what to choose? best plasma 60" + (1 Viewer)

[Matty Seals]

we're doing a multiple screen setup in our living room. i was thinking along the lines of a 61"-65" plasma as the main screen with 37" lcd/plasma screens on each side.

they have to be flat panels because they're going to be mounted on the wall over the fire place

i'm looking for the best quality on the market.

which is the best 60+ plasma as far as picture? what about performance for sports? 63" fujitsu? 65" panasonic? other? does anyone know if a high quality flatscreen was introduced at ces this year larger than 65"?

what about the 2 side screens... plasma? lcd?

total budget for room is 125k - 150k including equipment, cabinets, and furniture.

projector is not a possibility due to amount of light in room.

 

[SimiA]

The 2 plasmas you mention are the top 2 in my book. The contrast ratios and black level of both are second to none, and their electronics are top of line.
The only one I can remember being introduced @CES this year was a 102" model, which would pretty much blow your whole budget. I think it was Samsung.
The panny 37 plasmas are great, at least the one I have is. You won't belive how good an HD signal looks on these puppies.
Some here like LCD over plasma. Although LCD has a bright pic, my opinion is they lack really good blacks compared to plasma, and I feel the plasma produces a more realistic 3D effect than LCD.
Vb

 

[Matty Seals]

i went down and took a look at the fujitsu plasma. i was very impressed with the picture. anyways, the salesman told me that the fujitsu is the best plasma on the market for watching sports because of its technology that controls how fast the screen changes colors or something like that.

does anyone know what i'm talking about? is this true or is this just his pitch to get me to buy the fujitsu, which he sells, over the panasonic, which i can get for 6k - 8k cheaper allowing me to spend more on my components/speakers.

i don;t really think i can go wrong either way, i just want to make sure i get the best that's available.

does anyone know anything about the panasonic 65" xvs onyx listed on the website? i couldn't find any reviews.

also, would you post a link to the 102" samsung if you have it. and does anyone know anything about the 84" akira...

 

[Adam W]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...pcworld/119000

At the bottom of the article it also talks about a 76in LG and an 80 Samsung.

And damn I am jealous!!

 

[SimiA]

Look, I would go with the Fujitsu plasma first, just b/c of its PQ.... but... I believe the panny is better for the $$ spent!!!!!!!!!!
The PQ of the panny is going to be superb, and.... you'll save $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$, that can be used for an outrageous sound system.
You, ultimately, will have to decide what your eyes perceive to be better, but I believe, the panny is the better $$ value.
I do not believe, your eyes, or those of the people who'll be watching these plasmas, will be able to tell the difference.
But, then again, it's your $$$!!
Vb

 

[Kenneth Harden]

I spoke with the LG rep at work about the 71" LG plasma and she said you will pretty much NEVER be able to get it. SERIOUSLY limited quantity and the unit would cost you nearly $100,000. Only 1 or 2 dealers will be able to POSSIBLY get it, and LG is interviewing people (they want it to be seen, stuff like that). Not worth it.

I would stick with a hi-end 60-65" plasma like you are looking at and make sure the rest of your system is tweaked, uses the best components, and is professionally installed and calibrated.

The mega plasma's (80", 102", etc.) are just not 'real' products. Think Enzo Ferrari, they exsist, but not really (if you see what I am saying)

Matty, to answer your question about what is new, they have about 50 new products, check each one out, if anything, fun read:

http://www.cnet.com/4520-10602_1-560....html?tag=lnav

Oh, you MUST post pictures when it is finished.

 

[Matty Seals]

if the samsung really sells for 40k and is available in march i'll have to give it some serious consideration. i will most likely end up with a 63-65 though.

right now i'm in the phase of getting my ideas together, researching various equipment, designing the layout for the room, and contact different installers and getting quotes.

i've drawn up a few diagrams in MS Paint of how i think the room will be done. if anyone knows how to post these i will gladly give everyone an idea of what the room is like. i also made a list of components/speakers i'm considering which i was going to post in the other forums but i will post here and see what youi guys think...

SPEAKER OPTIONS

B&W...
Front Speakers: Nautilus 803 2500 x 2 = 5000
Centre Speaker: Nautilus HTM1 2000 X 1 = 2000
Side Speakers: Nautilus SCM1 1100 x 2 = 2200
Rear Speakers: Nautilus SCM1 1100 x 2 = 2200
SubWoofer: Velodyne DD-15 3000 x 1 = 3000
TOTAL = 14400

Paradigm Reference...
Front Speakers: Studio 100 1100 x 2 = 2200
Centre Speaker: CC-570 800 x 1 = 800
Side Speakers: ADP-470 475 x 2 = 950
Rear Speakers: ADP-470 475 x 2 = 950
SubWoofer: Servo-15 1500 x 1 = 1500
TOTAL = 6400

Paradigm Reference Signature...
Front Speakers: Signature S8 2700 x 2 = 5400
Centre Speaker: Signature C5 2500 x 1 = 2500
Side Speakers: Signature ADP 1150 x 2 = 2300
Rear Speakers: Signature ADP 1150 x 2 = 2300
SubWoofer: Signature Servo 3200 x 1 = 3200
TOTAL = 15700

Krell Resolution...
Front Speakers: Resolution 2 4000 x 2 = 8000
Centre Speaker: Resolution C 3500 x 1 = 3500
Side Speakers: Resolution 4 1500 x 2 = 3000
Rear Speakers: Resolution 4 1500 x 2 = 3000
SubWoofer: Resolution Sub 5500 x 1 = 5500
TOTAL = 23000

I threw the pardigm reference in there because i've heard very good things about them. in the B&W setup i also might think about using the Nautilus 802. i might end up using the velodyne subs no matter what speakers i go with. the room is 32' x 18' with 14' ceilings. i don't want the bass to overpower the speakers, but i want to feel it. i'm pondering a single DD-15, dual DD-12's, or maybe even 2 DD-15's. please list any other options you feel i should consider.


COMPONENT OPTIONS

Krell...
Processor: Showcase Processor 4000 x 1 = 4000
Amplifier: Showcase 7 - 125w x 7 5500 x 1 = 5500
DVD Player: Showcase DVD 3500 x 1 = 3500

Rotel...
Processor: RSP-1098 3000 x 1 = 3000
Amplifier: RMB-1075 - 120w x 5 1200 x 1 = 1200
Amplifier: RB-1080 - 200w x 2 1000 x 1 = 1000
DVD Player: RDV-1060 900 x 1 = 900

Anthem...
Processor: AVM 30 3000 x 1 = 3000
Amplifier: PVA 2 - 125 x 2 650 x 2 = 1300
Amplifier: MCA 30 - 225 x 3 1800 x 1 = 1800
DVD Player: ??? 600 - 1200

Anthem Statement...
Processor: Statement D1 5000 x 1 = 5000
Amplifier: Statement A5 - 225 x 5 2500 x 1 = 2500
Amplifier: Statement P2 - 325 x 2 2500 x 1 = 2500
DVD Player: ??? 1500 - 2500

Parasound...
Processor: Halo C 1 6000 x 1 = 6000
Amplifier: Halo A 52 - 125 x 5 2000 x 1 = 2000
Amplifier: Halo A 21 - 250 x 2 2000 x 1 = 2000
DVD Player: ??? 1500 - 2500

Bryston...
Processor: SP 1.7 4700 x 1 = 4700
Amplifier: 6B SST - 300 x 3 4400 x 1 = 4400
Amplifier: 9B SST - 120 x 4 4100 x 1 = 4100
DVD Player: ??? 2000 - 3000

as for the components, i really don't know where to begin. i've heard great things about all above option plus many i havn't listed. i'd like to make sure that whatever speakers i choose are properly powered. how dangerous is it giving speakers more than their RMS? i would like to give the L/C/R channels 250 - 300 watts because most of my speaker choices are in that range and give the suuround sides and rears 125 - 150 watts. my ideal setup would be a 3 channel and a 4 channel, but most companies only make 2 channels or 5 channels. so, is it better to underpower the center channel or over power the rear channels? please list any other options you feel i should consider. also, you'll see under the dvd player i have left question marks and a price range for the component who do not have matching dvd players. please list dvd players that would compliment each system.

well, you get a general idea of what the room is like and what i'm going for. please let me know what you guys think. sorry for the long post, just wanna do the research and get it done right the first time... even though i know i can't go wrong any way i go.

thanks