamandaPost Number: 2 Registered: Feb-07 |
I have a chance to buy a 61" Hitachi HDtv widescreen for $800, is it a good deal |
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New member Username: KeebPost Number: 1 Registered: Mar-07 |
I dont know Lance. So, I hope someone helps you soon enough. All I know is that I'm too broke to buy an LCD HDTV. I want one of those good "FLAT SCREEN" SDTV's (standard-definition TV's) damn it. I bought an ILO and regret it now. I was very much disappointed and when I came online, to read reviews, I beat myself up thinking," Why didnt I read reviews before I purchased the damn thing?!" HEY! I have a bright idea!!! Anyone want to purchase me a good LCD HDTV from Walmart!!!(OH JOY!!!) I know just the one I want too. Here's the link: Tada! http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5031323 Order it for me, online, and than ship it to my address...hahaha...I wish. No seriously! I'm behind the times. And I need to keep up with the Jones's... jeannett_08@yahoo.com J.K., from San Antonio, Texas OMG...I seriously doubt anyone will. But, oh well. I'm not ashamed. Just desperate...haha Take care folks. Hope I made ya laugh at least...And yup, the jokes on me..Oh well.  |
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New member Username: Bay_elliottPost Number: 1 Registered: Jan-08 |
I have a 10 year old Hitachi 48" big screen TV. My cat just knocked over a sound baffle and broke the lower left area of the screen. Where can I buy a replacement screen for this TV? How easy or difficult is it to replace? |
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