[SilverCTS]

I'm finally going HDTV.

I think I made a decision to buy a 50" inch rear screen projection tv (instead of a flat screen).

Our family room is large 20'x20', but even so, our funiture is relatively close to the TV (anywhere from 10' to 15' depending on where you're sitting).

50" is probably the perfect size for us. Anything bigger than 50" probably wouldn't work out. Plus, I'm concerned about a large set fitting in the spot where I want it (in the corner between 2 windows)

I narrowed it down to the following:

• Sony 50" HDTV (KDF-E50A10)
• Samsung 50" DLP™ HDTV (HL-R5067W)
• Hitachi 50" HDTV (50VF820)

I also plan to subscribe to the Comcast HDTV package and already have a "kick-ass" surround sound system--so sound quality of these sets won't be a deciding factor.

Anyone have any feedback or experiences with these above sets?

 

[madooch]

i have a sony 50" hdtv and in my opion sony has the best tv's

 

[mccombie_5]

I have a Toshiba 52" Rear projection TV in my TV room, and i think something of 50" or so will be ideal for that room, also take into account positioning for surround sound......

 

[MacKiNBacK]

HDTV's sweet! Great with football games! And surround sound is a must! My dad has HDTV with a Pioneer 50 plasma. I on the other hand bought their old Sony 45" rear projection. But im thinking about switching over to a projector I have laying around. Id have to say go for the Sony. Pretty sweet lookin. That and im a Sony guy. :yup:

MacK

 

[Playdrv4me]

I would seriously consider a Flat Panel if you can afford it. The black levels of Plasmas and Direct View CRTs far outdo the RP LCD and DLP sets, even though they are getting much better. On that note, the Sony is probably the best there is when it comes to RP LCOS or LCD, so out of THAT list, the KDF-E50A10 is probably your best choice. Keep in mind that the built in tuner will be of little use to you with the Comcast box, but since the TV has CableCard compatibility, I would look into it to see whether Comcast offers the ability to use CableCard.

Also... visit www.avsforum.com Best home theater resource on the net. Their display forums are particularly good.

 

[Boombotz]

I'm finally going HDTV.

I think I made a decision to buy a 50" inch rear screen projection tv (instead of a flat screen).

Our family room is large 20'x20', but even so, our funiture is relatively close to the TV (anywhere from 10' to 15' depending on where you're sitting).

50" is probably the perfect size for us. Anything bigger than 50" probably wouldn't work out. Plus, I'm concerned about a large set fitting in the spot where I want it (in the corner between 2 windows)

I narrowed it down to the following:

• Sony 50" HDTV (KDF-E50A10)
• Samsung 50" DLP™ HDTV (HL-R5067W)
• Hitachi 50" HDTV (50VF820)

I also plan to subscribe to the Comcast HDTV package and already have a "kick-ass" surround sound system--so sound quality of these sets won't be a deciding factor.

Anyone have any feedback or experiences with these above sets?

I can tell you me and Tom are going after that Samsung DLP in the near future. It will be a little bigger in size, but that thing is crystal clear. We where in there showroom and the quality is damn near same as the plasma. Have also heard of other people who have this set and swear by it.:thumbsup:

 

[SpeedyArizona]

I would get a 50 inch plasma if you have the money for one. I have a 42 inch plasma in my bedroom and an HDTV 65 inch in the great room. You have to get a Sony!

 

[AirJigga25]

I have a Pioneer Elite 43 inch HD Plasma

 

[fast66]

youll love hdtv, too bad cable only has a few channels. Sony are just really expensive while you can get the same quality from other brands. I would go with the samsung if it has DLP technology.

 

[ben72227]

Go with Sony.

 

[turbojimmy]

I have a Sony 57" RP HDTV. When I bought it I was torn between the 57" and 60" and read all of the advice on viewing distance, etc. 57" seemed to make sense. My rec room is 32 x 15 with about a 15' long area partitioned off with a couch. My butt is about 12 feet from the TV. I wish I had gone with the 60". For true 'home theater' you can't go too big IMO. Look at the size of a movie screen versus your viewing distance if you're in the first few rows...but with a big TV you're not breaking your neck to look up.

Check out the pics here:
http://www.turbojimmy.com/basement.html

The 57" doesn't look so big.

Jim

 

[Ralph]

My Dad wants to buy a 42 in. Sony plasma, but is it true that they are only good for about 8 years, and then the images become dull because the plasma depletes or something?? What needs to be done, a "recharge?" Or are they no good after that time...

I read that plasmas are better than LCD, but I can't recall why...

 

[mccombie_5]

I have heard that LCD Tvsw are better than plasma in smaller sizes, but they havent developed technology to be better in the larger sizes.

My TV room is about 12' xsquare, so with the 52 RP it does the job nicely, a "friends" style recliner, a couple of sofas, and a big sound system..........

The Picture attatched was taken at the end of last year when we first installed the system, the troom is different now but my new camera wont upload photos of anything.....

Truth be know that room is actually meant to be a small study, but i dont care much for televeision, so i switched the rooms and had the bigger room for my wifes office

 

[fast66]

http://www.turbojimmy.com/basement.html

The 57" doesn't look so big.

Jim

now thats a nice basement

 

[mccombie_5]

now thats a nice basement

I agree

i wish i had a basement...... we used to have a cellar.....but i filled it in because we built an extension

My TV room looks a mess on that pic, i feel ashamed, you would think in my line of work it would look great, but that is an OLD picture, from before my wife worked her magic on that room, it was still decorated as her office at that point..

 

[JC316]

And you won't regret it. I just got a 52inch RCA HD rear projection tv and all I can say is WOW.

 

[mccombie_5]

And you won't regret it. I just got a 52inch RCA HD rear projection tv and all I can say is WOW.

same size as mine, great isnt it

 

[turbojimmy]

now thats a nice basement

Thanks. Like restoring the flood-totaled DTS, it's one of those "been there done that" kind of things. I can say I did it myself, but I won't do it again. And, like the DTS, there are some loose ends that aren't totally tied up. Some trim isn't painted, some doors aren't installed. But once I got to a point where I could keep beer cold, sit on a couch and watch TV I lost interest in the rest of it.

Those pics were taken before we officially 'moved in' down there. The place is a wreck most of the time now, but it's comfy space. At least the rest of the house stays clean 'cause we spend most of our time down there.

And, again, I'd go with something bigger than 50" in a 20x20 space. But that's just me.

Jim

 

[mccombie_5]

Thanks. Like restoring the flood-totaled DTS, it's one of those "been there done that" kind of things. I can say I did it myself, but I won't do it again. And, like the DTS, there are some loose ends that aren't totally tied up. Some trim isn't painted, some doors aren't installed. But once I got to a point where I could keep beer cold, sit on a couch and watch TV I lost interest in the rest of it.

Those pics were taken before we officially 'moved in' down there. The place is a wreck most of the time now, but it's comfy space. At least the rest of the house stays clean 'cause we spend most of our time down there.

And, again, I'd go with something bigger than 50" in a 20x20 space. But that's just me.

Jim

Yes you have done a very good job in there, was it a bare unfinished space before you started?

I have done the same thing with my current house, it used to be an 1800s farm house, but we bought it as a shell ( no roof, no windows, no doors, no non supposrting internal walls) And extended, moderniised, rebuilt and made good of it, it appears you have made a useful living space of the basement.

I can also say, despite doing this for a living, i would not rebuild an old house for my own home, i would start from scratch and build a house totally to my specifications, although we have done this soemwhat by extending repeatedly.

I restore and redevelop old buildings all the time for work, but when you have to live in a trailer for 18 months, no way. NOT again


Again, nice work there, as long as you can sit drink beer, thats all that matters anyway??? Right?? Ive been trying to find time to finish my loft conversion for about three years.....

 

[turbojimmy]

Yes you have done a very good job in there, was it a bare unfinished space before you started?

Yes, it was all unfinished before I started. At the bottom of that page I have links from where I started up to where I 'finished' (again, I'm not really done done, but it's close enough). It took every fargin night and weekend from Feb through October to complete.

I was limited from a design perspective because of the support columns that run down the middle of the house. I hid them all but the one in the kitchenette area.

I'd love to live in an 1800's era house (if I didn't have to restore it). There are lots of them around there, but they're pricey.

Jim