Anyone know much about Plasmas? Any special questions I need to ask when looking around?
I found a 46" Daewood (sp?) at Sam's for $1500. Looks like a steal of a deal, but...... I don't know what I need to know.
I am going to be using this in my Sales Room for clients to view thier slideshow and images, the room itself can get pitch black if need be, so light isn't an issue. Also I am going to position it on a wall with the customers seated about 10 feet directly in front of it, so no side viewing is necessary either.
Thanks!
Posted by BoondockSaint (Member # 67) on :
Do plasma's have something that needs to be replaced every 3 years or is that LCD?
Even if the tv only lasts me 2 or 3 years it would more than pay for itself. Plus by that time I would want a bigger one
Another question. Can you plug a laptop directly into a tv, or do you need a special adaptor type thing?? If so, what would I need? also, do they make extensions long enough so that my laptop could be in the back of the room and the tv at the front? (I am sure they do, but one never knows!)
Posted by Klaus (Member # 66) on :
For your purpose you will probably be fine with a plasma. The big problems with plasmas has been they burn out after a few years and "black level" issues.
You want to make sure the resolution is at least 1024x768 which is also considered HDTV. Do not get a EDTV or 640x480 version. These are cheaper but your pictures will not look good on them. Also check the model number and go online for reviews on Amazon etc. Most of the newer ones will have a computer hookup built in - this is a must for you.
Posted by Klaus (Member # 66) on :
quote:Originally posted by flamingoamyjo:
I found a 46" Daewood (sp?) at Sam's for $1500. Looks like a steal of a deal, but...... I don't know what I need to know.
Thanks!
I would check I think this Daewood is a LCD and not a Plasma. Basically, a big laptop monitor. Would also be fine for your application.
Posted by BoondockSaint (Member # 67) on :
If it's plasma, don't have the same image on the screen for more than 15 minutes. FYI.
Posted by flamingoamyjo (Member # 93) on :
Either plasma or LCD would work for me. I just think a really cool tv on the wall is so much classier and impressive than using a projector (plus Scott might just steal my projector from me I know how you are infatuated with projectors!). I think for $1500 it is a good buy, even if it only lasts a few years. Or if I find something better down the road, this one could come home with me!!
Posted by Mikey (Member # 42) on :
Amy, for the application that you would be using it for I think Plasma and LCD are the way to go.
Eric, DLP needs a new metal halide bulb about every 3-4 years. They run between 250-350 bucks. I will be picking up our new Panasonic 50" DLP tomorrow (sat) from Scams Club. Have Comcast coming on thurs with dual-tuner DVR and HD receiver! I am pumped! I'm using some of the proceeds from the sale of my 4-runner which left town for Toronto today.
Posted by Mikey (Member # 42) on :
Got the TV today. So far I like it, but HDTV doesn't come till Thursday (with dual tuner DVR).
Love the fact that you can have a 50" screen and the set only weighs about 90lbs. Actually I think it weighs less than my Sony 27".
Full report to follow after we have HD for a week or so.
Posted by Jomama (Member # 56) on :
Just a thought, but for you app, why not a Projector?? Its w/in your budget?
Thats the way I'm going when I try to do a big screen. And for a business app like yours, the portability is a bonus isnt it?
Posted by flamingoamyjo (Member # 93) on :
Projectors are one way to go, but a tv on the wall just has more "wow" factor. Plus at a bridal show I can bring the tv and have it displaying a slide show throughout the day, where a projector you couldn't do that. Plus the projectors I have looked at have been just as much if not more than the tvs.
Mike, did you hang your tv on the wall? Or put it on a stand?
Posted by Mikey (Member # 42) on :
On a stand. It's DLP so it's about 15" deep. I have read that some people put DLP on wall but that's just not for me.
Posted by BoondockSaint (Member # 67) on :
quote:Originally posted by flamingoamyjo: Projectors are one way to go, but a tv on the wall just has more "wow" factor. Plus at a bridal show I can bring the tv and have it displaying a slide show throughout the day, where a projector you couldn't do that. Plus the projectors I have looked at have been just as much if not more than the tvs.
What about putting the photos on your laptop?
It'd be much easier to carry a small projector and a laptop rather than the whole TV.
I put my brother's presentation on my laptop and used a projector for their wedding and it worked out just fine...
Just a thought...
Posted by flamingoamyjo (Member # 93) on :
Um, what you don't understand is that I am trying to sell LARGE photos. The purpose of the tv or projector is so that they can see what a 30x40 portrait will look like on their wall. Right now I am using my laptop, but hard to sell them a large portrait when they can't "feel" it. Plus if you have 5 people there for a viewing, it's difficult to gather them all around a laptop.
Plus a projector won't work at a bridal show. There would be no where to project (you get a tiny 8x8 booth) and it is heavily lit, so I would need a gazillion lumin projector that costs a gazillion dollars!!
The tv is definitely the way to go for what I need it for right now. Plus if it doesn't work out, or I suddenly get the urge to buy something bigger, this one can go in our bedroom!
[ 06-20-2005, 06:03: Message edited by: flamingoamyjo ]
Posted by flamingoamyjo (Member # 93) on :
Flatscreen LCD or Plasma is the way to go for what you want to do Amy. I wouldn't recommend a projector for any application unless the setting was exactly right. I just warn you not to get a super cheap screen that is EDTV - your computer pictures won't look all that great on there. Make sure it's HDTV ready with laptop digital input.
Posted by BoondockSaint (Member # 67) on :
quote:Originally posted by flamingoamyjo: Plus a projector won't work at a bridal show. There would be no where to project (you get a tiny 8x8 booth)
Okay, that eliminates the projector then. Why didn't you say that in the first place? Posted by flamingoamyjo (Member # 93) on :
What IS EDTV? Aren't they all HDTV ready nowadays??
Posted by Klaus (Member # 66) on :
Nope they are not all HDTV's these days (but they want you to think they are).
HD must be one of two standards:
720p = 720 X 1280 Pixels 921,600 1080i = 1080 X 1920 Pixels 2,073,600
These are both widescreen. Your home HDTV is 1080i. Your laptop is probably one of these - check the res by going into display properties and changing it with the slider.
ED is this:
480i = 480 X 704 Pixels 337,920
Basically, it's just a widscreen regular TV. Change your laptops resolution to 704*480 and you will see how bad it will look if you get a EDTV.
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I know how you are infatuated with projectors!). I think for $1500 it is a good buy, even if it only lasts a few years. Or if I find something better down the road, this one could come home with me!!
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which left town for Toronto today.
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