Replace 35" TV with something bigger

Sony 40XBR700. Direct view with all the trimmings. I have a 36XBR400 and wish I could upgrade. I would never go with any other sort of screen besides direct view (unless I won the lottery and could buy some of the projectors that cost as much as a new car) 16:9 are nice but really don't fulfill the current need for all formats I am still stuck with, especially broadcast TV. Plasma are still finicky devices that sure are hi-tech, but the fear of screen burn keeps me away from those. So I would be thrilled to have a Sony 40XBR700... for the Holidays... (I HAD a Toshiba 35" that was 10 years old and I have to say the Sony 36XBR400 was a GIANT leap forward from that TV, I was amazed!!!)

Sean:

I have the upmost opportunity to buy a "Video Essentials" Calibration DVD off of "E-bay" WELL BELOW retail (and believe it or not, it will be from someone from MY hometown...... Washington, D. C.). After reading this thread for about the last two days, I see that you do nothing but swear by THIS DVD, and I am coming to the conclusion that anyone who is SERIOUSLY into home theater SHOULD not be without this DVD. I see that it retails for over $40.00 on "Amazon". But I can get off of "E-bay" for WELL below that (I am going to bid on a couple of them tonight..... that way, if one of them fall through, I'll still be in the running for the other one). Now, what I want to know from you is this: The version I am bidding on came out in 1998. Is this the only version that has ever came out??? And is this the current version?? Or has this DVD been revised since then?? If the 1998 DVD is the current version, then I am going to go ahead and put my bids in tonight. If not, then I'll go ahead and pay retail just so I'll have the up to date version. I know I have an analog/interlaced display right now (a 27-Inch Panasonic CT-27SF37), but when I purchase my HDTV RPTV within the next two years, I am going to find this disc an INDISPENSIBLE tool then, as since I am going to be paying in the neighborhood of $2,000.00 to $3,000.00 for a television, I want to make sure I am getting all of the picture that I'll be paying for then.

Comments????

--Charles--

Sean, Angela and Swampwalker:

I would like to thank all three of you for influencing my decision to purchase a "Video Essentials" DVD. As I feel that I am as serious about home theater as all three of you, I feel that this DVD is an indispensible tool that is necessary for getting all of the performance that I have paid for out of MY home theater. I just won one on an auction on "E-Bay" myself. I am getting one off of "E-Bay" for $23.36 (which includes shipping and insurance.... my price before shipping and insurance was $18.26....... and considering how much it will cost a tech to come out and calibrate my TV ($150.00+), I think that's going to be the best $25.00 I'll ever spend).

However though, if any of you already own a HDTV set, just note that Joe Kane will be coming out similar disc pretty soon that is designed specifically for HDTVs and Progressive Scan DVD Players. But I am sure that the current version will have its uses for HDTVs as well. I don't know how much this new disc will cost. But, just know that it will be coming out pretty soon, if it hasn't already. Just a friendly heads up for you all.

--Charles--

The book DVD Demystified has a nice test disc that come with the book. It retails for $50 but then you get the big fat book too. I bought it, just for the disc, wholesale $$$32

You can pick up a brand new copy of DVD essentials at Borders for $30. All there DVD's are quite cheap.

A rear projection tv is a great idea. I have a 60" that is a little big but great for the letterbox. Letterbox movies are what made me go bigger too. I had a 32" XBR and although the picture was incredible I have never looked back.

Since were drooling and dreamimg how about the Faroudga widescreen rear projection for thirty thousand.