[Squawks]

Originally Posted by mrbelk

I'll have to swing by Hi-Fi Buys or Magnolia sometime and check it out. I have heard that the Sony "Qualia" sets were excellent, but I have not yet seen the SXRD. You have to admit that there are some inherent issues with rear-projection that are very hard to overcome, namely the color saturation and off-axis response. I am generally much more drawn in by direct view sets than projection ones.

-MrB

Me too - but in today's world of big screens it becomes too costly for manufacturers to crank out 60" plasmas and direct-view CRTs (what's the biggest DV-CRT you've seen - 40"?). The direct view CRT is the best form of medium but it tops out physically after attempting to go so big - unfortunately. A 34" CRT weighs almost 300 lbs!

Compare the cost of a 60" plasma of good quality to that of Sony's SXRD (The Qualia 007 is Sony's tradename for its 70" version although now the SXRD is the new "XBR" line from Sony). The price difference is astronomical for a quality difference which is up for debate.

I agree projections have its problems - I dislike the constant maintenance especially in convergence if it goes off (SXRD uses 3 chips and so do Sony's older 3-chip LCDs). But image quality is certainly improving - vastly. If you haven't seen a truly calibrated SXRD set (probably can only be found in small private shops) displaying a true HD source (e.g. 1080P Blu-Ray) --- you should.

Hell, even on AVS the plasma freaks are beginning to veer towards the world of RPTVs and the SXRD. Plasmas have the convenience of being light/thin - I'll hand that to them.

[Asiann]

Originally Posted by mrbelk

burn-in and half-life on modern plasma panels are moot points. The newest generations of panasonic panels are rated at 60000 hours "mean time to half luminance" (that's like watching TV for 8 hours a day, every day, for 15 years) and have similar burn-in characteristics to CRT TV's.

I am yet to see a DLP or LCD rear-projection or LCD flat panel that has am image that looks nearly as good as my panasonic plasma. LCD's that I've seen still have issues with the images "streaking" during periods of intense on-screen motion, and the rear-projection sets I've seen still have issues with color saturation and off-axis viewing that are much worse than the mfg's would have you believe. I watched the women's US Open in HD on a good Sony DLP set this past weekend and it couldn't hold a candle to my plasma.

-MrB

While that may be true for that particular model does not represent the entire plasma generation. The off-axis you are referring to would only be a concern if you plan on watching your tv from a steep side angle. I assure you my LCD does not have that problem or with streaking. Again that is with the Sony. I can't say for the rest. Apples and oranges

[mrbelk]

Originally Posted by txusa03

I too have been looking and comparing. I am leaning toward the panasonic (now that they are out with their 8th generation plasma panel). I have been to best buy and see panasonic 42 in HDTV against other and the color and clarity is just uncomparable. It is not the cheapest 42 in and not the most expansive 42 inch. It seems like you like your panasonic commercial set, how long have you had it?

I got the 50" 7UY (7th gen glass) from plasmaconcepts.com last January (2005). Haven't had a bit of trouble with it. I don't have it wall-mounted, rather it's on it's table stand (extra) sitting on a buffet/credenza that I converted to house my AV gear. I can post a pic if you want. I think the look is very nice. I want to put some sort of backlight behind it since I've read that some sort of backlighting really sets the picture off nicely; ala Philips "Ambilight."

If you already have the sources (like a cable or satellite box and DVD player) and speakers and just need a monitor, I would recommend just getting the commercial version that doesn't include the speakers and tuner and save a couple hundred bucks. The look is very clean with the plain black bevel.

-MrB

[Asiann]

Originally Posted by Squawks

Mr. B - go see Sony's SXRD and you have to make sure it's properly calibrated before doing so. And that a true HD source is being fed into it.

The SXRD by far destroys all of its competition. Hands down. No questions asked.

I agree the new Sony line is excellent! Too bad it came out before I bought mine.

[Asiann]

Originally Posted by flush01

with LCD's you gatta watch out for dead pixels, or pixel freeze...

Just run the dead pixel buddy and you will see where all the dead pixels are and probably can return it just like the computer monitors.

[Asiann]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

I'd also seriously recommend that you consider Costco for your television purchase. BEST warranty in the business.........bar none!

Just use your VISA card and you get the double factory warranty for free!

[Squawks]

Mr. B - backlight is a must have. Some people prefer yellow ones while others white.

There's a rule of thumb that the backlight shouldn't exceed 1/3 the luminescence of the TV set. Backlight shouldn't be direct, either - bounce it off the walls and make the light evenly dispersed.

This helps with contrast while watching TV at night and most importantly it reduces eye-strain. If you watch a movie at night and turn around to face the back wall, you'll notice that in typical movies there is quite a bit of dark-to-bright-to-dark scenes, constantly making your eyes adjust via dilating/constricting the pupils. This causes eye strain and after a while, perhaps a headache.

The backlight works wonders - now you can watch 8 hours worth of movies in one sitting (not that you would want to, but now you can!). Your eyes may not give up but maybe your back will.

[flush01]

Originally Posted by Asiann

I agree the new Sony line is excellent! Too bad it came out before I bought mine.

ya but those SXRD's are hella expensive... for watching dvd's in hd it might give you a better picture, but watching non hd regular cable channels you won't see that much of a difference really...

[mrbelk]

Originally Posted by Asiann

While that may be true for that particular model does not represent the entire plasma generation. The off-axis you are referring to would only be a concern if you plan on watching your tv from a steep side angle. I assure you my LCD does not have that problem or with streaking. Again that is with the Sony. I can't say for the rest. Apples and oranges

Well, there are good plasma manufacturers and there are not-so-good manufacturers; just like cars. Panasonic is regarded as one of the best manufacturers of plasma panels and a true "pioneer" in the plasma panel industry.

You're referring to an LCD rear-projection are you not? The "streaking" I was talking about was with the LCD flat panels. the rear-projection sets minimize that effect.

I experienced the off-axis fading this past weekend just by watching from a standing position with the TV on the floor. Not sure what the model number was, but it was a Sony 53 or 60 inch.

-MrB

[Squawks]

Originally Posted by flush01

ya but those SXRD's are hella expensive... for watching dvd's in hd it might give you a better picture, but watching non hd regular cable channels you won't see that much of a difference really...

Yup, you're right

The key here is that the SXRD is 1080P capable. Most other sets are only 1080i or 720p. Perhaps in the future broadcasting stations may upgrade to 1080P and until then, cable channels won't be affected much from this upgrade. There are, though, Blu-Ray players and Blu-Ray movies out already.

Also, you STILL will notice a huge difference in the SXRD if you're coming from DLP or LCD RPTV. The contrast ratio is almost 10X better and the color is much more accurate with the advent of the use of 3 colored chips. The pixel-to-pixel distance is cut to to mere fractions of microns - you can't even see the borders unless you peer at the pixels from 6 inches away from the screen. Furthermore, the absolute black levels of the SXRD is obscene.

EDIT: I'm not sure if it's "hella" expensive - Sony SXRD 60" is I think $4,000-4,500 depending where you can land a deal. Not expensive considering sets like these usually cost that much upon release. I bought my Sony XS955 for $3,500 and the XS is now disconinued (but still a good set). So it'd just run me $500 more for a huge upgrade.

[icewatersoda]

I have a HITACHI 42HDF52 42" plasma - Its on about 10-12 hours a day every day (i work at home) except weekends.. for over 6 months now and not one issue.

In fact when watching non-HDTV shows and using the 4:3 Expand, the quality still looks excellent. I am VERY pleased with this tv.

So i can recommend hitachi.

[Asiann]

Originally Posted by mrbelk

Well, there are good plasma manufacturers and there are not-so-good manufacturers; just like cars. Panasonic is regarded as one of the best manufacturers of plasma panels and a true "pioneer" in the plasma panel industry.

You're referring to an LCD rear-projection are you not? The "streaking" I was talking about was with the LCD flat panels. the rear-projection sets minimize that effect.

I experienced the off-axis fading this past weekend just by watching from a standing position with the TV on the floor. Not sure what the model number was, but it was a Sony 53 or 60 inch.

-MrB

Yeah, I was referring to the LCD rear projection. I only notice off-axis when you sit to the extreme right and left but for normal set is fine. The 50 Sony I have has a 3 LCD panel for better viewing and light weight compared to most.

[whippersnapper]

I think Sony don't make Plasma anymore? My understanding is that plasma is being superceded by LCD and newer technologies

[ScotyH]

Originally Posted by whippersnapper

I think Sony don't make Plasma anymore? My understanding is that plasma is being superceded by LCD and newer technologies

That's right, however Sony never made their own plasma glass. It was sourced from Hitachi. Plasma won't be replaced by anything affordable for at least another 5 years.

So many myths out there in regards to plasma.....

[flush01]

Originally Posted by Squawks

Yup, you're right

The key here is that the SXRD is 1080P capable. Most other sets are only 1080i or 720p. Perhaps in the future broadcasting stations may upgrade to 1080P and until then, cable channels won't be affected much from this upgrade. There are, though, Blu-Ray players and Blu-Ray movies out already.

Also, you STILL will notice a huge difference in the SXRD if you're coming from DLP or LCD RPTV. The contrast ratio is almost 10X better and the color is much more accurate with the advent of the use of 3 colored chips. The pixel-to-pixel distance is cut to to mere fractions of microns - you can't even see the borders unless you peer at the pixels from 6 inches away from the screen. Furthermore, the absolute black levels of the SXRD is obscene.

EDIT: I'm not sure if it's "hella" expensive - Sony SXRD 60" is I think $4,000-4,500 depending where you can land a deal. Not expensive considering sets like these usually cost that much upon release. I bought my Sony XS955 for $3,500 and the XS is now disconinued (but still a good set). So it'd just run me $500 more for a huge upgrade.

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde...84&catid=23250

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde...82&catid=23250

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde...55&catid=23250

it's almost double the price

i know it's better, but it's not worth it's price if you watch regular cable channels and dvd's once in a while

[Squawks]

The Sony A10 is an inferior model. Hell, it is even more inferior than my XS955 LCD RPTV (which I got for $3,500) and also, the XS955 debuted at $4,000+ when it came out. The DLP is also a joke - it's not even in the same league. Quality wise, both the LCD RPTV and the DLP RPTV models you posted do not even come a mile close to the SXRD. Not even barely.

You don't even have to go to the stores. Just pull out the tech sheets and compare the contrast ratios, luminescence, pixel-pixel distances, and black levels. Hell the resolution alone is a fat jump from 720P to 1080P.

[flush01]

also, plasmas not worth the money too... it's just when you want to save space in your room, or hang it on a wall or something is when you buy it... for regular use it's a waist of $

[flush01]

Originally Posted by Squawks

The Sony A10 is an inferior model. Hell, it is even more inferior than my XS955 LCD RPTV (which I got for $3,500) and also, the XS955 debuted at $4,000+ when it came out. The DLP is also a joke - it's not even in the same league. Quality wise, both the LCD RPTV and the DLP RPTV models you posted do not even come a mile close to the SXRD. Not even barely.

You don't even have to go to the stores. Just pull out the tech sheets and compare the contrast ratios, luminescence, pixel-pixel distances, and black levels. Hell the resolution alone is a fat jump from 720P to 1080P.

well of course they dont come close... but you wont see HUGE difference watching regular cable channels, thats what most of us do

[Squawks]

For the average Jo Blo you won't notice a huge difference.

After a while when you're used to your old TV, you'll notice the improved blacks, loss of screen-door-effect, silk-screen-effect, improved contrast, and improved colors. Also note that 1080i sources (NBC, CBS, etc.) look better on 1080P native screens relative to the common 720P native screens found in DLPs, LCDs, etc. since down-rezzing is involved.

[flush01]

Originally Posted by Squawks

For the average Jo Blo you won't notice a huge difference.

After a while when you're used to your old TV, you'll notice the improved blacks, loss of screen-door-effect, silk-screen-effect, improved contrast, and improved colors. Also note that 1080i sources (NBC, CBS, etc.) look better on 1080P native screens relative to the common 720P native screens found in DLPs, LCDs, etc. since down-rezzing is involved.

you're right... all i'm saying is that for average tv usage today I wouldn't spend $5-10k because it's simply a waist, BUT if you got funds, sure why not...

[Nikki]

I'd get this one, but I don't know much about TVs.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1122652695728

[Asiann]

Originally Posted by Nikki

I'd get this one, but I don't know much about TVs.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1122652695728

That's a good one too! I just hate the expensive price but that's technology!