HDTV suggestions

[Corey Balint]

Hey All,
I need some help. I'm looking to purchase an HDTV over the summer and I am looking for suggestions on brands to look at. I've browsed around review websites and company websites, but I want to get some posters opinions on TV's they have, have used, or have watched.

Here are some random tidbits of information about my wants/usage.
Wants:
40+ inch, maybe a 36...but 40+ is more preferred.
LCD, I don't want a Plasma. 'Nuff said.
1080p, I know the whole "a human couldn't tell the difference line" but still..might as well.
Less than $1,500 (this is going to be hard to do, I know)

Uses:
General TV watching
Watching sporting events...80% of my TV usage (aside from games) is sports related
Xbox 360 (I've got a 20 inch screen tube tv now...and if I play any sports game (again, most of what I play) it comes out fuzzy and just isn't as fun as it could be)

That is really it I think. I plan on getting a DVR at some point and possibly a better audio setup...but those aren't big concerns as it stands.

I plan on waiting at least a month or two as well. I know their are massive price cuts occurring soon so I will be holding off at least a little bit.

Any help/suggestions would be awesome. Thanks

[Jeff Rodriguez]

I've seen a few Visios, both plasma and LCD and they're both very good. The price point Visios have makes them a very good choice.
Whatever TV you do get, spend a little money and get a calibration DVD. I've used this one and it made a real difference.

[Corey Balint]

Originally Posted by Jeff Rodriguez

I've seen a few Visios, both plasma and LCD and they're both very good. The price point Visios have makes them a very good choice.
Whatever TV you do get, spend a little money and get a calibration DVD. I've used this one and it made a real difference.

How did I know you would be one of the first to post on this Jeff.

Yeah, I've been looking at Vizio's already but I've had some people tell me not to look too deeply into them. However, the price is very reasonable and right now, it is my #1 choice due to the relative cheapness and just solid looks.
The calibration DVD is a good idea as well. I was planning on something of that nature. My family just got a 52" Sony Bravia and had some calibration issues that they had Best Buy or someone come out and fix it (I've got no idea really what they did, but they had someone come out I know.)

[MrForbes]

I've been looking at them too, although we don't really need one...since we have a couple 42" projection TVs we got for free recently (I sort of fixed one, and the other works but has some wierd blue lines across the screen that are sometimes bothersome).

Looks to me like the smaller sets that you can get 1080P you pay a premium for that, and it's not worth the extra money.

Also do some research into the remote control, apparently some sets don't let you easily change aspect ratio (zoom, or crop, or whatever it's called) without going into a setup menu. That would drive me nuts.

I would treat this purchase like buying a computer...don't spend too much money, because in a year the high dollar set you bought will be available for half what you paid for it....that bugs me....

Also on the calibration thing, if you search the forums on home theaters you can usually find people who've tweaked the set and they offer suggestions on how to do it.

[Jeff Rodriguez]

Originally Posted by squirrel

Also do some research into the remote control, apparently some sets don't let you easily change aspect ratio (zoom, or crop, or whatever it's called) without going into a setup menu. That would drive me nuts.

I highly recommend the Logitech Harmony remotes. They are super simple to setup and allow all sorts of customization. If the menu system is bad, the Harmonies allow you to create macro functions to do multiple things with one button push.
I have the Harmony 550 and love it.

[Ashley Weed]

Well, in terms of technology I guess mine is old now.

If you consider a Vizio... consider an executive Costco Membership (or find someone who has one) and reap the cashback rewards.

I have a 32" Olevia.... that I paid $350 for in 2006 in a Black Friday Frenzy. I think the HD channels (that I pawn off of Comcast through my tuner) are outstanding.

I can say that I have notice that p does make a difference, and over the summer, you will be seeing fluctuations as even newer technologies replace and advance p.

[Corey Balint]

Originally Posted by Ashley Weed

Well, in terms of technology I guess mine is old now.

If you consider a Vizio... consider an executive Costco Membership (or find someone who has one) and reap the cashback rewards.

I have a 32" Olevia.... that I paid $350 for in 2006 in a Black Friday Frenzy. I think the HD channels (that I pawn off of Comcast through my tuner) are outstanding.

I can say that I have notice that p does make a difference, and over the summer, you will be seeing fluctuations as even newer technologies replace and advance p.

Cashback rewards? Hmmmm. This is something I haven't thought of. I did think that if I were to get a Vizio to get it from Costco. I'll have to look into that now.

[Joe Matt]

My room mate picked up the 32" Vizion and we're in love with it. No complaints.

THOUGH I want to say unless you are getting that 42" or higher display, there's no point to 1080p, and most TVs won't come with it if you go under.

[Corey Balint]

Originally Posted by Joe Matt

My room mate picked up the 32" Vizion and we're in love with it. No complaints.

THOUGH I want to say unless you are getting that 42" or higher display, there's no point to 1080p, and most TVs won't come with it if you go under.

I'm going 42 or 47. I definitely won't go below 42.

[Kyle]

I am watching my 40' 1080p Vizio right now and I love it. I paid about $650 for it a few months ago at bestbuy.com on a sale. i love this t.v It has 2 HDMI ports and everything else you need to hook up multiple game systems.

[Jeff Waegelin]

I bought a 42" 1080p LG about 3 months ago, and I've been loving it. I got it on sale at Circuit City for about $1200. If you're not set on one particular make or model, you can usually find one or two that have a great deal going at any point in time. Just find out what the current promotions are, do your research, and if it sounds like a good deal, go for it. Otherwise, if you're not in a hurry, you can wait until one you do like comes on sale. They bring out new models all the time, so you can probably catch a good deal on something that's being phased out.

One key thing to keep in mind is the size of the room - you don't want it to be so large that it overwhelms the room, and you also don't want to be sitting so close that you don't get a good view of it all. I've got a pretty decently sized living room, and my 42" is about the largest that would comfortably fit. If I'd gone up to the 46", it likely would have been too big for the room.

[Madison]

I'll probably be buying an HDTV soon, as well, as I'm tired of trying to see the ridiculously tiny text on many XBox 360 games. I have a 32" TV right now and will probably end up with an HDTV that's about the that size -- or maybe 37" or so. If I go much larger than that, I'll run out of walls large enough to accomodate the TV.

I've been curious what effect the switch from a 4:3 aspect ratio to widescreen makes, though, in perceived viewing area. Regular TV shows will appear smaller on a 32" widescreen TV than on my TV, but is that difference really noticeable?

[Tim Delles]

Corey,

If you are looking for the best quality tv (i.e. sharper image, longer life, etc.) i'd stick with the following brands:

Samsung
Panasonic
Sony

These are the top 3. They are a bit higher in price than the rest of them, but i'd say spending an extra $100 would be worth it. And remember you only get the most basic cables when buying a tv, so you will have to get the HD cables etc.

Right now you can get the following for under $1500

Samsung 42" $1100 - only 720p however.


Samsung 32" $1000 - 1020p.


Panasonic 42" $1400 - 1020p


Sony 40" - $1150 - 720p only


Sony 40" - $1400 - 1020p

* I use the Circuit City Website simply because i have worked their and know it the best.*

I would suggest looking around stores such as Best Buys, Circuit City, and the manufacturer's websites as well to see where you can get the best price once you figure out the TV you would like.

I'd also recommend not only getting a set of HD cables, but also getting an extended protection plan. (i know i sound like i still work for them). But in all honesty the number's of tv's that we would have people come in and talk to us about that had broken say a year or 2 after they got it was amazing. (most manufacturer's protections plans only cover 3 - 6 months on TV's)

Good luck and let me know if you need anything else.

[Tapoore]

Originally Posted by Tim Delles

I'd also recommend not only getting a set of HD cables, but also getting an extended protection plan. (i know i sound like i still work for them). But in all honesty the number's of tv's that we would have people come in and talk to us about that had broken say a year or 2 after they got it was amazing. (most manufacturer's protections plans only cover 3 - 6 months on TV's)

Good luck and let me know if you need anything else.

Also, if you do buy some HD cables, don't go for the expensive cables they sell in the store as they are incredibly overpriced. Just look for some cheap cables online... you really won't see the difference between them.

[whytheheckme]

I just bought this:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...E=WEBLET03SHIP

and installed it this morning.

47" 1080ip LCD for $1100 bux, can't beat that.

And don't be scared by the Olevia name.... It's really an LG panel inside.

It looks STUNNING.

Plus, this is a glass front, which provides better color, and more scratch resistance.

-Jacob

EDIT: Yes, I misquoted. It's listed at 1080p, not 1080i