Need help making TV decision


I'm looking to replace my ancient Proton 27" CRT with something new. I've poked around AVS forum and CNET but still feel confused and underinformed. Would welcome advice here and pointers to other sources of information.

Here's our situation:

-- Can accomodate up to 40"-42" wide display
-- Use Comcast digital cable box through TiVo box as main source; also DVD
-- TV (not DVD) probably 80% of viewing
-- Viewing distance is about 8 feet
-- Can accomodate the depth of a CRT or rear projection, but a flat panel would be just fine (will sit atop 40" AV cart)
-- Don't need built-in audio as I route audio signals through an AV receiver
-- Price not too much of an issue

So....LCD, Plasma, DLP or CRT? HD or ED? One of my main fears is that I will get a set that kills on DVD or HD but leaves me unhappy when I watch an old movie or a Seinfeld rerun or any non-HD TV program. There's also the issue of our addiction to TiVo and the absence of an HD TiVo box for digital cable (as far as I know).

Thanks for any guidance you can provide.
Ag insider logo xs@2xdrubin

Showing 1 response by djf62

Get a 40"+ Plasma. The prices are right now and the pictures are great. You'll be happy. Nothing against the DLP (I have a 60" Sony SXRD) or LCD (3 around the house from 15"-35") but the right plasma will give you the best blacks outside of a CRT with the best veiwing angles and I've never had a plasma pixelate on moving images unlike a LCD. I have 2 plasma, a 50" Pioneer Elite Pro 1110HD 2 years old and a Marantz PD4280U which is 5-6 years old. TV's aren't like our Dad's none of them will last 15 years and the technology will change in 3 years anyway. You can wait on the sidelines and keep looking down the pipeline but I'm not sure what that gains you and at what cost/price difference.