Author Topic: 80-year-old Friend Wants a Big HDTV (Read 589 times)

Chairboy · « **Reply #15 on:** January 01, 2007, 12:09:04 PM »

I'm not wild about Plasma because they burn out pretty quickly compared to other technologies out there. Also, they burn-in images easily (we have a bunch at the office with burned in images) and their brightness goes down as time passes and they need to be recharged (if that's even available).

DLP doesn't burn in, and the only main part that can degrade is the lightbulb. When it goes dead, the replacement is relatively cheap.

Habu · « **Reply #16 on:** January 01, 2007, 12:42:34 PM »

The Panasonic screen life is more than I will ever need.

They only burn in if you leave the same thing displayed on them for weeks. You can leave a televison station on and it will never burn it as the picture constantly changes.

Nothing is brighter than plasma. Plasma can be viewed from any angle. Plasma has the fastest response so you don't get that blurred action that DLP gives you. LCD has nowhere near the contrast or sharpness of Plasma.

The latest generation of Plasma is simply amazing and the price is fantastic. My TV's would have cost over 14k two years agon. Now they are around 3k.

I replace my things like computers every 4 years or so. I will probably not replace the TVs for at least double that. None of the issues you mention will be a factor for my sets. Only downside to Plasma is that they use more energy and produce more heat than LCD or DLP.

Slash27 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 01, 2007, 04:29:01 PM »

Go with the Samsung DLP 1080P. I bought my 56" for $1800 and love it.

Halo · « **Reply #18 on:** January 02, 2007, 08:17:09 PM »

Thank you all for your insight and counsel. She wound up at Circuit City buying a 58-inch Panasonic plasma with no extra speakers and the basic Direct-TV hookup. With all that expense, it was still tough persuading her to include the quality cables she needed for optimum picture.

It's a well-deserved reward for her hard-working STILL-working husband on his 80th birthday in February.

As an aside, and reacting to various electronics buying articles, obtaining a TV is almost like buying a car with all the various spiffs touted. I reluctantly go along with high quality cables but don't bite on pinstripes or undercoating.

My personal favorite on the quick quest was a much less pricey 58-inch Samsung 1080 DLP rear projection at Best Buy. But I think she made a fine choice for her husband's needs, which included wall mounting. Good news is, like motor vehicles, there are many fine systems out there.

Chairboy · « **Reply #19 on:** January 02, 2007, 08:58:27 PM »

Quality cables? Errm, details please.

Habu · « **Reply #20 on:** January 02, 2007, 09:04:23 PM »

Just use the HDMI cables. They only cost about 30 dollars now at Costco but well worth it. If you have a home theater hook up for the sound use the optical cable for it.

Great choice of TV. You cannot lose if you chose plasma get Panasonic.

Masherbrum · « **Reply #21 on:** January 02, 2007, 11:04:54 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Chairboy
I'm not wild about Plasma because they burn out pretty quickly compared to other technologies out there. Also, they burn-in images easily (we have a bunch at the office with burned in images) and their brightness goes down as time passes and they need to be recharged (if that's even available).

DLP doesn't burn in, and the only main part that can degrade is the lightbulb. When it goes dead, the replacement is relatively cheap.

Plasmas built today are fine.

Consumers Reports is the last thing you want to read concerning Home Theater. Pick up a Copy of Home Theater Buyer's Guide, or Sound & Vision's Buyer's Guide.

I don't like Sony's because they have too Red of a picture on flesh tones. They have had this issue for almost 7 years now, and there is no sign of it letting up.

JVC's H-ILA images have a better contrast ratio and picture than DLP or LCD (which both have a screen door effect). Go JVC, Pioneer, Mitsubishi, Panny, and Samsung (in that order).

Mickey1992 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 03, 2007, 08:12:50 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Chairboy
Yeah, the cut-off date only affects people who still use rabbit ear antennas and over-the-air broadcast.

Including handheld LCD TVs. I still see these for sale and think why would someone buy this if it will be useless in two years?

Toad · « **Reply #23 on:** January 03, 2007, 09:39:40 AM »

http://www.monoprice.com

6' HDMI cable @ $10 shipped to your door.

They have all kinds of cables.