Need large screen TV advice and opinions. (Need videophile advice)

7/18/07 | Self

[Blood of Tyrants]

Okay, I am going to spend some of my mad money for a large screen HDTV. I want either a LCD or Plasma TV, no projection tv's. I want 1080p resolution. I'll have around $2000 to spend. What I need is advice on what is good, what sucks, what breaks, what keeps on working, plasma tv life expectancy, etc.

Hit me!

[enviros_kill]

I’m also considering the projector route w/upconverting DVD player. What were your model numbers? Any recommendations on where to purchase? How did you mount the projector (hang from ceiling, etc)? My room is 19’ x 13’ so thinking a 100” diag. permanently mounted screen about right size. Been touring model homes in the area and looking at their media rooms for pros and cons.

[enviros_kill]

The obvious solution is Netflix and BitTorrent for programming options any Freeper would be happy with. Currently watching 26-hour British series “The World at War.” Definitive history with no PC. Daily Mail GIVING away the DVDs this month in UK. I got all 26 hrs off BitTorrent and play via a pocket-size media player (Archos) plugged into my 32” 15-yr old Sony CRT (which is dying). Finished 15-hr series Winds of War recently. Watched all 22 hrs of Jericho (Red Dawn of the 21st century) from BitTorrent d/l. So plenty of good programming - must decide several hrs each week will be spent finding and packaging for your enjoyment. I watch no broadcast or cable TV-all Netflix or BitTorrent.

[sand88]

i spent time at various sights, www.projectorcentral.com is an excellent source for projector and screen reviews. After a lot of reading, I chose the Panasonic AE900U (720p). I believe they have a new 720p projector. I chose the oppo 971H upconverting DVD player. I chose it because it has the highly rated Faroudja DCDi chip. www.oppodigital.com I viewed a movie on a non upconverting player and the difference with the oppo is amazing.

I replaced all my cable with Belden 1694A and used canare connectors. I purchased my HDMI cables from www.bluejeanscable.com They are a little more expensive than the low-end cables. I chose them for the quality build and the tight fitting connectors. I definitely recommend the AVIA DVD to help set the color levels for your screen.

After reading on various forums I decided to go with a 4:3 screen 87x166. It allows me to see old movies and 2.35 in a enjoyable size. I build a simple framing system that allows me to quickly and easily adjust the bottom border panel (about 12"x120" vertically) using velcro strips. We when start an HD movie we pause it and then move the panel and press it against the velcro- right at the bottom portion of the image. I also have side curtains for 4:3 borders. I added each item over time to see the difference and it all adds to the enjoyment. It adds a lot to surround the screen with black velvet material. It definitely helps set off the image. I almost purchased an HD format screen, but it would limit the size of old 4:3 movies. www.audioholics.com is another excellent site for information and reviews.

projectorcental.com was the site that helped me decide upon the Panasonic. The best price I found was at newegg.com I got it with a $300 rebate and Blockbuster rental card, for 40 movie rentals.

The image is outstanding. The HD channels are amazingly clear and vivid. If you truly love movies, a projector is the way to immerse yourself in the movie experience. The only problem is all your friends and neighbors always want to visit and "see what's on." lol.I would write more but I need to get up early. Hope this helps. If you spend time researching you can easily put together a nice Home Theater system for a few grand.

[sand88]

I just read what I wrote. We have an 87x116” screen (not 87x166-lol). I mounted my projector to be at the center point of the screen, vertically and horizontally. It sits back 26ft from the screen.

[enviros_kill]

Very helpful in steering me in the right direction. Thank you.

[sand88]

I believe that Panasonic is coming out with a new projector in the next six weeks. www.projectorcentral.com and www.projectorreviews.com should have an announce within the coming weeks. I am curious to see of the 1080p projectors break the 3k barrier.

[enviros_kill]

My old 32” CRT has crashed (picture blooming and contracting). So need a projector sooner than later. $1000 all I can spend. Thinking of the Panasonic PT-AE900U.

[enviros_kill]

Whwre did you get your screen? What’s it made of?

[sand88]

The screen I selected was the DaLite Model C With Controlled Screen Return, Video Format. Here is the link to the site and exact screen, http://www.thefinalclick.com/shop/customer/product.php?productid=83220&cat=10623&page=1
It’s another great site and they are happy to help you select the proper screen based on your lighting, projector, etc. I am very happy with the Pana AE900U. I don’t think I will need to upgrade for at least another year. The AX100U is the successor. It has top reviews (I believe after rebates you can get it for about $1600). You can get the AE900U used (eBay) for under a grand. Replacement bulbs are about $300 or so. At projectorCentral.com there are links to help one with the build of inexpensive screens. Before I decided upon a screen, I used a white wall and the image was quite fine. Now, we still have an old TV that is for most of our viewing. We use the projector for movies and interesting shows on the HD channels. Hope this helps.

[enviros_kill]

Very happy with the Panasonic AX100U ($1300 after $400 rebate) and Oppo 981HD and free ceiling mount I received last week. Still need to get a screen (white sheet OK for now). While a 5.1 ch audio system with AV receiver is six months off what do you have/recommend?

Thanks for your help-steered me in the right direction. Freepers rock.

[sand88]

Very happy with the Panasonic AX100U ($1300 after $400 rebate) and Oppo 981HD and free ceiling mount I received last week. Still need to get a screen (white sheet OK for now).

Wow, I am glad you like it. We used a sheet for awhile too. There are many screen options. There are many forums that discuss what people have. I am sure you can search your model and see what people like. The High Power screen from Dalite makes the images look bright, plasma like. A sheet can look good, but the first time you see the images on a screen, it will be breathtaking.

While a 5.1 ch audio system with AV receiver is six months off what do you have/recommend?

I had to upgrade from my old receiver (10yr). It was difficult to choose because Receivers are changing rapidly. I settled on the Yamaha RX-V2600. It handles video as well as audio. It handles two HDMI inputs. I have been very satisfied with it. This site, http://www.audioholics.com/ has a wealth of information on audio/video equipment. There are many reviews on Receivers. It helped guide me to the Yamaha. Once you settle on a screen, be sure to pick up the AVIA disk. It really helps in setting the color levels. Good luck and keep me informed.

[sand88]

hey,it's been a while. How is your Home Theater performing? I hope that you are enjoying it. My AE900U is still performing well.

My nephew recently brought over his PS3. We connected the HDMI to the 720p pana. We ran the optical audio to the receiver. The output from the blu-ray disk playing on the ps3 was amazing. Even downconverting to 720p, the image was still outstanding. Still the upconverting does quite well. This fall, the new 1080p projectors are arriving. I am hoping the panasonic models break the 2k barrier.

[Uri’el-2012]

Plasma TVs have shortened life span at altitude.

[enviros_kill]

All working well-no problems. Really enjoying the ability of my Oppo to play Xvid (AVI) format TV series captured in high def. Can get 11 episodes on one DVD. Watched all six seasons of Sopranos, three seasons of The Unit in 2008. Lost, Season 4, is up next. Oppo upconverts all DVDs to 1080p which the Panny plays fine. No need for any HD here.

EQUIP puchased in Aug 2007 from Visual Apex (great vendor):
Panasonic AX100U ($1300 after $400 rebate), Oppo DV-981 DVD player ($230) and Carada H110C, 110 Inch Diagonal Criterion Series Projection Screen - 1.78 to 1 in Brilliant White ($900). Carada screen is awesome value.