Need help deciding on an HDTV

[lolwut?]

Alright, I know there's been an influx of these topics lately, so my apologies for adding on to the already growing number. Basically, I'm looking for a new HDTV for my room. I've had this NEC 26" CRT for ages, and it's time to get an upgrade. What I'm looking for:


At least 50", but no more than 62"
1080p
Nothing more than $1500
VGA port (for Dreamcast and possibly 360 if I get no Component -> HDMI converter)

I'm going to be using this TV for my 360 (pre-HDMI model), PS3 (60GB model), Blu-Ray viewing, and eventually HD cable. I'm not looking for reasons to be convinced why 1080p isn't necessary or any of that; I'm going to be sitting no further than 8 feet away (rarely that far). Some models I've been looking at that I've noticed from circulars:

Panasonic TH-50PZ80U $1499 at Best Buy
Samsung HL-61A650 $1119 at Bernie's
Samsung HL-56A650 $1399 at Bernie's

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks CAG's 8-)

EDIT: Heat and electricity don't bother me as my room is fucking cold in the winter and I keep it freezing in the summer. Electric bill doesn't bother me.

[HeadRusch]

All of those will be fine......usually these threads are someone who wants 50", and doesn't want to spend more than $800 bucks :P

The current "snake oil" being pushed for sets these days is 120hz refresh rates, so you can watch Blu Rays at 1080/24. Every manufacturer implements this differently, and half the time the differences are completely unnoticible...while otehr times the "120hz mode" can actually introduce artifacts or detract from the picture.

As a gamer all you want to know is do any of these LCD's offer a 'game' mode where they turn off any TV processing so you dont get any introduced game lag, and sadly I can't answer that on these models.

[lolwut?]

As a gamer all you want to know is do any of these LCD's offer a 'game' mode where they turn off any TV processing so you dont get any introduced game lag, and sadly I can't answer that on these models.

Yeah, I'm not being stingy with my budget (I don't want a fucking Olevia or whatever), and I've not heard too much over 120hz.

I wasn't looking at any LCD's; one was a plasma and the other 2 were DLP's (oh noes!)

[HeadRusch]

OoooOOOoooh :) I assumed they were LCD's.

DLP's will likely lag a bit....plus, you're replacing bulbs...if you want a DLP, get a front projector and go really big. Then again, you could get a 65" Mits DLP on that budget from Tiger.....and "lag" as they say is likely going to be pretty minimal or unnoticiable..
I game on a DLP all the time (front projector) and get no perceivable Lag....

Plasma will be great, assuming you can live with image retention which you are pretty likely to get...and area also prepared for the heat and power that Plasmas consume.

[javeryh]

I'd definitely go with a plasma. Image retention/burn has not been a factor with plasmas in 5+ years. The early models suffered from this but even by the time I bought mine in 2004 the problem was basically gone. I rarely notice image retention after shutting the TV off (NEVER from switching channels) and it fades in about 10 seconds. There is no burn in whatsoever. It has been my primary gaming TV since the day I bought it and it still looks GREAT. It does give off some heat though if that is a concern (nothing really noticeable unless you are looking for it).

I'm thinking about upgrading next year with something 50"+ and 1080p (mine only does 1080i). Of course in 5 years everyone is going to be buying OLED flat screens and I'll be buying another TV anyway.

Oh, I have a Panasonic and I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one. In fact, it will take some convincing for me to NOT buy another Panasonic - I'm very very happy with it.

[klwillis45]

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/458032454/mitsubishi-wd-65735

[lolwut?]

Hmmm.... Heat and electricity don't bother me, I added that to the OP. I'd figured burn in wasn't a problem anymore because of what other CAGs had been saying. javeryh, if your model is fine and from 04, I think a 2008 would more than have handled that problem :lol:

I have no qualms with either Mitsubishi (our old ass living room HDTV is Mits and still goin strong) or Panasonic (I use a 14" LCD of theirs for most of my gaming tbh).

That Mitsubishi that was suggesedt was said to have weak color from a quick review I just read however. Plus I'm not looking to be obnoxious, I just want a large television. I only originally looked at the 61" because it was so cheap. Also there was no VGA port on the back from what I can see (I'd like one for my Dreamcast).

I'll update the OP. Keep it coming guys!

[lolwut?]

No one else? Might have to take this to the AVS forums

[HeadRusch]

AVS wont help you pick a TV, you'll just wind up drowning in posts of people saying "THIS TV IS THE BEST" followed up by "THIS TV SUcKS, DONT BUY IT!". (i know because I've got like 8000 posts on AVS....and people who just want a simple answer USUALLY aren't going to get one).

In a nutshell:
LCD is by far the most popular TV type now. The modern models really have eliminated most of the problems that older sets had, that being real-world contrast levels and absolute black levels, better models will have a GAME mode that eliminates any processing to minimize lag.

Plasmas like the KURO's are very popular, but they do produce heat and they do consume more power. Image Retention can be a problem, but you know thats up to the end user. CRT RPTV's used to be flagged for burn-in too...but I've put like 6000 hours on my 65" Mits CRT, 80% of it gaming, and I've not had any problems so far. The thing is going Plasma is what you do if you really are into movies and image quality.....if you're doing as much gaming as movie watching, its hard to go wrong with a modern LCD.

DLP's are largely yesterdays news...which is why they are so cheap.....and really only matter now in the realm of Front Projection, which I don't believe your room size is going to support. Thing is once you go Front Projection, you'll never go back to a small 50 or 60" set :)

[lolwut?]

I appreciate the help, but I'm looking for suggestions for actual TV's or a selection of one out of the ones I already put in the first post.

I already know the pros and cons of certain types

[Macheezmo]

cross post: "Me and my wife picked up a samsung 52" Ln52a550 for ourselves as a wedding gift a couple months back. It runs just under $1600 right now on amazon. I love this TV. There's no lag whatsoever with it. I did the lag calibration with GH:WT and both audio and video came to 0ms. The picture is fantastic on it as well."

also
This TV has a VGA port, though I use component for my 360 (though I know you said you wanted it for DC). I've seen no ghosting/purple haze/whatever issue I always heard about on AVSforum. At first I had my cable hooked up via composite and cartoons were unbearably bad with blurring, but once I upgraded it to an HDMI connection, it's totally perfect. I use this TV for my 360 (pre-HDMI model), PS3 (40GB model), Blu-Ray viewing, and HD cable, and couldn't be happier. It's just a bit above 1500, but the shipping is free and no tax. It has a Game mode, but I've never needed it, even for older consoles.

there's my .02 dollars

[Vinny]

1080p is pretty much needed at the sizes you're talking about. And yes, burn in is pretty much a non-issue these days regardless of what kind of TV you get.

We have this Sharp.
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Sharp-52-LCD-HDTV-LC-52SB55U/sem/rpsm/oid/223173/catOid/-12869/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

We got it for $1700 this summer (from CC) and we're happy with it thus far. It's really thin and picture quality is fantastic. True, it's an LCD so that means it can't produce the same black levels or contrast ratios as plasmas but the only reason we got an LCD was back of glare from the glossy screens that plasmas and DLP HDTVs have. I don't think that's a problem for most people but it's something to consider.

We use it with our PS3 (for games and Blu-Rays) and 360 mostly and have no complaints. We only have standard definition DISH so I can't speak for HD cable/satellite but I'd imagine it would look pretty damn good considering everything else does.

[lolwut?]

Alright, well I appreciate the suggestions Vinny and Macheezmo. I went into best buy today and looked at the Panasonic Plasma, and both the Sharp and Samsung LCD.

I know Best Buy probably doesn't configure the TV's that well, and the video they are running is pretty garbage, but it helped me get a good general idea.

The Sharp was nice, but next to the Samsung it was no comparison IMO. The Samsung was much brighter and sharper (no pun intended) compared to the Sharp. Now, when it came to the Samsung and the Panasonic, the Samsung seemed much more vibrant and bright, and while the Panasonic was more darker and dingy, it displayed the darker blues and blacks much better and more "true" in a sense.

I have some thinking to do, and more suggestions or opinions would be much appreciated

[HeadRusch]

You should have looked at how those sets were setup....places like that can easily make a good TV look bad and a bad TV look good by adjusting the Color/Sharpness/etc values...

[lolwut?]

You should have looked at how those sets were setup....places like that can easily make a good TV look bad and a bad TV look good by adjusting the Color/Sharpness/etc values...

They were all up pretty high; they were the top of the display wall.

Edit: And I'm going back, I just had a chance to stop by today and look on the way home

[HeadRusch]

Dont be afraid to ask for the remotes to play with the settings......