Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide.

 I am purchasing a BeoSystem 3 but have been heavily debating pairing it with the BV4-50 versus a non-B&O HDTV.  The non-B&O products I'm considering are the 46" Samsung LN-T4665F LCD and the 50" Panasonic Elite FHD-1 Plasma.  Video sources will be HD cable, blu-ray DVD and AppleTV.

 I'm clear on the advantages of the BV in terms of complete integration, but it only offers (currently) a 720p resolution, and both of the other brands are 1080p.

 Does any body have any practical and real world advice on how much picture quality difference I would experience between the 720p B&O versus the 1080p non-B&O TV's, given my video sources?  Seating is about 8 feet (2.4 meters) from the screen.

I'm also wondering if getting a 1080p TV is a smarter buy in terms of future proofing the system-- or is really not such a big issue.  I tend to replace my TV equipment about every 8-10 years.  (My current main TV is a BeoVision Avant 30" that I bought about 8+ years ago.)

Putting price into the mix, the Samsung is about US$3200, the Elite US$6500 and the 720p B&O about US$5000 (with the current US$4000 discount being offered by B&O to move out the 720p inventory.) I understand a 1080p B&O is coming out in the next few months, but will be priced in around US$8900-- more than I'd like to spend for the TV.

Thanks again for your opinions and advice.

 

Todd
 

 

Thanks, JK.  I agree with your comment about the projection TV's.  From what I've read and experienced, when sitting 9-10 feet away from a 50" plasma like the the B&O, the eye can't really distinguish the picture quality between a 720p or 1080p resolution. 

 

The picture quality I've seen so far on the Beovision 4-50 720p-- to my eye at least-- blows away the picture I've seen on other 1080p screens I've seen in my friends homes and in other stores. 

If you can afford it, buy it.

Skip the new car, dining out for a bit, vacations, etc. The picture quality is fantastic, and yes the system would be integrated with your Beo 4. No searching for 300 + remotes.

If you can't, consider a Monitor that Bang & Olufsen has codes for. A store representative can scroll using the  BSystem 3 etc and show you what monitor codes are available to you.

Also, contact Santiago on this forum, as he has had measurable success with Lintronic and using the Beo 4 with non-B&O equipment, including his PC as I recall.

You can also dine on Granola Bars too to save up, but do feed the kids a proper meal now and then.

Thanks Swiss 2!  I'm fortunate to have a wife that loves B&O as much as I do, so we're going for the BV 50".  Next decision is the BL7.1 versus pair of BL4000's as center channel.  I've posted this question elsewhere, but would love to hear opinions.  (Also, no kids to feed, so that's a big help!!!)