Looking for Mr. GoodScreen

For nearly 2 years I've been putting a home theater together, some old, some new, nothing borrowed, and not yet ready to go blu. But I might be ready to spring for an HDTV. Which makes me ask, which 50" - 52" should I buy. I suspect I will go with LCD over Plasma because my room cannot be darkened during the day and because, as I have heard, the backlights in plasma sets eventually need to be replaced. (Is there a counter argument?)

IF I go with LCD, is it worth looking at sets with LED backlights, like the Samsung LN52A950, or with dimming CCFL backlights, like the Sony XBR6 series? It appears that either is available for about the same price, around $2500 for the 52" version.

If I opt for plasma, which sets should I be looking at?

I don't have your pleasant problem, but if I did the first place I'd look would be Consumer Reports, which recommended my Panasonic 42" plasma set back when I was looking and I sure haven't regretted taking their advice.

If you haven't already I'd look at CNET for comprehensive reviews of the TVs you are looking at. I have seen one of the versions of 52" Sony Bravia XBRs in a room with a lot of windows and I was really impressed with the lack of reflection from the screen surface during the day. Nothing like my Pioneer plasma in that regard.

Bob, I continue to be impressed with my Sony 52W4100 LCD TV. 120Hz and for the price I paid I found it to have the best picture for the money. The XBR is better, but I personally couldn't justify the additional price for the small improvement. I like the Sony picture over the Samsung and others. Sports in HD are exceptional and very smooth. Plenty of inputs and flexibility. Just a smidge over $2K, typically around $2,300 +/-. The "W" is the 120Hz model, not to be confused with the 60Hz "V" model. Great in all types of ambient room light and minimal screen glare. Being in the DC area, you are very welcome to come over and have a look at mine if you want.

You really should get a front projection system. Two of the hot new projectors are the Epson 6500 and the Panasonic ? around $2400 and the Epson is $2700. If that is too pricy you can get other good 1080 projectors for as low as 700. A front projector will blow away a small 50-60". I used to have a 60" rear projection tv then went to front projection and have a 110" screen and would never go back again. Size matters dude!

For a really big picture at a very reasonable price look at the Samsung HL67A750. It is a 67" DLP with LED lighting. You can get one at Amazon for < $1800 with no tax and free shipping. I know the industry is going away from DLPs but they are the cheapest big PIX out there and they do not have many of the motion problems that plaque LCDs and plasmas. The LED lighting is good for 60,000 hours or 13 years @ 12 hours per day. Also it uses a lot less power.

The LED light-source RP's have been my first real HD monitor temptation. Most drawbacks of plasma and LCD displays have each undergone improvement but are not gone - I doubt I'll ever be sold on either of those. A Mitsubishi Laservue is a serious consideration if the prices become really competitive.

http://www.laservuetv.com/home.php

Yeah, from what I've read LaserVue is the best for picture quality you can get right now. But it's pricey.

The Samsung LED DLPs seem to be well liked by people that have them and according to a maintenance guy for the local depot that fixes all the big manufacturers' warranty stuff he hasn't seen a lot of failures of the LED DLPs vs LCoS and normal DLP RPTVs.

The biggest drawback for the set is that its viewing angle seems to be limited to a narrow field to either side. I viewed one in the local Best Buy and it is gorgeous but the picture suffers if you get too far off axis. That might be due to the store lighting, but it was set right next to an $8000 Pioneer and it looked just as good when viewed straight on, and it had a bigger picture.

May I bring this discussion back to earth? I am looking for a 52" screen. The smallest LED backlight Samsung DLP appears to be 61". I need a set on which to watch movies, but I also need a set on which to watch the news. So front projection doesn't really do it either. The room is not huge, about 12 x 17, and I'm sitting about 10 - 12 feet from the screen.

But thanks for all your input.

I'll concur with Guido - my Sony 40W4100 is proving to be a great set. It's one of a number of good options out there, but it's one that's worked out well for me and I would expect the 52W4100 to be equally good.

I'll repeat my advice to check Consumer Reports. Its tone is, for the most part, refreshingly (or depressingly?) mundane - but the tests involve simultaneously comparing the sets they evaluate. How many other testers do that?

I'd look at the Samsung 52" LCDs. My friend just got an LN52A650 and really likes it.

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-LN52A650-5...32724896&sr=8-1

We've installed quite a few different brands of flatscreens where I work. In my opinion, Panasonic does the best with the picture quality, at a price. I think the best value for the money is the Samsung.