[flashbunny]

LCD= liquid crystal display
Plasma = Similar technology, except the liquid is plasma extracted from the human body.

[knews_hound]

FWIW I bought a Mitsubishi 60" projection and use Dishnetwork with a built in DVR.

I am in Television bliss.

The Plasmas have some inherent problems, look before you leap.

Cheers,

knews hound

http://knewshound.blogspot.com/

[babygene]

We bought a Sony projection TV on Ebay years ago for $300. It has a 5 foot screen, and though it's not HD, we have enjoyed it. It is an older model with 3 lenses that have to be converged, however once I set it up I haven't had to touch it.

I don't know what the going price is today, but it's undoubtedly less.

[nutmeg]

bookmark bump

[sourcery]

I hope you find the following to be helpful:

• What is Flat Screen Plasma Technology?
• Plasma TV Buying Guide: Introduction to Plasma TV Technology
• Liquid Crystal Display
• DLP
• DLP Technology Overview
• Rear-Projection Television - What You Need To Know

[Nateman]

All you ever wanted to know about Plasma TV

[Humidston]

ROFLOL! I'm delighted to find another "backward" freeper. Mind of I sit by and take notes? (I fought my brand new digital oven all day on Thanksgiving. Whenever I tried to set the oven timer for an hour, I inadvertently shut the heat off!) Thanks for coming out of the closet. I was feeling all alone out here! :)

[chuckles]

Just heresy, but I hear Plasma's get hot. LCD might be the way. Texas Instruments makes a DLP chip that I hear good things about.

Course you could always wait till the next wave comes out. They have nano stuff that is thinner than paper. Your future TV will roll up and be hung on any wall or table you choose to move it to. I've seen the technology on TV already. It's not vaporware. You can have a 2 inch screen to 20 yards depending on your wallet. Quality was good, but not HDTV quality.

[PAR35]

Plasmas are great initially, but you probably need to plan on replacing it every 2-3 years. LCDs should last longer.

[omniscient]

If weight and space are not a problem, the best bang for buck is still a great big Hi-Def Ready CRT, with a flat, 4:3 aspect ratio screen. When you watch DVD movies, use widescreen with the English subtitles turned on. These will usually occupy the black bar at the bottom rather than cover part of the image, as would happen in a 16:9 set. But once you've installed this monster, get used to its position, because ease of mobility is definitely not a feature.

[Thinkin' Gal]

Starbucks? I've never been in one. Never used a cell phone. Never used the CD burner. This is all scary stuff!

[HAL9000]

I'd suggest a Samsung DLP HDTV, connected to the new Mac mini that will be announced in January (plus a wireless keyboard, mouse and remote control).

The advantage of the DLP sets is that you can use them as giant computer monitors without burning-in the screen, the design avoid convergence problems, and they need little maintenance. (Of course, you can watch high-definition television programs on them too.)

The current Mac mini model is the small white box to the left of the set. The next Mac mini reportedly will include a DVR for recording shows, a DVD player/burner, all of the usual computer and Internet programs, etc., and it can connect to a Samsung DLP set via a VGA connector or DVI connector.

Now imagine surfing Free Republic on a 60-inch screen from your couch.

[FreedomCalls]

It doesn't matter. In five to eight years it will be obsolete and you'll have to buy some even newer technology anyway.

[dersepp]

Check out www.plasmacity.com and have a look at the 55" Hitachi and 50" NECs. The price for Hitachi is great, but the 3 year warranty and great reviews here and elsewhere have sold me on NEC.

[Rockingham]

http://www.plasma-vs-lcd.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_television

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_display

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LCD_television

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid_crystal_display_television

The other day, my brother and I were looking at HD plasma TVs side by side with conventional definition LCD and plasma. The difference was stunning, with HD plasma far better than rival technologies. If price were no object. . .

[wideminded]

Don't have a plasma TV but I did hear a lecture by a scientist who develops new display technologies. She mentioned that a problem of plasma displays is the heat they put out.

[WKUHilltopper]

My advise is not waste your money. The prices for a new TV is insane. I'm not buying one, even with the switch to high definition broadcasts. There's not one program being broadcast worth an expenditure of over 2k for a frickin' TV.

[Caipirabob]

Just as going out to simply buy yourself a cup of java has become a major undertaking.

Wouldn't know. I roast my own beans now. Much, much better.

Plasma is the more recent technology. I undertstand many set have a problem where the plasma leaks out after about4-5 years. If you're looking for something more reliable, stick with a tested, older technology. You'll get a better price than bleeding edge stuff.

Here's what I bought last year.

[bikerman]

With the quality of TV shows I`ll stick with radio thank you.

[bikerman]

With the quality of TV shows I`ll stick with radio thank you.