want to get a new hdtv...

[BlazingSaddles]

Samsung HLN437W 43" DLP ~$2000

Toshiba 46H84 46" ~1200

Sony WEGA KV-36HS420 36" TV~1400

Sony KP-51WS510 51'' Projection TV ~1500

Toshiba 46H83 46'' Projection TV ~1200

Sony KP-46WT500 46'' Projection TV~1700

Sony WEGA KV-34HS510 34'' TV ~1800



basically i want an HDtv, to fit my apartment, though i've heard the bigger the better, no matter what size your living room is (obviously just not like a 10'x10' space). I kind of want to keep the price under 1500, cause plus tax/shipping/etc, and then a hdtv receiver, and a stand(?), it will probably put me way over 2000. Also, i'd like it to be relatively light, because i won't be living in the same place for more than 2years, probably only 1 year.

also, should i get a rear projection tv, standard tube CRT, DLP? DLP's might be out of my price range though. that samsung seems pretty popular though. are they worth it?

thanks in advance.

 

[DingDingDao]

AVSForum is your friend. It is much better than ATOT for answering all of these questions you have. I'll give you my honest opinion on the questions you've posed.

1) Bigger is always better: FALSE. The diagonal size of your viewing area ideally should be something around 1/2 the viewing distance. Example: 8 ft from couch to TV = 96" --> 48" is a good size. Can you imagine trying to watch a 60" screen from 2 feet away? Impossible. You shouldn't have to physically move your head to take in the whole image.

2) Light - a tube television is going to be pretty heavy. Projection TVs, while bigger and more unwieldy, tend to be lighter for their size. Obviously, an LCD or Plasma is easiest to work with.

3) HDTV receiver - a lot of newer televisions have an ATSC tuner built in. Plus with most cable companies you'll have to use their HDTV receiver anyways (QAM signal locked).

4) DLP is an image technology. It's very good, although it will definitely be more expensive.

5) Whether you should get projection, tube, LCD, plasma, etc. is entirely a matter of preference. A lot of it depends on your theater setup. If you have a lot of space, a rear projection TV gives excellent image quality at a lower price, at the sacrifice of space. Flat panels are great for smaller spaces. My suggestion to go to AVSForum, read up, see as many TVs in person as you can, and then make your decisions.

Good luck :beer:

 

[MustISO]

2nd the AVSforum advice, great place to read and learn.

 

[Arkitech]

I almost feel sorry for you, it's so many freaking things to consider you'll get dizzy. But most definitely go to the avs forum and do some research, you'll save money and time that way. Also consider making a purchase closer to christmas if you can, there should be significant price drops towards the end of the year. I bought a 32" Zenith HDTV earlier this year for about 850 and I'm hoping to buy possibly a 2nd before the year is out, I'm trying to remain patient until the holiday seasons rolls in and pick something up for a bit cheaper.