Quote Originally Posted by Woochifer
Another issue to consider is how good the picture can look using only the user-accessible controls. All TVs benefit with a calibration DVD, and all TVs benefit from professional calibration, but some TVs need the professional calibration more than others, while others can look almost as good using just the user-accessible settings. This might be something to take over to the AVS Forum, since they got some guys there who have experience with ISF calibration.
I won't be wall mounting so that's a non-issue. Where I'm going to put my massive center channel OTOH, is a big consideration and one that favors the big cabinets of crt rptv's to place it on. There are only two issues I have with crt rptv's, and you hit both of them: Off axis viewing and calibration. Because of the idiotic layout of my lr, the fireplace is smack dab in the center of the wall with a niche to the left of it where the tv goes. This forces you to watch about 3-5' right of the screen. This isn't a big deal with my current set-up because the I can swivel the TV on it's base. I won't be able to do this with a bigscreen.

Calibration is the other big factor. I love Hitachi TV's and would lean towards one of their big screen offerings but have read horror stories in TPV about how they are completely out of whack straight out of the factory and an ISF calibration is mandatory. I've also heard getting a qualified ISF guy to do it, especially in the middle of Podunk, USA where I live, can run $800-$1,000(!). WTF?!? You lay out $3-4K for a tv and then another $1K to make it work right??? That's just wrong. Correct me if I'm wrong, but fixed pixel displays don't need to be calibrated in the same manner that crt rptv's do, right? I'm thinking I can get away with a S&V disc to dial it in. Tell me if I'm mistaken.