Which HD Monitor is best?

[NotEd]

The wife and I finally have a basement I can put a home theater into, so she has started looking for HD monitors. Unfortunately the only criteria that concerns her is cost, so I was lucky enough to come on the scouting expedition yesterday.

Anyway we found several models within our price range, but I have no real review info on them. Most of the customer reviews I've found seem to be the same recycled ones from site to site. So I figured I'd see what constructive info the folks here had to contribute.
And here I am.

So here are the models, starting with the smallest on up:
Sony 46" HDTV Monitor (KP-46WT520)

Panasonic 47" HDTV Monitor (PT47X54)

Hitachi 51" HDTV Monitor (51F510)

Sony 51" HDTV Monitor (KP51WS520)

We also saw another 46" Sony that I think was last year's model (maybe the KP-46WT510, but I forgot to write down the model number, so I don't know for certain). I know at this price range I can not afford a DLP based rear projection unit like I had hoped, so I hoping to get the best CRT based unit I can.

Any info, opinions and/or suggestions are appreciated. I am not locked into these units, just the price range.
Thanks a lot.

[I 8 Piglet]

Im not a big fan of CRT RPTVs, but of those I like the hitachi. Its bigger than the first two, and it has HDMI.

[incubus0]

I have the previous model to that Panasonic PT47X54, the PT47WX42, which I've been very happy with. Since the one you listed also has HDMI input and 540p instead of 480p, and you could probably get it for under $1,300, I'd go that way.
The picture quality is much better then I had expected and there have been no issues with it at all.

[tomdkat]

I suggest adding the Toshiba 51H84 to that list since it's within your budget (based on the prices of the TVs above) and Toshiba HDTVs are great performers. The 51H84 has a HDMI input and Toshiba's are known to have very good video modes for 4:3 material, if not the best.

Check out the Toshiba forum on Home Theater SPot to see what 51H84 owners have to say about the set. There are also Sony, Panasonic, and Hitachi forums on Home Theater SPot as well.

Peace...

[NotEd]

Originally Posted by I 8 Piglet

Im not a big fan of CRT RPTVs, but of those I like the hitachi. Its bigger than the first two, and it has HDMI.

Neither am I, but it seems to be my only option, unless I want to wait even longer. Not that that's a bad idea, but I have been holding off for at least 3 years, so I am beginning to get a little antsy, y'know?

Yeah, I like the additional. size as well. I was just hoping to get an idea of how well it performs so I don't end up with a huge waste of cash instead of a slightly smaller, wise investment.
Thanks for the input.

[plissken99]

Of those you listed, I'd say the Hitachi 51" HDTV Monitor (51F510) is the best one, from the specs anyway.

However, if you have a dedicated theater room, for the money I think you'd be much happier with a projector. Either the Sanyo Z2 or the Panasonic L500u can be had for around $1,500 to $1,600.

You could have a screensize from 40in, to 133in if you wish(add a couple more hundred for the screen, unless you'd project on a white wall).

[NotEd]

Originally Posted by plissken99

Of those you listed, I'd say the Hitachi 51" HDTV Monitor (51F510) is the best one, from the specs anyway.

However, if you have a dedicated theater room, for the money I think you'd be much happier with a projector. Either the Sanyo Z2 or the Panasonic L500u can be had for around $1,500 to $1,600.

You could have a screensize from 40in, to 133in if you wish(add a couple more hundred for the screen, unless you'd project on a white wall).

Yeah, I considered the front projector approach, but I thought once a screen and mounting hardware was included (if I ceiling mounted it, which I would prefer) the cost would get out of hand.

One thing I should point out (which I believe I failed to mention) is that the house is a rental, so I also need to keep this non-invasive of fixtures of the room.

I'm still unpacking the house, so I guess I have a little time to do more research on this. As it is the room only has boxes and shelving units in it( with a futon on the way, courtesy of the in-laws for Xmas), so I think I'll need to figure out how to position everything in it to give me the best options. As it is I think I will have a white wall free if I go the projector route.

BTW, thanks for the answers so far.

[NotEd]

Originally Posted by tomdkat

I suggest adding the Toshiba 51H84 to that list since it's within your budget (based on the prices of the TVs above) and Toshiba HDTVs are great performers. The 51H84 has a HDMI input and Toshiba's are known to have very good video modes for 4:3 material, if not the best.

Check out the Toshiba forum on Home Theater SPot to see what 51H84 owners have to say about the set. There are also Sony, Panasonic, and Hitachi forums on Home Theater SPot as well.

Peace...

Yeah, sorry. The budget is about $1700 max. She actually started out by picking the Sony, based on it's $1499 price and the Sony name. When we checked it out in the store that's when I pushed the price up a bit by checking out the larger models. (Also it didn't hurt that they had nothing demoing on the Sony and not one was free to help us, so we naturally started looking at monitors with at least something to watch on them. )

The handling of 4:3 material makes this an interesting one to follow-up. Especially since my wife still like to watch a lot of broadcast sitcoms or her endless supply of Friends DVDs.

As it is we may not invest in a HD receiver for our DirectTV right away, so it'll be nice to have options open.

[tomdkat]

Sony does make good HDTVs but Toshiba is known for having really good video stretch modes for 4:3 material. The Good Guys is having a sale on the model I posted the link to. Visit that link and add the set to your shopping cart to get the sale price.

Peace...

[NotEd]

Originally Posted by tomdkat

Sony does make good HDTVs but Toshiba is known for having really good video stretch modes for 4:3 material. The Good Guys is having a sale on the model I posted the link to. Visit that link and add the set to your shopping cart to get the sale price.

Peace...

Damn, tom, I didn't even notice the sale. I was impressed enough with the free shipping. That's a pretty good price for that size.

I wonder if I can check one out locally to see how I like it.....

[plissken99]

Well if you'll be projecting on a white wall, a screen isn't necissary(you can upgrade to one later), and mounting hardware usually comes with the projector, but if not it's maybe $50-$150 more. If you can get a look at those machines, it's worth considering.

[NotEd]

Originally Posted by incubus0

I have the previous model to that Panasonic PT47X54, the PT47WX42, which I've been very happy with. Since the one you listed also has HDMI input and 540p instead of 480p, and you could probably get it for under $1,300, I'd go that way.
The picture quality is much better then I had expected and there have been no issues with it at all.

Yeah, I was very surprised at the quality it offered on the sales floor. Of course it didn't hurt that they were demoing the unit for another customer at the time. It is definitely still in the running, although I am now leaning toward tomdcat's Toshiba recommendation, just due to its increased size and favorable user feedback. Also I went to check it out at Best Buy last night while doing some Xmas shopping and it looked pretty good to me (considering it wasn't tweaked and was under poor lighting).

I think a final decision will take place in the next 24 hours. I still have to bounce the idea of a front projector off the SO, but I think she will probably shoot down the idea, as she is usually afraid of me doing home improvement and trying to mount a projector in a room with a drop ceiling may fall under that heading. Plus I do worry that we haven't cleared this with our landlord (we worked thru a real estate agent to rent the place, but the owner is managing it themselves in theory) and they don't seem to have extra ceiling tiles if I f' it up.
Excuses? Maybe, but better to be safe than sorry I think.

Anyway, no matter what I do have to decide. Especially since it has been hinted that I am finally getting an audio system as a Xmas gift. Sure, it may be a HTiB, but it's more than I have now.

Thanks again. More updates as they occur.

[palebluedot]

I second Tomcats Toshiba recommendation.

[Vonner]

I third Tomcats Toshiba recommendation. I own one (57HDX82).

[NotEd]

Thanks Vonner and palebluedot. I am leaning toward the Toshiba I think. I'll have to check the room in question again to see how it would fit when the new futon arrives today. I double checked last night and the fluorescent fixture in the drop-ceiling would pretty much rule out a front projection unit anyway (which helps, in a way, as it narrowed down the choices).

I will say that yesterday on my way home from work I checked out my earlier candidates. They finally had a decent video signal going to the Sonys, but frankly I was most impressed by the quality of the Panasonic. It was very sharp and the colors looked much better than the Sony it was sitting next to in the Circuit City showroom. Still I realize that this wasn't much of a test, since they were probably not calibrated at all alike. Still it gave me one last thing to think about before a final decision.

[NotEd]

Damn.
Well I discovered Friday the following things:

1. Good Guys doesn't seem to allow you to apply for their credit online, only in store, and I leave on the wrong coast.
2. Circuit City definitely doesn't carry Toshiba
3. Amazon has/had the 51H84 for $1299.
4. I can't get it without 0% financing with my current economic state.
5. My Amazon card definite does not have 0% financing.

So I have reached a bit of an impasse. Best Buy actually has the TV advertised for $1699 this weekend and they do offer the 0% financing, but I am frankly afraid to get such a large purchase from them, having heard the Best Buy horror stories before.

Still I have to get something soon or else the SO will definitely take it out of my hide, since she went ahead and bought a surround sound system to give me for Xmas.

What to do, what to do?


Yeah, I know, some people have real problems. I've got this.

[Wirehed]

Of the RPTVs listed I would go for the Toshiba too.


But...

You don't need to mount a front projector. Most of these "inexpensive" models are "table top" projectors. You just set them on your coffee table or whatever and turn them on. It is also quite feasable to project on a white wall. You can also just buy a $14 sheet of drywall and paint if with whatever works best, then just hang the drywall up, dangle it from the ceiling, bolt it to the wall, hang it like a picture frame, whatever.

A friend of mine projects onto a peice of canvas like fabric. He bought the canvas at a fabric store and bought a custom frame kit at Aaron Brothers. The total cost was around $60. Since it weighs about 2 lbs you can just hang it from a couple of picture frame hooks on your wall. Landlords won't care one bit.


Nothing beats a LARGE picture, and those new, inexpensive projectors are really quite amazing.

[NotEd]

Originally Posted by Seamonkey

Of the RPTVs listed I would go for the Toshiba too.


But...

You don't need to mount a front projector. Most of these "inexpensive" models are "table top" projectors. You just set them on your coffee table or whatever and turn them on. It is also quite feasible to project on a white wall. You can also just buy a $14 sheet of drywall and paint if with whatever works best, then just hang the drywall up, dangle it from the ceiling, bolt it to the wall, hang it like a picture frame, whatever.

A friend of mine projects onto a piece of canvas like fabric. He bought the canvas at a fabric store and bought a custom frame kit at Aaron Brothers. The total cost was around $60. Since it weighs about 2 lbs you can just hang it from a couple of picture frame hooks on your wall. Landlords won't care one bit.


Nothing beats a LARGE picture, and those new, inexpensive projectors are really quite amazing.

Yep, I know. We have some very nice JVC DLP models here where I work that I have always been impressed with the quality of.

Unfortunately the front projection idea has been officially shot down by the SO. As she wears the decorating (and financial, apparently) pants in the family, I must bow to her wishes. Maybe by the time we can afford to buy a place it'll be different, but now I am afraid I am stuck with RPTV or direct view technologies, and RPTV seems to be what's in my price range.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by NotEd

So I have reached a bit of an impasse. Best Buy actually has the TV advertised for $1699 this weekend and they do offer the 0% financing, but I am frankly afraid to get such a large purchase from them, having heard the Best Buy horror stories before.

What horror stories have you heard about Best Buy? They seem to have a decent to good return policy as long as you abide by their policy rules. Go into your local Best Buy and talk about the return policy with someone and see if you're comfortable with it.

"Sometimes you've got to say 'What the heck' and make your move..."

Peace...

[plissken99]

Originally Posted by NotEd

Yep, I know. We have some very nice JVC DLP models here where I work that I have always been impressed with the quality of.

Unfortunately the front projection idea has been officially shot down by the SO. As she wears the decorating (and financial, apparently) pants in the family, I must bow to her wishes. Maybe by the time we can afford to buy a place it'll be different, but now I am afraid I am stuck with RPTV or direct view technologies, and RPTV seems to be what's in my price range.

One more way to sell this to her, is to tell her that a big RPTV has at least a 3ft footprint and looks very bulky. A projector on a table top projecting on a flat screen takes up almost no room, and in fact looks very sleek. She may go for that.

[NotEd]

Originally Posted by tomdkat

What horror stories have you heard about Best Buy? They seem to have a decent to good return policy as long as you abide by their policy rules. Go into your local Best Buy and talk about the return policy with someone and see if you're comfortable with it.

"Sometimes you've got to say 'What the heck' and make your move..."

Peace...

Well for one thing I've read too much at http://bestbuysux.org/

Second I have had issues with their return/service department counter taking hours to do what should be very quick (price matching, correcting checkout errors, returns, etc). Not to say that would go for all Best Buy locations.

Had a car stereo installed there for my birthday year before last (gift from the fabled wife) and they screwed up the install somehow so now the radio reception is quite poor. I mean I can be within a mile of a local station's tower and still get horrible reception in comparison to my old, factory radio or the one in my wife's car.

Can't remember my other complaints off the top of my head right now. Anymore and it would shift the thread to the Soapbox anyway, I think.

[tomdkat]

Ok, NotEd.

Peace....

[NotEd]

Hmmmm, with the Best Buy coupon from the thread I may just have to risk it this afternoon. I only hope I can get approved for the Best Buy card, as I didn't for a Circuit City one last week (hopefully just because I have just moved).

[NotEd]

'tis bought!

Yep, I went out last night and got the Toshiba 51H84 from Best Buy. They gave me no hassles and even approved me for enough credit to have bought a DLP based unit (if only I had known). Delivery is on Sunday, so I have to get cracking clearing the room for the install. Especially since I have 15 boxes of DVDs and 2 of CDs waiting to go on shelves right now.

Now I have to decide if I want to go out and get a progressive scan player with HDMI or DVI out tonight or wait on it. As it is I have my PS2 with component cables on order and my old Pioneer DVL-919 to hook up to it, but that seems like such a waste of potential HD-ness.

BTW, has anyone bought a RPTV or other projector based unit from Best Buy with their extended warranty? The guy in the store had talked me into it, but by the time I checked out I realized they failed to add it on. I was going to go back have them add it on before the unit arrives if they'll let me. I was just wondering if it covered limited life items like lamps or not. Seems like if it did that might cover the cost of the plan already.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by NotEd

Yep, I went out last night and got the Toshiba 51H84 from Best Buy.

Great! If you haven't done so already, register a handle at Home Theater SPot and check out the Toshiba forum since there is a LOT of great info on Toshiba HDTVs there.

Peace...