Getting a new TV.....give me some help

[Mr. Plow]

The wife & I usually buy our Xmas gift together - something we both want - rather than buying a bunch of little things that we won't use in 2 months.

This year.....it's a TV.

Our budget is going to be between $1500-$2500, but I would prefer to spend in the $1500-$2000 range.

We looked at Best Buy & Sears last night and let me say, I'm throughly confused. So many different things - 1080 this, 1080 that, HD, Super HD, Super Ultra HD, Ultra Super Supreme HD.

Obviously, we are looking for the best tv for our money. Wanting minimum 42" - preferably 50".

So tell me.....

What's the difference between 1080, 1080i, 1080p?
What's the best brand to go with - LG, Hitachi, Sony, etc?
Who's on the board has the good info on tv's?




Thanks in advance.....nuthooks....antifreeze......repost.....

[Phobia]

Dude, I have a 19" TV that works great. You can have it for $20.

[DaKCMan AP]

Important reading:

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6449_7-6361600-1.html

http://www.flattvpeople.com/tutorials/lcd-vs-plasma.asp

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,137429/article.html

[Lzen]

Start here: http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=174959&highlight=HDTV

There are a lot of threads in the Media Center.

[Mr. Plow]

Dude, I have a 19" TV that works great. You can have it for $20.

What is the screen resolution? Is it 1080i, or 1080p? Flat screen? Does it come with an Nintendo 64?

[DaKCMan AP]

Sony, Panasonic, Philips, LG, Sharp, Olevia, Vizio, etc. are all good. Go to stores and look at a lot of brands in all sizes and models. Find which picture you prefer the best, and there's your answer.

I recently bought a 42" Olevia 1080i LCD on Black Friday and am very very pleased.

[Simply Red]

Vizio at Walmart

[Lzen]

I have owned a 42" Vizio LCD 720p since August. It is fantastic.

[BigRedChief]

Nebraska Furniture Mart always has the best deals. You can get free finacing also.

[Sure-Oz]

I love the Sharp Aquos

[Phobia]

What is the screen resolution? Is it 1080i, or 1080p? Flat screen? Does it come with an Nintendo 64?

For $20 it's whatever you want it to be.

[dave0320]

Check this site out. Best prices you will find. Trusted seller too. http://www.datavis.com/ I purchased 3 Samsung's from them without a problem.

[Mr. Plow]

For $20 it's whatever you want it to be.

Can it be two hot naked women mud wrestling?

[underEJ]

Samsung LNT4665F 46" 1080p LCD HDTV

I have this and love it. Two coworkers (very picky digital artists) each have the 52in version of the same tv and they love them too.

I think on sale you can find the 46" of around 1500.

[Infidel Goat]

If it were my money, I'd probably go with this model:

Panasonic TH-50PX77 (http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/panasonic-th-50px77u/4505-6482_7-32317316.html?tag=txt)

I bought a similar 42 inch model from buydig.com last year and have been very pleased with it. Buydig sells the 50 inch model for $1549 including tax and shipping.

I prefer the 50pz770u, but it would cost almost $500 more--and I don't think the extra 500 is worth it...

Hamas, iirc, will be along to tell you that Plasmas are awful.

If you prefer LCD, consider this model:

Samsung LN-T4665F (http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/samsung-ln-t4665f/4505-6482_7-32306311.html?tag=txt)

It's 46 inches--and pricegrabber shows a few places that sell it for around $1600 including tax and shipping.

Many will also argue that rear projection offer the best picture with a real good value. CNET's top rated rear projection is this model:

Sony KDS-55A3000 (http://reviews.cnet.com/projection-tvs/sony-kds-55a3000/4505-6484_7-32468848.html?tag=txt)

and you can find it for under $1700 including tax and shipping.

Hamas, irrc, might recommend a Samsung that is comparable for less...

[MeaTy The Pimp]

I bought a 56" Samsung HL-S5687 Rear Projection DLP last April and the thing absolutely rocks. It does 1080p. You can still find them online for about $1100.

[DeepPurple]

Go with the 50" size over the 42" if possible.

In 2005 I purchased a Sony 42" LCD projection TV from Tweeters. In the family room my eyes are exactly 12' from the screen when pushed back in my recliner. After two years I came to the conclusion it was too small a screen so two months ago I moved the Sony to the bedroom and bought a Panasonic TH-50PX75U 50" plasma TV for the family room.

Since I'm paying Comcast a good amount of money, it was the best move I've ever made. Now in the family room when I'm reclined in my chair the 50" Panasonic screen fills the room and now the color and brightness of the plasma over the previous LCD projection set makes me wonder why I even bought that set. In the bedroom for watching Leno or Letterman in HD late at night, the 42" projection TV is ok, but I love the 50" plasma in the family room now.

As far as the price, the Panasonic TH-50PX75U lists for $1999 but Circuit City here normally has that model for $1599. However, the week I bought mine Sears also had the same price of $1599 and if you used your Sears charge on a big appliance they gave you another $300 off. So I went to Circuit City and told a manager and they split the difference, they gave me the Panasonic TH-50PX75U for $1475.

It's not a 1080 but it has a great picture and it's the same set as the 50PX77U but without the glare shield. That shield makes that model about 6" wider, and I didn't find that necessary for my room and I also didn't have the space which is why I had gone with a 42" originally.

Another thing I learned is, you can't lay a plasma TV flat, it must stand upright even in the box. When I picked up my set I was going to slide the box lying down into the back of my SUV but the warehouse guy said I won't give it to you if you do that, and then he explained himself. The box was about 6" too high to fit upright into the back of my SUV, and I didn't feel good about taking the set out of the box at the loading dock. Even though it's flat and only about 4" thick, it's pretty heavy and weighs 83 pounds. Fortunately across the street was a Home Depot and I ran over there and rented a van for $20 for 75 minutes and took the TV home upright in the box.

[wutamess]

Just installed my uncles Sony Bravia projection screen.
That thing kicks freagin ass.

He paid $900 for it and when we move you better believe I'm getting one as I'm going to have one in the media room.

You can stretch the screen to how far you want to.

[FloridaMan88]

Get an LCD and stay with the name brands. I have three wall mounted Sony LCD TVs, two are 32 inches, one is 52 inches and all three are 1080i... couldn't be happier (except if Herm Edwards was fired).

Also if you want to mount the TV on the wall, you won't be able to put the power cord behind the wall (fire hazard) so have an electrician install an outlet behind the TV.

[Lzen]

Nebraska Furniture Mart always has the best deals. You can get free finacing also.

Really? IMO, the online sites are the best deals. I don't recall exactly what they were offering. Just that I wasn't impressed with the tv prices in the last 2 Nebraska Furniture Mart emailings.

[chris]

[QUOTE=Infidel Goat]If it were my money, I'd probably go with this model:

Panasonic TH-50PX77 (http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/panasonic-th-50px77u/4505-6482_7-32317316.html?tag=txt)

I bought a similar 42 inch model from buydig.com last year and have been very pleased with it. Buydig sells the 50 inch model for $1549 including tax and shipping.

------
Good info!

I bought the Panasonic TH-50PX77. Plasma; 50 inches; $1650. Consumers Report top rating....two weeks ago.

[jiveturkey]

Get your ass over to Costco. They always have great deals.

[pr_capone]

42 inch - 1080p - $800 including free delivery

Sceptre is the brand I use for all my monitors and I *LOVE* them.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824112180

http://images10.newegg.com/NeweggImage/productimage/24-112-180-02.jpg

[WhitiE]

i work at hephner tv and electronics if you live near wichita we deliver for free but i assume you live near kc so..... if you have questions just pm me.

[Halfcan]

Forget all those HD pieces of crap...

I have a 1990 RCA-weighs as much as a Buick and even has picture on picture.

I don't have the remote for it but I will throw in the rabbit ears for Free.

$1200- an absolute STEAL!

PM me for more details on this bargin.

[GarySpFc]

Best Buy and Sears are high. Find somebody with a Sam's card, and run, don't walk, to Sam's. They have an awesome 52" Vizio LCD for $1,899.

[Bwana]

Best Buy and Sears are high. Find somebody with a Sam's card, and run, don't walk, to Sam's. They have an awesome 52" Vizio LCD for $1,899.

Good point, but the selection blows most of the time.

[macdawg]

I recommend LCD's. 1080P is the best picture you can get and is well within your budget so I recommend that.

I almost pulled the trigger on a 1080P Phillips 46' LCD for $1350 in Walmart the other day, good price for that kind of TV.

[ChiefsFanatic]

check out onecall.com

I bought a 50" Samsung there almost two years ago, and saved $700 from what the same tv cost at best buy.

[Bill Lundberg]

I have this (http://www.nextag.com/Samsung-HL-S5687W-56-504388837/prices-html?nxtg=287930a240525-FD1BEE9E55BF5C1B) one and I love it.

[smittysbar]

I have owned a 42" Vizio LCD 720p since August. It is fantastic.
I have 4 42" vizio LCD's and have loved them.....though I want to get at least one more alot bigger

[Pneuma]

You want to get a 1080p TV.

I personally would get a Samsung...

[smittysbar]

someone was on here a while back, saying tigerdirect.com has great deals all the time

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Samsung and Sony have the same screens in their televisions. They are in a joint venture together. If you want to spend an extra 400-800 on your TV for the brand name, then go ahead and buy the Sony.

You can get a 52" Samsung from Amazon for 1999 shipped, right now, but it is the 65 series.

The 71 series are the best TVs that still aren't going to break the bank, but you'd have to get one in the 46" range to hit your budget.

[Lzen]

I have 4 42" vizio LCD's and have loved them.....though I want to get at least one more alot bigger

Holy crap! You have 4 tvs that are 42"? I never even had a tv over 27" until this past summer.

[Lzen]

someone was on here a while back, saying tigerdirect.com has great deals all the time

I got my 42" Vizio LCD from Tiger Direct for $700 (+shipping) after the $50 rebate. Before i decided on the Vizio, I almost bought a 50" Toshiba DLP. Wife didn't want a tv that thick, though. Glad she talked me into looking more. I love the slim profile.

[smittysbar]

Holy crap! You have 4 tvs that are 42"? I never even had a tv over 27" until this past summer.

a few in the bar. 55" and a 53" too. I want a bigger one at the bar. Don't have a spot for projection though

[Lzen]

a few in the bar. 55" and a 53" too. I want a bigger one at the bar. Don't have a spot for projection though

Oh, now I get it. So, your handle does actually reflect your real life? You own a real bar?

[smittysbar]

Oh, now I get it. So, your handle does actually reflect your real life? You own a real bar?

Yeah

[Lzen]

You want to get a 1080p TV.

I personally would get a Samsung...

1080p is great if you plan to get a Blue Ray player or PS3 (I think that's the one that does 1080p - someone correct me if I'm wrong on that). But the way I understand it, all HD broadasts are in 720p or 1080i.

[Lzen]

BTW, Mr. Plow. Here is a little info.

Standard definition TV is broadcast in 480i. That is 480 horizontal lines that are interlaced.

[Lzen]

Here's a little more.

720p: 1,280x720 pixel resolution. High-definition picture that is displayed progressively. Each line is displayed on the screen simultaneously, therefore it is smoother than an interlaced picture.

1080i: 1,920x1,080 pixel resolution. High-definition picture that is displayed interlaced. Each odd line of the picture is displayed, followed by each even line, and the resulting image is not as smooth as a progressive feed. 1080i is therefore a more detailed picture suited to documentaries and wildlife footage, but less suitable for action-oriented material such as sports and movies.

1080p: 1,920x1,080 pixel resolution. High-definition picture that is displayed progressively. Each line is displayed on the screen simultaneously, therefore it is smoother than an interlaced picture. This is the ultimate high-definition standard -- the most detailed picture, displayed progressively.

There are two main formats for HDTV, namely 720p (i.e. a 720 line picture progressively scanned 50 times a second) and 1080i (1080 lines interlaced at 50 cycles per second). The picture resolution of a high definition digital TV is about 4 times greater than a typical 576 line TV picture.

The point here is that most high definition broadcast is in either 720p or 1080i, so not having a screen which is able to display 1080p may not be important to you. However, there are exceptions, and if you are a serious game player you will probably already know one of them, or to be precise two of them. The xbox360(with a little tweak) and the soon to be with us playstation 3 produce output at 1080p. Also, the new High Definition DVD format, blu-ray has also been designed for 1080p ouput. Is the difference worth the extra investment? Maybe, something you will have to judge for yourselves ...
http://www.hdtvorg.co.uk/focus/resolution.htm

[smittysbar]

Here's a little more.

720p: 1,280x720 pixel resolution. High-definition picture that is displayed progressively. Each line is displayed on the screen simultaneously, therefore it is smoother than an interlaced picture.

1080i: 1,920x1,080 pixel resolution. High-definition picture that is displayed interlaced. Each odd line of the picture is displayed, followed by each even line, and the resulting image is not as smooth as a progressive feed. 1080i is therefore a more detailed picture suited to documentaries and wildlife footage, but less suitable for action-oriented material such as sports and movies.

1080p: 1,920x1,080 pixel resolution. High-definition picture that is displayed progressively. Each line is displayed on the screen simultaneously, therefore it is smoother than an interlaced picture. This is the ultimate high-definition standard -- the most detailed picture, displayed progressively.

There are two main formats for HDTV, namely 720p (i.e. a 720 line picture progressively scanned 50 times a second) and 1080i (1080 lines interlaced at 50 cycles per second). The picture resolution of a high definition digital TV is about 4 times greater than a typical 576 line TV picture.

The point here is that most high definition broadcast is in either 720p or 1080i, so not having a screen which is able to display 1080p may not be important to you. However, there are exceptions, and if you are a serious game player you will probably already know one of them, or to be precise two of them. The xbox360(with a little tweak) and the soon to be with us playstation 3 produce output at 1080p. Also, the new High Definition DVD format, blu-ray has also been designed for 1080p ouput. Is the difference worth the extra investment? Maybe, something you will have to judge for yourselves ...
http://www.hdtvorg.co.uk/focus/resolution.htm

Very good rundown!!!

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Several HD-DVD Players will produce a 1080p image as well. If you have a 1080p TV, the TV will deinterlace the image anyway.

[dtebbe]

If you need to hang it on the wall, get a 1080p LCD

If you don't need to hang it on the wall get a DLP with a LED light engine. Several of us here have the Samsung DLP units with the LED light engine and love them. IMHO DLP still handles content with lots of motion better than LCD.

I would also suggest checking out Vanns. I've bought 3 or 4 sets from them over the years and they are great.

Here is the TV I have:
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/accessories/457680552

Guarantee you won't find a 50" for $1500 delivered that has a better picture.

DT

[Mr. Plow]

Here's a little more.

720p: 1,280x720 pixel resolution. High-definition picture that is displayed progressively. Each line is displayed on the screen simultaneously, therefore it is smoother than an interlaced picture.

1080i: 1,920x1,080 pixel resolution. High-definition picture that is displayed interlaced. Each odd line of the picture is displayed, followed by each even line, and the resulting image is not as smooth as a progressive feed. 1080i is therefore a more detailed picture suited to documentaries and wildlife footage, but less suitable for action-oriented material such as sports and movies.

1080p: 1,920x1,080 pixel resolution. High-definition picture that is displayed progressively. Each line is displayed on the screen simultaneously, therefore it is smoother than an interlaced picture. This is the ultimate high-definition standard -- the most detailed picture, displayed progressively.

There are two main formats for HDTV, namely 720p (i.e. a 720 line picture progressively scanned 50 times a second) and 1080i (1080 lines interlaced at 50 cycles per second). The picture resolution of a high definition digital TV is about 4 times greater than a typical 576 line TV picture.

The point here is that most high definition broadcast is in either 720p or 1080i, so not having a screen which is able to display 1080p may not be important to you. However, there are exceptions, and if you are a serious game player you will probably already know one of them, or to be precise two of them. The xbox360(with a little tweak) and the soon to be with us playstation 3 produce output at 1080p. Also, the new High Definition DVD format, blu-ray has also been designed for 1080p ouput. Is the difference worth the extra investment? Maybe, something you will have to judge for yourselves ...
http://www.hdtvorg.co.uk/focus/resolution.htm


Great info!! That explains the differences that I was looking for.



Great info from everyone else as well. I've looked at several TV's online that I may not have because of the links and suggestions provided.

Keep it comin'.

[Mr. Plow]

i work at hephner tv and electronics if you live near wichita we deliver for free but i assume you live near kc so..... if you have questions just pm me.


"WhitiE has exceded their stored private messages quota and can not accept further messages until they clear some space."


I'm in hutch. I'll shoot you a PM if you will clear a couple out for me. Thanks.

[COchief]

Check this site out. Best prices you will find. Trusted seller too. http://www.datavis.com/ I purchased 3 Samsung's from them without a problem.

MASSIVE FAILURE RETARD!!!

Pricegrabber would disagree with you. Datavis is selling the Samsung for $1900, check the link below. They are WAY overpriced, there are ten other websites with it selling below $1400. Good job getting ripped off. Not to mention Datavis is hanging on by a thread with a multitude of lawsuits pending against them.

You fail at the internet.

http://electronics.pricegrabber.com/plasma-lcd-televisions/m/35295613/search=LN-t4065f

[Mr. Plow]

So what did we go with? Instead of paying for a tv, we went with the free one.....

42 inch, Panasonic Plasma. Why was it free? My parents surprised us with it as a Xmas present.

Great picture. Smaller than I wanted, but going from my old big screen to this plasma made a HUGE difference.

Thanks again for all the advice. We are going to replace some other tv's in the house, so it's going to come in handy.

[Lzen]

So what did we go with? Instead of paying for a tv, we went with the free one.....

42 inch, Panasonic Plasma. Why was it free? My parents surprised us with it as a Xmas present.

Great picture. Smaller than I wanted, but going from my old big screen to this plasma made a HUGE difference.

Thanks again for all the advice. We are going to replace some other tv's in the house, so it's going to come in handy.

Damn!! I wish my parents had the kinda $$$ to surprise me with something like that.

[Mr. Plow]

Damn!! I wish my parents had the kinda $$$ to surprise me with something like that.

They got a pretty good deal on them.

They were looking at Best Buy (day after Thanksgiving) at one that was on sale for like $900, but they had ran out. So, they were looking at other tv's and mentioned to the sales person that they were going somewhere else. Sales person says they'll give them this tv - which retails for $1400 - for the $900 sales price.

http://images.bestbuy.com/BestBuy_US/images/products/8254/8254774_sa.jpg