Panasonic PT-50DL54 50-Inch Rear-Projection DLP HDTV
I'm very happy with this TV
I spent about three months reviewing big HD TV's and settled on the 50\\" DLP from Panasonic.  This is how and why I made my decision: <br /> <br />1.  CRT Projection - Not considered. <br /> <br />2. Plasma - Very expensive for a good picture (prices vary all over, but to get a great picture at 50\\", your are looking at over $6,000 for a Pioneer).  Issues with life, heat, and burn in.  Only a must if you want to hang it on the wall (which creates an issue with cable management). <br /> <br />3.  LCD Panel - Too small, issues with viewing angles and speed. <br />  <br />4.  Micro Projection - This is DLP, LCD or LCOS:  LCOS (HDILA from JVC) was out based on many poor reviews.  DLP won out over LCD due to life and picture quality.  LCD has pixelization, DLP does not but can suffer from a rainbow effect.  I looked at many models and types and could not see the rainbox in the DLP's but could clearly see the pixelization in the LCD's.  LCD wears out over time, DLP does not (both require bulb replacements). <br /> <br />Brand - For DLP's the choices are Toshiba, Samsung and Panasonic.  I was leaning towards the Samsung HLP due to its form factor (much narrower than the others) until I Googled \\"samsung dlp problems\\" and found too many horror stories (mostly audio sync issues and early hour lamp failure).  I did not find nearly as many complaints about Toshiba or Panasonic.  The Toshiba and Panasonic looked nearly identical and I ended up getting the Panasonic as it was on sale at the time ($2,500 at American plus $130 for an extended warranty which did not include the bulb). <br /> <br />Size:  I went with the 50\\" based on my viewing area being about 10' from the screen.  Having lived with the TV for a few months now, I would have gone up to the 60.\\"  50\\" is fine for SD, but in HD, more is better. <br /> <br />Living with it:  The TV has given me no problems.  No one that has watched it has seen the rainbow effect.  I have experienced an audio sync issue only once and this was on a homemade DVD.  The TV takes SD cards for viewing photos which is a nice feature.  Sound is great and picture is great (including no glare, which was a huge issue in my viewing room before).  Once you see something in HD, the SD looks pretty crummy. <br /> <br />About HD:  Note that at this time there is very limited HD available via cable or satellite.  Where I live the cable is through Mediacom which has NO HD at all.  I am on the Dish Network where I receive Discovery, ESPN, TNT, HDNET and HD Movies (you can also get HBO and Showtime in HD for more $$).  Direct TV has a similar package.  Network HD is available from your local digital broadcasting tower, which means you need an antenna and a HD receiver to get these channels.  I have a set of rabbit ears plugged into the back of my Dish HD receiver and am getting all local HD channels except for CBS (I have heard that you can get CBS HD via Dish with an exemption from your local CBS station).  HD is absolutely stunning! <br /> <br />You can look at TitanTV.com to see if your local stations are broadcasting in HD.  Go to antennaweb.org to see where the towers are in relation to your house and what type/size of antenna you will need to get the signals.