So I owned a Panasonic ZT plasma for a bit. Things looked just awesome. But then there was IR. It scared the shit out of me, and I became afraid of actually using the device for pretty much anything. Perhaps my fear was, and is irrational - but I had some chat with the dealer and I'm in the progress of returning it and getting a refund. So that's my first experience with plasma, and probably the last for a bit.
Now I'm thinking of something else. Or rather, something familiar - the return to LCD. It comes with obvious drawbacks. For the time being, I'm using a sibling's 'left-over' 32'' bedroom telly, which plainly shows all the cons of aforementioned display technology: Shallow blacks, terrible viewing angles, awful screen uniformity, clouding and a bit of blooming - the kind of things that can kill the experience of watching a movie in the dark.
Granted, this is an old TV - a fresh Samsung from 2009 and even then it wasn't exactly top of the line. And to be honest, I don't recall these issues being as prevalent with my last 'big' TV that was a 46'' Samsung D8000. But enough about my old displays. I'm looking for a new one. With plasma being off the table for the time being, despite it's superior general IQ, all roads seem to lead to Sony's W905. I wish I could see the TV live for myself before dishing money out for one, but reviews seem positive, especially with the heavy gaming use.
Besides that, I was also looking at some projectors. However, given the space I have to work with (which is plentiful, but very open) the Sony HW50ES I was looking at doesn't seem like a viable option for my living room.
So I'm leaning towards the W905 in 55''. I already read about the viewing angles being shite to say to least, so I'm more curious about the screen uniformity. When I had that 46'' Samsung, I read that panels were hit and miss. Mine wasn't perfect, but from what I understand, it wasn't exactly borderline worst. So if anyone's got one of those Sony's, I'd like a few words. Or a picture - although those rarely show issues like clouding as they actually appear.
On the other hand, I'm looking at a big pile in refund. I could blow that same amount I spent on ZT without any initial regrets on any other high-end display in the price range, or just push the button on the Sony (which actually comes with a 500GB PS3, which I guess is kind of neat. Better for all those PS+ games I have to constantly make room for) and save a few. Towards a new PC next year, or something. It's a shame the W905 goes only as high as 55''. I'd really like something 60'' (because I'd hate to move backwards) or slightly above the mark.
This was a long one. /rant