this is what i have on my living room wall


Hitachi CMP4202U
42" 16:9 Plasma HDTV. Resolution: 1024x1024.
Contrast Ratio: N/A. Brightness: 1000 cd/m2
Features DIPP (Digital Image Pixel Processing) Technology that allows you to enjoy images with greater degree of detail than ever before.
Silver Model
Special Features: 3/2 Pulldown, PIP, POP, Up to 3 Component Inputs



More info HERE

i have had no problems with this screen and it is amazing clarity. with a life time guarantee and free call Hitachi call outs if there is any problems with the screen. I know it is a monitor but it is still a great screen.

 

I don't think plasma is worthwhile, except for the coolness factor. DLPs costs less, lasts longer, and don't experience any type of burn-in. The only drawback to DLPs is the viewing angles, which really aren't bad nowadays. Even if this is an issue, where exactly are your couches situated in relation to your tv and does your audio setup even function correctly?? =)

I just picked up a Samsung DLP. Costs ~$3700, HD ready & 1280x720 resolution. Comcast offers HD Digital Cable in my area now and Monday night football never looked so good!

http://www.samsungusa.com/cgi-bin/nabc/pro...LN467WX%252fXAA

Another awesome DLP just came out from Philips. Similar costs.
http://www.consumer.philips.com/global/b2c...tId=44PL9773_17

 

DLP Rear Projectors are also larger and have arguably worse blacks (particularly the simgle-dmd solutions).

I'd also recommend staying away from the 1024x1024 ALiS panels as these are interlaced.

 

good stuff.

so what plasma screens are at 1080i?

 

Most, if not all, will take a 1080i input, but currently, the highest native resolution that I've seen is 1366x768. There are a handful of smallish lcd displays that are 1920x1080, and some LCOS rear projectors that are 1080p and Samsung has shown a 54" 1080 lcd, but there aren't any 1080i(or p) native plasmas currently available on the market (at least that I'm aware of).

 

OK, a lot of unfamiliar terminology here. WTF is "TFT" and "DLP"? Also, where does a LCD projector fit into all this?

 

TFT - Thin Film Transistor. it's the technology behind "active matrix" lcd displays.

DLP digital light processor. basically, it's an array of a bunch of little hinged mirrors. When they direct light towards the display, the pixel is on, when they direct it away, the pixel is off.


LCD is just another technilogy use for generating images. Other projectors use technologies like DLP and LCOS (Liquid Crystal On Silicon) or CRTs. Each has advantages and drawbacks.

 

Thanks pellis. So much technology, so little time.
I like my TVs. I spend quite a bit of time in front of them. I'm hoping for the day when I can just go out and spend a reasonable amount of money for a suitable size of TV that doesn't weigh a million pounds, take up the space of a small car, gives a good, realistic picture, sounds nice without a 15 speaker sound system added on and not make me have to worry about how long it'll last.
I don't need it to remind me to brush my teeth or shut off if I fall asleep. Nor do I need it to rival the sun in brilliance or send me the illusion that I can smell the great outdoors. But I suppose I'm just asking for too little?