I'm a newb and I need help

[DieselBoy]

Hi, I'm currently looking to buy a 40 inch HDTV for around $1,200 -$1,400. I was thinking of getting a Plasma, but I heard that they burnout after 3-4 years. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

[Ratman]

Plasma's don't "burn out" in 3-4 years.

Check out some of the FAQ's to address some questions you may have...
http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/forumdisplay.php?f=384?

[57U]

Plasmas don't burn out, but they do have the potential for "burn in" if not properly treated. See the FAQs referenced by Ratman - there's one on burn in.

[DieselBoy]

Thanks for the replies. I read through the FAQ's but I still can't decide on what kind of TV I want. Basically just a quality TV to last me around 4-5 years at least, for around $1,400 and about 40 inches.

[Ratman]

With proper care and feeding... almost ANY TV will last for 10+ years.

But... it's up to you to determine what your requirements may be for your $1400 investment.

There are too many choices and technologies to say "what's best" (DLP, Plasma, LCD, LCoS). Then you need to weigh that against your connectivity requirements (games, TV only, PC or all of the above). And... how many interfaces (DVI, VGA, component, composite, HDMI....?

[DieselBoy]

I think I've narrowed it down to either LCD or Plasma. I'm going to be using the TV for Xbox/Wii, DVD's and just TV in general. I'll be sitting about 10 feet away from the TV. I think I'm going for 1080i, I don't really need 1080p I don't think. There's just so many out there that's it's kind of hard to choose one.

[57U]

There is no 1080i in LCDs or Plasmas. They are usually 768P native resolution. At 10', you wil likely need a 55-60" HDTV, which will be outside your budget for Plasma or LCD.

http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?t=1069

A 50" plasma MAY do... I'd recommend looking at the 50 or 60" Sony SXRD (LCoS) HDTVs, but they may also be a bit more than your budget, so you may need to go LCD or DLP based RPTV.

[DieselBoy]

At that distance there isn't really a difference between 1080 and 768 is there?

[Ratman]

Although there are differing opinions, I personally think a 42" would be adequate ~10' viewing distance.

Also... there are plasmas and LCD's now available that display 1080p natively, but you will pay the "premium".

[efourdee]

There is no 1080i in LCDs or Plasmas.

I own a 1080i native 42inch plasma.

[kevinw]

http://www.vizio.com/products/detail.aspx?pid=19
42 inch Plasma $999

[57U]

I own a 1080i native 42inch plasma.There's always one. ;) Yeah, there's the Hitachi with ALiS, but the rest of the plasmas and LCDs are not and I'm sure that's not what the OP meant.

[DieselBoy]

The vizio looks like a nice TV and is a very fair price, I've heard that it's a relatively new company and the word isn't out yet. Anyone have any experience with Vizio? Thanks.

[Ratman]

Look around in the Vizio forum... should be some feedback there.
http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/forumdisplay.php?f=466

[kevinw]

Look around in the Vizio forum... should be some feedback there.
http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/forumdisplay.php?f=466

http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?t=28685&highlight=VP42
Here is a search on everything WE know about this model. For actual help PM me