Pt-40lc12 Lcd Tv

[landrigh]

Looking at buying my first TV, and want to make the right choice. Is the Panasonic PT-40LC12 LCD is a good choice, or should I just buy a Tube TV like a Sony 36" Wega or 40" Wega?

I want something that is great on picture, low on maintence and looks good too.

[57U]

Welcome to the forum. Perhaps you can start by checking out the FAQ section (2 pages) if you haven't done so already. See posts like.

"Which HDTV to buy"
"How large an HDTV to buy"
"If only I'd have known"
"What you need to do to your new HDTV"
"Widescreen stretch modes"
"4:3 vs Widescreen".

The very large direct view TVs are very expensive and have "edge problems". A "small" RPTV like the one you're considering may be an alternative, along with CRT based RPTVs which are much less expensive...

You'll need to understand things like LCD, DLP, CRT-based, etc.

[proacman]

I looked at the 36 and 40 inch Sonys before I bought the Sony 50xbr800 LCD RPTV. I immediately dismissed the 40inch Sony since at over 300lbs, it would have required a new cabinet and been impossible to move around if I decided to change my setup. I also was not impressed with the picture viewing standard tv.

On the other hand, I was impressed with the 36inch Sony Wega. But I wanted a tv that was fully HD compatible (16:9 vs 4:3 aspect ratio) and thus dediced on the 50xbr800.

I think the first question you need to ask yourself is what will you be predominantly watching on the set. If it is standard fare, then you may not be happy with a stretched picture or black bars on a 16:9 screen. If you will be watching a lot of HD programming and widescreen DVDs, than a 16:9 set is the better way to go.

[landrigh]

Is the 50xbr800 an LCD too? I heard that more maintence is required of LCD TV like bulbes and so on? Does Sony carry a 40" model like the 50xbr800 you have? Not sure to stick with Tube or LCD?

I do agree on the weight issue, but do not plan on moving it around. 36" is probably a better fit in terms of cost and size, and i have always been told to stick to tubes. All XBR are HDTV compatible or Ready aren't they?

[57U]

Originally posted by landrigh 1. Is the 50xbr800 an LCD too?

2. I heard that more maintence is required of LCD TV like bulbes and so on?

3. Does Sony carry a 40" model like the 50xbr800 you have?

4. Not sure to stick with Tube or LCD?

5. All XBR are HDTV compatible or Ready aren't they? 1. Yes.

2. You do need to replace the lamp every couple of years or so - couple hundred $. But then you have a "new" unit again...

3. They will shortly - 42". See the thread on new LCD Sonys in the Sony forum.

4. I'd go LCD as soon as you consider anything over 36". 40" tubes are expensive and have edge distortion. There are no 36" RPTVs, so they don't compete. Once you want 40"+, you get RPTVs of some sort (or expensive flat panels).

5. There are some XBRs that are SD I think.