TV Shoppin'

[chefchris]

Alright, let's assume I get this job. I get free cable with DirectTV. I haven't had cable in probably 5 years. Now I got the perfect spot on my wall where I want a big flat screen.




I'm gonna take down the pictures and mount it there.

I just wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions. I'm looking to spend around $700.

HD would be cool, I guess. I don't know much about it.

[DeeDubya]

Consider this:

LCD over plazma. They cost a little more but use about half the power, generate far less heat, do not degrade and have a replaceable back lamp.

Don't buy anything but 1080dpi HD. The trend is progressively moving totally to HD.

I like the split systems with a separate tuner box. The flat panel connects to the tuner box with a cable or two and all your components can wire to the box not the panel.

JMO

[bhands]

if your looking for a good deal i would check out craigslist.com and i would also suggest going for a LCD over the Plasma. the Plasma just dont last and the picture isnt all its cracked up to be. good luck.

[Mizicke5273]

Head on over to AVS Foumrs and read around abit. They have some great info there and great reviews.

I would first say decide what size you want. How far away are you going to be sitting?

As for brands, you cant really go wrong with Samsung, Panisonic, or Sony (especially their top of the line XBR series).

If your budget will be around $700, you will probably be able to get a nice 1080i Samsung or Panisonic LCD for that. I dont think there are any 1080P in the sub $1000 range.

You will probably want at least 2 HDMI inputs, although I think most come with at least that now. And far as HDMI cabels go, remember we are talkin about a digital signal, so that means every cable is created equal. No need to buy the expensive $100 HDMI cables, as they make no difference over the $15 HDMI cables.

You man also want to look at Newegg as they have some good prices and deals on LCDs. I bought my 32" Samsung from them last year and as always their service is hard to beat.

[WOXOF]

You can check out my 50 inch plasma on Thursday. You might be able to find a 42 inch plasma for around $700. I have a wall mount that isn't being used if you are interested.

[WOXOF]

Head on over to AVS Foumrs and read around abit. They have some great info there and great reviews.

I would first say decide what size you want. How far away are you going to be sitting?

As for brands, you cant really go wrong with Samsung, Panisonic, or Sony (especially their top of the line XBR series).

If your budget will be around $700, you will probably be able to get a nice 1080i Samsung or Panisonic LCD for that. I dont think there are any 1080P in the sub $1000 range.

You will probably want at least 2 HDMI inputs, although I think most come with at least that now. And far as HDMI cabels go, remember we are talkin about a digital signal, so that means every cable is created equal. No need to buy the expensive $100 HDMI cables, as they make no difference over the $15 HDMI cables.

You man also want to look at Newegg as they have some good prices and deals on LCDs. I bought my 32" Samsung from them last year and as always their service is hard to beat.

Good info. I don't think you need 1080p either on anything smaller than 50 in. I seriously doubt you could tell the difference unless you are sitting extremely close.

[The Korean]

Alright, I guess I'll go against the grain here. I personally don't have a LCD or Plasma tv, so maybe I am disqualified, but my best friend has a 42 inch plasma with the 1080 dpi. He was a diehard LCD fan, until he bought this tv, he compared the prices in relation to the picture, which he said was just the same if not better on the plasma. It was $800 cheaper, it life is not as long, but if you take the savings and take and consider the price to buy the same exact tv when it dies will be $800 or less, and assume that by the time that happens, you'll want the newest tech available, it is worth it. He said, unless you get a super huge tv, the picture or resolution makes only minimal difference, I took this for granted, as he is the type of person who go overboard with research or finding the best bang for the lowest buck. He and I are totally opposites, I simply go and buy what gets me turned on at that given moment.

[guado]

I'm all plasma. LCD is nice but Plasma IMO is superior to LCD in picture quality and more importantly being able to discern blacks/shadows/very dark scenes better IMO.

I have 2 50" Plasmas in the house and very happy I did not get LCD. My friends have them and they are nice just not plasma.

1080p is only different than 1080i if you are sitting closer than 5 feet to a 50"+(I think) screen or is the screen size is > 10-12" at normal vewing distances. I can't remember the exact dimenstions but it was a joke to spend an extra $500 just to get 1080p.

Keep in mind the wall mount cost. Buy them on ebay for CHEAP! The wall mounts for mine at bestbuy/circuit city were $300+ ebay had them for $140 SHIPPED. w00t...same brand too!


Oh yea, I don't think you should work for DirecTV. I mean you ARE calling their srevice cable and all....aren't they trying to get people to get RID of cable. ;)

[Mizicke5273]

I'm all plasma. LCD is nice but Plasma IMO is superior to LCD in picture quality and more importantly being able to discern blacks/shadows/very dark scenes better IMO.

I have 2 50" Plasmas in the house and very happy I did not get LCD. My friends have them and they are nice just not plasma.

1080p is only different than 1080i if you are sitting closer than 5 feet to a 50"+(I think) screen or is the screen size is > 10-12" at normal vewing distances. I can't remember the exact dimenstions but it was a joke to spend an extra $500 just to get 1080p.

Keep in mind the wall mount cost. Buy them on ebay for CHEAP! The wall mounts for mine at bestbuy/circuit city were $300+ ebay had them for $140 SHIPPED. w00t...same brand too!


Oh yea, I don't think you should work for DirecTV. I mean you ARE calling their srevice cable and all....aren't they trying to get people to get RID of cable. ;)

Ya, I wouldnt really worry about getting a 1080P set unless your getting something thats 40"+ and will be watching alot of Blu-ray or HD-DVD, as cable or satellite dont broadcast anything in 1080P yet and wont be for a long time.

As far as Plasma vs. LCD, both are very good and have their pros/cons. The best thing to do is pick something in your price/size range and then try and get to a store to see how it looks in person. Neither is truly better than the other, just in certain situations.

[chefchris]

I want to thank everyone for their advice in this thread.

I ended up getting the VIZIO 42" LCD. Sarah and I mounted it last night, which took forever. I will get some pictures up soon.

I hadn't had a cigar in a whole week!!! So I grabbed a Monte #4, a Cuba Libre and we watched Kids in the Halls 'Brain Candy'.

[BDurrani]

The VIZIO is a nice TV. LT recommends it.

[COMB2]

The VIZIO is a nice TV. LT recommends it.

I would of never guessed

[Mizicke5273]

Vizio is one of the best bang for buck tvs right now. They are very good for the price.

Now all you need is a PS3 to enjoy some BD goodness!

[BDurrani]

I would of never guessed

Wrong LT. Lawrence Taylor didn't have HDTV's when he was playing.