Buying a TV

[YukonTrooper]

As Quicken points out, don't worry about burn-in.

You can get a 50" GT30 or a 55" ST30 for $1500.

The GT30 shares the exact same plasma panel and AR filter with the ST30, but adds:

- THX Mode (not as special as it sounds, especially if you end up doing any kind of calibration)

- slightly better black levels (both excellent)

- narrower bezel with a silver outer trim surround

- thinner rear cabinet and bezel

- 4 HDMI inputs (all mounted on the left side) compared to 3 on the ST30

- VGA PC Input (but limited to a 768p signal so it's fairly useless)

If I were choosing between the two, especially considering that they are at almost the same price, I'd be springing for the ST30. The 5" is a lot of extra real-estate and the increased size will have the biggest impact on viewing experience.

The cheapest retail price I can find is at Visions @ 1,498.00 until Nov. 9th. Sears has it @ 1549.99 but I'm sure they'd be happy to price-match, along with any other dealer you can find with the 55" ST30 in stock. The cheapest online I can find is Electronics For Less @ 1,427.00. You may get lucky finding a retailer willing to match that price as well.

[Gregole]

Well I did find an ST30 on Futureshop for $999.99

[YukonTrooper]

$500 is a nice chunk of change saved. I guess it depends whether or not that extra 5" is worth $500 to you.

[Gregole]

Well actually I measured the width, 50 inch tv is just perfect, 55 inch is close to the edge of the stand, 60 inch has a higher chance of getting toppled when someone bumps into it.

[The Quicken]

Originally Posted by Gregole

Well actually I measured the width, 50 inch tv is just perfect, 55 inch is close to the edge of the stand, 60 inch has a higher chance of getting toppled when someone bumps into it.

Something else to consider, you will/can notice the difference between 720p & 1080p media when you go over 50". 50" is a good size IMO.

Not trying to max out your budget, but see what price that Futureshop can get you on a 50" GT30?

[howpet]

For what I know (which isn"t much) or have read LCD or Plasma depends a lot on the ambiant light in the room it"s going to be situated. A room with say a large picture window where in the morning or afternoon a lot of light is streaming in go plasma because of the higher contrast; if this isn"t an issue LCD will be fine as long as viewing angles don"t come into play.
This is not hands on experience advice I"m offering(still watching a Samsung 32" Crt tv, every bit of 150 lbs.; It won"t die) but web research.
For an LCD look at Sharp..newest manufacturing facility in the world right now.
And a Plasma the only way to go is Panasonic...
The Samsung is going to die soon I hope.....

[Gregole]

Originally Posted by The Quicken

Something else to consider, you will/can notice the difference between 720p & 1080p media when you go over 50". 50" is a good size IMO.

Not trying to max out your budget, but see what price that Futureshop can get you on a 50" GT30?

The GT30 costs about $1700.

[howpet]

You"ve got lots of time to research and investigate so make sure come boxing day the CC fresh and you"re standing at the front of the line

[The Quicken]

Originally Posted by Gregole

The GT30 costs about $1700.

Then my personal suggestion would be the ST30. Be clear on your return policy as whatever you purchase you don't want to worry about exchanging it. I keep bring up exchanges because it's a good chunk of money and you want to be completely happy with your purchase.

I want the GT30 for the slightly better display/BL, extra HDMI input, THX & the aesthetics (finally a Panny that looks current gen).

I would price match futureshop and get it at Bestbuy, reason being I find retuning at Bestbuy painless where as at Futureshop I always seem to get a rough time.

[Gregole]

The ST30 on bestbuy is 46 inch while 50 inch in futureshop.