So, where are the bargains?

[Scott Dolan]

Our previous TV was a 32" - the old kind that was enormous in depth. Jan didn't want that huge thing cluttering up the living room when we bought an apartment. She much preferred a narrow, black flatscreen for design reasons.

This is pretty much the only reason why we're considering one.

Well, that and the picture on our old 29" Magnavox is starting to finally go. We really notice it when we're playing the Wii. And my yoga dvd's are starting to look a bit funky...

[Steve Reynolds]

the 120HZ refresh rate was very attractive as it gives a better pricture when fast action is involved. If I was a hockey fan, I might have been tempted to spend the extra $$$ - but the extra $$$ is $200-300 for 42" type set..

And I almost paid for it!!

[Al in NYC]

Probably needs a lot of work but that house is way cute.

I've been in that house years ago. It was very nice, but is a little small and plain for that area of large old houses. About 5 years ago it would have been worth well over 200k in that neighborhood in any condition.

[Jimmy Cantiello]

Unlike Rollie's wife, my wife believes that bigger is better. She's very happy with my 40 inch.

[Scott Dolan]

Welp. We finally did it.

Went with a 37" Toshiba. We were actually looking at the Dynex and LG 37's, but the picture on the Toshiba was noticeably better.

http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-37AV50...=cm_cr_pr_pb_t

So, do any of you who already had one of these here fancy rigs have any recs as far as a calibration DVD is concerned? A far as I can tell it looks like Digital Video Essentials seems to get the most consistant level of kudos. And I ain't fucking shelling out $250 for the Nerd Herd to come out here to push buttons and adhust sliders.

I tried the THX Optimizer last night, but I don't have those fancy little cardboard glasses to perform the color and tint tests.

All of that said, the picture looks just grand so far.

[jesus marion joseph]

I've never run a calibration DVD on my TV. Does it make a big difference?

[Scott Dolan]

Yes.

You can do a lot of it yourself using the THX Optimizer, but for color and tint (if you don't have the special glasses) you have to simply eye it.

I've already done some tweaking over the last couple of days and have seen a noticeable difference.

There are a lot of deeper tweaks that can be done, but it takes several thousands of dollars worth of equipment. That's why Best Buy will send the Geeks out to your house for $250. I'll never do that, though. But, I think I am going to order the Monster calibration dvd.

http://www.monstercable.com/productdisplay.asp?pin=3971

[rollhead]

You've had that since you've been posting here.

I plead the caffeine defense.

[LennyH]

I've never run a calibration DVD on my TV. Does it make a big difference?

Definitely. Look into the Avia DVD.

[jesus marion joseph]

I got a brand new pair of North Face light hikers and a pair of ripstop shorts at EMS in Plymouth today for $27.50. And I had a gift card for $25.00. Wooooo!

[Gary Sisco]

My mom stopped driving some years back and rides with friends to the supermarket, which gives out "points" that can be used to purchase gasoline. Guy at the store tells she has a gazillion points she's never used and that she can give them to someone else if she wants. My sister filled her gas tank for 24 cents.

[Jazzooo]

I'm about to order an Onkyo HT S5100 7.1 home theater in a box for the new digs. I've already got a 50" Panasonic plasma on the way. Even though I will only use 5 of the 7 speakers, I chose this system because it seems to be getting blown out--under $400 with free shipping, although the retail was $799 and the specs and features exceed all the 5.1 systems I've considered including ones that were $600. Seems to be a pretty good time to buy electronics, as long as you shop around on the net for a day or two.

[Scott Dolan]

50" Plasma?!

I hope you've got a really strong back!

Oh, and you simply cannot go wrong with Onkyo. They are one of the most rock solid audio companies around. For lower level audio equipment it's pretty hard to beat them or Harmon Kardon.

[rollhead]

I am assuming a 50" TV would go into a large room.

I sit about 10 feet -- give or take a couple of feet -- away from my TV. I am figuring that a 37" would be about right. No?

[Scott Dolan]

That's what our setup is, and the 37" is perfect. If you're sitting 10' away I wouldn't go with anything bigger than a 40". Unless you want to watch everything like it's a tennis match.

[Jazzooo]

You don't imagine for one moment that I will be lifting that sucker myself, right?

From what I read, a 50" is perfect for 9-10' away which is our situation--further works too. We built a great space for this.

[Scott Dolan]

You don't imagine for one moment that I will be lifting that sucker myself, right?

I'd certainly hope not.

That sucker likely weighs in around the triple digit mark.

That's one advantage that LCD has over plasma. My 37" LCD only weighs 45lbs.

[Pete C]

That's one advantage that LCD has over plasma.

Maybe, but you don't want it in your bloodstream.

[Scott Dolan]

Oh, so you're a fucking doctor all of the sudden?!

[jesus marion joseph]

Dr. Cherches; Dr. Fine...........

[Pete C]

http://www.buy.com/prod/westinghouse...54&dcaid=17654

[Scott Dolan]

One HDMI input?

Not good if you don't have a receiver that can accept other HDMI sources.

[Pete C]

Is plasma doomed?

http://newteevee.com/2009/02/21/pion...he-plasma-era/