TV shopping

[The Quadfather]

Well, it's definetly off topic, so it's here.
Has anyone bought a TV in the last year? Wow! all I can say is things have really changed in like the last 10-15 years. Now a-days you got your DLP, you got your projection, HDTV, LCD, plasma, plain old tubes and whatever else.

We need to update, and I am overwhelmed. Normally I like to my homework, but I just want to ask what people like. It's always been a Sony world, but I am hearing "Sharp aqua" sp? also, Panasonic??

Somebody tell me what you like, and maybe you can tell me what you think are the two most importan factors to consider. (I'm talking about things like 1080 pixels vs. 720 etc.)
I am gearing towards a 40-42" LCD.


On a side note..... OMG, I thought I'd never do something like this, but this morning after 1 week of trying everything else, I spent 1 hour in the rain/snow outdoors of Best Buy in order to get a Nintendo Wii system.
I am a guy who actually has NEVER played a single game on a gaming system, i.e. DS, Sony Playstation, or whatever. We always stood hard fast with the kids, and said no to gaming.
Well,, crap, I don't know what happened but we broke down and kicked out for the Wii. This stuff looks like it's going to be fun though. LOL

[A9]

Wii is a pretty fun deal. I got one of those and an Xbox 360...I like the 360 more though...It's not to say the Wii is bad. It's definetely user friendly and a more entertaining system for adults...

About tv's...

Sony's are very overrated now. Nothing special. Lots of their stuff has gone down it quality, especially their laptops.... Back to tv's....Samsung is going to be the best tv you can buy. It's also probably going to be in the highest price tier.

720 vs. 1080: You hooking it up to HD? If you aren't, then it doesn't matter. LCD tv's are going to be a bit more then Plasmas, plasmas have a life of about 5 or 6 years. If you plan on keeping the TV for more then that, go LCD.

I just got a small 19" Phillips and I love it.

Samsung, Phillips, LG, Sharp, are all good deals. My buddy just got a 42 Samsung Plasma at Costco for a really good deal he said.

Two most important factors: Who makes it and LCD or Plasma?

No complaints for me with LCD Samsungs though...The family just bought 3 new Samsung LCD's= 19", 32", 42" for the new house. All hooked up to Dish Network and they are amazing in HD. 50-60 HD channels and they are amazing to watch games on...They are probably going to get one more, in the 50-60" range for the big entertainment room....

[Toni]

Gives some info...
http://reviews.cnet.com/4351-12658_7-6583301.html

I am happy with the 42" Sony rear projection LCD I got almost three years ago. It is HD. King 5 news is HD on the digital channel and it is amazing what you can see. Some public TV stations are HD too.

I watched a 42" Samsung DLP that someone I knew (they bought it before I did) had and the range of vision on the side angles wasn't to good. My Sony LCD isn't like that. So when they try to tell you a bunch of mirrors (DLP) is better than one mirror don't believe it. That is what the salesmen at the time told me "DLP is better than rear projection because there is only one mirror in rear projection whereas, DLP has many".
Here is some info to DLP and LCD;

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-10166_7-6213889-1.html

[A9]

Yep i've heard that the DLP stuff is not worth the extra $$$$

[beresford13861]

DONT BUY AN ANALOG TV, mostly TUBES are analog, Feb 2009 all signals MUST BE HD. FCC law says no more analop signals.

alrighty, im in this field.
im a Quality Control Manager, i deal with ;
LG, Sony, Phillips, Dell, HP, Zenith, Toshiba.
and which one of them i work for (but i wont disclose it to steer away from posible bias).

DLP is better than RPTV (rear projection) but there are crapy DLP sets and kick butt RPTVs, therefore with the right combination you CAN FIND a RPTV better than a DLP.. DLP is beter.

LCD vs. PDP (plazma display panel)....

things to concider;
1. VIEWING angle (placement in your house, and direct lighting)
2. Pure color vs True colors.
3. mounting options....weight and heat displacement.
4. life
5. durability
6. out of the box failures.
7. COST
8. true HD or HD ready
just to name a few.

1. angle, PDP has a higher angle. i belive its 15 deg, were LCD is 25-30 deg. this is the degre from the side you can still see a CLEAR picture.
2. PDP is true colors, life like (but fade) LCD is Pure (mix, and 1000000s of colors) dont fade.
3. PDP is MUCH heaver and hoter.
4. LCD is rated for about 120k hours, and PDP is closer to 20k
5. PDP is glass and ALOT more fragile, LCD has a protection screeen (tossing Wii at the TV, PDP will break, LCD wont)
6. LCD will work the same out of the box as the last day it works, PDP will fade, suffer image burning etc.
7. PDP price is now less than an LCD.
8. DONT BUY HD READY, GET 720P AND 1080 I / P

MY CHOICES
1. PDP, but if you dont watch TV parrell to the wall its on LCD will work the same.
2. LCD, no fading.
3. LCD.
4. LCD.
5. LCD.
6. LCD, works out of the box or dont.
7. PDP
8. DONT BUY "HD READY"

[beresford13861]

any other questions let me know, if you want my Brand Option, PM me.