As photograhers, which type of TV do you want/own?

[Vics]

I want one with a built-in OC filter so I can watch in my darkroom.

[V-12]

I have no idea what type of TV I have. It's fairly flat and sits in the corner of the room. It can do HD if that's a clue.

If nobody else has told it yet...

"How can you tell if somebody is working class? Their TV is bigger than their bookcase!"

[Bob Michaels]

We have a flat screen but I do not know about the technology.

While buying what I thought was a "big TV" for our living room, the Wal-Mart clerk was telling how great the small TVs like mine were. She said they had the same model as mine in their bathroom.

[ChrisPlatt]

Originally Posted by Bob Michaels

She said they had the same model as mine in their bathroom.

Today we must have a giant TV in our living room and a tiny one in our pocket.

Chris

[jtm6]

Originally Posted by ChrisPlatt

Today we must have a giant TV in our living room and a tiny one in our pocket.

And in the center console, the ceiling, and the headrests of our 4WD suburban errand buses.

[JayM]

No TV here. It's pretty crazy how hypnotic those things are. Moreso than the internet for me. Probably because the internet can have some value whereas the TV is just a 24/7 train wreck. It's hard to pry my eyes away!

[sepiareverb]

Originally Posted by Vics

I want one with a built-in OC filter so I can watch in my darkroom.

The first photographer I worked for had a TV in the darkroom. I had to have it on all the time unless I was loading film. There were TV sets all over the studio, all on, each set to a different NY station. He didn't want to miss a potential big story.

[Doug]

I think we still have one (unused) tube TV that will likely go to recycling. We have three Samsung LCD TVs about 19" I guess, one of which was my mother's, and the other two bought as a pair on close-out. One is in my office, mostly turned off; when on it's for news or auto racing. It was inoperable for about a year before I bothered to get it fixed. My wife has the opposite approach, as the default position is ON. That would drive me batty. Last year we got her an LED-lit Sharp, I think 60" or so, that I never watch.

I'm surprised at the major rejection of TV shown in this thread... interesting for a visually-oriented group!

[Murchu]

Originally Posted by elude

No TV. Most programs are dumb as **** anyway.

Agreed, but doesn't mean you have to watch any of those though. Tar all programming with the same brush and you are just depriving yourself, imo. We are in a golden age of tv drama, once you filter out the junk. The Wire, The Killing, Deadwood, Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, the list goes on an on. Don't deprive yourself of champagne, just because you've only experienced poor sparkling wine

[Herjulfr]

Originally Posted by rxmd

I suggest you stop worrying and just go into a store and look at a few and see if you like the look of the picture and get the cheapest one that does what you like.

Regarding the imaging properties of various technologies, it's just TV for God's sake, you're not going to edit pictures on it.

If you don't watch that much TV to begin with and want it only for the occasional movie or looking at a bigger picture, you could get yourself a projector instead.

Best advice so far. We have a 42 inches Toshiba LED TV. I have bought an Apple TV to go with it, it is very nice to see my photos on such a large screen (larger than my slide projecting screen). Its as nice as when i was projecting my slides, without the heat and noise.

[ChrisPlatt]

Originally Posted by jtm6

And in the center console, the ceiling, and the headrests of our 4WD suburban errand buses.

Indeed. Driving is such a bore...

Chris

[oftheherd]

Watching replies with interest as I also need a new TV.

[Vince Lupo]

I'd like a Philco Predicta.

[gdi]

Originally Posted by dct

I'm still using my 10 years old Toshiba 51" CRT backpro plus audio surround equipment in a dedicated room. It is only used for LD/DVD playback. When it once will fail, I will have to start over to a new evaluation what then will be the best technology for all of my AV gear.
Direct TV watching is done by a new LED/LCD 20" Panasonic. But I only watch news, sports and wildlife documentations with it.

(because CRT is not in the voting, I selected "none of the above")

Good RPTVs are hard to beat.

I have a 65 Toshiba Rear Projection CRT from about 2000. I keep looking for reasons to upgrade, but after I added a BluRay player I find nothing that offers a better picture, even though mine is only 1080i. Of course I have to tune it up now and then for the best PQ, but it isn't that difficult. I only watch movies and some sports on it; movies are great and far better than the local theaters.

But mine is huge - it could serve as a changing room if stood on end and the innards removed, about 300 pounds. So if I ever move the new owner gets the TV!

[DougFord]

If my current, once repaired '03 Sony kv34xbr910 CRT should fail I would want to buy a Panasonic plasma set.
It's interesting how some people gravitate towards certain technologies. I'd reckon that a plasma 'look' is closer to a CRT look then an LCD or LED look. Of course there are other considerations, specifically with regards to power usage, burn-in and longevity issues.
Live sports and movies are my typical TV diet.

[gdi]

Originally Posted by DougFord

If my current, once repaired '03 Sony kv34xbr910 CRT should fail I would want to buy a Panasonic plasma set.
It's interesting how some people gravitate towards certain technologies. I'd reckon that a plasma 'look' is closer to a CRT look then an LCD or LED look. Of course there are other considerations, specifically with regards to power usage, burn-in and longevity issues.
Live sports and movies are my typical TV diet.

I agree that GOOD plasmas are the best alternative to a good CRT. I just can't stand the motion artifacts I see on all the LCDs and low end Plasmas....

[Paul T.]

We just upgraded the cable box on our TV to HDTV, with HDMI input.

I posted before that the picture quality on the 26inch LVC Sony Bravia is generally dreadful - compression artefacts, over-sharpening, much of it due to the source and input engine, I guess - and that in general it seems we've all been sold inferior, albeit wonderfully compact, technology.

I can now report that with a proper cable box, the compression artefacts and over-sharpening are now even more clear to see!

[Trius]

Originally Posted by Paul T.

I can now report that with a proper cable box, the compression artefacts and over-sharpening are now even more clear to see!

Ha ha ha!!!

[jtm6]

Originally Posted by Paul T.

I can now report that with a proper cable box, the compression artefacts and over-sharpening are now even more clear to see!

Be sure to enable 120Hz mode for double the action!

[Ranchu]

I have a 93 trinitron, but I've never watched it. Just a little fondling every once in a while.

[Adanac]

Plasma, a 2012 model 55" Panasonic GT50. Great blacks, low reflectivity, usable even in a fairly bright room. We chose it for colour rendition, the movie experience, this unit does a good job with hockey ice and action, and, importantly, for the much better angles of view over LCD. It's very thin - hung on the wall it isn't obtrusive at all which was a key objective too. Has a dual core processor and apps like Netflix built in, but you can always add those things inexpensively via other devices. Models a step down are considered better value... I might have gone that way if I'd thought the purchase through a little more. That said, it's handy accessing content off the internet via the TV directly.

Prior to this one we'd been running a Sony Trinitron. The Panasonic is miles ahead of the CRT. Miles. Many kilometers ahead too.

I specifically wanted a unit for movies and documentaries, and I wanted an unobtrusive thin unit as well so that it wouldn't dominate the living room I just finished renovating (including in-wall wiring for everything). We don't watch very much regular TV programming but one channel we do follow more than others isn't yet available in HD - some TV models fare better than others in displaying low-def TV signals, something to ask for a demo of when you are shopping.

The unit does a fine job of displaying photos as a slide show. DLNA streaming from other devices on our network, folder browsing and other such features are used from time to time.

[Trius]

Originally Posted by Adanac

does a good job with hockey ice and action

Totally agreed. And this year it may be Junior and AHL and no NHL. Not that Junior and AHL aren't great hockey ... At least the Leafs would end with perfect record.

[Benjamin Marks]

I'd like to play the "what to get" game, but I am distracted and interested in/by the number of thoughtful photographers here who have done away with TV in their lives. Me too. I actually fault TV content producers for producing several generations of drek. I have dozens of friends with kids who have basically jettisoned this device from their homes. TV producers have apparently lost a good chunk of an entire generation of college- and graduate-school educated viewers because their programming wasn't good enough. And the advertisements. Don't get me started.

So what TV? No TV. Spend your money on a nice computer monitor instead.

Ben

[ernstk]

I have a plasma and an LCD TV. To be honest, there isn't a vast difference. I use HD satellite TV ( Sky, in the UK) and the picture is equally good on both.

If you're selective, there are some great programmes around...

[Dirk]

Couldn't care less. I hate TV.