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which technology really has the best picture

I've read about all of the technologies, and I've gone to look at them at Tweeter and Circuit City. However, mostly they don't have the DLPs and rear-projection LCDs next to the plasmas and flat panel LCDs, and the lighting in the stores is terrible. I feel like the plasma picture is a little bit better than the rear projections, but I wonder if the stores use picture settings to make it look that way because the flat panels are more expensive. Consumer Reports just rated a Toshiba DLP as having really excellent picture compared to flat panel (both plasma and LCD).

If the plasma picture really is better, I'll probably wait the year until 1080p is affordable. If not, time to buy a DLP or LCD rear projection. Is there any real agreement on this? I welcome any thoughts. Thanks. -Dave
dbw1
uncle_john
9 posts
 
RW... don't sweat it, Duane is at it again. A long time ago he insisted that large flat panel LCDs were less expensive than plasmas (he was confusing flat panel lcd with rear projection lcd) and now he is spreading more misinformation. LCD with its brighter picture is clearly better suited for rooms with a lot of light (see the latest issue of Sound and Vision) and a 50" screen at 12 feet is fine, though 60" would be better for HD.

Personally, I prefer plasma over lcd with its better black levels and color saturation but I'd be hard pressed to buy one over a dlp or lycos display if space were not an issue.
bruceomega
118 posts
 
RW, I would suggest we have different opinions, not that either is right or wrong regarding screen size.

To the original poster, Dave, I suggest you spend some time viewing different screen sizes at the viewing distance you will have in your room, and do that over different times to get an idea of what screen size you would prefer.

You've already seen two different opinions here. If you go to www.avsforum.com, you will find a lot of helpful discussions on screen size.

Bruce
donbellphd
205 posts
 
RW,

The SMPTE recommended 16 X 9 diagonal size for a 12' viewing distance is 77.2", THX is 93.6". Of course these dimensions are aimed at achieving an immersive experience for movies, not just casual viewing. Even so, I prefer a diagonal size that is at least half the viewing distance, 60" at 12' at a minimum.

I think the most reasonable solution is likely to be reducing the viewing distance, and that works for near-field stereo listening as well. You might plan to sit so that you are at one corner of an equlateral triangle, the distance between your front LR speakers being one of the bases of that triangle. (You is intended to be generic.)

db
donbellphd
205 posts
 
I used incorrect numbers in my previous post. SMPTE at 12' is 88.5", THX 107.4"

db
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