This may be an OT subject, but having seen seen threads on watches and computer systems on this site, I'd like to ask about tv's. I need to upgrade my family room and I am interested to know what 997 owners watch. Plasma, LCD, rear projector, and make. Any recomendations will also be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

Plasma for HD viewing. The best out there... Panasonic Commercial plasma displays.

I have the 7th Gen 50" Panasonic on the wall. I also have a 17" LCD with DVD player in kitchen and one LG 26" wall mount on articulating arm for bedroom.

Regards,
Deanski

 

50" Pioneer Elite plasma.

 

Panny makes the best plasmas.

 

I hear 996 owners own TVs 2" smaller than those of 997 owners.

 

Go with a Plasma, you will never look back. I have had a Panny plasma for the last three years and have not had one problem with it. The best place to get info on plasmas/lcd/ and audio systems is www.avsforum.com Look under the plasma thread. This web site rocks and is full of great info and is very much like this forum with eveyone helping each other out....This site will also tell you the best deals and dependable internet stores that provide good products at over half the price you see in brick and morter stores...Best of luck!! Once you go plasma you will never go back...let me know if you have any questions.

Dave

05 Carrera S
05 BMW K1200S
03 HD FLHRCIH
50" PANNY PLASMA

 

PM 1080i and you will get TONS of knowledge...

For me I have two 27" LCD's on the walls, and 36" CRT in the living room and my 60" LCD Projection - all high def - all Sony products and happy with them all.

 

I have a 50" Pioneer Elite Plasma. Picture in HD is like a 35mm picture. I also have a Sony 100" Proj TV.

 

The only thing remotely close to the Elite series from Pioneer is the new Sony Bravia line of LCD TVs.

 

That is correct. However, I hear that 996 owners tallywackers are 3" longer than those of 997 owners. If 996 owners want a bigger TV, they can always buy one!

 

I wouldn't buy an HDTV that isn't 1080P.

 

On TV, your application (use and room size/brightness) will help you decide which type of TV is best.
1. DLP or LCD projection is the cheapest if you want 50-70".
2. Plasma if 42-50" and you need max birghtness and a slim look.
3. If you play video game or have static display, you can get LCD panel to avoid burn-in.

I have a 52 DLP and a 40" LCD. DLP is still superior IMO since it's larger and refreshes faster (less pixelation when watch fast moving objects on TV). With plasma price drops, it's also good considering them.

Lastly, each technology has a few leading manufacturers. Eventhough the chip or screen is same, each manufacturer has different processor. I'd stick with top manufacturer of each type instead of generic brands like maxent and vizio.

1080p is nice but more costly. With HDTV still in 720p, there is no HDTV content in 1080p. The only benefit of 1080P is video game and support of HD DVD in near future. Not sure if the HD DVD will all have 1080P though.

 

I am also a member of avsforum. Amazing forum full of knowledgeable people. You can find all the info you will ever need on there regarding TV's, projectors, audio, HT, etc.

Remeber PS3 and Bluray will be 1080P. Also, a lot of TV's that say they are 1080P can't actually accept 1080P through the HDMI port. So that's useless. Most of the new ones though are having a 1080P HDMI Input. I'd also consider sony's SXRD if u want a RPTV.

 

The advice so far is right on the money. I am also a member of avsforum and that Board is the Rennlist of Home Theater, so check that out. That actually was my first Board as you can tell from my nickname.

I have a 50" Panny plasma in my 'family room' upstairs. Supurb picture quality and as djantlive mentioned, plasma is optimum for 42" to 50" or even larger (but the price gets pretty steep for larger). I really have no experience with LCD, but as for burn-in I will say i have no problem on the plasma at all, so long as you don't play video games for 10 hours at a time or leave CNBC on 24/7.

My theater room has a DLP projector (Infocus 7205) and its insanely great on my 130" Stuart Firehawk screen. I love the projector.

So, the advice on the monitors is very accurate and you should check out avsforum. Go look in the stores and see what you like but remember this trick: ALL, and I mean, ALL, stores turn the brightness and contrast WAY UP on their monitors to make the monitor appear brighter. When you get home, you need to calibrate your monitor either professionally, or with a DVD such as AVIA, or with a DVD such as Star Wars or Finding Nemo that have the THX calibration feature to allow you to adjust your settings. If you dont take this step, no matter how much you spend or what you buy the colors will appear washed out and the blacks will be way to bright.

Also, and most importantly of all, its the AUDIO that makes the experience real - NOT the video. Get a good 5.1 setup or 7.1 set up and DO NOT forget the subwoofer. Spend good money on your sub and front left / right / center speakers and get decent matching surrounds (not matching as in same speaker but matching as in same manufacturer's surround sets). When the lights go out after your done watching the news and the kids go to bed, and when you settle in for that movie, it is the sound that will immerse you in the experience.

Also, get a good progressive scan DVD player with DVI or HDMI output. Finally, forget about 1080P for now - save some money and get 1080i and upgrade the audio. The P standard wil get hot one day - about the time you move your new family room TV to a spare room and buy the latest and greatest in 5 years.

Enjoy!!

 

Pioneer elite is aweome