@Newspartancreator- My friend got a really good deal at circuit city buying a screen for his mom
I actually bought my last computer monitor there too.
@NZ-TK- Yeah I've heard that the difference between 1080i and 1080p isn't noticeable with most media, like the XBOX 360 and the more standard HD channels, since they are made for interlaced scans. The reason I started looking at 1080p's really was because I was thinking of throwing in a PS3 with a Blu-Ray to sweeten the birthday pot hehe. If only for movies and those games, it might be kinda nice.
I think the screen life on these LCD's will be about 10 years (60k hours), so we will probably look at the OLED's down the road when this one begins to lose it's display. I totally agree in that it's good to plan significant purchases ahead of time. Wouldn't want to go buying new tech unless it's going to be a good addition for a few years.
@Portalman- Yes I am a big fan of Samsung too. I bought my fiance' a 22" LCD monitor of that brand for his computer, and the contrast and response time are gorgeous. The first thing I notice about monitors are vivid color, and theirs always catch my eye.
@Nugget & Abandonship- I've heard a bit about burn-in with the Plasmas. Most people say that it's a lot less common nowadays but that news tickers and ui's can still be kind of hard on the screen. My other half (and I'm guilty of this too
) will play games for many hours at a time, so it may be wise to err on the side of caution
@hognoshal- Yeah our house right now doesn't have a huge living room, it's pretty average. I think the 46" and the 52" will probably be the focal point either way right now hehe. But, I am fairly certain that when we buy our new house, that we are going to be moving into a slightly larger space, and so like you said, I kinda need to plan on that
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Edit:
Ok! So I asked my fiance' and his friends some rather innocuous questions last night to try and gauge what kind of TV's and tech toys they like. He said how he really liked his friend's HDTV and Blu-Ray and how he'd really love one some day. He mentioned how nice it would be to have a collection of his favorite movies in that format, and how when he saw 'Planet Earth' for the first time in HDTV that it made his jaw drop.
So, that kind of told me that 1080p is probably what he is wanting.
I slept on it, and thought of all the things ya'll have said about the size of screen. Everyone here had very good arguments for both ends of the spectrum!
I personally lean towards the smaller televisions. I just watch HGTV and play the 360 so I like the 36-46" kind of TV's. It seems like plenty to watch with to me hehe.
But, I will say, in the 4 years I've known my other half, he has exhibited 'Tim the Tool Man Taylor' tendencies lol. He likes things that are over the top... things he can really enjoy and show off with his friends. I think he's like some of you who would go for the bigger TV if given the chance. And like you all said, this is a purchase one should really make every 5-10 years.
In the end the gift is for him, so this morning I conceded, and placed the order for the 52". It scares me a little bit to think about it but I think it will strike a chord with his Y Chromosome. Maybe for my birthday I will ask for a 54" Armoire so I can hide the damn thing haha
I'll let you know what he thinks of it.
Thanks again everyone
