redford

Not that I'm a totally dummy, but I am looking to buy an HDTV this year, and the various technologies make my head spin. Is there a consise but simple pros/cons sort of chart where one could get a better idea of all these different technologies. Ideally, what's the best kind of HDTV one can buy?

Nimbus

IMHO,either a dlp or a 3 chip lcd.

Augustes

I wouldn't be surprised if Best Buy or Crutchfield showed something. If you google HDTV Primer or FAQ you will find many such websites. Many of them can be biased towards one tech or the other, though. I'd find it pretty hard to be unbiased myself.

There is no end-all best technology for everyone because everyone is different and has a different sized bulge in their pocketbook. I just thought about it, I believe there are 11 different types of HDTVs available, with at least 2 more coming soon.

I guess the first things to look at are room size, viewing habits (time per day, types of shows/sources), budget.

Nero

Well disregard budget for sake of argument (although my personal ceiling would be around 3-4 grand)...

Augustes

Well disregard budget for sake of argument (although my personal ceiling would be around 3-4 grand)...

redford

The best picture (IMO) would be a stack of Sony G90s. (9" CRT front projectors) Takes more work. Cost is somewhat high. Something like $25K for each, and you still don't have a room, screen, player, scaler, chair, etc. I hate Art Sonneborn, if jealously counts as hate.

For less than $3K, I put in a 90" screen with an HD DLP projector. I see rainbows occasionally, esp when I am tired. But other than that it is awesome, and the best I could afford. I would consider LCD projection if it weren't for the higher maintenance issues with dust and cleaning. Light control is a must with front projection, though.

For a smaller setup that doesn't require full light control, I was all set to get a 65" CRT RPTV, about the best picture around. Just friggin' huge box, so I went larger with essentially no box in the room.

After that I'd lean toward plasma. LCD flat panels are just catching up with plasma's picture quality, but they are more expensive still.

For small TVs, there is really only LCD flat as an option to me. CRT tubes are small screens, but giant boxes. I just don't have the space.

Nimbus

Nero

What do you mean by "best"? Best picture quality? Because then you can bypass all of this plasma/dlp talk and look at a RPTV. But, if you don't have the space to put the (usually rather chunky) TV, you may want to look at thinner options. But, at this point, that usually means making a trade-off in picture quality.

redford

http://www.coleprojectors.com/which_...er_types.shtml

Definitely biased and opinionated. That's not necessarily bad, but be aware. For instance, under front projection they mention DLP, which coincidentally they sell. No mention of LCD, no LCOS, no CRT.

And I'm not sure why they say a 12' room should have a 42" TV. I sit 12' from my 90", just about precisely at the SMPTE recommended viewing angles.

Augustes

I've read that there is very little if any burn-in now with the newest plasmas. Is that true?