Help me buy a new TV for the fam.

BillytheBassist · #1 01-20-2008, 02:55 PM

Hey fellas, I'm in the market for a new tv but, i don't really know much about the TV of todays market. So, what i'm asking for is a little knowledge on TV's in general..... like, whats the difference between plasma, LCD, projection etc. The ideal TV would be 47 to 52 inches. My limit would be about 1500. I looked at some pretty nice TV's at walmart the other day. I saw one that caught my eye inparticular.... it was a 50" Sanyo HDTV LCD i beleive. Anyhow.... just let me know what the lowdown is on TV's these days. Thanks in advance guys.

jady · #2 01-20-2008, 03:13 PM

My dad just got a new HDTV in Nov. It is 62" widescreen and and it was around $1500. It can be done.

BillytheBassist · #3 01-20-2008, 03:21 PM

Thanks for the link.... all the stuff i was needing to know.

IanStephenson · #4 01-20-2008, 03:30 PM

What you going to watch on it?

Here in the UK everything is "HD Ready"... and waiting...

HD tv's are being pushed hard, and the do look great, but there's very little to watch on them. I _LOVE_ HD. It is great technology, but right now a big HD TV just shows how bad the average cable broadcast is. There's very little broadcast in HD.

If you don't have an HD source, then hold of. Prices are falling by the week. Buying a non HD system tight now is a bad move, as you'll want HD within the lifetime of the TV. On the other hand you'll be dropping $1500 for a TV that will be $800 by the time you have anything to watch on it.

Things are different in different countries and even different areas, but sort out some HD material to watch, THEN get an HD TV.

Ian

jady · #5 01-20-2008, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillytheBassist

Thanks for the link.... all the stuff i was needing to know.

Sorry man, I dont even remember the brand, I was just saying that it is very possible to buy a really nice TV for that price.

onemorebass · #6 01-20-2008, 04:23 PM

Then just find a model your interested in, google it with the word reviews.

http://www.testfreaks.com/televisions/

http://www.lcdtvbuyingguide.com/

http://www.videoonly.com/newsite/adpdf/wavo.pdf

http://www.consumersearch.com/www/electronics/lcd-tv/

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....c=abcat0100000

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/LCD-Plasma-TVs/sem/rpsm/catOid/-12869/link/ref/N/20012866+20012867+20012869+4590+312867004/Ns/net_price|0||accm_grs_mgn_dllr|1/link/ref/rpem/ccd/categorylist.do

BillytheBassist · #7 01-20-2008, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jady

Sorry man, I dont even remember the brand, I was just saying that it is very possible to buy a really nice TV for that price.

Jady, there was another post just after yours with a link to a help ad for tv's.... just after i replied the post was deleted. Lol.... i wasn't being sarcastic.

As far as HD content goes... i have access to about 30 or more channels of HD content, though i suppose my main viewing content will be DVD's, regular digital, and gaming "PS3".

BASSKADET · #8 01-20-2008, 04:30 PM

Well, I bought last yrs model new in the box for $1600. It was selling for $2400. It had the same guts as the new model. The only thing different was that the outside trim was silver as opposed to black for the new model. It is a 50" Panasonic Plasma 1080P. I got it at Circuit City. I couldn't be happier with it. It really shines with my PS3 Blu-Ray movies.

Chunk-O-Funk · #9 01-20-2008, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillytheBassist

Hey fellas, I'm in the market for a new tv but, i don't really know much about the TV of todays market. So, what i'm asking for is a little knowledge on TV's in general..... like, whats the difference between plasma, LCD, projection etc. The ideal TV would be 47 to 52 inches. My limit would be about 1500.

Check out this site for everything you need to know.
http://www.avsforum.com/
Great forums.

For a new (new model this year) TV in that price range, you were probably looking at a rear projection LCD. Within that price range you can also find DLP, also a rear projection style TV. Rear projection TV's can best be identified by the sloping back.

Flat panel TV's are usually referred to as LCD or Plasma. For about $1500.00 you can probably get a 40"-42" with 1080P. Maybe bigger if you find a store with last years model or "out of box" sale. There are also some great flat panel TV's with 720P. You could probably go larger with 720P, but 720P is not true HD. Very good quality and a great buy if you're not planing on going with HD service or don't have any interest in blu-ray or HD-DVD in the future.

Flat panels will have a better picture quality, but rear projection comes very close. If you're upgrading from a standard CRT just about anything you get will be an enormous difference in picture quality. I bought a rear projection LCD three years ago and am very happy with it.

Going rear projection LCD/DLP is usually personal preference, as is flat panels LCD/Plasma. In most cases one will be better for you depending on your room. For instance, LCD seems to do better in a brightly lit room. Each one has pluses and minuses, so do a little research and pick the best one for your situation.

Siggy_Bass · #10 01-20-2008, 05:19 PM

Get a Samsung..

They are increadible for the price!

Geoff St. Germaine · #11 01-20-2008, 05:39 PM

If it were me I'd look at one of the Sony SXRD RPTVs.

http://reviews.cnet.com/projection-t...tag=prod.txt.2

I've seen the 55" around here for about $1800 CDN on sale, so I'm sure you can find it for around $1500. You might even be able to get the 60" for that price.

iamlowsound · #12 01-20-2008, 05:52 PM

Drop the tv idea and buy some books.

lowsound

BillytheBassist · #13 01-20-2008, 05:56 PM

Wow.... i've learned quite a bit in the last few hours.... thanks for the knowledge and links guys. Much appreciated.

BillytheBassist · #14 01-20-2008, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamlowsound

Drop the tv idea and buy some books.

lowsound

I have plenty of them..... but i really only need one.

Diggler · #15 01-20-2008, 07:10 PM

avsforum.com

Standalone · #16 01-20-2008, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamlowsound

Drop the tv idea and buy some books.

lowsound

Go lowsound!

I've been TV free since about '97. Gave it up in college and feel like I haven't really missed much.

But then again, there are plenty of books that sit on my shelves while I post stuff like this...

and basses that sit in their cases...

I'm curious though, how you settled on 47-52 inches as a size, billythebassist? Why not get a good hdtv set that's a bit smaller and cheaper to lessen the sting of the falling prices/ little available in HD quandary...?

But then, Connecticut is a tiny state. They must have room for bigger sets out there in Texas...!

BillytheBassist · #17 01-26-2008, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Standalone

Go lowsound!

I've been TV free since about '97. Gave it up in college and feel like I haven't really missed much.

But then again, there are plenty of books that sit on my shelves while I post stuff like this...

and basses that sit in their cases...

I'm curious though, how you settled on 47-52 inches as a size, billythebassist? Why not get a good hdtv set that's a bit smaller and cheaper to lessen the sting of the falling prices/ little available in HD quandary...?

But then, Connecticut is a tiny state. They must have room for bigger sets out there in Texas...!

As a matter of fact i did settle on a smaller HDTV... a 32" RCA. It was under 700$ As far as falling prices in HD etc etc, The main viewing content on this set will be from a PS3 so i'm not real concerned with the prices of HD content, the PS3 is HD capable so i'm good in that department. Anyhow.... thanks to all you guys who chimed in and helped a brotha out!