Best Picture

[Vitruvius]

Ok, Our computer guy at work just replaced all our big tube monitors with flat panel lcd's. He also said that the LCD monitors will not last as long as the tube monitors. He said that they are just like the TV LCD's and will degrade in about 5 years... He noted that the LCD's will slowly loose brightness after the 5 years...

[rainman]

The answer can only be given by setting a money limit first...............

Lets just assume money is no option.

[Muad'Dib]

Then its hard.

I would vote for Plasma then.

[Larry Acklin]

LCD displays use florescent tubes on each side. Like all EL tubes, they will dim over their lifetime of about 20k hours.

and if you need the inverter that makes the hi voltage for the tubes, better just throw the screen away. Stupid little thing costs as much as the whole screen (as a spare part)

Larry

[StevenS]

Obviously there is a lot of passion about HD. It it good to see there is so much interest in it. Since every one else has commented on Plasma and LCD I thought I would give you some insight on DLP. Last year I bought a 65" 1080p Mitzubishi DLP.
As far as the best value for the $ I chose this because of the pricepoint vs. the size. DLP is about 1/2 price of the others. Next both Plasma and LCD and yet not very service friendly. If there is a problem it usually is within the power supply overheating and going out. Cost of repair nears replacing altogether. If the screen gets cracked or broken your out. DLPs are very servicefriendly in that respect. As the bulb gets old it does need replacing, however when that happens your TV is like new again at a cost of around $200 and you can do it yourself. So if you want something to last and funds are limited you may want to consider it. I love mine, the picture very nice. On the other hand technology changes so fast, 1080p may be old news in 5 years!
Finally remember to consider the features when you buy a HD TV. You will want at least two HDMI inputs but also componant and S-video to acomodate your older gear. Fianlly signal processing is just as important. As manufacturers compete they cut corners so watch for inputs, adjustment perimeters and how user friendly they are. My Mitsubishi has fantastic automation and is compatable with HDMI-3 technology for deep black and ultra contrast software.
Ultimately I agree with everyone's opinion from their perspective. Know what you can afford and pick what looks good to you for the money you have. Make a list of features you need and go from there. When shopping I always recommend you go with a friend, look at something high and something low to find your middle, then watch for the sale. The spring and fall are great times to get "last years" model at a great price.

[slytrans69]

I have a Pioneer PDP 5010FD, which is a 50" plasma. It is the best picture I have seen and the first big screen tv I have had. It is the first one with an acceptable picture. OTA, cable, dish, pc, dvd, all look unbelievable and it upconverts to 1080p so even old dvd's look unbelievable. It has onboard surround sound with sub woofer output. It has NTSC, ATSC, and QAM tuners onboard with a cable card slot.

[Jim-S]

I purchased my first LCD TV. It's a 32" Samsung with the HDTV/QAM Digital tuner. What a great picture. The one I replaced was a Toshiba 27" CRT flat screen. I had it repaired and put it the basement, it's a great TV as well. I have my satellite hooked up to both of them.
Just having fun...............
Jim

[rainman]

I went with the 46" vizio LCD and love it great picture quality added a blu ray dvd and I don't want to leave the tv anymore.LOL

[Jim-S]

I went with the 46" vizio LCD and love it great picture quality added a blu ray dvd and I don't want to leave the tv anymore.LOL

That is just weird, man. Although, I know what you mean.

[Jim-S]

I went to Walmart to look at Vizio's, I have been comparing TV's for awhile
and thought about buying one but when I was looking at their displays they had wrong labels under the TV's. I got the so called clerk and showed him, he looked on the back of the TV and said huh. I found other brands the same way, I left. Went to ABC.
Jim