Gotta get an HDTV!
College football has begun and I MUST get a TV in here soon. Any recommendations?
UPDATE: Good comments coming in as I knew they would and I now know evough to put some criteria in place for what I think I need. The house has a custom area built for a TV, visible in the photo above to the right, and this restricts what I can do with a TV. Based on the size of this space and the size of the room I am leaning toward a 46 – 47" TV. The space for the TV is very restrictive as it’s in the far right of the room due to the fireplace occupying the center space where a TV would work best. We’ll have to live with that. The room has been pre-wired for surround-sound speakers but I’ll defer that due to costs until later. I’m trying to keep the budget between $1,000 – 1,500 which is also restrictive but that’s the way it is. So far what I’m hearing is that for plasma Panasonic is highly recommended and LCD is Samsung.
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Certified HD geek here.
If it’s just for casual viewing while on the laptop, go with a cheapy 32″ LCD from someone like Vizio. Don’t skimp on the brand to save some $$$ though. Vizio would be the only budget HDTV maker I’d suggest.
If it’s for more hardcore viewing, go with a plasma from either Samsung or Panasonic.
And obviously, make sure you have an HD box from your cable or satellite provider. Good luck shopping!
Before anyone can recommend something, it helps to know:
* Size restrictions
* Budget
Else we’ll just tell you to go buy 102″ Sony Bravia or 104″ Toshiba or whatever. :-)#
–woodstock
Before anyone can recommend something, it helps to know:
* Size restrictions
* Budget
Else we’ll just tell you to go buy 102″ Sony Bravia or 104″ Toshiba or whatever. :-)#
–woodstock
Go with the Samsung 7 Series, James.
Probably the best looking TV out on the market right now.
Full 1080p display. Will upconvert everything to 1080p to the best of it’s ability.
Make sure to lace it with a high quality HDMI cable, or you won’t get the full experience.
I have the latest Panasonic Plasma which I researched well and highly recommend over LCD.
I have a 46 inch , I wouldn’t recommend going any smaller , and I would recommend going bigger if you plan to stick it on a wall , as the further away you are the HD effect is lost to your eyes
There’s nothing like comparing models in store btw, try the panasonic plasmas compared to a Sony LCD (or Samsung) next to each other and you’ll clearly see Panasonic plasmas are best
panasonics all the way, I think they have the best color, depth, contrast and blacks. I would put sony next (today, not historically though) then sharp and samsung
We love out Sony KDL46XBR2. How far away you will be sitting will determine the screen size.
I really like my Vizio (22″ that also serves as a monitor) and intend to buy a larger one for my living room. Costco extends the warranty to 2 years and gives a lenient 60- or 90-day return policy.
+1 for Nathan & Travis
What?
-Screen Size Wanted
-Seating Distance
-Light Conditions
-Price Limit
I like my Sharp Aquos a lot. Very well rated and over the year or so we’ve had it it’s performed very well for all types of content
I just installed a DLP projector in my “Immobile Tech Manor”. It displays a variety of signals so I can can switch across desktop, laptop, TV, DVD, or video inputs.
If you are looking for a good price on an HDTV, keep an eye on woot.com and sellout.woot.com. They have HDTVs up there pretty frequently, and if you aren’t building a home theater, the TVs they put up are pretty good quality. I personally bought a 32″ HannSpree for $480, and my friend recently bought a 32″ Westinghouse for $430. Both pretty good TVs.
Make sure you get a TV with good response time, it is essentially for fast moving on screen object (such as sports games or video games). I wouldn’t go any higher than a 5ms response time, 2ms would be optimal.
Don’t worry about your TV supporting 1080p, double check on this, but I’m pretty sure most spots games are broadcast in 720p. Sports games don’t generally use the highest quality HD.
Samsung. Period… buy the best within your budget, but buy Samsung.
I’m very happy with my Panasonic plasma. If you go LCD, Samsung is the brand. Other than that, you didn’t specific size, viewing distance, sources, or budget…
Good comments all and appreciated. I updated the original post with some additional criteria as needed so keep the recommendations coming.
Costco is a good source for budget minded shoppers. Check both in store and online at http://www.costco.com.
Costco does not carry high end TV’s. We went to Magnolia Audio/Video.
My TV area complete with fireplace is very much like yours. A 42″ Panasonic plasma would be a good choice. There are some great deals on last years model.
My TV area complete with fireplace is very much like yours. A 42″ Panasonic plasma would be a good choice. There are some great deals on last years model.
Your budget should be OK for 42″ – 46″ – you might also be able to save a few dollars going 720p if you’re not sitting close to the screen itself. Also as was mentioned last years models could be more economical as well.
Where is the seating in relation to the nook? Viewing angle may be something you weight a little more heavily if you’re going to be on an angle to the screen. Is there anyway (or desire) to mount a screen above the fireplace?
Dave, most of the seating will be pretty much straight on with some of it off to the left. Viewing angle might play a role for that seating. The fireplace is huge, approx. 5 feet tall counting the mantle. Mounting the screen is not desirable to me for that reason as I hate looking up at a screen for any length of time.
I have a 46′ LN650a samsung lcd. its a bit over your range (about 2000 now) but its worth it. Darkest blacks on any lcd i’ve ever seen, huge contrast ratio, 120 htz, 4 hdmi ports, plays video, music and pictures from usb. Has built in port for internet so you can get rss feeds and weather. Sleep timer for off and on, and does 1080p. I still haven’t seen any lcd that beats it.
There are wall mounts that swivel.
http://www.costco.com/Common/Category.aspx?whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|79|2341&N=4008255&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=22121&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&topnav=
With the input you’ve given and assuming you have no plans for critical viewing, I would say go plasma. If don’t want to spend a lot of time shopping, a plasma would eliminate the viewing angle concern.
You didn’t list a distance, but since you want a 47″ or less, you may not see benefits from 1080p unless some of your seats are around 5-7′. If you plan to sit 10′ back or so on a 47″/46″, you probably won’t see enough of a difference to justify the $300-$500 increase.
You should easily be able to find an entry level 2008 model 46″ Panasonic or Samsung 1080p plasma online for less than $1500. Or a 768p in a B&M store below your price point.
Good luck.
I also have a Saumsung LN650a. I got it mail order at FRY’s for $1450. Every time I watch it I say to my wife, “Wow, look at that picture”. She doesn’t usually car about tech stuff but she sincerely replies “Yes honey, it really is pretty amazing”.
From the image it looks like you were watching the Rice/SMU? Go Rice!!! Here’s a thought. Buy a Rice season tickets and you can get all the HD you want on the 50 yard line.
In terms of choosing a size, there are several websites that give suggestions. One is:
http://www.audioholics.com/buying-guides/how-to-shop/what-size-screen-display
Personally, I encourage you to see in person and research the Samsungs that have the Texas Instruments DLP technology. These are cost effective and give a very wide viewing angle. These machines come in two varieties. The variety with bulbs will require replacement of the bulbs every several years for about probably $300 if I recall correctly. There is another version with LED that never needs replacement but costs more initially. I got my Samsung 50inch DLP with LED on sale at Fries for $1499. I have no affiliation with Samsung, TI, audioholics.com, or Fries but I did research these things actively before making a purchase.
Let me add another vote for an inexpensive Vizio from Costco. We have two and for the money, you just can not beat the brand.
Samsung is definitely the way to go if you’re looking at an LCD TV. My parents and my grandparents both own one and my Electrical Engineering friend from school just bought one as well. They are, in a word, superb.
I’d also pitch you DirecTV. Their HD programming and quality is amazing. And I’d suggest you steer clear of Comcast since I’ve heard that they are compressing HD channels in rather noticeable ways: http://www.multichannel.com/blog/100000410/post/1150024115.html
I’m trying to make the same decision myself. I’ve got a 19″ CRT, and I want a 32″-40″ monitor or HDTV that I can use in my bedroom. If I had the space, I’d go larger (yours will be larger, to fit your cabinet). I want to use it for Cad or TV or movies.
Let’s face it. You and I must have a 1080p HDTV so we have the option to use it for everything. Think about it. Trouble is, I know I want Sony Bravia, but that’s so expensive.
Sony and Samsung are the leaders in HDTV tech. Plasmas have better black and I think color performance; LCDs tend to be sharper.
Sam’s Club got us. We are amazed at how much we love this TV in every respect. And the number one reason is it is most affordable.
http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=394076&pCatg=5883
Here is the support page at Magnavox. http://www.m4c.magnavox.com/cgi-bin/dcbint/cpindex.pl?scy=US&slg=EN&ctn=42MF438B/27