I thought I had a decent tv until last month. When it was 5 years new, this Panasonic 36 in Tau model was mid to upper range, but now I must think twice about Panasonic quality



Any one out there can recommend a great 46-50in LCD at a value price? Also if you have one, let me know what model and what you think of it so far......


Thanks everyone!!!!

Amul

 

Sony 46 inch XBR3. I picked one up at best buy with a huge discount. You wont regret it. It also can double duty as a huge wide screen PC monitor.

 

My buddy has a westinghouse, and it looks great, the price was awesome too. Its not high end, but value to performance wise, its a nice one.

 

Also personally I'm not really a fan of LCD's..... I prefer DLP's as I usually watch a lot of movies, but sports do quite nicely on the DLP as well.

I've got a 42" Samsung and couldn't be happier.

 

Tom,

What makes watching movies on DLP any better?

Do you not see a ghosting effect or pixilation/ slower refresh rate during fast moving scenes........

 

To me DLP seemed smoother, less of a pixilation effect like with LCD/Plasma. I don't have any problems with ghosting. One of the things I hated about plasmas was also the glare you get from the screen. LCD's don't have that but I just didn't feel the need to spend the extra cash for a TV in my bedroom. At the time the DLP was about 500 cheaper than a comparable LCD. Also will depend on how far back you are sitting etc... I use my tv in my bedroom, with decent sunlight and have no problems. I sit probably about 10-12 ft back. Also I've found that with DLP you get good color separation, blacks come out very nice, which is nice for movies. Also since I am hoping to keep this TV for a long time, I can always just buy a new bulb if the light output starts to degrade. Plasma and LCD are not quite as easy or cheap to the same.

I've watched sports in HD on my DLP and I can't see any ghosting whatsoever. I think this effects like 1 % of the population who can actually see this effect, but I personally liked the DLP picture over others. Now not to say I didn't like Plasmas or LCD's But the ones I liked were all way overpriced for what I thought was only a SLIGHT improvement in picture quality.

Check out cnet.com you'll get great reviews there.

And really whatever route you take you'll love it. Once you bring the tv home and have nothing else to compare it to, you'll grow used to your picture and just be stunned by HD clarity in general. You also have to consider that at all Best Buy's etc.. they turn contrast WAY up, to make the pictuers seem more vibrant.

Good luck, let us know what you decide.

 

I'm leaning toward an lcd since my living room is extremely bright. I still belive the CRT produces the best motion picture, but in terms of clarity and brightness you can't beat the new technologies.

I'm just waiting for the 3 year interest free plans at best buy.....go to ABT , get the best deal, and try to get a price match at Best Buy with a free finance agreement.

 

Amul, do you mind me asking what happened to your Panasonic? I also have a 36" Tau, and now you have me a little worried.

Sorry if this is

To get back on topic, I also have an Olevia LCD, and so far I like it (I especially like the fact that you can upgrade the firmware). They are generally on the cheap side of the LCD spectrum.

 

Seems like the heater on the tube is starting to go.

It takes 20 minutes to get a distorted, bland picture. Still watchable, but time to get something different. I'm a little dissapointed with the quaility on the perceived "high end" panasonic.

 

Amul, thanks for the info; I'll have to look out for that (and keep my fingers crossed). FWIW, I have 5 panasonic appliances w/out any complaints as to their quality...yet.