HDTV 40''-46'', $1100 is the sky - Help?

[WarGhSt]

Alright, first foray into the HDTV universe and it's definitely overwhelming. I've read through quite a few of the posts within the first 3-4 pages of this sub-forum but as with all technology things get phased out and updated info is a must.

Going into this with an $1100 limit for an HDTV that's going to be used for the family. Going right into the living room. This thing will be used for everything from SD channels to HD channels, Wii, 360 and PC, you name it.

I don't want something that is prone to burn-in because there are times when channels get played for entire days, marathons ya know, and every damn station has to advertise their channel in the bottom right hand portion of the screen. Like you didn't know you were watching Comedy Central. Bastards.

Before I derail my own thread with rants what I'm getting at is: I NEED YOUR HELP! :captnkill:

[Danothemano]

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-LN40A630-40-Inch-1080p-120Hz/dp/B001CE7BRS/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=audio-video&qid=1232287870&sr=1-9

[bacon12]

Just barely over your budget, and of you search you may find it cheaper somewhere else.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889104116

[WarGhSt]

Awesome, hadn't seen the Phillips yet and the Samsung 6 series is something I've been looking at.

So far so good but keep em coming!

Anyone with buyers remorse that may have some words about things they would have done differently?

[|MaguS|]

Panasonic Plasma... You can find a 42" for under a grand...

[-=Gib-McFragger=-]

Panasonic Plasma... You can find a 42" for under a grand...:clap2:

[Imbroglio]

Panasonic Plasma... You can find a 42" for under a grand...

qft. if i didn't have my 60a3000, i'd pick up a panny plasma in a heartbeat

[krokodil]

Plasmas tend to burn in. That's one of the reasons they get phased out (I know what I'm talking about: had a 1st gen plasma for videoconferencing - perfect setting for burn in).
Has been replaced last year due to unusability: burn in and color bleaching.
But then, things might have changed since 1997.

[Toss3]

Plasmas tend to burn in. That's one of the reasons they get phased out (I know what I'm talking about: had a 1st gen plasma for videoconferencing - perfect setting for burn in).
Has been replaced last year due to unusability: burn in and color bleaching.
But then, things might have changed since 1997.

They don't burn in as easily as the first generation ones did, but theres still some image retention if you use the wrong settings on a still image for too long(high contrast + PC desktop for example). Remember to check if you're sensitive to phosphor-trailing (http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/plasma-phosphor-trail-2007040133.htm) if you decide to go with a panasonic plasma! :)

Here's an example of what it looks like:

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[Imbroglio]

Remember to check if you're sensitive to phosphor-trailing (http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/plasma-phosphor-trail-2007040133.htm) if you decide to go with a panasonic plasma! :)

haha i like how they use gears2. my buddy with a 42" panasonic plasma said that he never noticed them until playing gears2 since half the game is high contrast adjacent to low contrast areas. he obviously refuses to play that game anymore ;)

burn-ins aren't a concern like they once were. most plasmas come with some extent of a "screen wipe" utility

[Medion]

burn-ins aren't a concern like they once were. most plasmas come with some extent of a "screen wipe" utility

It's called white-washing, and it cuts the life of the plasma. Basically, I recommend a plasma or LCD based on the following conditions.

Primarily used for BluRay - Plasma
Primarily used for TV - either (but if you're a huge fan of one channel, the logo in the lower right could burn in, so go with LCD)
Any gaming at all - LCD

[nrdstrm]

I'm quite happy with my Vizio that I bought a few years ago (MikeC has or had the same one). If you can afford it, I'd probably go the Sammy or Phillips, but if your looking for a good bargain, the Vizio's can't be beat...

[betterdan]

If you don't necessarily need the extra inches a LCD or plasma can give you then I would definitely check out some DLP sets which usually can be had at a bigger size for a great price and look every bit as good as LCD or plasma and do not suffer from any type of burn in.
A regular DLP has to have the bulb replaced after maybe a year and a half to 2 years but they also have LED ones now that should never need the bulb replaced.

Here's a 60 inch regular DLP by Mitsubishi for $1099
http://www.amazon.com/Mitsubishi-WD-60735-60-Inch-1080p-HDTV/dp/B00166BNFS/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=audio-video&qid=1232604092&sr=1-9

[WarGhSt]

Panasonic Plasma... You can find a 42" for under a grand...

Was originally trying to step away from Plasma because I'm definitely afraid of burn-in but I've also heard that plasmas these days have close to the same risk as an LCD.

Anyone picked up an http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-Viera-TH-46PZ85U-46-Inch-Plasma/dp/B00142MUEC/ref=pd_bbs_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1232609413&sr=8-3 at all? Very interested in feedback on this set.

[DaveChambers]

If you don't necessarily need the extra inches a LCD or plasma can give you then I would definitely check out some DLP sets which usually can be had at a bigger size for a great price and look every bit as good as LCD or plasma and do not suffer from any type of burn in.
A regular DLP has to have the bulb replaced after maybe a year and a half to 2 years but they also have LED ones now that should never need the bulb replaced.

Here's a 60 inch regular DLP by Mitsubishi for $1099
http://www.amazon.com/Mitsubishi-WD-60735-60-Inch-1080p-HDTV/dp/B00166BNFS/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=audio-video&qid=1232604092&sr=1-9

DLP!

I bought myself a Samsung 46" DLP back in early '06 when I was feeling adventurous. It runs daily for multiple hours, sometimes I'll leave it on over night and the bulb is still going strong. We have LCD's in dang near every room here, but it'll be a cold day in hell before they swap my DLP for an LCD. I cant imagine how nice the new ones must be, I prefer the picture quality on my Samsung over any LCD in the house. I've heard great things about Mitsu's new DLPs.

[krokodil]

Anyone picked up an http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-Viera-TH-46PZ85U-46-Inch-Plasma/dp/B00142MUEC/ref=pd_bbs_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1232609413&sr=8-3 at all? Very interested in feedback on this set.

Can't comment on the Panasonic set but ... what about this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889253165?
Fits at least into your price tag :)
Edit: Out of curiosity I've looked a bit more around and found the following:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B001418W2C/
Toshiba and Samsung are among the manufacturers I'd consider serious contenders to Sony, Phillips and Panasonic. In the end best is if there is a place where you can see all sets in action and compare for yourself.

[DaveChambers]

Can't comment on the Panasonic set but ... what about this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889253165?
Fits at least into your price tag :)

I posted that exact model on the front page yesterday, it seems like a great deal but my only gripe is the 60Hz refresh rate. Not that big a deal unless you plan on using it as a secondary monitor or for a media center rig.

[krokodil]

I posted that exact model on the front page yesterday, it seems like a great deal but my only gripe is the 60Hz refresh rate. Not that big a deal unless you plan on using it as a secondary monitor or for a media center rig.

Oops. Sorry.
I don't normally click on links because I'm living in Germany and buying in the U.S. means not only paying for shipping but import tax and 19% #%§$& value added tax and that great deal quickly ends in a nightmare with customs and tax office (I've been through that several times and don't ask me how a tax adds value to a product).

[|MaguS|]

Was originally trying to step away from Plasma because I'm definitely afraid of burn-in but I've also heard that plasmas these days have close to the same risk as an LCD.

Anyone picked up an http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-Viera-TH-46PZ85U-46-Inch-Plasma/dp/B00142MUEC/ref=pd_bbs_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1232609413&sr=8-3 at all? Very interested in feedback on this set.
Well thats just a higher end model of mine... it will be just as good if not better then what I have.

[WarGhSt]

Well thats just a higher end model of mine... it will be just as good if not better then what I have.

So get to it! Any image retention? How's the glare during the day time in a decently lit room? And did you go through any of the rigmarole for breaking it in for 100+ hours?

[|MaguS|]

So get to it! Any image retention? How's the glare during the day time in a decently lit room? And did you go through any of the rigmarole for breaking it in for 100+ hours?

No image retention yet but I never left it on a static screen for more then an hour... As for glare... there is none. I have a big window in my bedroom and I can watch TV or play games on it with the blinds open without a problem. I already easily put over 100 hours into it and I didn't do anything special. I did calibrate it on my own with the Aliens DVD but other then that I just put it under normal use...

[-=Gib-McFragger=-]

Same here. I have the same set as |Magus|, and use it for TV, Blu-ray and PS3 gaming all the time. I did nothing other than calibrate it with DVE and have not had any issues with image retention or any phosphor trailing like in the video posted above. The glass screen is not only glare resistant but damn well indestructible, which is good if you have children. :)

I did nothing special for break-in other than make sure it wasn't in "torch mode".
The new Panny plasma panels are rated at 100,000 hrs, which, if you do that math - is about 30 years at 8hrs a day.....give or take.

To be honest, I wasn't remotely interested in even looking at a plasma when I was shopping for a new TV. After some in-store comparisons, I walked out with the 46" Panny and I have zero regrets. I love it.