TV Selection: Two Questions

Here's your answer 139 HDTVs' power consumption compared
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"Here's your answer 139 HDTVs' power consumption compared."
Gmood1, don't believe everything you read.

My set listing is 60 watts higher than what I actually see. Doesn't say whether that is an average or maximum or does it take into account picture settings. Plasma usage will vary with brightness of pic vs. LCD which is maxed whenever set is on.

After reading a bit deeper I see those chart readings are default settings. I would think most audiophiles would either adjust pic setting themselves or have pro calibration which subdues the pic quite a bit. The difference listed in Juice Box of the review for the PDP 5080 is 228 watts for a calibrated set or over 100 watts less than listed in the chart. Sometimes correct answers are not all that obvious.

>2. Viewing position is mostly straight on about 12 feet from screen. What size?

The biggest you can afford. 110" diagonal is a nice compromise which leaves scope DVDs only a little on the small size.

Don't worry about 1080p at that distance, since you can't visually resolve it.

I just did a ton of research on these issues myself. My viewing distance is about 9 feet, and I ended up with a 50" plasma. According to both the manufacturers and the motion picture organizations, this is just barely big enough for that distance. If you are 12 feet away, you really should have probably closer to 60" - I don't think 50 or 52 would be enough. However, this will also take you over your stated budget, so that may not be an option. Perhaps you could shorten your viewing distance? I was very surprised at how much easier on your eyes it is to go with the recommended size for your viewing distance, and these sizes are much bigger than you would perhaps think.

Also, as far as brands go, Samsung is going to be quite a bit better than LG, whether you choose plasma or LCD. Panasonic is also excellent for plasma, that's what I ended up with. Best of all would be Pioneer, but they were out of my price range, too. But Pioneer, Panasonic, and Samsung are generally considered the big three for plasmas, in that order. I chose plasma for several reasons, mainly because they have much better blacks, which is great for movies, and motion in sports looks much better on plasmas, and plasmas look much better when viewed from an angle. I have also heard that LCD's are slowly being phased out, which is why the stores are pushing them over the plasmas right now, but I"m not so sure I believe that. What I do believe is that the plasmas are greatly superior now. About the only drawback is they do use more power, as someone else said. I am very happy with mine.