Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners RPTV vs Plasma

I am also in the market for a new 50" tv. I was pretty set on getting a Sony SXRD RPTV until a tech friend of mine suggested going plasma.

What opinions do you all have out there on this dilemma? Viewing distance for main seating is ~10'. However, there are some seats to the side, but the room is only 13' wide and off axis should be minimal, unless seated close to the tv.

My friend listed bulb replacement costs for RPTV and off axis viewing as things to consider.

I'm looking to see if I can be convinced one way or another.

Thanks,
Sips

Well, Sips (my Evergreen State brother), it just depends on how much you're willing to pay for that thin form factor. I was in a similar situation and decided to buy a 61" JVC instead of a 50" Panasonic plasma. Couldn't be happier. Here is the thread where I anguished.

I would go with the Sony right now if I had the money. Just for interest sake, it can be had for around $1700 including delivery if you live in the U.S. and around $2000 if you live in Canada (Ontario). That is for the KDS-60A3000. Although plasmas deliver a beautiful picture, they are way too expensive. I think the Sony delivers an outstanding picture.

If you want to hang the tv on the wall go for the plazma or an LCD. If you don't mind the 15-19 inch depth, then go for the Sony.

If, for instance, you are going to put the thE TV on a cabinet that holds your gear, then the depth is probably the same as the Sony.

Just a thought from a front projector owner:
You should not automatically shy away from such factors as bulb replacement costs. If a bulb lasts ~3 yrs (~3000 hrs) and costs $350 (and considering you'll be wanting to upgrade to the next tech wave in 10 yrs anyway) the price difference would have to be less than $700 for that to be a major consideration. If, however you are the type to leave the TV on in the background (using 4-6000 hrs/yr), this may, indeed, become an issue. You should do the math first.

Good point, doormat. I'd have gone with a projector if my house was "different".

I thought the Sony had a great picture; the JVC had just as nice a picture and was $150 cheaper for me. I'd have been happy with the Sony, too, I'm sure. Go and watch TV for a while in several different stores to see if anything strikes your fancy.

Thanks for the input thus far. Seems as if I have been thinking along the same lines as you all. I forgot to say that I would be putting the tv in a custom cab that I will build. It's going in the family room and we want the option to hide it. So depth at this point is not a factor.

Since it is going in a cab, it seems that the design of plasma stands projecting in front of the tv would require the tv to be set back into the cab. I'm not sure if that is an issue or not, I just know that a RPTV can be set to the front of the cab.

Doormat I have considered bulb replacement costs over the expected life of the tv, and I still think the Sony is a good deal compared to a plasma that has as good of a reviewed picture.

Thanks, still look forward to more input.

Make sure there is space in the cabinet for proper air flow. The Sony A2000, so I assume the A3000 is the same, suggests at least 4 inches on each side and 12 inches above the TV of open space for air flow.

Zarak,
You've got me a little concerned since the plans for my cab didn't include that much space around the tv. I just checked out the owners manual on the A3000 and it doesn't list the clearances that you mentioned. It just said "To prevent internal heat buildup, do not block the ventillation openings." Where did you see the clearances that you had for the A2000? The manual does say the tv has internal cooling fans that may be heard during operation, is it possible the A2000 didn't have fans and heat was more of an issue?
Thanks

I can't stand it when people do that. I dread visiting my wife's aunt's place because the TV seems to be on 24/7 -- and nobody's ever watching.