HDTV Purchase

[Jessterw]

Bingo.

Exactly. While I appreciate the suggestion, it ignores everything I've put forth as a requirement or desire. Maybe I should say I don't want to spend over $1500 and anything larger than 40" (well maybe 42") is out of the question regardless of the price.

[Mehen]

Yeah, definitely check out some of those widescreen HD CRTs then, I think Sony and Toshiba have a couple models.

[Jammrock]

Yeah, definitely check out some of those widescreen HD CRTs then, I think Sony and Toshiba have a couple models.

Bleh!

Widescreen HDTV CRTs are large, heavy, and suck up tons of power. That and they are thick, and it sounds like JW is looking to save space.

Plasma at 42" is either EDTV (480p resolution) and right at $2k or HDTV (720p resolution) and >$3k. 42" is the smallest plasma I've seen.

SXRD = too damn expensive.

Front projection = you can get a screen and DLP projector for under $1500, but youhave to have a light controled room ... so probably out.

LCD = @32" you are looking at about a $1200-$1600 price tag (more for the newest gen displays from the bigger names). LCDs only look good if you have a good video processor that can scale the video well to the natural resolution of the LCD. The tech is getting much better, so LCD is an option. Just watch out for dead pixel policies.

Rear-projection CRT = good price wise, but the picture quality pales verus newer technologies. Tech is dying a slow and painful death, being replaced by the likes of DLP, SXRD, etc.

DLP = currently the most popular TV tech (according to what I've seen). If you have very accute vision you might end up with the "rainbow effect," so test out the displays before buying. Newer gens have fast, multiple segmented color wheels, so MOST people will not have rainbow problems. 42" sets run in the same basic price range and resolution as the 32" LCDs. DLPs have the same inherent natural resolution problem as LCDs, but tend to look less pixelated and have more real estate for video processors.

That's my run down ... do with it what you will.

Jammrock ... out.

[DukeP]

What about a simple projector?
I have had my panasonic for more than a year, now.

Its excellent and has a high WAF.

It takes up little or no room (its practically invisible, when not in use).

Its more silent thatn some of the plasma screens Ive seen.

Its bright.

It accepts all types of inputs.

It can throw the image as small as 1 meter and as large as 6 meters, at the distance Ive set itup.

Its comparatively cheap (well within the 1500$).

~~DukeP~~