projection TV advice

[eagl]

Any of you guys know anything about HDTV and projection TVs?

I might be able to get a JVC AV48P575 48 inch rear projection TV for about $900 on sale, but it's one of those one day only deals and of course they'll sell out in minutes Sat morning.

Anyone know anything about this?  When I move, is it going to get destroyed since it's a CRT based projection tv?

Thanks in advance

[Chairboy]

I have a 60" projection TV and I'll share some experience.  It's really thick and takes up a lot of space.

I think you can do better then $900 for a 48" TV.  Knowing what I know now, I would suggest waiting for the thin DLPs to come down.  DLP is truly awesome, there's no screen burn-in and the bulbs are relatively cheap to replace and anyone can do it, plus they have these new ones that are less then a foot thick.  

Remember, for HDTV, you also need content.  If you have satellite TV, you could be spending a few hundred dollars for a new receiver that can show HD.  If you have a Tivo style DVR and you really want to keep that abillity with HD signals, you could end up dishing out over a thousand bucks.

If you just want over the air HD content, expect to spend 300-400 for a receiver for that.

If you think you'll be putting off the purchase of the HD signal stuff until later and that you'll just use the HDTV as a normal TV for now, it might be worth waiting on the purchase.  The prices are dropping quickly and waiting another month or two could be the difference between getting it now versus a generation of technology and a significant savings.

I look forward to selling my 60" projection sometime to replace with DLP.  It's just too cool.

PS, plasma sucks.  Look cool and I wouldn't turn down a free one, but a TV that has to be replaced every few years?  Gracias, para no gracias.

[rpm]

Chairboy nailed it. DLP is the way to go if you can wait a bit. I have a 65" RCA HDTV Rear Projection and it's a monster. Definitely not designed for apartments.

If you are determined to buy one, make sure it has a HD reciever and is not an HDTV monitor. Otherwise you have to spend an extra $400 to get HD. HD is very cool, but not everyone has programming. Most cable and satelite systems charge extra for non local HD programming and there isn't much out there yet.

[GRUNHERZ]

I wouldnt buy it.

[CavPuke]

OK I myself am looking/shopping for HDTV.  When I look at the specs for different types, i.e. DLP, plasma, and tube etc, why is it only the tube types have 1080i as a native resolution ?  The DLP and plasma models at best have 720p as a native resolution ?  Please excuse my ignorance as I'm just now beginning to look into HDTV.  Thanks.

[rabbidrabbit]

might seriously consider looking into projectors..  as long as the room is not way bright you can have a 100 plus inch picture for about 1k to start.

[Chairboy]

Actually, you can go the projector route for a lot less if you build a projector box.

http://www.audiovisualizers.com/madlab/lcd_proj.htm

Apparently, it really works too.

...but probably better just to get a contained unit.  Remember, you have to buy a screen too for your projector and you'll never have a good picture when the lights are on.

[LePaul]

I sell these things on the weekend at the local Sears.

LCD projection (Panasonic of Sony) are the best bang for the buck.

DLP (Digital Light Processing)...ehh...view a few.  Great colors, some models really sacrifice clarity.  Check epinions.com

For not a lot more, you can step into the Enhanced Definition (nice but not as nice as the high-end) plasmas.

[1K3]

Originally posted by eagl
Any of you guys know anything about HDTV and projection TVs?

I might be able to get a JVC AV48P575 48 inch rear projection TV for about $900 on sale, but it's one of those one day only deals and of course they'll sell out in minutes Sat morning.

Anyone know anything about this?  When I move, is it going to get destroyed since it's a CRT based projection tv?

Thanks in advance

Eagl. wait for 1 more month

Wait for DLP (Digital Light Processing, developed by Texass elektroniks) or LCD (Liquid Cristal Display) prices to go south.

[eagl]

Yea, I'll probably wait.

I've done some looking and $900 is great for this TV but it would probably get destroyed the next time I move since it'll be from the UK back to the US.

If it could take both PAL and NTSC, I'd probably get it.  I hate having 2 TVs next to each other, but my DVD player and AFN decoder output NTSC and of course local cable is PAL, and I got a $40 PAL tv to sit next to my old craptacular bought-used 29" US spec hitachi.

I'm sick of watching DVDs on my crummy 29" because it just doesn't look as nice as it should, and I'd like a widescreen format for movies.  I guess I'm not $900 worth of sick though, plus the projection TVs suck to move.

The really crappy thing is that my wife said "go ahead and get it" and I don't know how long her generosity will last

[LePaul]

eagl...alimony is the price of freedom!



$900 is the budget?  If you want something with a great picture in that price range, check out the Sony Widesceen CRTs (yes, glass tube).  I think 30" is the smallest widescreen they have.  We've had a lot of customers who have gawked at the $1500-$2800 lineup of DLP, LCD Projection, plasma etc etc....they've opted for those.  This  one is quite nice for a bit more.  (Here's  the one we sell a lot of)

[GRUNHERZ]

Sony CRT still gives you one of the best pictures, IMO.. I still havent seen anything that really beats my 3 year old KV36XBR400 WEGA...

[1K3]

Originally posted by GRUNHERZ
Sony CRT still gives you one of the best pictures, IMO.. I still havent seen anything that really beats my 3 year old KV36XBR400 WEGA...

It does and its true, but to casual users... DO NOT (i repeat DO NOT) watch programs that does not show the whole picture (4:3 mode) for a long time or your screen will "burn in"

[1K3]

Originally posted by eagl
Yea, I'll probably wait.

I've done some looking and $900 is great for this TV but it would probably get destroyed the next time I move since it'll be from the UK back to the US.

If it could take both PAL and NTSC, I'd probably get it.  I hate having 2 TVs next to each other, but my DVD player and AFN decoder output NTSC and of course local cable is PAL, and I got a $40 PAL tv to sit next to my old craptacular bought-used 29" US spec hitachi.

I'm sick of watching DVDs on my crummy 29" because it just doesn't look as nice as it should, and I'd like a widescreen format for movies.  I guess I'm not $900 worth of sick though, plus the projection TVs suck to move.

The really crappy thing is that my wife said "go ahead and get it" and I don't know how long her generosity will last

I dont think US sells NTSC/PAL compatible TVs

[Chairboy]

Regarding burnin, if you get a DLP, that's not a problem.