Has anyone priced big screen televisions lately?

[bsoder52]

I'm in the market for a big screen TV, just wondering if anyone has priced them lately?

I don't care about tons of whistles and bells, but I want a TV that can be HDTV later on when I decide to go that route.

I don't care how much it weighs.

I'd like to stay around 1K or under if possible.

I'm most likely looking at a 50-65 CRT Rear Projection, HDTV upgradable.

Any suggestions for brands/models/prices would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance, you guy rock.

Bsoder52

[flampoo]

I was recently in the market. I purchased a 47" Panasonic HDTV rear projection with 2 tuners and split screen for just under $1k. Rear projection tv's are starting to get cheaper as they're being replaced with new technology. You shouldn't have a problem finding what you're looking for.
I went to about 8 different stores before I found what I wanted. Best Buy, Circuit City, Ultimate Electronics, Fry's, GoodGuys, Sears, etc. Just keep this in mind; YOU CAN HAGGLE THE PRICE OF A BIG SCREEN! Despite what they tell you, the prices aren't final. I knoced $200 bucks off the floor price of my model. Ask about their floor models or returns, some of which are kept in the back or at a warehouse. It's worth the effort. Just be patient.
Also, you'll have a better time bargaining at places like GoodGuys and other small or independantly owned business. They have more room to change the price.

[daeven]

If you have a Costco nearby, be sure to check it our.  Don't comparison shop based on how the picture looks in the showroom - most retail establishments set the displays all wrong.  I have a 63" Pioneer widescreen that I think is going for $1799 at Costco right now.

For good comparisons, be sure to check forums like http://www.hometheaterspot.com or http://www.avsforum.com

[fredster]

Depends on how big.

875 - 1400 for projection.

Walmart has RCAs.  I got one, I'm pretty happy with it.
Best Buy had em about the same.

You can get one decent at 1000.

[tenex2mg]

Well we were in the market for a big screen TV (was thinking plama...had heart set on this 60" monster), but after a little research I wound up with a DLP projector.  An Infocus X1 to be more precise.  And I couldn't be happier.  I was even able to flash its bios to convert it to its more home theatre friendly brother the ScreenPlay...and let me say...that 60 incher looked great (aside from that 9 grand hit it would've caused) but compared to the 105" I have no...+ 8 grand cheaper....its got my vote.

[bsoder52]

I keep shopping around, but haven't found what I want yet unfortunately.  A couple months ago American TV here in Madison, Wisconsin had a few 65" rear projection HTVS for 1,300.00.  I should have jumped on those prices!  The best deal I can find now is 990.00 for a 51 widescreen rear pro. HDTV.  I'm gonna hit the internet tonight and see what I can find.  Ohh well.

[xar256]

One of the best days to go is actually Boxing day for this kind of stuff.  I've worked security for Visions Electronics here in Canada for the last couple of boxing days, and they are totally willing to haggle. 

In the managers own words.  Boxing day is to move as much stock as possible, so long as we make at least one dollar on a sale I'm happy. <They make money on selling extended waranty, so expect that to be pushed on you>.  This is of course related to Audio/Visual stores, not necessarily big box stores

Xar256

[bsoder52]

What is Boxing Day?
Do you still work security for Visions?

[GodSend25]

im still waiting for these to come out.  http://news.com.com/Slimmer+tube+TVs+to+challenge+flat+panels/2100-1041_3-5458670.html

they may not be thin as plasma, but it should start a price war. 

[Snarbald]

Does everyone realize that plasma tvs are engineered to wearout after about 3 years of average use?

[pointdablame]

Does everyone realize that plasma tvs are engineered to wearout after about 3 years of average use?

That is nothing more than an urban myth.  From the second you turn on a plasma tv, its phosphur gases begin to dissipate.  The life of the TV is dependent on the half life of the phosphur gas.  If you keep brightness and contrast settings to a reasonable level, plasma sets will last tens of thousands of hours.  In normal use, this equates to 10-20 years of use. 

They aren't "engineered" to last 3 years... they use phosphur gases that naturally deplete and can be monitored by its half life, which is constant.  A plasma TV should last much longer than 3 years under normal circumstances.

[Snarbald]

One of my coworkers has his full time job at Underwriters Laboratories and all the engineers there that tested the plasma displays said they were engineered to wear out in about 3 years. I didn't get into specifics with him, but tvs are made out of more than just phosphur gas.

[johnconndc]

how can he be your coworker if he has a full time job?
also, plasma monitors were first created in the 1960's and the the first easily available one was made in 1999, 5 years ago (there may have been some --BINGO! Either that, or I was attempting to say "before" but it was too many letters to type-- that but a quick internet search only turned up 1999)
not tryin to get anyone angry, just throwin that out there

[Snarbald]

I'm his boss at his part time job.

[pointdablame]

One of my coworkers has his full time job at Underwriters Laboratories and all the engineers there that tested the plasma displays said they were engineered to wear out in about 3 years. I didn't get into specifics with him, but tvs are made out of more than just phosphur gas.

But other than the phosphur gas, plasmas are made of electronics just like anything else.  Everyone seems to have a story of where XXX product is designed to explode after xx years so we have to buy more, and the man is screwing us, etc etc.

I don't buy any of it.  There is no reason that a plasma should only last 3 years.  If its actually built that way, as in it is being built to die after a certain time, it is nothing short of sabotage by the company.  No company would do this.  It just doesn't make any sense.

[Snarbald]

Perhaps I misunderstood and its not so much that they are designed to fail after 3 years but that they just aren't built to last 10 or 20 years.

[pointdablame]

Perhaps I misunderstood and its not so much that they are designed to fail after 3 years but that they just aren't built to last 10 or 20 years.

I can believe that a bit more for the fact that in the long run, plasmas are still in their infancy.  i'm sure some companies have had some problems, and some may in fact die quickly.  But the idea that all plasmas will become utterly dead after 3 years seems to crazy for me to believe.