Anyone own a Tau?

I am looking in to purchasing a new T.V., and so far the Panasonic Tau (CT-34WX50) seems to offer what I need. I\'ve been to audioreview.com and have read other reviews as well, but still need some assurance before I commit  to the rather heafty price tag. So, if anyone owns this model any feedback would be appreciated.


Couldn\'t find a decent pic, but here is the set in question:


http://www.panasonic.ca/English/audiovideo/television/tau/ct34wx50.htm

That is a very nice set.  I just bought a 32" Wega but only because I couldn\'t afford a Tau.  I saw one close up and it easily blew away my set.  For a CRT television you can\'t really do much better than Panasonic\'s premiere line.

I see that you want a WS HDTV.  For the same amount of money you can get the new 50" or even 57" Toshiba HDTVs (50H81, 57H81).  They are RPTVs and don\'t look quite as good as a smaller CRT, but the bigger the better.  Unless of course you have space constraints.

If you do go with the Tau you won\'t be disappointed.

Thanks for your input.

Yeah, space and viewing distance is a major consideration for me; even the 40" Toshiba RP I was deliberating on was pushing it.

Now if I could only convince my G/F as to why I need this...

[videoholic]

FIrst off, where do you live?  You live in a good HD market?

Also, what\'s the price you are getting it for?  4400 msrp must put you in the upper 3\'s right?  I was at the shop te other day and they had some nice CRTs for 2800.  Man they are coming down nicely.  Don\'t forget that the price their is for the monitor only.  A tuner is another 500 bucks.

Don\'t buy it yet if you don\'t need to.  This is going to be a very strong Christmas season.  With the economy the way it is and with these companies hurting as bad as they are with the lack of sales on high end items, I would suggest waiting.  


Now, CRT vs RPTV..  CRT WINS HANDS DOWN!!!!!  RPTV, especially with HD has very limited viewing angles.  You will notice that when you go to Best Buy and Circuit city that a lot of the RPTVs are angled so you can see them better.  Move from left to right and especially up and down.  You can really see the brightness change.  CRTs, especially with HD truly kick ass.  I have front projection so my viewing andle is perfect even if you are directly under it.  I am thinking about getting a tv much like the one you are wanting for my main tv.  I only use my large screen for special event stuff.  

Good luck to you.  Any questions, just ask.

It\'s getting delivered tomorrow afternoon.

At present, our HD market is relatively meager, but I\'m looking towards the not-too-distant future for that fufilling aspect to improve significantly. Secondly, our apartment is oriented towards the North-East, so any satellite goodness is unfortately out of the question at the present time; stuck with dreadful digital cable *shudders*.

So it begs the question as to why the hell would I purchase such an expensive television (in CND $ btw) if I\'m only partially reaping it\'s rewards. Easy, my impulsive nature stomps out logic in the blink of an eye. Well, partially true, but i need a cinematic experince better than that of my present 27\' Wega, and I sure that it will slightly augment my future gaming experiences as well. Either way, I only stand to benefit in the long-run; the fianancial "hip-check" is relatively short lived.

Must apologize for all the rationalizations, but I have been given the 3rd degree by my g/f.:rolleyes:

What\'s the long-and-the-short about getting an ISF tech to do calibrations? Is it expensive?

About $400 for an experienced ISF tech to calibrate an RPTV.  Not sure about a CRT.

The ISF site has a search page to find an ISF certified tech near you.  The name buzzing around the internet community for a good ISF technician is Michael TLV who runs a great TV tweaking site- Keohi.  Here\'s an informative thread over at HTF from one of his customers.

Man oh man I\'m (sorta) glad I don\'t have a significant other yet.  From what EVERYONE talks about, it really hinders your HT addiction, er....  hobby.

Thanks for the links; will read tomorrow when I\'m a touch more alert. Yeah, I have gone to the ISF site before and now have a rough idea of with whom to contact in my area.

Man oh man I\'m (sorta) glad I don\'t have a significant other yet.  From what EVERYONE talks about, it really hinders your HT addiction, er....  hobby. [/B]

he he he, I have had many "Why do you need "X", when you already have a pertfectly good "Y" discussions. Don\'t worry, someday you too will be well versed in the "I need" rationalization/defense mechanisms.

[videoholic]

I may have to side with your girlfriend on this one.  If you have no benefit, then the longer you wait the better.  Are you in Canada?  Express Vu has some HD on it.  Too bad you can\'t get it.  Nice set though none the less.  I wouldn\'t think you would need a brand new tube tv calibrated, would you?