Home Projector or Plasma TV??

  • Thread starter Thread starter mariniam
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all the LCDs I've seen had unnatural brightness or picture indeed. Maby those very expensive ones are better.

Been using for 2 years a 21' Wega via RGB scart for videogames and the quality is superb, best I've seen for videogames, the screen is not big, but the quality Rocks! For GT4 using 16:9 mode, the res is better and game looking very sharp.
 
GT Jud
I don't believe Sony produces a DLP model, so they couldn't have won the category in that comparison. They use LCD Grand Wega. I hope this answered some questions, if anybody has anything else, I think I still have to book they gave us tooling around somewhere, so lemme know.
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The Grand Wega was in the same category as DLPs in the Consumer Reports comparison ... It lost to Samsung DLP and a Panasonic (might've been LCD or DLP as they make both) ... I think a Grand Wega placed 5th overall in that category, though I'm not sure on that (definitely not in the top 3, though) ...

The category was actually called the Rear-Projection Microdisplays category, which included DLPs, LCD Projection TVs, and LCoS Projection TVs ...

1. Samsung DLP 50"
2. Panasonic ??? 50"
3. Samsung DLP 56"

It should be noted that the Panasonic, however, did only slightly worse, but costed $700 less (MSRP) than the 50" Samsung ($3300 USD vs. $4000 USD) ...

As for the projectors, I don't think the Barco Cinemax was part of the comparison ... They mostly tested mainstream brands (Sony, Panasonic, Samsung, Philips, etc.), although I remember Denon and NEC were both in the projector category (obviously neither won since Sony did) ...

If the guide is cheap, I might just buy it and scan it on here for all to see next time I'm waiting for my GF to get off work (I always read magazines in the grocery store while I wait for her to finish) ...
 
Just save a whole slew of money and go for a 60" or bigger rear projection CRT television. As long as you keep your contrast/brightness/picture (different brands call this something different) half of the max or less than half your RPCRT television will last a long long time and will not suffer burn-in so easily.

Jay
 
WRX02Slowness
Just save a whole slew of money and go for a 60" or bigger rear projection CRT television. As long as you keep your contrast/brightness/picture (different brands call this something different) half of the max or less than half your RPCRT television will last a long long time and will not suffer burn-in so easily.

Jay
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Except Big Screen CRTs look like **** compared to the newer technologies ...

They have the narrowest viewing angles ...
They have poor picture quality ...
They have the worst contrasts ...
They're very dim ...
They're big ...
They're heavy ...

They're only real advantages are screen size, cost, and proven reliability ...

Once you get beyond 40" with CRTs, you really start to see a degradation in the picture quality ...
 
Rear projection LCD. Most cost effective way to get a large quality screen.

And Jmac - where have you seen a CRT over 40"? I think it would consume so much energy it could kill a human just by sharing the same room. The largest I've seen is 36" on a website, the largest a friend has is a 34" and it's a MONSTER.
 
Jmac279
Except Big Screen CRTs look like **** compared to the newer technologies ...
They have the narrowest viewing angles ...
They have poor picture quality ...
They have the worst contrasts ...
They're very dim ...
They're big ...
They're heavy ...
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true (newer units are getting better at this, but the optimum viewing area is more limited then other options)
false (depends on proper calibration)
false (depends on proper calibration)
false (depends on your settings and its environment)
relative (didn't have to buy a separate stand for mine, and its only like 23" deep)
relative (mines like 130 lbs, and has wheels, so its not so bad)

i like my 51" HD widescreen RPTV just fine, thanks. i've got way better black levels then any plasma/lcd/lcos/dlp can think of. only draw back is possibility of glare depending on the sun's position, and i could fix that multiple ways, if i didn't have to contend with stupid roommates (aka re-organize the theatre room, but they're not for it, remove the 'smudge' screen but i don't trust them to not screw up the screen, etc).
 
Doggie
Playing GT3 with a good setup (wheel, comfortable driving position, good sound system and 180' screen is a orgasmic (orgastic? correct me, I'm a friggin Fin) experience...
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Although I have not yet bought my first projector, I would listen to this man! I have been following developments of front projection technology for the last 4 years and I can tell you that the advantages a good front pj offers over a "box" TV is enormous. I am planning on buying my very first projector sometime in April and I expect to be blown away by the image quality, especially in comparison with the 65" Toshiba Widescreen RPTV I currently own that is over 5 years old!

Playing GT4 on a 100" screen in surround sound and with the wheel and frame in my signiature is going to be nothing short of RAPTUROUS!!!!!!!!
 
LoudMusic
Rear projection LCD. Most cost effective way to get a large quality screen.

And Jmac - where have you seen a CRT over 40"? I think it would consume so much energy it could kill a human just by sharing the same room. The largest I've seen is 36" on a website, the largest a friend has is a 34" and it's a MONSTER.
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Every big screen before like the past few years was CRT ... aka conventional big screens ...

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INT...ame=tv_ProjectionTVs_RearProjection_55to70TVs
http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wc...11253&modelNo=PT-53TWD64&surfModel=PT-53TWD64
http://product.samsung.com/cgi-bin/nabc/product/b2c_product_detail.jsp?eUser=&prod_id=HCP5252WX/XAA
http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/televisions/product.asp?model=65h84
 
OOooohhhh, CRT projection. Yeah those are seriously ****ty (: I was thinking straight CRT. Which frankly I don't think you can beat the quality of image on a conventional CRT. It has some to do with the amount of light and focusability of the tube, and the fact that they don't make them so big that the image is over stretched. The bigger you project light, the less focused / crisp it is.
 
Read the article again tonight (didn't buy it because it was $6) ...

In the Rear Projection Microdisplay category (LCD, LCoS, DLP) ...

1. Samsung DLP 50"
2. Panasonic DLP 50"
3. Samsung DLP 56"
4. Hitachi LCD 50"
5. Hitachi LCD 50"
...
11. Sony Grand Wega LCD 50"

That's right, the top-rated Grand Wega placed 11th overall in the comparison ... Oddly enough, the 2nd place model is Panasonic's only DLP and the other 4 LCDs they had in this category didn't fair too well, despite relatively equal pricing ...

Source: March 2005 issue of Consumer Reports

I wrote it all down so I wouldn't forget :p
 
whats the deal with DLP? how do they fair against all these other types? i might be buying a tv in half a year or so, but i dont really know where all these different types stand.
 
Jmac279
Except Big Screen CRTs look like **** compared to the newer technologies ...

They have the narrowest viewing angles ...
They have poor picture quality ...
They have the worst contrasts ...
They're very dim ...
They're big ...
They're heavy ...

They're only real advantages are screen size, cost, and proven reliability ...

Once you get beyond 40" with CRTs, you really start to see a degradation in the picture quality ...
Click to expand...

Guess you haven't kept up with RPCRT technology..

The viewing angles are still bad.. however, the picture quality and color is usually still better than LCD/DLP/Front projection (depending on the quality of CRT), same for constrasts/hue/blacks are always more realistic than any LCD/DLP, they are anything but dim, mine on VIVID mode will burn your eyes out of your skull it's so bright, they are big, but they are as big as the screen you buy.. mine's hardly bigger than a DLP of the same size. Heavy? No not really, mines 120 lbs which is light for a 53" screen. Take a 35" Trinitron tube TV and it weighs 250 lbs or so.

Jay
 
Convince the guys on AVS forums, HDTheater.com, etc. etc. that Rear Projection CRT is crappy in comparison to LCD and DLP.. Neither LCD or DLP can get the colors, blacks, and proper clarity like a ISF calibrated RPCRT.

Jay
 
it looks like there is no best choice so what is the most optimal choice?
DLP, LCD, Plasma, CRT or projection? (i don't like projectors)
cost isn't an issue
 
SirWaWa
it looks like there is no best choice so what is the most optimal choice?
DLP, LCD, Plasma, CRT or projection? (i don't like projectors)
cost isn't an issue
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I would say:

1) Projector best for movies
2) LCD best for gaming
3) Plasma best if you are a TV fanatic
4) CRT best for consuming too much space in your room
5) Projection best for horrible picture
 
mariniam
2) LCD best for gaming
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If you've ever played games on an LCD monitor or watched a hockey (or any other sport) on an LCD, you wouldn't be pleased ... They tend to blur under quick motion ... :yuck:

Also, 4) CRT is best for the average consumer as it offers good picture quality at a significantly lower price with proven reliability and no real downsides other than size, weight, and limited size ...
 
Jmac279
If you've ever played games on an LCD monitor or watched a hockey (or any other sport) on an LCD, you wouldn't be pleased ... They tend to blur under quick motion ... :yuck:
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So its true... LCDs blur under quick motion. That realy sucks considering the huge amount of money you have to pay for an LCD.

I was watching a movie demo on a 42' LCD from LG at an exhibition and every time there was quick movement the picture would blur horribly. The exhibitionist said it was a bad DVD and not the LCDs problem... 👎 Liar liar pants on fire!
 
I have a RPCRT hitachi 51'' and the image quality is very good. The major disavantages is the size of the tv and the weight : 325 lbs. Hitachi has the best RPCRT on the market if you ask me. I didn't see enough differences to worth spending twice more for a DLP.
 
mariniam
So its true... LCDs blur under quick motion. That realy sucks considering the huge amount of money you have to pay for an LCD.

I was watching a movie demo on a 42' LCD from LG at an exhibition and every time there was quick movement the picture would blur horribly. The exhibitionist said it was a bad DVD and not the LCDs problem... 👎 Liar liar pants on fire!
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Definitely a lie ...

My parents actually bought an LG LCD TV after they had good experience with their LG LCD computer monitor, but they ended up taking it back after 2 days because of the blurring ... My brother and I have noticed their computer monitor blurs quite a bit under motion as well, but they haven't noticed it because they don't play games or anything ... I guess it still beats the crap out of my 11-year-old NEC monitor that's over 2 feet deep :p
 
just one man's opinion: go front projection.

3 years ago I bought a Sanyo XW15 (LCD, 4:3, 1000 lumen, XGA) for $2000, and have since put 1400hours on the original bulb. The new batch (Sanyo Z3, Pana AE700, others mentioned here) are cheaper, quieter, and have DV inputs, but I still use mine nightly for DVDs or PS2.

$30 Ikea windowshade/screen, $15 TV wall mount, $125 chief quick release projector mount, and about $75 worth of 50' component cables, and you got a 2m wide picture.

few pics of my "apartment theatre":

Mount

screen, lights on

DVD, lights dimmed

room plan

When the bulb on mine goes, will probably give it to a friend and buy a new projector. Can't go back to a tiny screen, something like 60"diagonal...

cheers
Kurt
 
my primary objective is too get the best visual quality and experience for gaming
movies is second
so no LCD?
how about DLP?
plasma's a no-no for gaming correct?
i'm considering CRT as well but why go with old technology (granted it has improved greatly but still)
what kinda reciever to u guys recommend?
i want one with lots of inputs
i want to be able to hook up a minimum of 5-6 devices
 
I'm new here (I found the site looking for GT4 info). As a plasma owner, I just wanted to give another perspective.

Note that I'm not saying plasma is the best choice for gamers. There are a lot of options now (DLP, LCD, etc) and if your #1 reason for buying a new display is gaming, I wouldn't recommend plasma. I bought one for 2 reasons: astounding picture quality and the ability to hang it over a fireplace.

Having said that, I just wanted to share my experience with plasma.

For current generation plasma displays, the expected life is ~ 60,000 before *half brightness*. That means that the manufacturers expect the brightness on the display to be half of what it was on day 1 after 60,000 hours. If it was on for 6 hours a day, every day, that's 27+ years before the brightness drops to half. 27 years. Not dead, just not as bright. Considering that one of the first things I did with my plasma was lower the brightness and contrast from the way-too-high "showroom" settings down to almost the minimum, I think I'll be OK if I have to bump the brightness up to half way in 5 years or so. I'll be surprised if I even want to use this display in 5 years but it should still be working in 10+ years. More than likely something else is going to go wrong with this display before the plasma loses it's brightness to the point of being unwatchable. BTW, direct-view standard CRT displays typically have half-brightness ratings of 30,000 hours.

As for burn-in, I've been playing a LOT of video games on my plasma (PS2, Xbox, Gamecube) since July (7 months now). No sign of burn-in, ghosting, etc. I'm not downplaying the concern for burn-in, it is an issue and you have to be careful, but it has not been a problem for me at all (Panasonic HD plasma). Turning the brightness and contrast down (per Video Essentials) is a BIG factor in preventing burn-in.

Plasma isn't the best choice for everyone, but I have been VERY happy with my decision.

Panasonic info page.
 

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