Projection v LC/Plasma

[rocky]

Looking to put a large screen into the "playroom" as part of the move to surround sound etc.

the Projection/micro displays have very tempting prices

Looking to hear the pluses and minues v LCD/Plasma (the LCD v Plasma debate is already covered elsewhere)

[tangotango99]

Originally posted by rocky
Looking to put a large screen into the "playroom" as part of the move to surround sound etc.

the Projection/micro displays have very tempting prices

Looking to hear the pluses and minues v LCD/Plasma (the LCD v Plasma debate is already covered elsewhere)

My prefrence is LCD, I own 2- 15",2 32",1- 37" and a 50". I own a 7 speaker Kardon Herman stereo system.

[guitarman]

Are you asking about DLP or cathode ray tube rear projection?

[jay]

Originally posted by guitarman
Are you asking about DLP or cathode ray tube rear projection?

Or front projection?

[robottik]

For me the main drawback of rear projection/micro displays is the limited viewing angle. They work best in darker rooms and when you are sitting in the sweet spot right in front of the display.

I have a 46" flat panel LCD upstairs in a bright room full of windows. LCDs work well in those situations

For my basement where the light is more subdued and I have more room (so I don't need the thinnest TV), I am thinking of putting a 50-60" Sony SXRD rear projection down there, which IMO is one of the best RP's out there.

Plus like you said the prices on the RPs are very temptiing. You can get a lot more screen for your money vs. flat panels right now.

[rockman19762001]

I own a 52" rear projection Sony, that is about 10years old, and a 37" LCD by Olevia. The 52" Sony's picture quality is not as clear and crisp as the 32" lcd Olevia. The sony is ten years old so the technology may be better in todays rear projection. I do not have high definition cable setup in the house, only digital and I can tell that the picture quality is better with the Olevia when compared to the Sony. I will buy a larger 52 or bigger LCD unit for front in the coming year or two. I have never had a problem with the picture quality or angle of viewing with the Sony rear projection. As some rear projection do have a limit of 45degrees of angle from a perpendicular line of site. Some rear projection units have had problems in the past with bright sunlight washing out the picture. I have not had this problem with my Sony.

Plus, the Olevia has only 499.00 with a 170.00 rebate at office depot, before thanksgiving. Never heard of Olevia before I ran across it at office depot. Now, I have seen them every where I go lately. I use it for a computer monitor and television in my home office.

[Josey92]

I lean towards LCDs also since they weigh less, less chance of burn-in -- although one would have to be a serious tv watcher to see the difference in shelf-life between a plasma and LCD -- and the "screen door effect" is less apparant on LCDs. Also, the heat produced by plasmas is noticeable in comparison to LCDs, especially when the internal fan comes on and you can hear it during quiet movie scenes.

Plasmas do have an advantage of higher native contrast ratios and brighter pictures as a result of it (the gap is closing with the current generation).

If space is not an issue (actually with the slimmer footprint of microdisplays these days that gap is closing also) and you want to take advantage of a competitive price while still getting the highest resolution, I would opt for the Sony SXRD. I was involved in the marketing and ad campaign for CES 2005 when they introduced it in their Qualia series (read overpriced "high-end" white glove line) and it's ability to nearly completely remove the screendoor effect and produce a true HD resolution picture is truly amazing. DLPs are nothing to snooze at either -- TI has taken great pains at developing their technology even further.

Just my 2 cents. Hope it helps.

[2muchfun]

My preference is this:

1. Front projection... ~IF you have a suitable room that can be made dark and you have the $$ for a good system and screen its just the best "feel". True cinema experience

2. LCD. My 'practical' favorite. No pixles, smooth, Clean, clear picture, mmmm. And it just gets better with HD channels!

3. Old fashion, high quality, Tube!

4. Plasma. I won one on Iwon.com ~Horray. Its a Dell 42" and its Fan-freaking-tastic if you're watching a HD channel..... otherwise it sucks big time. I would rather have my old 36" JVC tube tv from the 90s for most channels. Ya ya, I know, there are more HD channels coming. WHEN!>

I dont really care for rear projection.

[gpraceman]

I'll stick with my 34" Sony WEGA XBR widescreen HDTV. It has a better picture than most any plasma or LCD that I have seen (HD and non-HD channels). The plasmas and LCD's usually only come with a 1yr picture tube warranty (extremely pathetic considering the replacement cost). The tube TV comes with a 2yr (still pathetic, but not as bad). Of course, the thing weighs a ton, but it is not often it needs to be moved. The cost is also much less than a LCD or plasma.

I used to work at Sony and when our service guys recommend staying away from the plasmas and LCD's, I think I'll follow their advice. Who better to know than the guys that service them.

[rocky]

This is great stuff guys, keep it coming.

Looking at rear projection not front projection aka microdisplays.

TV's used to be so simple...

[jay]

I helped my Mom decide on a flat panel TV for my Dad for Christmas - she ended up with a 40 inch Sony Bravia S LCD from Costco for $1649. I looked at a Samsung DLP rear projection TV at Circuit City. The pricing, $1249 for a 47 inch TV, was attractive; the picture quality sucked. The viewing angle was small, and the brightness was - well, it wasn't.

When are we going to get into 1080i vs. p vs. etc, etc, etc.

[guitarman]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

I chose a Panasonic plasma to replace an aging 32" Sony tube. To me, plasma looks the most "true to life."

Something artificial about LCD. In fact, I'd prefer the Samsung DLP to an LCD (sorry Jay).

P.S., I'll get 1080p when network tv is broadcasted in 1080p.

[jay]

Originally posted by guitarman
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

...

or Beer-holder!

[2005exlPilot]

The wife and I really wanted to reduce our tv time (us and the kids) as a lot of the programming is really non-essential. An idiot box, as it has been called. I am sure there are others that feel otherwise, but that's what it is for us. However, we do enjoy movies and the old Sony 27" wasn't fun.

Since the TV was in the basement family room (house on slope, so just daylight windows on one side and big sliding door on the other to back yard. The family room was big enough to have sitting area with couches and stuff, the other half was play area for kids. Well, the play area got reclaimed for a small home theater with front projection system. Made a DIY screen with 1.2 gain - 96" diagonal. It fits perfectly in the space, easy to darken room - don't even need to do so in winter.

Great for movies, and the occassional important game. We've cut back to basic basic cable (just the local channels). In the last 6 months, we've watched lots and lots of movies - some weren't worth it, some were awesome; tv time less than 10 hrs.

Front projection works great for us.

[jfrano]

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,12...1/article.html