I have a few questions to ask.
1. Which companies makes the best 1080p HDTV's all around?
2. What are the best 1080p HDTV's to get?
3. Should I go for LCD or Plasma?
I'm thinking of replacing my old TV with one of those, with a built-in digital tuner. It's for to enjoy watching television & cable, as well as watching HD-DVD & Blu-Ray movies, & for playing X-Box 360 & PS3 games. Answers will be appreciated. Thanks!
It's all a matter of opinion, and one that changes as technology develops and new models are released. Last I checked, Sound and Vision magazine and other "tech pundits are raving about the Pioneer Elite Kuro plasma, which is very costly but boasts blacker blacks than any flat panel.
There are of course different opinions on LCD versus Plasma as well, and each has their list of advantages and disadvantages. The downsides are virtually eliminated the newer and more advanced (i.e. more expensive) you get, but they're basically still the same: Plasma is prone to burn-in and runs hotter; LCD has a lower contrast ratio and has issues with fast motion.
Personally, I think the "flat panel" form factor is overrated and entails a lot of compromise, and much prefer DLP/LCoS rear projection sets, which provide more bang for the buck and IMO a nicer, more "cinematic" picture, at the cost of about 15" depth. Unfortunately, the market greatly prefers flat panels, and Sony recently announced that they were going to stop making RP sets.
One issue with projectors, though, is bulb life, and cost. Some models are so bad that owners are considering class action suits.
Maybe use a smaller LCD or CRT set for watching sitcoms and the news, and save the big screen for movies and good TV shows.
As for which brand is best, it all depends on, I think each brand can have it's own excellent tvs, if you want to enjoy your tv for movie you can get the plasma or the LCD, if you intend to use it for gaming you should choose the LCD. Besides you shold pay more attention to the tv's brightness and viewing angle, for the gamers they should also get a fast response time. In fact recently the price the tv has dropped a lot, a deal on the Panasonic 56 inch 1080p Rear-Projection LCD HDTV is only $900:
http://www.dealstudio.com/viewtopic.php?t=34586
Westinghouse Silver/Black 37" 16:9 8ms 1080p HD is only $800:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?ATT=--&CMP=AFC-C8Junction&Item=N82E16889234025
Anyway hope this helps.
One issue with projectors, though, is bulb life, and cost. Some models are so bad that owners are considering class action suits.
That's the cost of having a RPTV, I guess. Although it's not as bad as it used to be; you used to have to have a technician replace the bulb, now you can do it yourself. I don't have that problem though: I just got a Samsung DLP with an LED light engine that gets rid of bulbs and the rainbow effect. The LED engine is supposedly more expensive to replace, but I figure if it's going to break it will break within the length of the warranty.