I'd agree that the rapidly changing world of technology as regards TV's makes the potential B&O purchase a contentious one - take for instance the just discontinued Beovision 8-40 at A$8,000.00 when one can get the likes of a HX929 Sony Bravia, or Panasonic VT30 for around the A$3k mark or less depending upon screen size and retail discounts.
I would far prefer to buy a B&O TV as an all round AV solution in the context of active B&O speakers, than an competing TV for which I will need to place a large centre channel box either underneath or above the TV, as well as left and right matching passive main speakers and the AV processor amplifier/receiver to drive them, and it's attendant 'rack' to hold it, from both a performance and especially aesthetic point of view.
However, when LG and Samsung are to introduce OLED sets on to the market later this year, which technology will obviate the various shortfalls of both LCD and plasma on a picture performance basis, one really does need something special in the B&O appeal beyond just design and aesthetics, to justify the price.
Simply put, the days when one kept a TV for a decade or more are gone, and with the advances in technology, my concern is that the expensive and lovely looking B&O TV will be outclassed in short order in sheer performance terms by the advances in screen technology from the mainstream manufactureres.
I accept there is no simple answer to this, as B&O are a small specialist company and cannot adapt to the changes in technology as fast as other manufacturers, and due production volumes and economies of scale, not to their pricing structures either.
As to the size of the screen, surely one would use the resource that B&O themselves provide as regards a chart for working out the optimum viewing distance, as regards resolution, or the similar chart found on FlatpanelsHD, or other home theatre sites.
The optimum in picture viewing is after all, a result of the viewer to screen distance, and the eyes effective field of view, and not the size of the screen per se.
If the picture appears small, then sit closer to the set....conversly sitting to close to a large LCD screen showing SD resolution will reveal the pixel structure, giving a less sharp, grainy result to the eyes, with commensurate eye strain and discomfort....
I dare not comment upon wallpaper... or chavs, having no experience of either....
Best Regards
John... ๐