Howdy X-Sers,

I'm thinking about a new TV. Currently I have this 50in Panasonic HD LCD Rear Projection TV. Don't get me wrong, it's an excellent TV, especially with it being about 6-7 years old. However, extensive use always wears out the bulb. It just died on me recently and I'm just sick of having to spend like ~$300 on bulb replacements.

I haven't particularly been following the TV scene lately, besides the whole "1080p" fiasco gaining popularity.

I'm not exactly sure what I want. I've always wanted a projector, mainly due to the fact I like big screens. It'd also be useful for when I go off to college in the Fall of '09. It'd be convenient to transport and wouldn't really take up space in the dorm room. However, the bulb problem comes back into play. So I don't know.

So yeah, I guess the conflict is me wanting a giant HD screen, but something I can also take to college. I guess there's nothing stopping me from taking like a 50in TV to college, but.. damn.. come on now. haha.

Then another problem arises - LCD or Plasma? Time old question, I know. The trend seems that bigger plasmas are cheaper than LCD of the same size (if they even reach that size these days).

I'm not sure on how much I'd like to spend, but lets not particularly worry about price at this point in time (but don't go recommending a $10000 TV lol). Actually, keep it around $2500 or lower.

Just like the majority of you, I do/would use my TV for a plethora of activities. I have a vast movie collection stored on my computer (output = DVI), I have an Elite and various other gaming systems, and plus a DVD player (and perhaps eventually a BR player). So something that would work nicely with all these would be nice.

Thanks!
-sick

personally I am looking at getting this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16889102197

its not your big screen or 1080p but it has a kickass contrast ratio, and its not that expensive. You can always get the 6 series which is 15000:1 and 1080p and a couple hundred dollars more.

My dads 50" plasma gets some burn in, it always goes away but I wouldnt game on it regularly thats why I am going with LCD.

yeah, that's a badass T.V... I'm just not sure how I'd feel about going from a 50in to anything lower. lol. But then again, I'd prefer taking a smaller TV (like in the 30s) to college. So idk O_O

Turns out the bulbs alone are only $90ish. So maybe I'll just get a new bulb for the time being. What do you guys think? I still think a new TV would be awesome. lol

Only you can know that. The age old battle between want and need.

I have just recently (today actually hehe) replaced my old Sony Bravia 50 inch 720p LCD RP tv, as with yourself I was more than happy with the picture quality of the LCD RP set and it seamed to be sturdy and lasted me around 3 years.

I decided today that I wanted a slimline LCD or Plasma tv and I went for this one after doing quite a bit of checking.

http://www.comet.co.uk/shopcomet/product/4...ult-_-position1

It is probably about $1500 US, I was not keen on going with a smaller TV but I decided I was going to give the 47 inch LG set I got today a go and its now installed in my living room and its barely noticeable that its 3 inches smaller than my last set.

So I would imagine most people will be happy going from a 50 inch to a 47 inch, for me as I say its barely noticeable.

I have tried Casino Royale bluray via my ps3 and it looks stunning at 1080p, games on the ps3 and 360 look superb and even the ones that are native 720p look a bit crisper and overall better on my new set.

For what it has cost me to get what I think is a good quality TV (to my eyes it looks superb although the inbuilt tv tuner does suck big time lol) for very little money.

My last 50 inch sony cost me £1500, this new and most certainly superior TV except for image size cost me just under £800, bargain it seams.

The sound quality of this LG set also seams ok, the bass is lacking a bit bit its nice and clear and seams to be quite dynamic, but I expect most people like myself who buy large TV sets also buy a standalone dolby digital sound system so the tv sound might not always be important, but it seams ok to me on this set (for a tv)

The Menu system on the LG set is very very simple and looks very nice, and the set looks very sleek and I realy like the black glossy finish (matches my front speakers )...

I cant say if this set is the best you can get for the money but its impressed me in regards to performance, style and price, now all that remains is to see how long it lasts, but first impressions imply that its very well made so hopefully it will last me a reasonable time (5 years is what I will expect roughly) ..

Good luck

Got and installed a new bulb a few days ago. Holy shit did I forget how amazing a 50in TV is in comparison to a 17in monitor. lol

Madden 09 and NHL 09 on 50in TV = <3 lol