Wow, I didn't realize you would actually think I was referring to OOB plasma settings...hah. OBVIOUSLY (well, I thought at least...) we are talking calibrated.

You don't need a pro to come and calibrate it to get it VERY close to perfect either, as most plasmas have professional calibration settings available online. I set mine according to online suggestions (According to the film association color standards) and when my theatre installer/seller came out to check it with his tools it was almost perfect. It's not that hard...

As for who? http://www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com/ for starters. Or go visit www.avsforum.com and spend a few minutes, hours, days, weeks, years reading... you can do any of the above.

Unless you have some seriously crappy RCAs, you will not notice a difference for audio. Video? Of course, but the bandwidth difference is immense. You're smoking the good stuff if you think you will tell the difference between RCAs (Within reason, obviously the unshielded 99 cent specials are different) but even $25 RCAs will do the trick for pure audio applications.

I learned that from a friend who happens to have an electrical engineering degree, holds about 5 or 6 special certifications for audio/video, holds several patents, used to give paid speeches at colleges and high-end custom AV shops, and even sold specific pre-fab box designs to companies like MTX and LA Audio back when he was working in the car AV scene. But I'm sure he doesn't know what he's talking about...


At any rate, to get back on topic, and to bring up a point you made...you say you doubt this guy will have a pro calibrate his TV, so with that logic do you think he can tell the difference between a Pioneer or a Panasonic?

 

you all need to stop. im just looking for a tv. the biggest tv i have ever had is a 27 inch. now i want a big tv. when people come over i want to wow them with out breaking the bank. i dont want anyone to go why did you buy that. so is there anything that i should look for? any thing i should not get? i do want a hdtv i would like a 1080i. looking to speed about $2000 but i can go more if need be.

 

For $2,000, for just the TV, not counting other stuff, *IMO* I think you should go with this ---> Panasonic TH50PX600U. It is a 50 inch plasma, 720p ("1080i," which for simplicity purposes is basically the same thing).

On newegg they are around $1,500, but I suggest going elsewhere because they don't offer chit for warranties or returns even on their TVs.

Where are you located? I can see if my supplier can ship to you at a reasonable cost or not. State and zip is probably fine.

*This model works too, it basically looks different (TV is a diff color), and has some different features, but nothing "must have." It's going to be a little bit more (It's the newer model).

Panasonic TH50PX75U

 

 

im in louisville ky 40218
what is the difference in 720p and 1080i

 

i have directv right now how is there hdtv vs dish network or insight cable

 

1080 is much high resolution than 720.

HD broadcasting is generally done at 1080i
HD home video is generally done at 1080p

Current generation HD gaming is mostly 720p
HD gaming is slowly transitioning to 1080p



720p is okay for TV's smaller than 30" or if you're only going to use a first gen XBOX 360. But for a PS3, XBOX 360 Elite, BluRay, HD-DVD you'll want a 1080 display to get the Full HD experience.

DirecTV HD programming is 1080i.

 

what is the i and p for?

 

Interlaced and Progressive.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interlace

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_scan

 

From my local cable company:

So which set resolution is best for you? Before deciding, remember that no matter what the resolution of the signal is, an HDTV set will always convert it to its native resolution, regardless if the signal is 720p or 1080i. For example, if a signal is sent in 1080i and you have a 720p set, you will loose some of the sharpness of the 1080i signal; if the signal is 720p and you have a set that’s 1080p, you will not get any extra sharpness from the set’s resolution. But if you receive a 1080i signal on a 1080p set, then you have the best of both worlds because the superior resolution of the 1080i signal combines with the progressive-scan smoothness of the 1080p set. Many experts offer this tip: Besides considering which set’s native resolution you want, also consider the set’s contrast ratio because the higher the ratio the better reproduction of the darker, nighttime scenes.

 

OK... First of all, Lumadar IMHO is pretty much right on. I own a small AV company and for some direction finding the right TV, heres my opinions:
-LCD is better then Plasma. Generally speaking Plasmas are on the way out and if you are not trying to get the cheapest tv, but best bang for your buck your going to get a better TV in LCD.
-DLP/LCD rear projection is a great value. Lots of people just want to "have the TV on the wall." After mounting hundreds of these things I just dont see the point half the time. If you have the space the bang for the buck would be something like this, but if not then oh well.
-And if your too cheap to get a HD box, then just get a cheap *** 720P TV because more then that is pointless. You would be amazed at the people I meet.

And GO HERE. Myself I can get things at distributor prices, but sometimes its hard to beat the ones I find at this site: http://dealnews.com/categories/Elect...sions/159.html

 

I agree. Getting a FullHD TV without a FullHD signal is sort of pointless. But I do have friends that buy the HDTV with the intention to upgrade their signal later. At least it's smarter than paying for a HD signal first.

Plasma and 720p both smell of being the Betamax of HDTV.

 

what do you all think about this tv http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Mitsu...Detail.do#tabs

 

Well you never answered my questions about what your needs were, viewing angles etc, so hard to say. If everyone plans on being right in front of the TV on the couch, then go for it. If you plan on having people watching from many broad angles, I would advise against it.

 

for the most part we will be right in front of it. what do you think of the price? is there a good place to get a tv stand for it cheaper than bestbuy?