I love my DLP projector. No problems so far, but I only use it for rental movies.

I have 2 LCDs

Vizio GV42L
Vizio GV42LF

Plasmas are nice too. Im fond of Panasonic, but Samsungs and LGs are good too.

It really depends on your viewing habits and the location of the TV and its environment when in use most that is the deciding factor.

Im partial to matte screen LCDs. The matte screen is good for daytime viewing or light compromised viewing....like lamps on by the couch when viewing in the evening....or big windows in the room that the TV is to be used in. It significantly reduces distracting reflections, so you dont see a reflection of yourself and the lamp or of the room and the window while watching. LCD also has brighter whites then Plasma. Sharp (not all of them now), LG, and Vizio offer matte screens.

Plasma generally has superior image quality in light controlled environments, better for movies, fast motion. Blacker blacks and better shadow detail. But it has image retention and burn in problems. A little more to worry about and fuss over with Plasma. For instance video games with static information panels can burn in or image retent, like ESPN logos as well or News Channel scrolling bars, also SD material that goes unstretched can over time lead to problems with uneven plasma fade, and leave brighter images at the outsides of the 4:3 box.

In general LCD is a easier technology to live with.

I don't consider any of the other systems benefits out weight LCD.

I will buy LCD is I had to replace a TV right now.

Other than the individual pixels get bigger like everthing else, no.

Im not up on LED lighting tech for LCDs, but the CCFL's (flourescent tubes) used for LCD illumination are a stable technology with a long history. And LCDs in use with Laptops for much longer than Plasma is a more time tested and mature technology. However Plasma is pretty mature these days as well.

With LCD you will likely be able to keep the blinds open during football season, unless you are getting direct sunlight on the screen. Especially MATTE screen LCDs. LCDs in general offer higher lumen capability than Plasmas....better for bright light or daytime viewing.

Probably brighter (higher lumens) than DLPs in general as well.

And the flourescent (or LED) lighting doesnt get nearly as hot as the standard lamps in DLP though I think that Samsung put out some LED powered DLPs last year or this year.

I have 3 walls of windows East West and North facing on the North side of the building with no blinds or curtains and the GV42LF does fanstastic there, full daylight, lights, lamps, whatever. Aslo its back is to the West where direct sunlight enters in teh afternoon.

BTW, welcome to the forum, brian. Glad you joined.

Yeah, let us know how it works out. Stick around this forum is filled with people with experienced people who know what's what in Home Entertainment technology.

Originally Posted by brianrt

Thank you all for the info, I'll let you know how it turns out. If anything else comes to mind please let me know.

Welcometo the forum. Do you watch OTA now at home? Or use cable or sat?

One more thing. Samsung and Sony and other manufacturers generally offer glossy or semi glossy screened LCDs.

Its all very technical about how these work to reduce black levels which punches up colors and other things. But the glossy screens give you reflections like plasma does. When its a problem its very annoying and seriously degrades the viewing enjoyment, killing any benefits you may gain with it.

Looking for Sharp matte screens is the way to go, IMO. They generally have better black levels than the LG and Vizio stuff (my 2 Vizios use LG panels).

Sharp also makes large screen LCDs in the 65" and 57" range, I believe...as well as 52". Vizio offers a popular 55" LCD that can be found at Costco, I believe, for pre purchase viewing, if nothing else. Though Costco is a good place to buy Vizios.

Good Luck!