Finally upgrading TV

brew · Posted: Jan 23, 2008 9:19 pm Post subject: Finally upgrading TV

I'm finally looking to upgrade my TV and have decided to go with the a higher end LCD or plasma. I am currently looking at the new Pioneer Elite plasmas, the Sony Bravia XBR4, and the Samsung 81 F series. I'm leaning torwards the XBR4, but wanted to see if anyone had any opinions on the three sets.

DRAGON88 · Posted: Jan 23, 2008 9:34 pm Post subject:

brew, I don't honestly have much to compare it to, but my Dad just got a 46" XBR5 and it is amazing. It looks great even when its turned off. All in all I am very impressed by it.

brew · Posted: Jan 24, 2008 7:06 am Post subject:

I've looked at the XBR5, but it is identical to the XBR4 other than one input that I wouldn't use anyways. Also, the XBR5 has interchangeable face plates if you want to custom match cabinets.

churchy · Posted: Jan 24, 2008 8:24 am Post subject:

I have a Sammy and love it.

Dpierce37 · Ladies Man Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 7659 City: Austin

brew, look at at where the tv is going to be. Will you have light from windows and other sort during the day. If so, go for the LCD. The plasma have a shiny glass screen the reflects all surrounding light. LCD's do not. I can watch it with all my windows open on the sunniest days. Anything over 40 inches, get nothing less then 1080i. When hooking it up, using nothing but hdmi.

Dpierce37 · Ladies Man Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 7659 City: Austin

or just wait a few more months till the newest and best comes out...

LASER TV!!!! Its the death of Plasma and LCD

http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/8010.cfm

http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/08/mitsubishi-laser-tv-unveiled/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DS6wsJRGqnQ

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

Dpierce37 · Ladies Man Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 7659 City: Austin

Wakebrad, thats why I went with 1080p Mr. Green

but I didn't know that...thanks for the link.

kavlock99 · Posted: Jan 24, 2008 9:29 am Post subject:

Mitsubishi makes nice displays. I have one of the last plasmas they made. I can't wait for their laser!

Goodluckbrew on finding a set that works for you.

I say whatever is the best value and has all the necessary features

1) must have progessive scan HD (720 or 1080preferred)
2)HDMI inputs for ease of installation
3)Brightness and contrast ratios that equate into a better picture

Have fun and get pictures up after its in.

brew · Posted: Jan 24, 2008 9:35 am Post subject:

Well now you have me somewhat stumped with this Laser TV issue. Do I spend $3,500+ now or wait a few more months and see what is out there? This is why I haven't upgraded yet, because I don't want to blow a wad of cash and then something come out the next week that trumps it.

Lighting is not an issue, but I'm leaning more towards the LCD due to burn in issues. I don't watch much TV, but it's constantly on. Also it is used frequently for gaming.

I think I may go with my original instinct and go with the Sony.

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

Dpierce37, 1080p solves it all. Although unless you're running an HD DVD or BlueRay, nothing is broadcast in 1080p.

nickl011 · Posted: Jan 24, 2008 3:36 pm Post subject:

We have the 40 Bravia from Summer 07. Once connected to HD TiVo we get 1080p resolution. Otherwise the picture is really grainy due to poor cable service.

I <3 Sony

J-Ro · Posted: Jan 24, 2008 3:43 pm Post subject:

Wakebrad, I understand the article but if you flip back and forth between 720p and 1080i, the 1080i looks better on everything but fast moving sports.

Dpierce37, Don't drink the HDMI Kool Aid. Component looks better on some TVs (Mine for example). Of course you should have HDMI inputs but they don't offer any better clarity short of 1080p since 1080p signals are DRMed. Boo the movie studios!

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

J-Ro, what source do you have that you can flip back and forth between 720p and 1080i?

Also, not all sources are equal. When I switched from cable HD to FIOS HD all of the chanels got a lot crisper.

J-Ro · Posted: Jan 25, 2008 11:06 am Post subject:

Wakebrad, Dish Network.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

brew · Posted: Jan 27, 2008 12:35 pm Post subject:

I ended up going with the Sony and I'm getting my Direct TV upgraded Tuesday. I looked at the others, but after reading lots of reviews this appeared to be one of the top TV's on the market right now.

DRAGON88 · Posted: Jan 27, 2008 1:26 pm Post subject:

brew, good choice. My uncle who has been selling high end Audio/Tv stuff for about 20 years said it was, in his opinion the best LCD on the market today. He said that he still preferred Plasma>LCD because he felt the contrast was better on the plasma.

Good choice!

PimpinD2 · Posted: Jan 28, 2008 8:55 am Post subject:

If your gonna do it right, make sure u get a tv with 120hz. its the only thing i can actually notice the difference with.

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

Nauty · Addict Joined: 12 Feb 2004 Posts: 827 City: Lake Dallas

Fox broadcasts in 720P while NBC and CBS both broadcast in 1080i.

My HDTV can display in 480P, 720P, and 1080i. I concurr that the 1080i broadcasts look better on my TV than Fox's 720P.

Nauty · Addict Joined: 12 Feb 2004 Posts: 827 City: Lake Dallas

Also, to clarify, depending on your TV it will either automatically switch to display in the format that is being broadcast or it will convert the broadcast to display what your TV is capable of displaying.

In other words, if your TV will only display 720P and the broadcast is 1080i, your TV will convert the signal to 720P. If your TV is capable of displaying multi formats it will display the format that is being received provided it is capable of displaying that particular format.

brew · Posted: Jan 28, 2008 5:43 pm Post subject:

kavlock99 · Posted: Jan 29, 2008 10:12 am Post subject:

I don't see any pictures yet. Question

ohdoor · Soul Rider Joined: 02 Mar 2005 Posts: 281 City: OKC

Fam just got a new 52 inch pioneer elite 1080p HD plasma... it is BEAUTIFUL. we got the pioneer elite receiver with it and the setup is amazing. but we just upgraded from a 15 year old setup so no matter what we got i would have been very happy.

pyrocasto · Posted: Feb 05, 2008 6:04 am Post subject:

Though 1080p would probably be a bit better for movement, I'll stick with out 52" LCD 1080i for the Planet Earth BlueRays.

Totally unbeatable.

Tyler T · Posted: Feb 05, 2008 6:50 am Post subject:

I was at Fry's the other day wandering through the TV section, and I think the picture from my 15 year old TV looks better than most of the plasmas and LCDs that I saw. They all looked really grainy.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

Tyler T, garbage in garbage out.

DRAGON88 · Posted: Feb 05, 2008 9:30 am Post subject:

pyrocasto · Posted: Feb 05, 2008 9:51 am Post subject:

DRAGON88, or in other cases worse. Normal cable television looks better on a regular tube than on an LCD. That's why when most people upgrade they get pissed that it isnt better but worse. Upgrade to HD cable!