Posted: 12/29/2006 4:08:48 PM EDT
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I am getting ready to buy a flat panel TV in the $1000 range at Best Buy (saved a couple years worth of gift cards). Based on the current entertainment center I am limited to 35" wide by 20" high. Any suggestions? LCD vs Plasma 1080i vs 720p? Manfacturers to avoid? |
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edited to remove the circuit city suggestion. I didn't see that you had stocked up on best buy cards. Most flat panels are usually native 720p. The 1080p stuff is probably out of your price range. Read this as it gives a good overall description. hometheater.about.com/cs/beforeyoubuy/a/aahdtvfaqs2a.htm |
Where I live, there is hardly any over the air reception, so the only way to get HD is through a cable box or satellite receiver, so an on-board HD tuner isn't important to me. Depends on your perceived needs. The area to not scrimp on is the contrast ratio. A good LCD is going to have at least 3000:1 contrast ratio. Newer, more expensive ones will have up to 5000:1. Plasma has 10000: 1 which is why it looks so awesome compared to everything else. For the size you want though I would go LCD. Plasma is only better than LCD when you get up over 40 inches. |
What are you planning on using it for? Xbox 360 or PS3? Standard or HD DVD player? Computer? Do you have an HD cable or satellite receiver already or are you planning to receive local channels with an HD antenna? |
HD cable and local HD stations |
Loaded question.  LCD/Plasma (despite what the supporters will say) does not currently match the picture quality of a TOP FLITE CRT. Seriously. No really. Why'd you ask then?  The truth is they are getting closer and most people will ignore the differences in PQ just for all the other reasons to go flat panel vs CRT. Weight, size, portability, reflection are just a few. Once quality CRTs pushed 40in the cost/yield factors just got to be too much. The weight factor was no small issue either. I caved this year and bought a LCD based set. After 17yrs the old Mitsu was starting to go, damn good TV. 
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