I need a new TV!

[mcbush25]

I need some opinions from the masses.

Hey everyone,

Well, with Christmas come and gone I am looking at getting a new TV for the house. I don't necessarily want anything too big as right now I am looking at something in the 32" range, but not saying I wouldn't go bigger if I found a good deal. I want an HDTV-ready TV. The thing is with all the TV's now I am not sure what is right for me. The TV will be used for gaming as the Xbox 360 will be hooked (which is one reason for the HDTV not to mention the HDTV itself). I really don't want to spend a fortune, but I want a quality TV. Where I need help is figuring out which brands out there would be the best for me and which type of TV (LCD, Plasma, etc.). So give me some ideas everyone. Thanks in advance.

C.J.

[idrive400yards]

I have the dell 32in. LCD HDTV and enjoy it emencly, it was $1350 shipped with no interest for 1yr. great tv, the only draw back is to having to switch inputs, but that can be taken care of with their universal remote for 250.00. It can also be used as a pc monitor! It's just as thin as a plasma without the worry of screen burn in!

[Putt4doh]

Hey everyone,

 

Well, with Christmas come and gone I am looking at getting a new TV for the house. I don't necessarily want anything too big as right now I am looking at something in the 32" range, but not saying I wouldn't go bigger if I found a good deal. I want an HDTV-ready TV. The thing is with all the TV's now I am not sure what is right for me. The TV will be used for gaming as the Xbox 360 will be hooked (which is one reason for the HDTV not to mention the HDTV itself). I really don't want to spend a fortune, but I want a quality TV. Where I need help is figuring out which brands out there would be the best for me and which type of TV (LCD, Plasma, etc.). So give me some ideas everyone. Thanks in advance.

 

C.J.

 

 

Hmmmm? Where to start?

 

I'm assuming you'll want to watch HD programing as well as take advantage of Xbox 360 in HD. So with that in mind, I would start looking at TV's that have HDMI inputs.

 

This means 2 things:

 

First, HDMI is the 'next' medium for transfering a video signal and will provide you the finest quality video signal. This is the closest thing to future-proofing your purchase. The newest round of HD DVD players will do HDMI to give you the best possible picture.

 

Secondly, if a TV accepts HDMI, generally speaking, it's 1080p capable which will bring you approx 1900x1200 lines of resolution. Again, as close to future proofing as you can get in TV's, home theater, etc.

 

With HDMI in mind, you'll be looking exclusively at a DLP (rear projection), plasma, or LCD. If money is no object and you are 'space conscious' go with the LCD. It just doesn't get much better than LCD.

 

If you have a little more room, and are trying to save a buck or two, you can go DLP. You'll get almost all the quality of LCD in a larger package w/o the price tag.

 

 

Now, if you're out shopping and looking at TV's---they'll all look good, especially in 1080p. So take a few of your favorite movies and have the sales guy pop 'em in. If he can't do that, move on. But once he does, pay special attention to how the TV represents black and white:

 

Are the blacks, black? Or gray?

 

Are the whites, white? Or silver or brownish?

 

How do the black and whites look when next to each other? Does one color 'bleed' into the other?

 

Once you've narrowed it down based on blacks and white, check out the other colors in the same way.

 

Just like the golf equipment, TV's and home theater gear is quite unique to the end user. One persons most beautiful TV, or sonically perfect speakers are another man's crapola. So go judge for yourself.

 

Enjoy!

[mcbush25]

Thanks for all the help so far. If anyone has any more suggestions please let them be known.

 

Another question I have is regarding the DLP and LCD. I had already pretty much eliminated Plasma due to burn in. The one consideration I have for the DLP is viewing. Is the DLP a projection TV which will be hard to see from all angles and with LCD is it pretty much viewable from all angles? Thanks.

 

C.J.

[mcbush25]

I found a couple of DLP TV's. Tell me what you think about these.....

 

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?...UseBVCookie=Yes

 

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?...UseBVCookie=Yes

 

Let me know what you think....

 

C.J.

[Putt4doh]

Thanks for all the help so far. If anyone has any more suggestions please let them be known.

 

Another question I have is regarding the DLP and LCD. I had already pretty much eliminated Plasma due to burn in. The one consideration I have for the DLP is viewing. Is the DLP a projection TV which will be hard to see from all angles and with LCD is it pretty much viewable from all angles? Thanks.

 

C.J.

 

 

The answer to question regarding DLP and viewing angle is going to be specific the set. Check the specs, then go take a look for yourself. Generally speaking, the more $ you spend, the better the picture, larger viewing area, better picture in ambient light, etc.

[acrazygolfer]

The standatd 720p/1080i HDTV is being replaced by 1080p. You can get a 37 inch HDTV ready w/HDMI 1080i for less than $1,000 by manufacturer such as Vizio (Sam's Club, Costco), etc. At the rate technology is progressing a $2,000 TV to day will be less than $1,500 in a few months.

 

Why 1080p is theoretically better than 1080i? 1080i, the former king of the HDTV hill, actually boasts an identical 1,920x1,080 resolution but conveys the images in an interlaced format (the i in 1080i). In a tube-based television, otherwise known as a CRT, 1080i sources get "painted" on the screen sequentially: the odd-numbered lines of resolution appear on your screen first, followed by the even-numbered lines--all within 1/30 of a second. Progressive-scan formats such as 480p, 720p, and 1080p convey all of the lines of resolution sequentially in a single pass, which makes for a smoother, cleaner image, especially with sports and other motion-intensive content. As opposed to tubes, microdisplays (DLP, LCoS, and LCD rear-projection) and other fixed-pixel TVs, including plasma and LCD flat-panel, are inherently progressive in nature, so when the incoming source is interlaced, as 1080i is, they convert it to progressive scan for display.

 

Also note that you'd need HD source and high quality cable to get the most out of the LCD HDTV. A quality cable can run $100+. For best video quality, used HDMI instead of RCA (3-prong) cable.

[Gxgolfer]

Alot of people seem to be happy with Samsung. Go with the biggest size you can afford. It can never be "too" big. Wait till the week of the Superbowl for the best deals. Also, buying through costco isn't a bad way to go considering there 1 year exchange policy.

[mcbush25]

Thanks a lot everyone this information is very helpful. Keep the siggestions and ideas coming.

 

C.J.

[kewltubes]

We just purchased a Dell HDTV LCD 32". Can't wait till it gets here! We'll have a great TV for the Super Bowl!!!!

[parpar41]

LCD is now the best way to go.

 

avoid projection TVs, even the newest slimmer ones.

 

Once you look at the picture on a projection TV in the store next to a plasma or an LCD screen , you will quickly see that projection TV's are now obsolete.

[vsproto]

samsung 47 dlp - hype. great for xbox - better than lcd.

[alcap26]

I have the Samsung you have linked and it is fantastic. Good luck in your search.

[Bobcat43]

I completely agree with the Samsung take. I've purchased 2 in the last year and they are fantastic. Stay away from Plasma. LCD is great for a wall mount (get a good one so you don't get the screendoor effect). But for the $$$ DLP projection at the 1080p level is amazing and easily affordable. Get the extended warranty (I never buy them on anything) since the lamp will need to be replaced in 2 years. Check online sources like www.onecall.com, etc. Good luck.

[ToddGsell]

The answer to question regarding DLP and viewing angle is going to be specific the set. Check the specs, then go take a look for yourself. Generally speaking, the more $ you spend, the better the picture, larger viewing area, better picture in ambient light, etc.

 

Yes, before you drop the money make sure you can see the TV in person. There's such a broad range of quality and prices that you owe it to yourself to do this.

I ended up buying an LCD as opposed to a plasma screen. One tip that I picked up from a salesman when I was shopping for LCDs is to stand off to the side of the tv when it is turned ON to a blank screen. Some TV's will look bluish compared to others. Go for one that looks as close to black as possible. This will help you find a tv that can better display the contrast between light to dark. You'll notice that in stores they generally put on bright, outdoor scenes (hot air balloons, downhill skiing, etc...), but viewing a night scene will really expose a display's weakness--and last time I checked Jack Bauer never took down a terrorist in a hot air balloon, so a TV that can handle darker scenes was a must in our house.

Also, tweaking the settings on a TV could improve its appearance, so while you're in the store try adjusting the display qualities on the models you're considering (but keep in mind that the lighting in your home is very different from a retailer's).

 

I've owned a Sharp Aquos for just under 1 year now and it's never given me any problems. The picture is great and the sound from the speakers is stunningly good--we usually don't bother turning on the external speakers. My parents also recently purchased one from the same line, and it's been hassle free for them.

 

That being said, my father-in-law purchased a "no-name" brand for a great price right before Thanksgiving, and he's been happy with his as well.

 

Do your homework and then give us a review of what you pick up.

[banistr]

I have the 60" SONY SXRD (LCD projection) and it was hands down the best picture out there last summer when I bought it. And just a little FYI J&R music WORLD will usually beat any advertised price out there. JR.COM

[scs1070]

I have a Samsung DLP. If you put them all side-by-side (Plasma, DLP. LCD) plasma is the best picture, then DLP then LCD. LCD is going be the most cost effective way to go.

 

The best way to go is to see them all side by side and figure out what means the most to you and get the best bang for your buck. Pioneer make the best Plasma out there.....I think my Samsung is a good price for the tecnolgy. Sony make a good Quality LCD. I also like the Mitsu's lot too.

 

Make sure you get the extended warrenty. The lamp will go out and it will cost you 500 + to fix.

[kewltubes]

We just got our 32" LCD HDTV yesterday and we hooked it up and watched TV last night. We love it!!!!!!!!

[AUDuffer]

We have a Sony Bravia 32" LCD and it's pretty awesome. Had a 65" Mitsubishi and it was an awesome TV as well but wouldn't fit past the entry of our townhouse. If you're going to go HDMI and you buy the cable be sure to check the HD cable box you have. If it doesn't have the HDMI input you're SOL unless you buy the HDMI cable that has the adapter on the cable box end.

[strohs]

I have a Samsung DLP. If you put them all side-by-side (Plasma, DLP. LCD) plasma is the best picture, then DLP then LCD. LCD is going be the most cost effective way to go.

 

 

Dont agree there

Plasma has the best color, but DLP, IMHO, is quite far behind LCD in picture quality.