What's a Good TV for me? (1 Viewer)

[Andrew Beckmen]

I am back. Still frustrated and confused on what a good TV would be. DLP, LCD, Plasma, RPTV, ect. Ack! I'd love a regualr Tube CRT thingy like I have had all my life, but they only go up to 30" for the 16X9 HDTVs! It seems that all the other kinds of TVs pale in comparison...So...

1: Play 1/2 or 1/3 DVDs, the rest is pretty much analog, non-HDTV but that might change someday.

2: I don't really watch TV in the dark, I know some displays don't look right in lit areas

3: I am looking for longevity, and watch TV about 12 hours a day

4: WS is a must, 42-50"

5: Since this is a more long-term thing, money isn't an object. I will deal with that when the time comes, but I will probably be able to afford whatever I want.

 

[Will_B]

Two new Sharp Aquos' which came out at the start of October:

37" LCD by Sharp, the LC-37GD4U

or the

45" LCD by Sharp, the LC-45GD4U (but this one is so new it is having supply issues so it is currently only available in physical stores, it will be another few months before online stores are catered to).

Best discussion forum for such things is over at http://www.avsforum.com

 

[Andrew Beckmen]

Yeah, I am leaning in the direction of flat panel displays. The in-store displays of these just seem to be so much better than all the rest, and I like the little control boxes plasmas (and I assume LCDs) have. My main issue is longevity with these. That 45" has a lamp life of 60,000 hours. 12 hours a day, 7 days a week...is that 15 years or is my math off? My math seems off, 15 years seems like a lot for 60,000 hours. Anyway, 5-10 years I could do. Can you replace the lamps on these things or is it like Plasma when it's done it's done?

Also...those stands are removable, right? I think I'd like to hang this thing on the wall like a picture frame...

 

[Will_B]

I would expect that a name brand unit such as Sharp must be able to have that bulb replaced. I guess no one's reached a point of needing that done yet, so we have yet to hear which brands will repair that and which will not.

 

[Andrew Beckmen]

I'll keep an eye on this model, and maybe when the time comes for me to buy a TV this will be the one to get.

What are the cons for this kind of TV, though? My viewing distance will be about 4-6 feet I think, BTW.

I am hoping that I will have the money within a year. It's possible that I could get it early 2005. It's a pending settlement (I was hit by a car crossing the crosswalk) that's been going for a few years and is SUPPOSED to be ending soon. So the stocking issues and stuff the LC-45GD4U seems to be having will most likely be over by the time I get the money, and more reviews and testamonials will be available. So like I said I will keep my eye on the model as people review it and all that good stuff.

I really wish they made tube-based CRTs bigger. I am actually mostly happy with my 27" tube TV, only I want it to be 16X9 flatscreen and I want it to be bigger. Sadly, I don't even know anyone who has a good TV (the best, most snazzy TV any of the people I know is a 20" Flatscreen SD 4X3 box... and my 27" non-flat S-Video) so I am as about inexperianced as can be.

 

[DaveNel]

Before you buy, Check the web for the schematic on the
electronics and it will tell you if Bulb replacement is available.

 

[Andrew Beckmen]

Can anyone link me to a good layman's crash-course on LCD Flat-Panels? I am under the impression the picture is nice, the bulbs are replacable and the only real problem is dead pixels, which are only visible if your a nit-picker or your face is RIGHT UP to the screen...

 

[Andrew Beckmen]

http://www.sharpusa.com/products/lcd...,2340,,00.html This is interesting. How much of it is BS?

 

[Stephane]

To the best of my knowledge Andrew there are no bulbs to replace in a flat panel LCD or Plasma. Plasma is a gas that is stored inside to help create the picture. And LCD flat panels do not have a bulb inside of them. Now if you are talking about and LCD like the Gran Vega from Sony, then yes the bulbs have a life time of about 8000 hours. Once that it burns itself out, you can easily replace it. Thus this is like getting a brand new television every 8000 hours.

I hope that this helps.

Stephane

 

[Will_B]

Yes, the link up in post #2, follow it.