Our old TV finally gave up the ghost. Back in the day it was pretty nice - a 50'' LED. I havent looked at TVs since I bought that back in 2003 or so.
I was thinking about a projector thingie but I am told that plasma TVs can be bought for cheap these days.
Assume I have a room suitable for a 100'' or more screen for a projector.
What is the advice of the Languishites?
A buddy of mine got one of those projectors and just watches shit on his wall. His kids love it, and it's a cheap alternative. I can't help you though. It's been quite a while since I bought a TV.
Was hoping for a trivia question. :(
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on February 15, 2013, 05:22:53 PM
Was hoping for a trivia question. :(
On which show did Buck Henry get his start?
Really, a highjack right away? :cry:
The big downside I've always heard about the projectors is that the bulbs wear out and need to be replaced now and then, and new ones are not cheap.
Quote from: Tonitrus on February 15, 2013, 05:27:46 PM
The big downside I've always heard about the projectors is that the bulbs wear out and need to be replaced now and then, and new ones are not cheap.
Yeah, that is something someone just mentioned to me here in the office.
My new plasma is pretty awesome, and wasn't particularly expensive.
This one:
http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/TC-P55UT50
I got it at Costco for $750. It doesn't have built in wireless, but I have an adapter thing I got off of Amazon (for my DirecTV receiver) for like $30 that it can use just fine. This one is one of those "active" 3D ones though, so you'll be using the powered glasses. If that's not your thing, IIRC LG, Vizio, and I think Toshiba use the passive stuff where they're just glasses you put on and don't require batteries, etc (also they're cheaper). If you don't care about 3D, like me, that's not an issue. If they have it setup at the store using the default Energy Star picture settings, it'll look pretty dim, but you can go in and change that and it turns out pretty great.
Quote from: crazy canuck on February 15, 2013, 05:30:23 PM
Quote from: Tonitrus on February 15, 2013, 05:27:46 PM
The big downside I've always heard about the projectors is that the bulbs wear out and need to be replaced now and then, and new ones are not cheap.
Yeah, that is something someone just mentioned to me here in the office.
Example I just calculated with the help of Google
From Costco:
-Panasonic PT-AR100U Projector = $1299.99
From B&H Photo:
-ET-LAA110 Replacement Lamp for PT-AR100U (average life of 3000 hours) = $330.99
Quote from: crazy canuck on February 15, 2013, 05:18:24 PM
Our old TV finally gave up the ghost. Back in the day it was pretty nice - a 50'' LED. I havent looked at TVs since I bought that back in 2003 or so.
I was thinking about a projector thingie but I am told that plasma TVs can be bought for cheap these days.
Assume I have a room suitable for a 100'' or more screen for a projector.
What is the advice of the Languishites?
That you let me come crash on your couch to see the wonderful new tv.
My current cheap-ass Vizio 42" LCD is still running strong after almost 6 years.
Though if it dies, I'll probably go with a Samsung LED next.
Though I really like the "42...it's about as big as I can go while still being able to easily carry it around by myself.
Read a book instead.
(waits for BB to chime in about waiting for an Apple TV)
For the large screen 60"+ I'd recommend Panasonic or Samsung as have been getting best reviews.
Excellent, this is very helpful.
Here is an article I found on Cnet. I have a dark mancave* for the TV so it l am leaning toward a 60' plasma.
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-33199_7-57344058-221/led-lcd-vs-plasma-vs-lcd/
* Katmai, you will be crashing in the adjoining rooms. Think of them as an extension of the mancave.
Ignore the 4x HD bullcrap anybody peddles you. That is their new thing since 3D flopped.
I've been pleased with Mitsubishi.
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on February 15, 2013, 05:50:21 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 15, 2013, 05:25:03 PM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on February 15, 2013, 05:22:53 PM
Was hoping for a trivia question. :(
On which show did Buck Henry get his start?
Acting or writing/producing?
Part of me wants to say Dobie Gillis, but I know that's absolutely wrong.
I thought it was Dick Van Dyke.
I thought it was a writing gig on Get Smart, but if the Big Bean says Dick Van Dyke I will defer.
Could be DVDS. Get Smart, maybe?
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 15, 2013, 06:19:06 PM
I thought it was a writing gig on Get Smart, but if the Big Bean says Dick Van Dyke I will defer.
Nah you are right.
Well, don't buy a TCL made in the People's Republic of Crap used on eBay.
Υπάρχουν πολύ λίγα που αξίζει να παρακολουθήσετε στην τηλεόραση σήμερα
Ypárchoun polý líga pou axízei na parakolouthí̱sete sti̱n ti̱leórasi̱ sí̱mera
Er, eluetheria i thanatos?
Quote from: Ideologue on February 15, 2013, 06:39:18 PM
Er, eluetheria i thanatos?
http://translate.google.co.uk/ (http://translate.google.co.uk/)
Quote
There is very little worth watching on television nowadays
:P
Sharps makes the Flat Panels for Panasonic & Sony branded TVs. Keep that in mind if you are looking at those brands.
Quote from: crazy canuck on February 15, 2013, 05:18:24 PM
Our old TV finally gave up the ghost. Back in the day it was pretty nice - a 50'' LED. I havent looked at TVs since I bought that back in 2003 or so.
I was thinking about a projector thingie but I am told that plasma TVs can be bought for cheap these days.
Assume I have a room suitable for a 100'' or more screen for a projector.
What is the advice of the Languishites?
Panasonic VT50.
55" = TC-P55VT50; 65" = TC-P65VT50
https://panasonic.ca/english/audiovideo/plasma/tcp55_65vt50.asp#.UR70z2dxm_Q (https://panasonic.ca/english/audiovideo/plasma/tcp55_65vt50.asp#.UR70z2dxm_Q)
I bought the 55" for Christmas, paid 2200$ + 80$ for the 3D glasses. It was the last in stock in Quebec, so maybe it's unavailable in BC too.
The new models will be out between April and August, they offer similar performances, but they will have more useless features with some cool name the marketing department came up with.
They are wireless tvs, you can subscribe to Youtube, NHL Centre Ice, some wheater network, Shoutcast radio, and a bunch of other stuff. They may even have an NBA channel, but I didn't really care :P
Now, this is the absolute best tv on the market today. Even converting 2D to 3D looks real nice on this set.
But it comes with a price: you need a very dark room. In fact, pitch black is what you need. I had the tv in my living room, and I need to shut the small light in the kitchen, close the blind on a side window of the dining room and I also have to block that tiny door window.
Forget about serious daytime viewing. Using the proper mode, you won't get that much glare, but the colors will look a little bit too much washed out.
It's ideal for a home theater setup, but with proper adjustments, it can work in a living room.
It's got THX and THX 3D modes, so when watching blu ray it's basically "fire&forget", but if you're willing to shell some extra cash, there are probably professional calibrators in your area. This TV has a "pro" setting wich you can unlock to have it calibrated, or do it yourself if you have a colorimeter.
Plasma has many advantages over other types:
- darker blacks, wich means better colors
- no ghosting (kind of a shadow image trailing behind in fast action scenes)
- 24p playback for smooth representation of blu ray, the way the movie was shot (multiples of 24fps, usually 48 or 96hz)
- better image clarity
- cheaper price
Drawback:
- consumes a tad more electricity. There is a "eco mode" on the Panny, but I recommend against using it. Unless you're a card carrying member of the David Suzuki fan club ;)
EDIT:
OK, you got a dark room, so the tv will be great.
Quote from: Grey Fox on February 15, 2013, 06:52:22 PM
Sharps makes the Flat Panels for Panasonic & Sony branded TVs. Keep that in mind if you are looking at those brands.
Only for the LCDs, not the plasmas.
Luckily, it's only going to cost me a $150 power supply to fix my plasma. Whew.
TV repair? What is this, the 70s?
Quote- consumes a tad more electricity. There is a "eco mode" on the Panny, but I recommend against using it. Unless you're a card carrying member of the David Suzuki fan club ;)
I've a panasonic with an ecomode too, I like it, even ignoring power usage the way it dims to match the lighting in the room makes watching it better.