Hey guys. Funny how life works out. I've been nagging my wife to let me get some Shrock goodies. "NO." Then I was nagging her to let me get a KLR650. "NO F$%K'N WAY." Then our 11 year old Sony 53' wide screen takes a dump and she is telling me to shop for a plasma TV. Go figure. Things have changed drastically since I last shopped for a TV. In the LCD arenas-we were looking at the Sony Bravea. In the Plasma arena, we were looking at either the Pioneer's, Samsung's or Mitsubishi's. Then, when figuring infrastructure (cables, new Blue Ray, hi end surge arrester, other scuff) were were looking at some major bucks. I actually backed down. This is going to be a huge purchase and I don't want to get stuff I'll be unhappy with down the road. So we decided to wait. Then I was thinking about a temporary solution. I was looking into the DLP HDTV's. Looks like you can get some killer sets in the 50' range and not break the bank. My logic is that we can use the DLP in the family room then in a couple years, take the big dump and get a plasma like we wanted to originally.
I'm going to look at the LED DLP HDTV's today. Any opinions? To my understanding, the CRT HDTV's are not as reliable. Something about replacing tubes more often. Something. Then there was the suggestion to go towards the LED's. Does any one have the LED version of DLP HGTV? Any opinion about this Samsung. Go HERE. If you guys have a moment for suggestions. Greatly appreciated.

DLP all the way... LED versions get rid of the colorwheel rainbow issue (that only happens in a few manuf. sets, and only a few people can see it anyhoo). DLP has better color contrasts and better blacks than either Plasma or LCD. Unless you absolutely must have a screen that is 3" thick, DLP is the best quality for the money (of the 3 "newer" technologies).

With the LED versions of the DLP, the only negative drawback DLP's had is gone. There is no category where plasma or LCD beat the DLP except in thickness of the set.

I have an Sony LCoS set and love it - I gave it the nod by a hair over a DLP set. As with a DLP (lamp based) you will need to replace the lamp every 2 or 3 years, but it's only two or three hundred bucks. The runner up in my process was a Samsung 1080p DLP, which is also a nice set and somewhat cheaper to boot. But to me the Sony just flat had better picture quality. JVC is the other major player that makes LCoS sets, but they have a pretty significant SSE issue so if you go that route make sure it won't bother you. In my opinion the Sony LCoS sets are the best RP option available for a reasonable price at this point, but the DLPs are close and obviously some will prefer those. In either case get 1080p because, if nothing else, you'll get better video processing and black performance. Plus you'll be set in terms of a blu ray player down the road.

Flat panel LCDs are improving and I guess have gotten to the point that motion blur isn't a problem, but they still suffer from very poor black performance. Plasmas have very nice pictures, but burn-in is still a significant problem, the screen glare is bad unless you can control the ambient light in your TV room, and they suck the power down like crazy. In terms of bang for buck, your best bet is still the better RP sets such as LCoS and DLP.

RP CRT sets can be very good if they are properly calibrated, and they're cheap. The downside is that they have finicky settings, very poor viewing angles, aren't widely available (not many are produced any more), and they are bulky and weigh a metric ton. But if you're on a tight budget they're a good bet.

SSE = silk screen effect for the normal folks...

Best advice I have is to go check out avforums.com

Freudian Slip?

You stated "HGTV"

sounds like you've been domesticated to the point of watching the Home & Garden TV Channel...

...sounds whipped to me!

Man that's a tough question!

My $0.02 is this... think about how long you expect the tv to provide service. If it's say 15 years, then divide the total price by that. If it's lower you get the idea... Secondly, what sort of picture quality do you want? While you'll be hard pressed to see a difference between 1080i and 1080p, having a little extra protects your investment with regards to upcoming technology.

Remember tv's aren't really a disposable asset like computers and cars are to people. Pay for quality now and enjoy the experience of your decision throughout the process. I'm saying this because after months of thinking it over, I bought my dream 46" Sony XBR2.

Good luck and I hope this helped!!

I have a CRT RPTV and love it. 56" for $800. It's the best bang for the buck out there. It is thicker than other RPTV's (2 feet) and it is a little dimmer so during the day it washes out a little...

But at night, it puts out a better picture than any other technology out there. Esp. for the money.

If I was willing to spend the money, I would be looking at LED DLP - but it would be too soon for me. Your paying a premium for newer technology. I personally never had an issue with seeing "rainbows" on color wheel based DLP's - where I could see motion blur on an LCD really easy.

If I was going to get a new set (and not a CRT RPTV) I would probably get the Samsung DLP. Good bang for the buck, and a good picture. In six to nine months, the LED sets should be coming down - then it would be a no brainer...