Question on buying a TV...

[baseline bum]

1080p is still a ways off. PS3 may be 1080p, but the games being developed for it aren't.

[johnsmith]

The numbers you are looking at 1080, 720, represent the amount of lines on the television. TV is broadcast in two lines that come up either interlaced (i) or progressive (p). Interlaced means they come up with the even number lines first then the odd number lines second and produce the picture you are watching. Progressive means they come up all at the same time, thus a clearer picture. Also, the more lines, the clearer the picture.

Just thought I'd throw that out there for those that don't know the difference.

When I researched all this back in February, I ended up settling on a 52" Sony Grand Wega rear projection HDTV. The prices for flat panels was still a little too high for me. I will say, I've been very satisfied with this TV, plus, Sony put in some technology that I can't remember the name of right now so that you can see the TV just as well at an angle, which is a problem for many projection sets.

Oh, and finally, do all your research at Best Buy and Circuit City, then go look at Conn's. I got the same TV at Conn's but for $500 less and talked them into throwing in a stand for free.

[leemajors]

The numbers you are looking at 1080, 720, represent the amount of lines on the television. TV is broadcast in two lines that come up either interlaced (i) or progressive (p). Interlaced means they come up with the even number lines first then the odd number lines second and produce the picture you are watching. Progressive means they come up all at the same time, thus a clearer picture. Also, the more lines, the clearer the picture.

Just thought I'd throw that out there for those that don't know the difference.

When I researched all this back in February, I ended up settling on a 52" Sony Grand Wega rear projection HDTV. The prices for flat panels was still a little too high for me. I will say, I've been very satisfied with this TV, plus, Sony put in some technology that I can't remember the name of right now so that you can see the TV just as well at an angle, which is a problem for many projection sets.

Oh, and finally, do all your research at Best Buy and Circuit City, then go look at Conn's. I got the same TV at Conn's but for $500 less and talked them into throwing in a stand for free.

if i remember correctly that used to be called active matrix (seeing from the side). not sure what sony calls it. i would probably go with the brand/store that offers the most comprehensive warranty at the most reasonable price.

[DirkAB]

1080p is still a ways off. PS3 may be 1080p, but the games being developed for it aren't.

Exactly, 1080p would be sweet if there was actually anything to watch in that resolution. I heard that Blue-ray is going to have 1080p, but like you mentioned earlier who knows if it will go the way of Betamax. Plus Blue-ray players cost a grand right now.

By the time that they actually broadcast 1080p or they have games or movies that are in that resolution, that TV will probably be missing some piece of technology that will make you wish you would have waited to get a 2nd or 3rd generation 1080p TV. So I wouldn't look at the whole 1080p thing as a deal breaker, I don't really think it is all that important right now. I wouldn't want to pay extra for a TV right now because it has a feature that I can't use for quite some time.


I have a question, what is better 720p or 1080i? I've heard conflicting information about which is better.

[johnsmith]

I have a question, what is better 720p or 1080i? I've heard conflicting information about which is better.

I asked that same question at Bjorn's one afternoon when I was researching this stuff.

Salesmen showed me the two, side by side on 50" Tv's, and honestly, I couldn't tell a difference.

[johnsmith]

Just a thought sometimes they have a particular TV that needs to be moved or is out of date or over-inventoried so they with the options on it to make another TV next to it look miles better. Just my .02 I have friends that work at Conns and they do this all the time. Most of the time its to make a cheaper TV look better than an expensive one simply because they have 10 of them. So ask for the remote and with the picture a minute once you narrow down your choices.

That's why I suggest going to Bjorn's, find a salesperson that looks bored, tell them you have absolutely no intention of buying a tv from them because you can't afford it, then let them explain everything to you and show you all their . I also did a lot of research beforehand so I'd be able to tell if the guy was full of or not, he wasn't. It worked well for me.

Having said that, it does depress you a bit to see a 72" flat panel Plasma screen HDTV on the wall at Bjorn's for $20,000 and then you go and look at the television that you are going to buy and you USED to think it was bad ass but now it just looks stupid.

[johnsmith]

Shocked he actually took the time for you. When a customer just comes in to tire kick me I blow them off and let them entertain themselves and I move on. Nice work JS must be your dashing good lucks and huge wang.

Definately the wang............I just whip that thing out in public and sales people come running.

[King]

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.

Funny you say that, I just went and picked a tv up last night, and it was between that one, and the Samsung s4253. They were next to each other, and the Panasonic had a really yellow picture. So did the 50 inch above it. I tried adjusting the colors, and they were still really yellow compared to everything else around. I went with the Samsung, and love it so far. I'm having a of a time getting my Tivo remote to recognize it, but the TV is great. Same price, same features.

[MannyIsGod]

Hey Matthew, I'm not sure what size you wanted, but I'm planning on getting one of the following:

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?Inv...cm_cat=1357845

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html...sin=B000FGA76G

The BF ads are coming out and there isn't anything that is really jaw dropping. There are some good prices, but nothing that really makes me want to camp out. Those 2 seem like pretty sweet deals though.

EDIT: I'm researching more on the Vizio, and its not all that good. N/M on that one.

[MannyIsGod]

Office Max will have a 37 inch HD Ready TV. The Brand is Viore and the price will be 699. No built in tuner. It says at least 2 per store. That one may actually be camp worthy.

Best Buy has a Westinghouse 32 inch and 42 inch HD Ready TV also. No tuners. The smaller is 479 and the larger is 999. I didn't think these were great deals, but in retrospect they aren't bad at all. I don't know if they are camp worthy, but the 42 inch TV might be.

[johnsmith]

Office Max will have a 37 inch HD Ready TV. The Brand is Viore and the price will be 699. No built in tuner. It says at least 2 per store. That one may actually be camp worthy.

Best Buy has a Westinghouse 32 inch and 42 inch HD Ready TV also. No tuners. The smaller is 479 and the larger is 999. I didn't think these were great deals, but in retrospect they aren't bad at all. I don't know if they are camp worthy, but the 42 inch TV might be.

I'd stay away from the HD sets that aren't built in. Too costly in the long run. In my opinion.

[MannyIsGod]

Why? Cable box's have them built in. I'm also thinking about setting up a PC with an HD Tuner as a media center and that will have the HD tuner.

Really, the only reason to have an HD tuner in a set is to receive OTA HD.

[johnsmith]

Why? Cable box's have them built in. I'm also thinking about setting up a PC with an HD Tuner as a media center and that will have the HD tuner.

Really, the only reason to have an HD tuner in a set is to receive OTA HD.

Yeah, actually you're right.

Does Directv and dish network boxes do the same thing in regards to HD signals as say, Time Warner boxes?

[MannyIsGod]

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.

On sale right now from Amazon for 1350 with free shipping and no tax. Talk about a steal.

I think I may have found my new TV.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...10108121979-20

[boutons_]

that Pana is $200+ cheaper than Amazon here:

http://www.pricescan.com/electronics...p?sid=G5116492

[MannyIsGod]

Its a good thing those sites don't charge 200 in shipping because then it wouldn't be any cheaper at all

[boutons_]

I pay lower price on-line + shipping to get a lower or equal price, and then save at least TX/SA sales tax.

[MannyIsGod]

Amazon has no shipping and no sales tax. Its a wash. But I'd rather buy from Amazon because I trust them a ton more than a bunch of other online retailers.

[MannyIsGod]

D'oh! Went to purchase it right now and the price had gone up 150. I may end up using your links boutons.

[MannyIsGod]

Nevermind, the sites you listed that are cheapest require a MIR. I hate MIRs.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

I asked that same question at Bjorn's one afternoon when I was researching this stuff.

Salesmen showed me the two, side by side on 50" Tv's, and honestly, I couldn't tell a difference.

You generally won't be able to in that setting.

First, stores are notorious for ramping up the settings on tvs to the max (often called scorch setting) so the TV looks great in the show room with bright overhead lighting.

Second, standing as close as you probably were, they would have been virtually indistinguishable.


To get back to the original question... lots of variables.

1. The HD tuner isn't a big need if you have digital cable or Dish or Directv. Both will function as the tuner you need.

2. 1080p is definitely the max resolution, but there aren't any sources on the horizon that will take advantage of it. Blu-ray and HD-DVD both are 1080p, but I think that you're really splitting hairs between 1080i and 1080p at this point (and for the next 6-7 years).

3. Get one with at least two HDMI connections. Don't compromise on this one.

4. Plasma vs. LCD.... despite sentiments otherwise, there is still an issue with burn in on plasmas. Not as bad as it used to be, but if you watch a lot of static content and aren't careful about what you watch, it will hit you (don't even think of going plasma if you're going to run Windows Media Center on it).

If you don't want the hassle of making sure to vary your content on your tv and watch a lot of news (with the tickers), go with LCD. Less to worry about on the burn in factor.

Both look very good with sports and gaming.

Don't believe the hype on the Panasonic. When I bought a plasma last year, I had it narrowed to Panasonic and Philips. I took advantage of Costco's return policy, bought both, brought them home and hooked them up.

Despite the Panasonic having better reviews everywhere I could find one, the Philips had better colors, a better picture, and just all around was a better TV than the Panasonic.


5. The other thing you need to consider is the size of your room. For any moderate size room, anything over a 42" is overkill.

If you've got a large room you want to set it up in, I'd recommend even looking at going the way of a projector. You can pick up 720p DLP projectors for around $1000, and Costco has a nice projector and screen combo for $1700.


To give you some recommendations:

Plasma: Philips, Hitachi, Pioneer

LCD: Sharp Aquos all the way


Personally, I ended up with the 42" Philips plasma with ambilight (it's the back lighting, you've probably seen the commercials by now). The backlighting adds a depth and contrast that make it a unique viewing experience.

The other cool thing about is that it has a memory card reader and also USB ports. You can download photos and mp3s onto a USB stick, plug it into the TV, and it will do a photo slide show for you with music.

The other cool thing Philips does is issue firmware updates on the web that you can download to the thumb drive, plug in, and update your TV. It proves handy for fixing glitches here and there, and they also have used it to put enhancements into the TV.

Kind of a unique way of updating your TV, which all of these big screens are essentially a mini computer behind a plate of glass.

Here's the '06 model, on sale right now...

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1138085296194

But probably cheaper at Costco...

The other plasma that I thought had just as good a picture was the Hitachi Ultravisions. The screens for Pioneer, Hitachi, and Philips are all made in the same plant over in Asia. 'Nuff said. The Pioneer's have a premium on them though!

On LCDs, there's the Aquos and then there's everything else. There's a premium for their sets, but it's worth it. If you're going bargain hunting I have heard good things about the Westinghouse models as well.

I'd say get one at Costco, that way you get the benefit of Costco's lifetime satisfaction guarantee (in essence, an extended warranty for as long as you are a member).

Stay away from Vizio (Costco), Maxient (Best Buy), Isignia (best Buy), Polaroid (Circuit City), and HP (various retailers).

[Ginofan]

Thanks for all the help everyone, the technical lesson has been very helpful. AHF, I was fond of the ambilight for a while, but with all the bonus stuff you mentioned...it's a front runner for me.

We'll keep you guys updated on exactly what we end up getting.

[MannyIsGod]

Its funny that you said stay away from HP and then you pimped the Sharps, because its the same TV.

The Phillips is on sale at Costco, however!

1299

I dont' have a Costco membership, however, so I'm checking that out righ tnow.

[MannyIsGod]

On standard TV, generally speaking is the picture quality better on a 37 inch LCD or a 42 inch plasma?

[MannyIsGod]

Now I'm considering the 37inch Westinghouse LCD that BB has because the people at AVS are love it.

Ugh, I can't make up my damn mind.