Advice for a big (>= 65") CRT? (1 Viewer)

[Geo Gabor]

Advice needed:

I'm about to dive into a new TV. It's going to be used exclusively for DVDs. No TV, no games, just movies. I'll be sitting 14 or 15 feet away from the unit, so I figure to go with at least 65". Is there any reason I should go smaller than that? Is going bigger than that warranted?

Although I haven't really started my b&m research, from what I've read, I think I'm going to go with CRT rear projection. Although I toyed with the idea of front projection, I'm going to wait on that for now.

So...can anybody give any advice, opinions, stories, warnings, adulations, etc. about any specific TVs? The makes that are probably in the forefront of my mind are Hitachi, Toshiba, Mitsubishi, and Sony. I'm basically trying to get a little more exact in what I'll be looking for once I start hitting the stores.

Thanks for any tips!

Geo

 

[Doug Z]

I was recently in your shoes and was debating a 65" over a 57". My viewing distance is between 11'& 16', & I really wanted a 65" but after seeing them side by side the 57 looked nicer in many regards. The 65 was as large as my entertainment stand that holds a 32" including the components then another 12" on top!! If you have the room go for the 65 but get the measuremants first then factor your components & speakers. The 57 was more forgiving if you will in terms of PQ being only 12' away. Check out the Hitachi directors series namely the 65X500, I bought the 57 and absolutely love it. Any 65" RP CRT is a beast. Also, 15' is pretty close for a 65, like you said for only DVD's maybe it will work but SD signals you might want a smaller set. A Denon 2910 with the 65 would be killer, good luck.

 

[Craig]

A 65" should be fine. I'm about 11 feet away from my Toshiba 56" and the picture looks great. If Mitsubishi still makes the 73" that probably wouldn't be too big either, but you're looking at a big price difference between most 65" TVs and something like the Mits 73".

CRT based RPTVs are pretty much a bargain right now, you'll be getting a lot of bang for the buck. I've had my Toshiba 56" widescreen for 5 years, haven't had a single problem, and haven't ever regretted buying it.

 

[Jim Mcc]

Geo, do you mind if I ask why you don't want a front projector at this time? It is IDEALLY suited for your situation(DVD's only). You don't have the HUGE TV taking up space, a much bigger image, just as good, if not better image, and probably less money.

 

[Geo Gabor]

Thanks, guys, for the comments. I think I'll be going for 65" instead of bigger after all. (Although this all won't happen for another two months, so I might still change my mind!)

Doug - I'm definitely interested in the Hitachi; my problem is that I haven't yet found a dealer here in Greenville that carries the Director's series. And your suggestion for the Denon 2910 is duely noted!

Craig - I hear ya on the Toshiba. I had a non-HD 42" Tosh for about 5 years as well. It served me very well; never had the slightest problem with it.

Jim - I've always associated FPTVs with much larger rooms; maybe I'm wrong about that. Anyway, I figure that if 65" is about the optimal size for my picture, then a projector is going to overdo it. Maybe I'm thinking about it the wrong way? Anyway, I figure that when I build my next new house, I'll get tiered seating and the whole shootin' gallery then.

Thanks again -

Geo

 

[Shane Martin]

Geo,
Light control is a big issue with a FPTV. Don't be persuaded by the sub $2k digital projectors because after seeing several, none of them can touch the PQ of a CRT. To me if I had to jump to FPTV, I'd make sure I could plop down around $4k and get a good 720P Native HD2+ DLP like the new Sharp that is coming. I've seen the sub $4k LCD's and none of them really have the image quality compared to a quality CRT. DLP's are much closer and the issues that DLP's have are greatly if not totally diminished by the time you get up to the $4k range.

As far as Tv's go, I've compared the Sony and Mitsubishi right next to each other in the same showroom calibrated to the max(up to the point where a professional would take over from there). Basically as good as any enthusiast would do it and the Mits won hands down. It's far more tweakable for image quality and it doesn't come in Silver which I found distracting for movies. The Hitachi's look great too and have virtually the same level of tweakablility. The only knock on them is that they upconvert everything to 540P or 1080I. The Mits does NOT do that.

 

[ScottLR]

I've been very impressed by the Toshiba. They have several 65" models.

 

[Arthur S]

After waiting for a long, long time for a HDTV, I finally took the plunge. Bigger is generally better and I got a Toshiba 65H84 from ONE CALL for 2199 delivered across country. The picture is great and I would not have wanted to go smaller. I sit about 10-11 feet away and that is not too close. DVD looks just great, almost HD like, and that is with an old non progressive player. They have been perfecting RPTV for about 15 years now and it is a bargain.

I read enough about Toshiba to convince me to get the 65H84 sight unseen. From what I have read Hitachi is also an excellent choice. Don't know how much you would pay for a 65 Hitachi.

You can't go wrong on a 65 for around $2200.

Artie

 

[Sami Kallio]

I have about 11-12 feet to a 100" picture and that's not too big. Once you go to FP it will be hard to go back. If you have a dark room then look for used CRT projectors, they offer the best value by far. I was toying with the idea of switching to digital projector, just so I could watch 480p as my CRT FP doesn't support line doubling. After seeing a few I decided it wasn't worth it. Maybe I will get a cheap DLP for bedroom or second living room but for a dedicated HT room CRT FP is a great choice.