What TV is best?

So I think I might be ready to finally buy an HDTV. I've been looking around, and I thought for sure I'd buy the Samsung LN-T4061F ($1300) It has excellent reviews, and I really like that its 1080p. Thats at right about the top of my budget. Then, I stumbled across the Samsung HLT5075S for $1000!

I just have a few questions issues regarding making the best choice.

1. I thought that I was definitely going to buy the 1080p. I have an Xbox 360, and I'm planning on buying a Blu-Ray player in the very near future. I know that BD looks best on 1080p, but will it ultimately make a huge difference compared to 720p?

2. I don't really know much about DLP. I know that you can get the "rainbow effect," but compared to an LCD, is it better or worse overall? Will I have to replace any bulbs or anything within 5 years?

I'd just like to know everyones opinion on what TV i should get. I already have an HD cable box on a 32'' 4:3 CRT tv, so I watch most shows with the letterbox.
Thanks!

Re: What TV is best?

1) It really depends on how close you sit to the screen as to whether 1080p is an advantage over 720p. There's no advantage to having a higher resolution if the screen is small or the seating distance is large. See chart below:



2) DLP can cause rainbows. Sit in front of the TV and move your head quickly from side to side. If you see rainbows, then you can see them. If you don't, then you are not effected. And yes, DLP's require a bulb change. Those Samsungs are rated for up to 5000 hours. Some report their bulbs lasting much more.

Re: What TV is best?

I've been going thru the same thing and hope to see more answers to your post from the community!!

For myself, I have been set on plasma. Even though I've considered 720p, I'm pretty well convinced that 1080p is worth the extra investment. As a professional photographer, I can recognize differences in detail, particularly in highlights. Subtle perhaps, but there nonetheless. Also, it's important to me to 'future protect' my investment as much as possible, so, the higher the resolution, the better.

I've been hearing alot about Samsung lately from those 'in the biz'. I find it hard to tell the difference at times between honest information and a 'pitch' -- which is why I was excited to find this forum. In one case, I was steered from Panasonic plasma to Samsung, in another, the person spoke qlowingly about the Samsung LCD's (71 & 81 series). So, due to those suggestions, I went to the Samsung site. In my cruising, I found the DLP models. Hmmmm, now I have something new to consider. The thin profile makes them wall mountable. I like the look of the narrow bezel! As far as bulbs go, it seems I was told once they weren't hugely expensive, and would be the most likely problem with a DLP television -- more easily remedied than issues that could arise with a plasma or LCD. But, I don't really know about all this, and like you seek the expertise of others here! Regards, Randy

Re: What TV is best?

Thanks for the replies. I just went to a few stores and looked at various TVs. I have to say that I'm not very impressed with DLP at all. They aren't very bright compared to LCD. Then, after finding out that the bulbs cost $200 I think that it might be completely out of the picture.

Re: What TV is best?

Are you sure the settings for the DLP TVs you saw weren't just out of whack? That can easily happen on showroom floors. Personally, I've never noticed that DLPs are less bright than LCDs (or any other display types).

However, one possibility might be that you saw some LED-based DLPs and were looking at them relatively close up but from a very different height/eye level (either from well above or well below). As I understand it, the viewing angle for LED-based DLPs can be quite narrow vertically speaking.

The LED-based DLPs are supposed to last much, much longer before the bulbs die -- maybe upto ~10x as long -- but their bulbs are much more expensive to replace, if at all possible. Basically, you buy them w/ no expectations to replace bulbs -- just like LCDs. Seems like most of the newer DLPs are LED-based now -- and some side benefits are no more rainbows and a shallower/slimmer depth (and maybe faster power on times) though contrast ratio is reduced some compared to the old style DLPs, but probably still no worse than LCD, if at all.

_Man_

PS: Somebody please do correct me, if I'm wrong on any of the points above.

Re: What TV is best?

Actually, the less-brightness happened when I was above the normal tv watching position. What about motion blur? Most of the DLPs I saw it was really a HUGE issue. It was almost unwatchable. But with the LCDs, I really didn't notice it at all. This seems to be the opposite of what they tell you, but I'm sure I'm not imagining it, my brother was with me and he noticed it too. Am I right saying that the LCD will be the safer route? I just don't want to have to deal with retuning a tv if I'm unhappy when I get home.

Re: What TV is best?

If you go with a LCD, get a model that has the 120Hz motion enhancer feature to deal with the blur issue that plagued LCDs in the past. Use the feature on sports programming, but I would not advise you to watch it while watching film-based material as it will make the content look too much like "video" shot at 30 frames/second, rather than film's 24 frames/second.

DLPs (and LCos) models do suffer from less-than-ideal off-axis viewing angles, but they offer the most screen size for $$$ spent, so it's a trade-off. Personally, I'd go with a flatscreen model with a wide viewing angle (LCD or plasma). And just because LCDs are nice and bright, bear in mind that you might get a little too much of a good thing when you stare at a LCD for long periods of time and suffer viewing fatigue from its inherent brightness (though the newer model, that cost a pretty penny) are doing many things to even out of the backlight brightness to produce a more consistent picture on the screen with less viewing fatigue. I recommend staring at LCDs in the store for over 20-30 minutes to see if you are okay with what you are watching over an extended period of time, as you'll be staring at your purchase for even longer periods of time, and it's best to do the personal research before you buy it.

Re: What TV is best?

Today I'll probably be going and watching some more TV. So I'll see what I like best.