Off axis viewing, RPTV or Tube TV ???

[newsman]

Our 16x12 living room (tv is against the long wall becuase of a fireplace at the end) is not the best for viewing. But I'm in the market for a larger tv than the 27inch Panasonic we have now.

One couch is about 30 degrees off axis from the viewing position and although the view of the Panasonic is fine, I'm not sure what kind of larger set would offer equivalent viewing quality.

In my travels from video shop to video shop I've checked the viewing angle on lots of RPTVs.
It seems that on every one I've looked at (Mits, Tosh, Sony, etc.) I really can't move too far off to either side as I'd need to do in my room.
Moving to either side while viewing the RPTVs I've come across causes a tremendous loss in apparent viewing brightness and clarity.

Question, is a tube tv like the RCA f38310 the answer for me?

Are there any other units either tube or RPTV that would offer good viewing when sitting at an angle to the screen ? At a price point of around $2k

thanks

[ZeroDegreeK]

The lack of viewing angle is a limitation of RPTVs. There really isn't a solution for under $2000. A direct view tube TV is probably your best bet.

[sieve11]

You found the same reality that I did about RP sets. I had some very good pricing on RCA sets and was dying to get their 61" RP to really impress my friends.

I made 5 viewing trips at 3 different retailers to try to convince myself that what I saw was just a bad set up. But no, ALL the RP sets looked just as bad. They not only looked dark, off axis, but even on axis, the corners showed significant light fall off. In fact, since this was for our family room, I had my daughter lay down in front of one, and from below axis, the screen went completely dark!

So, I chose the 38310 and we are completely happy. It's got integrated HD and DirecTV receivers, so operation is a breeze. And, the HD pictures look even better at home than they did at any retailer.

We have a similar family room arrangement as yours, and the direct view TV works great from all viewing angles. It's brightness is excellent, it is plenty big enough for our room, and it has expanded modes for watching 4x3 programs without the pillar bars. At, under $2500, including stand, it is quite a bargain in the HD world.

[newsman]

Some quick online research of the RCA 38" HDTV indicates it has a cooling fan that some people find quite distracting.

Is this a real issue with this particular model? Or are people being overly picky?

Thanks

Mike

[sieve11]

Just kidding. Yes, the fan does run all the time, but I never notice it until I turn the set off. Even then, it's not really a nuisance.

I have heard people who were worried about it and I've tried to figure out when this would be a problem. But, I can't come up with any situations where it bothers me.

I read, listen to music, sleep and play games in that room and the fan is never even noticed.

[kevinw]

Toshiba for RP gives a very wide viewing angle.At eye level almost 40 degrees off center, You sit about 12-15 feet from a 57-65 inch TV, This give you over 30 feet of linear seating space. If you want that big screen -home theater feeling you will have to go RP. Also, most STBs have a cooling fan also.

[ibm135]

DLP has a very wide viewing angle compared to your standard CRT or Rear projectors.

[newsman]

I don't know what a DLP is.

The sales guy at Tweeter told me the Mitsubishi Platinums were better at off angle viewing than the TOshiba.
Yet in side by side comparision the TOshiba 42h81 bettered a 55" Mitsu, in my eyes anyway...

Any comments?

mike

[ibm135]

http://www.dlp.com/

Get a new salesguy if he doesn't know what DLP is.

Youy can get both front projector and more traditional rear projection systems with DLP. Check out the link.