TVs: Projection, Flat Panels, Etc.

[highbury]

So, after 7 years, our old Sony Projection big screen is having projector problems. Repair estimates were about $600 and my mom has decided to purchase a new TV. She is not a huge movie buff so she doesn't need mind blowing picture and most of her stuff is of a satellite Chinese TV so, decent quality is sufficient.

We live in Ft. Worth in a home with a pushed-back wall made for the TV. A flat panel would probably be an unnecessary space waster, if that would even make sense. We're now looking at a more affordable projection TV, which I have heard lasts longer than current plasma or LCD offerings.

What would you recommend I do? And should I give flat panels a look?

 

[hlaustin]

There seems to be a huge myth in regards to the life span of a plasma and or an lcd panel. The half life of a plasma is around 30,000 hours and some are claiming to be higher then that now. A lcd panel has a life of around 60,000 hours. Both are better technology then any type of rear projection but they both carry a price tag with them. As far as rear projection goes I would recommend looking at a Sony LCD rear projection TV, you will see a lot about the DLP, but when you watch every day TV the LCD looks much better with a much sharper image and less motion problems. The only down side is the width of the TV. Hope that helps you some what.

 

[TennesseeHorn]

I thought plasma tvs still have a burn-in problem?

 

[hlaustin]

Plasma's do have burn in, as do tube tvs and your typical crt rear projection TV. This is not as bad as most people think, you would need to run a static image for 3-4 hours on a plasma for this problem to occur. After time this can be corrected. One of the ways it can be done is by putting a snowy screen on your display and playing it for awhile. It will give an even picture across the screen again.

 

[hornbanger]

PM KingKoopa, he knows all about TVs