1. Home
  2. home-theater
  3. 1099702617

TV talk - Reliable TV - Tube, LCD, plasma...

Trying to research this can put one over the edge. Do newer technologies surpass tube picture quality? What is the most reliable?

I may be in the market for a new TV and I am wondering if it is best to go with something like a Panasonic Tau or move to something like LCD. Screen size could be anywhere from mid 30" to mid 40".

We all want a great picture, it's a given, but I want a reliable TV, one not ready for the scrap heap in a couple years, they cost to much.

Budget, anywhere from 1 - 2.5k. I see Tau's in my range for less the 1.5k or bigger LCD/Plasmas for more.
brianmgrarcom
warrenh's avatar
warrenh
2,286 posts
 
Brian, I'll be getting that Samsung, as well. Acutally the 43" model. At least I think there is a 43" model. anyway, what screen do you want to watch the Gladiator on? 34" Sony, or 46" Samsung? Miami CSI? ER? On a 34"? Maybe. It's a personal thing. I would regret the 34" real fast. A DVD on the Sammy is drop dead amazing. No experience with the Mitsubishi.
brianmgrarcom OP
1,317 posts
 
Warren, I concede that the 34" of the XBR is the only thing holding me back from ending this short search; I am not saying I wouldn't enjoy it, but I had always planned on going at least slightly bigger than 34" when I made my next purchase. C/Net has a very favorable review of this TV.

I do not have a DVD player in the living room, my wife has one in the basement for workout videos. We do not rent movies so DVD playback is not a priority to me.

I doubt I will be able to tolerate stretched pictures, so I suspect whatever TV I purchase will be run in a mode that does not do this.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Brian, have you done any "web shopping" for the Sony? I haven't priced TVs in several years, but I bought my 32" Sony XBR seven years ago for around $1900, so I tend to think the price you found might be high...?

Also, if you can wait a couple months, TVs ALWAYS go on sale around Super Bowl time.

Something to think about.

Also, take some time to really watch all the TVs your considering. And, watch them with both cable/satellite sources (usually what the store provides), and DVD sources. Keep in mind that the picture size will be substantially smaller when you view letterboxed movies on the 4:3 screen.
brianmgrarcom OP
1,317 posts
 
Hi Tvad,

No doubt my local stereo shop is higher than what I could find pricing for on the 'net. I did watch both their HDTV signals and regulaer sat. feed, though their sat. feed is terrible becuase they can only get one feed and it is split many times sent to many TV.

Your tip on watching in 4:3 is a good one and one that I did but wish I spent more time doing so.
warrenh's avatar
warrenh
2,286 posts
 
Well, if you don't rent DVDs why would you want anything large? Obviously, I'm not a big tv watcher, but I, do, love sports and HD is amazing for that. The few tv series, I watch, luckily, are in HD. So that's cool. Good luck with that Sony. It's a bear to carry...
More to discover