Day (X-3): Widescreen Entertainment

There are currently quite a few technologies out there for big-screen, high quality home theater displays.  Traditional CRT-based “tube” televisions top out at around 40” and weigh hundreds of pounds and take up plenty of space.  Plasma is all the rage right now, but they aren’t great at deep blacks and colors can get washed out, plus they’re expensive and can suffer image “burn-in”, not to mention that it appears that their half-life isn’t that long.  LCD televisions currently top out at 40” and aren’t susceptible to burn-in, but low contrast, viewing angles, and response times mean they aren’t necessarily great for a living-room television.

So, what does that leave us?  Projection TVs of either the front- or rear-projection variety.  Front-projectors can give you huge pictures, but they’re easily washed out in moderate light.  Rear-projection televisions are, again, divided into three main types: CRT-based, LCD-based (with most of the same limitations as a direct-view LCD), and something relatively new called DLP, which offers bright colors, good contrast, no burn-in, and crisp pictures.

So, were Santa to get me a new television right now, I think I’d have to go for something like the Samsung HLM617W—a 61”, 16:9 ratio, HD-ready, rear-projection, DLP-based television.  Plus, the set can be found for much, much less than comparably sized Plasma displays.

Oh, and another benefit?  Even though it’s a 61” widescreen TV it would still be lighter (108lb) and shallower (19.3") than my current 32” TV.  How’s that for impressive?

Posted Wednesday December 17, 2003 in X Days of Christmas by Chris Curtis

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Comments

I probably ought to mention that just because I might wish for something like this, it doesn’t necessarily follow that I actually have space to put it anywhere! :o

By Chris Curtis on December 17, 2003 at 12:39pm link

Aye, I have a 36” flatscreen Sony trinitron. It weighs over 250lbs...seriously. Im selling it before i move out of this apartment… and I am making the buyer pick it up themsleves.

I too wish for a DLP and as well have no damned space for it… Im thinking I could get a 17” powerbook with a usb tv in and some bonoculars...wouldn’t that kind of be the same? Though.. with the specs on it would be hard to make out during sappy movies. Something I’ve come to enjoy now that I’m with a more affectionate girlfriend.

I have also heard that Samsung is working on an lcd moniter/tv with a large screen that has thier Zero-Percent-Black Technology, which makes a brighter picture, no visible burnt pixels and better sideviewing (this is not read as GOOD sideviewing, just better than other LCDs). This technology is allready inplace with thier highly-rated Desktop LCDs.Me Wanty.

By Greg Ferrell on December 17, 2003 at 04:03pm link

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