OFFICIAL NFL Week by Week Thread:

[Enigma869]

DAL @ NO - ***UPSET ALERT*** I can't believe that I'm picking Dallas to win anything in December, but I say they win this one by a field goal.

REALLY, John?!?!?

Yes, really. Honestly, this has been one of my easiest predictions the entire season. I also said a couple of weeks back that New Orleans would lose at least one game and that I would be shocked if the Colts lost. The Colts have two layup games remaining and I just don't see them losing.

[Enigma869]

Reggie Bush injured again...How unusual!

[Ehwmatt]

Kudos to NFL.com for excellent streaming... first time I've watched a game on the site.

[Don]

Romo is Jeff George 2.0. He can be brilliant at times and turn around a play later to become a dunce, relying on his arm strength rather than his brains.

[Enigma869]

Kudos to NFL.com for excellent streaming... first time I've watched a game on the site.

I always watch it on the site, because I refuse to pay for an entire package just to get the NFL Channel. I'd certainly prefer to watch it on the big plasma, but you're right, it's fairly decent streaming so it does the trick.

[Ehwmatt]

Kudos to NFL.com for excellent streaming... first time I've watched a game on the site.

I always watch it on the site, because I refuse to pay for an entire package just to get the NFL Channel. I'd certainly prefer to watch it on the big plasma, but you're right, it's fairly decent streaming so it does the trick.

got my lappy hooked up to the 50" via HDMI... not bad at all!

[S2M]

Kudos to NFL.com for excellent streaming... first time I've watched a game on the site.

I always watch it on the site, because I refuse to pay for an entire package just to get the NFL Channel. I'd certainly prefer to watch it on the big plasma, but you're right, it's fairly decent streaming so it does the trick.

Plasma?

Go LED, you'll never go back.

[Enigma869]

Romo is Jeff George 2.0. He can be brilliant at times and turn around a play later to become a dunce, relying on his arm strength rather than his brains.

Not a bad analogy, but I saw Jeff George play a whole lot and he was a much better passer than Romo is. I honestly don't get the fascination with Romo, at all. The reality is that this guy gets a fuckload of attention for a guy who has NEVER, EVER, EVER accomplished a damn thing in the NFL.

[Ehwmatt]

Kudos to NFL.com for excellent streaming... first time I've watched a game on the site.

I always watch it on the site, because I refuse to pay for an entire package just to get the NFL Channel. I'd certainly prefer to watch it on the big plasma, but you're right, it's fairly decent streaming so it does the trick.

Plasma?

Go LED, you'll never go back.

I haven't had much viewing time with an LED yet, but I will say, I much prefer the newer plasmas over the LCDs even though they are really phasing plasmas out... I just don't like the matte gloss finish on LCDs that much. I really find a great plasma TV gives me a lot more vibrancy and of course the deeper blacks.

[Enigma869]

Plasma?

Go LED, you'll never go back.

I'm a plasma diehard! Are you referring to the new LED sets or did you mean LCD? For the record, I have a 60 inch Pioneer Elite plasma (and endless LCD's throughout the house), and I've yet to find ANYTHING that comes close to touching the picture quality on the Elite.

[S2M]

Plasma?

Go LED, you'll never go back.

I'm a plasma diehard! Are you referring to the new LED sets or did you mean LCD? For the record, I have a 60 inch Pioneer Elite plasma (and endless LCD's throughout the house), and I've yet to find ANYTHING that comes close to touching the picture quality on the Elite.

Until you get that dreaded Plasma screen burn.

I'll keep my 55" Samsung LCD.....I'm not into the 'Best'. So let's not squabble over minutiae. plasmas are being phased out, like matt said....and LEDs will be the next big thing. I'll keep my LCD though.

[Enigma869]

I much prefer the newer plasmas over the LCDs even though they are really phasing plasmas out... I just don't like the matte gloss finish on LCDs that much. I really find a great plasma TV gives me a lot more vibrancy and of course the deeper blacks.

Spot on dude. Plasmas are definitely going the way of the dinosaur, but I agree with you wholeheartedly. The best LCD on the market doesn't come close to touching the quality of the upper end plasma displays. It's honestly not close (and I own far more LCD's than plasmas). The "burn-in" issue you hear people talk about with plasmas was always overblown and hasn't existed in over 5 years. The only legitimate criticism of a plasma display is that they don't do well in a room flooded with ambient light. That said, it's precisely why I don't like LCD. The artificial brightness on LCD's simply ruins the picture quality.

[Enigma869]

Until you get that dreaded Plasma screen burn.

Sorry dude...you know NOTHING about plasmas. I'm a home theater JUNKIE and probably know more about the subject than I should. Burn-in on plasmas was an issue for the first two or three years of the technology. I know a gazillion people with plasma displays and have never met one single person who has ever had this issue. Not to mention...You shouldn't pause any static image on ANY display and walk away for three hours. I've owned more than 5 plasmas in my life and even with the less expensive ones, have never had any issues as it relates to "burn-in".

[Don]

Plasma?

Go LED, you'll never go back.

I'm a plasma diehard! Are you referring to the new LED sets or did you mean LCD? For the record, I have a 60 inch Pioneer Elite plasma (and endless LCD's throughout the house), and I've yet to find ANYTHING that comes close to touching the picture quality on the Elite.

The LEDs are just LCDs with new diode backlighting instead of the previous flourescent lighting. This helps to enhance the blacks but it still suffers a little from motion blurring though color bleeding has been almost eliminated. A new Plasma is still a better machine over an LED set. Plasma issues like the screen burn are really things of the past. The LEDs are lighter and use a little less power but at this advanced state that's about the only thing they have over Newer plasmas.

[S2M]

Until you get that dreaded Plasma screen burn.

Sorry dude...you know NOTHING about plasmas. I'm a home theater JUNKIE and probably know more about the subject than I should. Burn-in on plasmas was an issue for the first two or three years of the technology. I know a gazillion people with plasma displays and have never met one single person who has ever had this issue. Not to mention...You shouldn't pause any static image on ANY display and walk away for three hours. I've owned more than 5 plasmas in my life and even with the less expensive ones, have never had any issues as it relates to "burn-in".

John

Please do not tell me what I do, or do not know.

One question: If plasmas are so damn awesome, why are they being phased out?

[Don]

Plasmas aren't being phased out.They are being replaced with ones that sport better HDTV converters. You see more LCDs out there because a lot of people don't understand the difference between 720 and 1080p. People not knowing any better are snatching up the 720s because to them it seems like they are getting a bargain

[Enigma869]

John

Please do not tell me what I do, or do not know.

Too late...I already did!

One question: If plasmas are so damn awesome, why are they being phased out?

Not too difficult to figure out, genius. It Economics 101...Supply and demand! LCD's sell FAR more than plasmas sell, which is why most companies have ceased manufacturing plasma displays. That doesn't mean that LCD technology is superior, because it's not close. I promise you that even if you dig, you won't find a single home theater expert (and I'm referring to those in the industry, and those who work for home theater magazines) anywhere who will tell you that LCD displays are superior to plasma displays. LCD's have certainly made progress in the motion blur department (although some of them still really suck for watching sports on), but I promise you that if you put the best LCD display that money can buy directly next to the best plasma display that money can buy, the plasma will eat it for lunch 100 out of 100 times.

[Enigma869]

Enough of this home theater talk. I do all I need to do on the AV forums I visit. Let's go Cowboys, let's go!!!!!!

[Ehwmatt]

Enough of this home theater talk. I do all I need to do on the AV forums I visit. Let's go Cowboys, let's go!!!!!!

Well, before we finish it, a few things to agree/follow up on:

1. My dad bought a Pioneer Elite 50" when the technology was pretty much brand new - AWESOME quality. Totally with you there, I haven't seen one thing come close to it. Unfortunately, last I heard, Pioneer wasn't going to be making TVs any more... sucks.

2. Burn-in is a giant joke of a myth at this point. I've played videogames with static menus and everything, never had a single problem with burn in or even temporary ghosting for a few hours.

3. I own an LCD tv and a Plasma TV and my parents own a couple LCDs. They have a 37" Sharp AQUOS that is really a pretty nice TV. But, when you spend a few days watching it and then compare it to the Pioneer, it's just night and day.

4. Part of the reason plasma is getting phased out is because they can't/don't make them in "bedroom" or "budget" sizes like LCD makers can/do... what's the deal there? Too expensive once you go below a smaller screen size or what? But, at any rate, there is still a much bigger market for 19-32" TVs. A lot of people aren't interested in paying the extra bucks or even have the requisite space to put a bigger TV in their homes. It's easy to forget that when many of us sports/tv buffs make DAMN SURE we have room for the obligatory big-screen sports/movie room. Also, as GB said, people are dumb and don't investigate big purchases, so they jump at the opportunity to "save" $100-200 by buying a 720p LCD without understanding the ramifications of doing so...

[Don]

Pioneer isn't going anywhere. As long as they are around, plasma will be around, even if they're the only one selling it.

[Ehwmatt]

Pioneer isn't going anywhere. As long as they are around, plasma will be around, even if they're the only one selling it.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10162515-1.html

It's a rumor no more: Pioneer has confirmed that it's exiting the TV business.

The Japanese manufacturer announced that it will stop producing TVs by March 2010, and instead focus on its existing car electronics and home audio-video lines. The company expects to slash 10,000 jobs (6,000 full-time, 4,000 part-time) as a result.

To date, the company's Kuro line of HDTVs were widely regarded as the best-in-class plasma displays available--check out CNET's review of the Pioneer Elite Kuro PRO-111FD, for example.

The Pioneer announcement comes just hours after Vizio announced that it would stop producing plasmas and focus solely on LCD panels instead. The departure of Pioneer and Vizio from the market leaves just three major manufacturers producing plasma TVs: Panasonic, LG, and Samsung.

[Ehwmatt]

Whoa boy, 24-17 Saints.... comeback city on the way.

[Enigma869]

Cowboys going into the tank. UNREAL! This team fucking BLOWS. If they don't score on this next drive, they're DONE!

[Ehwmatt]

Cowboys going into the tank. UNREAL! This team fucking BLOWS. If they don't score on this next drive, they're DONE!

lol John, the "Fraud Boys" lettin ya down!

[Enigma869]

lol John, the "Fraud Boys" lettin ya down!

Only because I haven't been more sure about a single pick this entire season. I think you know that I despise the Fraud Boys. They are truly a pathetic team with a pathetic coach and a pathetic owner. Oh, and I don't care much for their fans either

[Enigma869]

How the fuck does Folk have a fucking job? My wife could have made that fucking kick!

[Ehwmatt]

How the fuck does Folk have a fucking job? My wife could have made that fucking kick!

Wow, unbelievable. lol.

[Don]

Pioneer isn't going anywhere. As long as they are around, plasma will be around, even if they're the only one selling it.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10162515-1.html

It's a rumor no more: Pioneer has confirmed that it's exiting the TV business.

The Japanese manufacturer announced that it will stop producing TVs by March 2010, and instead focus on its existing car electronics and home audio-video lines. The company expects to slash 10,000 jobs (6,000 full-time, 4,000 part-time) as a result.

To date, the company's Kuro line of HDTVs were widely regarded as the best-in-class plasma displays available--check out CNET's review of the Pioneer Elite Kuro PRO-111FD, for example.

The Pioneer announcement comes just hours after Vizio announced that it would stop producing plasmas and focus solely on LCD panels instead. The departure of Pioneer and Vizio from the market leaves just three major manufacturers producing plasma TVs: Panasonic, LG, and Samsung.

Well, that shuts me up.

[Enigma869]

See ya Saints. At least one of my predictions this week will be correct

[Ehwmatt]

Well, that shuts me up.

Hey, I didn't take any pleasure in doing so... that's a big blow to the TV market. I was lookin forward to buying myself one of those in a couple years... little outside my budget at the moment.