Question on buying a TV...

[TheTruth]

Mandy and I want to spend around 1500 for a TV. What is the best we can do for that kind of money?

I don't know much about what the technical stuff means, so if you post it please explain it to me.

Thanks!

[DirkAB]

Get a rear projection DLP. That isn't a flat panel TV, but it will probably only be 18 inches deep, the downside is you can't hang it on your wall. The upside is you can get a lot more bang for your buck if you don't get a flat panel. I got a 48 inch Toshiba DLP about a year ago for right around what you are looking to spend. Make sure to take the time and do the research yourself instead of just taking others words for it.

You might even want to go look at Sam's Club, the last few times I've been in there they have had some fairly respectable televisions for good prices. You can find the TVs they have for even cheaper on the internet, but some of those online stores are risky, you see some really bad stories about peoples experiences online. So if you do buy off the internet make sure that the place isn't a scam, because there are a number of shady places out there. I chose to get mine off the internet, but some may not like that type of situation because if something goes wrong with it the customer service aspect isn't as convenient. Take your time and really figure out what you want!!!!!!!!

[MannyIsGod]

Well, it depends on how big you want it and what you're willing to do. I've been doing a lot of research lately because I want to score a big TV in the next month myself. For 1500, if you don't mind a big TV you can get a 60 inch DLP HD easily. If you want an LCD or Plasma, 1500 is also more than enough, but you're probably going to have to size down.

When you get a TV, you have to decide if you want one with a built in tuner or not. Almost all of them have built in tuners now, but I may get one without because I can get it cheaper and I plan on hooking up a media center PC to it either way and I plan on building the PC with an HD tuner. I'm hoping to spend no more than what you're budget is and I will have a TV, a DVR, and a way to play computer games on the TV as well.

Walmart recently had a 42 inche Plasma on sale for 1300, and they have an iLo brand TV of the same sort for 1200. There are some larger projection and DLP type HD TVs for about the same. Plasma and LCD are the slim ones you can hang on the wall, and DLP and projection are the ones like the one Kori and LJ have.

Personally, I plan on getting a plasma in the 40 inch range. I like the size and the picture quality of LCDs and plasmas more than the extra size of the others.

Best Buy is going to be running some killer sales on the day after Thanksgiving, so I plan on camping out and being extremely close to the front of the line if you guys are interested in doing that with me. We can take a grill and tailgate and all that good stuff.

[MannyIsGod]

Get a rear projection DLP. That isn't a flat panel TV, but it will probably only be 18 inches deep, the downside is you can't hang it on your wall. The upside is you can get a lot more bang for your buck if you don't get a flat panel. I got a 48 inch Toshiba DLP about a year ago for right around what you are looking to spend. Make sure to take the time and do the research yourself instead of just taking others words for it.

You might even want to go look at Sam's Club, the last few times I've been in there they have had some fairly respectable televisions for good prices. You can find the TVs they have for even cheaper on the internet, but some of those online stores are risky, you see some really bad stories about peoples experiences online. So if you do buy off the internet make sure that the place isn't a scam, because there are a number of shady places out there. I chose to get mine off the internet, but some may not like that type of situation because if something goes wrong with it the customer service aspect isn't as convenient. Take your time and really figure out what you want!!!!!!!!

The prices have come down a lot and they're probably going to hit even lower this holiday season. You can still get a larger DLP's for the same value but the value difference isn't as large anymore, IMO.

Then again, I'm thinking of setting mine up in an upstairs loft. The thought of moving a TV upstairs or downstairs when we move is enough to make me cry.

[MannyIsGod]

Oh, and as far as technical stuff goes, you want to get 1080p if you can get it. Thats the best quality of HDTV at this time. 720p is also good, and 1080i is the 2nd best, but 1080p is without question the best. Those are the different resolutions available. You also want to pay attention to the inputs it has and you want to probably get as many as possible and you want them to be digital. You want component inputs and you want HDMI as well because you want to be able to get an HDDVD player. Its going to do you no good to have a kick ass TV and not be able to get the apropriate input in there in order to maxamize the display.

[DirkAB]

When you get a TV, you have to decide if you want one with a built in tuner or not.

That is a pretty good point, I would find out if you need to get a tuner or not. Where I live Time Warner cable really my only choice for cable, and the only way that you can watch HD with there service is by renting one of there digital boxes with the HD tuner built in. So it would have been a waste of money to get a TV with the tuner built in. Maybe you are in the same situation, if so you might as well get one without it and buy bigger size.

I really like my Toshiba, my parents also have a Toshiba which has worked out really nice. The good thing about Toshiba is it is so reasonably priced compared to Sony, but you give up little quality. Sony makes great TVs but you really pay a premium for them, so if you are on a budget I would steer clear. I think that Samsung, Panosonic, LG, Philips, and a few others are pretty solid brands. I've never really cared for some of the cheaper brands in Best Buy, I'm not even sure what they are called but I think that a couple of them are like Westinghouse and I think that iLo brand that MiG brought up. If you compare the picture to the others that they are sitting right next to you can really tell a difference. But then again you have to be careful of how they look in the stores because they have the picture settings all jacked up.

[DirkAB]

The prices have come down a lot and they're probably going to hit even lower this holiday season. You can still get a larger DLP's for the same value but the value difference isn't as large anymore, IMO.

Then again, I'm thinking of setting mine up in an upstairs loft. The thought of moving a TV upstairs or downstairs when we move is enough to make me cry.

I haven't priced them in about a year so I couldn't say. But you will always pay a premium for flat panel, the question is how big of a premium.

And if his budget is 1500 he'll want to take the warranty, shipping, and accessories like chords into consideration. He'll probably get a 50 inch TV if he stays within his budget, if my guestimation is right.

[MannyIsGod]

True, accessories are going to cost extra, as is a wall mount if you plan on doing that. However, there are rumors places like Best Buy offering a 700 dollar 42 inch plasma!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now, it won't be 1080p, but that would be one of a value any way you slice it.

Matthew, you may want to follow things on these sites:

fatwallet.com
slickdeals.net
gottadeal.com

They will all have great deals on them. If you go to gottadeal.com and filter the front page to show only TV and HDTV deals you'll see a lot of great deals they have going right now.

[MannyIsGod]

Check out some of these rumored prices at BB on the day after Thanksgiving.

I want one of the Sharps if I can get it:

From another source:

BB Black Friday - TVs 30% off
This Black Friday, BB will be having 30% off on all TVs. Some exclusions.


Sharp AQUOS 42" 1080p LCD HDTV LC-42D62U $1200
Hewlett-Packard 42" Plasma HDTV PL-4260 $850
Insignia™ 42" Plasma HDTV NS-42PDP $700
Magnavox 15" HD-Ready LCD TV w/HD $130

[DirkAB]

However, there are rumors places like Best Buy offering a 700 dollar 42 inch plasma!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow, that is cheap. Even if it isn't that great of a TV, it is an indication that other TV prices are going to be a lot lower than before.

[MannyIsGod]

Yeah, there have been a ton of articles about this holiday season being dominated by HDTVs.



can you tell I've been researching this ?

[NASpurs]

Check out some of these rumored prices at BB on the day after Thanksgiving.

I want one of the Sharps if I can get it:

From another source:

BB Black Friday - TVs 30% off
This Black Friday, BB will be having 30% off on all TVs. Some exclusions.


Sharp AQUOS 42" 1080p LCD HDTV LC-42D62U $1200
Hewlett-Packard 42" Plasma HDTV PL-4260 $850
Insignia™ 42" Plasma HDTV NS-42PDP $700
Magnavox 15" HD-Ready LCD TV w/HD $130

Geez $1200 for a 42" 1080p? If the rumor is true, I'm all over it. Is 10 PM the day before early enough to camp out?

[NASpurs]

Anyone know more about laser tvs that are coming out? Is it better to just wait for those ?

[Zombie]

Anyone know more about laser tvs that are coming out? Is it better to just wait for those ?

Nothing like a good laser beam to warm up the old retina.

[Marklar MM]

I think I will wait until they invent a TV with a laser defense system.

[boutons_]

LCD is the best technology now for now burn-in.

[NorCal510]

save a thousand bucks and go to costco and get a 600 dollar one

[DirkAB]

Anyone know more about laser tvs that are coming out? Is it better to just wait for those ?

You could find some new technological advancement just on the horizon each and every year, so if you held out for each on you will never get a TV. There are plenty good TVs out there, don't wait if you really want HDTV right now.

[DirkAB]

LCD is the best technology now for now burn-in.

That's not true, burn in isn't really a problem with new plasmas.

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

I really don't see a need for 1080p right now. There aren't any sources for 1080p and the HD-DVD vS. Blu-Ray war has yet to be waged.

Truth is, unless you go really big(60+ inches), you probably wouldn't notice a difference between 1080p and 1080i.

Distance from the set is also key, if not the main key, when determining what size to purchase.

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

Oh, and the best picture I have seen in person came from this set, which can be had for $1600-2200.

Panny 42" plasma (TH-42PX600U)



But it doesn't matter what anyone thinks, you have to buy a set that looks good to you and fits your viewing area.

[MannyIsGod]

I really don't see a need for 1080p right now. There aren't any sources for 1080p and the HD-DVD vS. Blu-Ray war has yet to be waged.

Truth is, unless you go really big(60+ inches), you probably wouldn't notice a difference between 1080p and 1080i.

Distance from the set is also key, if not the main key, when determining what size to purchase.

Well, the point is if you're going to spend that much on a TV, you should get as much as possible for your money. Especially if you want it to last you a good deal of time.

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

Well, the point is if you're going to spend that much on a TV, you should get as much as possible for your money. Especially if you want it to last you a good deal of time.

True, but unless you're going to drop another couple hundred($500+) for an HD-DVD player, which may go the way of Beta, it won't be worth it IMO. Plus, most in the industry say that if you aren't sitting less than 7' away, the difference between 720p and 1080p is undecipherable.

They aren't planning on providing any cable/satellite sources at 1080p in the near future.

[TheTruth]

Hey Manny, I think that we may be down for camping out with you for a TV. Mandy and I were trying to watch a Spurs game on her 20 incher and both of our blind asses were having trouble seeing the score. My 19 inch flat screen has a better picture, but still isn't big enough. We are gonna buy a TV for ourselves instead of big presents for each other for Christmas. I'm trying to get her to up our budget to around 2K. But if we can find a nice deal on BF that would be gravy.

[baseline bum]

Plus, most in the industry say that if you aren't sitting less than 7' away, the difference between 720p and 1080p is undecipherable.

Anyone in the industry who says that is an idiot. Even on a 24" LCD, the picture on an XBox 360 looks worlds better at 1080i than at 720p, discounting frame-rates. On a 40+" TV I can't see how you wouldn't notice it consicously when it's been blown up even more.