Looking for budget 42"

Landerhoffis

1. How far away will you be from the display when watching it? (Be as exact as possible. A 5' range difference IS a major difference)

6-10'

2. What TV will it be replacing (i.e. 27" tube TV, etc)

32" tube

3. What will you be watching on it (i.e. 1/3 movies, 1/3 TV shows, 1/6 Sports, 1/6 gaming console, etc)

1/2 Sports 1/4 HTPCw/BD 1/4 TV shows

4. Will a computer be connected to use the display as a monitor? If so, what percent of the time?

~1/4

5. Will you be getting a Blu-ray player to watch movies and will you be getting any HD service from cable/sat, or will you just be watching SD programming, and upscaling SD DVD player?

HD TV service (NOT SURE WHICH...RECOMMENDATIONS!?) & BD from PC

6. Are you looking for the best in class display, the best bargain display, or best bang for the buck in the middle display?

Cheapest reliable display

7. What is the room lighting situation? (i.e. can you control the lighting? Can you use light blocking blinds, etc to control it?)

Controllable lighting

8. What is your budget range?

I would love to spend less than 600.

I've really been thinking about picking up the LG 42PQ30 at buydig (~579, Free shipping, no CA tax), but judging from the first 5 or so pages of this forum, It doesn't sound like you guys like this tv that much.

In the same price range... the competitors appear to be Panny X1, Sammy PN42B450.

I would like to stay under that $600 unless you guys think a jump to <$700 would really be worth it.

Once again, any recommendations on SoCal HD service would be appreciated OR if anyone knows anything about services in ClearQAM OR any HTPC tip/expierence.

Thanks in advance
-Lander

Lee Stewart

Panasonic 42-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV: $790

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...SIN=B001UE6M8O

Landerhoffis

Thanks, I'll keep a look out for a price drop.

Any opinions on the LG 42LH20? TigerDirect has it EBay-ed for 599.99.

PFC5

I would avoid LG like the plague IMO.

__________________
Denon AVR-887
Klipsch RP-5 Pwred Towers (mains) (525 watts peak each 12"Subs)
All Klipsch RC-25(ctr),(2)SS1(surr),(2)SS1(rearSurr)
Toshiba (2)HD-A20,PS3,BD35
For SACD/DVD-A Samsung HD-841
Panny 50pz80u plasma SETTINGS
RCA HD50LPW162 50"DLP w/HD2+
SA 3250HD
47" LCD+Yamaha5790+HD-A1(bedroom)
Harmony 680 + (2) 670s (amazing remote/support)
Game room with Onkyo receiver & B&W Speakers
The_Cable_Game
Take the high ground and be happier

House72

I wouldn't suggest a Plasma since he wants to use it 25% of the time as a Computer monitor..

__________________

Landerhoffis

Okay, sounds like I should ditch the whole LG HDTV (even if i like my 24" lg monitor )

I guess I'm leaning toward the Panasonic X1 now

To house72--I suppose I'm not really using it as a monitor as much as just playing movies from a computer onto it....if that makes sense...In which case I probably answered that question incorrectly.

IGExpandingPan

Yes, the issue is two fold. LCDs are much better in terms of close up definition, and most operating systems loving having their menus on the screen. CRTs are not immune, I've had "great" monitors with the apple logo burned into them. Wasn't an issue, so long as you ran apple at the same screen settings as the prior owner.

Landerhoffis

Thanks guys, I made the plunge on a Panasonic 42" X1 for 589.00 shipped.

PFC5

Congrats & enjoy!

__________________
Denon AVR-887
Klipsch RP-5 Pwred Towers (mains) (525 watts peak each 12"Subs)
All Klipsch RC-25(ctr),(2)SS1(surr),(2)SS1(rearSurr)
Toshiba (2)HD-A20,PS3,BD35
For SACD/DVD-A Samsung HD-841
Panny 50pz80u plasma SETTINGS
RCA HD50LPW162 50"DLP w/HD2+
SA 3250HD
47" LCD+Yamaha5790+HD-A1(bedroom)
Harmony 680 + (2) 670s (amazing remote/support)
Game room with Onkyo receiver & B&W Speakers
The_Cable_Game
Take the high ground and be happier