urgent ..need info on large size TV

 urgent ..need info on large size TV
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We are very confused. So many technologies.

Would like a 50 to 56 inch TV or thereabouts.

We have a large room.

max budget around $1300.

There is DLP, Plasma and LCD  etc ..

Which one is better and why ?

Walmart, Frys, Best Buy , Circuit City all offering different
products,
technologies etc.

We Don't care about brand and
not very particular on fanatastic picture quality.

Just want a good reliable TV that gives us best value for the money.

That can last 6 years or so.

Also any info on TV stands ? what to avoid ?


Pls advise.


Thanks
Linda

   (lindagoldstein100@yahoo.com) writes:

The frugal thing is to not buy.

Then you see if you can make do with what you have, or make do
with some alternative.

Can you buy used?

All along, you should be reading all you can on the topic,
so you can actually make decisions yourself.  You ask questions
based on that reading, rather than expecting someone to do the
work for you (which ultimately is not a frugal decision, because
if you can't evaluate what you are being told, then you can't know
whether or not that salesman is being helpful, or just trying for
a higher commission).

You can't be frugal if you rush out and buy something, because then
other criteria is making the decision.  By putting it aside for a
sufficient amount of time, not only do you have that opportunity
to read up on the subject, and watch for comments, but you can
get a handle on when things go on sale, and by how much.  The
waiting period also gives you a chance to decide if you really
need the item.

Being frugal is not a lazy way of seeing the world.  If you can't
pay attention to ads, then likely you can't be optimally frugal.

And then, you find the proper newsgroup to ask about what it is you
are thinking of buying.  Newsgroups where people are discussing
the topic at hand, and likely are well versed on the subject (but
then again, if you have no background in the subject, you can't
tell whether someone knows what he's talking about, or is making
it up).

This newsgroup is about being frugal, not about shopping for
the latest gadgetry (which in itself tends to be non-frugal).

  Michael
k

 
I'm not up on latest prices, but given the size you say you want, but I think
the most frugal choice is probably a rear-projection LCD TV.

It would be pretty expensive to get a direct view LCD screen that size.
The downside is that you may have to replace the projector lamp every
few years for a couple hundred bucks.

But if a thirty-something inch screen is really big enough for you, then
get a direct-view LCD screen TV.

DLP projectors give blacker blacks than LCD projectors. If you can find
one cheaper than LCD, I'd go that way, but I doubt it.

Plasma is nice and bright and gives a very wide viewing angle. That is nice
for bars and restaurants but is of less importance in a home setting. Also
last time I looked, most plasmas did not have as high resolution as the
LCD and DLP projectors for the price.

Also as the plasma degrades and goes bad, you have to junk the whole TV
(vs. replacing the projection bulb).

Don

 I'd check with the folks at

alt.tv.tech.hdtv

for the story behind the story.   There's lots more to buying a HDTV than
just buying a HDTV.   What do you plan to hook it up to?  Cable? Satellite?
A regular TV antenna?
Did you know that you'll get your best picture using a regular TV antenna?
Did you know that DLP sets have bulbs that will need periodic replacing
(about $200 each), but the manufacturer is working on a system that will
eliminate the bulb, and work on lasers, rendering the old systems obsolete?
Did you know that Dick Cheney put the Dang in the Walla-Walla Ding Dang?

There's much to learn about this stuff.   I did the work, checked out
everything, weighed the pros and cons of each, and decided that anything
more than $300 is too much to pay for the sort of programming that's
available.   I get good reception of my local PBS TV station, and a legacy
collection of VHS and DVD movies, and that's plenty enough for me.

There's other display technology coming down the pike, too, that will make
the current offerings look bleary.    When they offer that, I'll still stay
with my legacy stuff, and add more of those good books that I still need to
read . . .

But for you, ya, you'll do well to check out the friendly and knowledgable
folks at

alt.tv.tech.hdtv

 

Check out this forum for advice on all kinds of TVs:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/

The cheapest way to big (really, really big) screen HD TV is a projector and
home-made screen. You can even use a set of computer speakers for sound.
You'll need a basement or darkened room, of cource, unless you do most of
your viewing at nite.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?fh

The Optoma HD70  seems popular at $1,000. A pull-down screen and cheap
surround-sound speakers would add another $300 or so if you shop around.

It not just a way to watch TV but a fun hobby. I got an Infocus X1 for $700
years ago and it's still on its first bulb and still amazing to watch.