OT - Advice for getting a new T.V.?

Leor_77 · Post #1 » by **Leor_77** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 7:39 pm

I may be one of the few people in the world with a regular "box" T.V. Seems strange, but I guess that sometimes you just get used to things and don't really have a problem with them (I watch Blu Ray quality media frequently on my computer monitor, though).

Anyway, I've been doing some research, and it seems like you can select from LCD, LED and Plasma, and that each have their differences, however I'm not sure which one is best for picture quality, energy efficiency and price. I usually like to use Amazon to gauge what actual people think about a product, but in this case, I just think that everyone likes to "talk up" the T.V. that they already have. I am currently going through rankings of brands/T.V.'s from Consumer Report, CNET, etc.

Would appreciate some advice here, though...For what it's worth, if the T.V. set doesn't break the bank, that's always a good thing. I think 42 inches is too small for a family room; Was thinking 47 inches and over.

Post #2 » by **Slava** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 7:51 pm

If you want to put in $ 2k get an LED tv.

ShowtimeFan · Post #3 » by **ShowtimeFan** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 7:57 pm

Get as big as you can, I bought a Sharp 52" LCD and am wishing I got the Mitsubishi 82".

Also look at the pictures and pick the one you like, depending on the price. Look at some high end TV's at Best Buy (Magnolia Store) to see what the top of the line ones have to offer first.

Don't only look at the Colors, Look at how well the TV reproduces BLACK & WHITE,

On many cheapee TV's, the Black looks dark gray, you want it to be BLACK. Same with White, does it look beige or yellowy? or does it look very white (like a Refridgerator)?

Lastly, grab the remote and go into the SETTINGS and make sure they are ALL set to mid-levels, many (MOST) retailers with boost the heck our of Contrast or Brightness to make it look better in-store...

I have a Sharp, a Samsung and a Panasonic, but there are tons of good brands out there now, if you buy the cheaspest priced TV, .. well just remember you get what you pay for...

Post #4 » by **dockingsched** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 8:01 pm

listen to 710am and call isaac when they announce one of his tv offers.

LApwnd · Post #5 » by **LApwnd** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 9:47 pm

instead of starting new topic I figure this is related to TV's but anyone own a slingbox? How is the quality is it easy to set up? Thinking of getting slingbox HD, always miss east coast game due to work.

Desiderium · Post #6 » by **Desiderium** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 11:16 pm

LED is real nice. but really if ur looking to go cheap, just get a normal LCD.
Samsung makes real good tv's, i bought a 40 inch for my bedroom and it cost like 500 bucks. 120HZ is nice to have but usually a bit more expensive. if this is for your living room where you're gonna be watching ball games, then dont get anything smaller than a 52 inch. you'll regret it later. STAY AWAY FROM PLASMA!

eckoner · Post #7 » by **eckoner** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 12:22 am

Plasma = Bad in well lit area's (lots of big windows) you get really bad glare
LCD = Picture not as good as Plasma or LED but no glare
LED = The way to go but most pricey

Tons of good deals all over the place on all of them ...i just bought a new one so i did the leg work already and found online you will get the best deal but my old one went out and i had the extended plan from best buy $200.00 for 3 years...they came to my house, tried to fix and said it's not worth it so they replaced it and i ended up getting a larger better TV with no extra money

As Scandalozzz says make sure it's at least 120HZ and dont buy anything smaller than a 47 inch because in a few months you will see bigger for cheaper and while your watching Laker games on a 42 you will be thinking about the 50 thats now the same price!

Try amazon or this site if you want to save and buy online
http://dealmac.com/Electronics/TVs/LCD- ... s-424.html

Almost forgot :: Costco = Great prices and incredible 2 year later return policies (future upgrade)

vmor · Post #8 » by **vmor** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 12:47 am

LED gives much better range between black and white. 120 Hz just interpolates = adds a calculated picture between two frames broadcasted at 60 Hz. Some are OK, some get fuzzy... I don't like it. The size depends on how far you sit - if you get too close to a huge set, the pix'll seem pixelated. Check it in store...

Amazon used to deliver + setup for free last year, with usually the best prices. Fry's has probably the best prices locally, and you can see what you are buying.
Got one from each: a couple of years old 42" LCD Samsung which I thought was enough, but I was overruled for a 46" LED Sharp Aquos with 4 colors (it adds yellow to RGB). The pix is amazing - yellow adds liveliness compared to the very good Samsung. Amazon seems to have it now for $1030 http://www.amazon.com/Sharp-LC-46LE810UN-AQUOS-46-Inch-Technology/dp/B003E1WIPW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1300840729&sr=8-2

edit: oops, that doesn't have free shipping: 'Ships from and sold by Electronics Expo. '

Hunter103 · Post #9 » by **Hunter103** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 1:49 am

eckoner wrote:Plasma = Bad in well lit area's (lots of big windows) you get really bad glare
LCD = Picture not as good as Plasma or LED but no glare
LED = The way to go but most pricey

Tons of good deals all over the place on all of them ...i just bought a new one so i did the leg work already and found online you will get the best deal but my old one went out and i had the extended plan from best buy $200.00 for 3 years...they came to my house, tried to fix and said it's not worth it so they replaced it and i ended up getting a larger better TV with no extra money

As Scandalozzz says make sure it's at least 120HZ and dont buy anything smaller than a 47 inch because in a few months you will see bigger for cheaper and while your watching Laker games on a 42 you will be thinking about the 50 thats now the same price!

Try amazon or this site if you want to save and buy online
http://dealmac.com/Electronics/TVs/LCD- ... s-424.html

Almost forgot :: Costco = Great prices and incredible 2 year later return policies (future upgrade)

My Costco won't do this anymore, better check first if you go there.

joelafan · Post #10 » by **joelafan** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 2:49 am

Whats your price range?

TylersLakers · Post #11 » by **TylersLakers** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 4:01 am

Everyone talks about the difference between LED, LCD, Plasma, etc. and what is exactly better..

I've bought two TV's the past year.. a 46" LED and a 37" LCD.

What my advice is? Go to the store, take a look at both TV's. All three of them.. look at All 3, change around the channels to different HD Networks and see what you like the most. There's no right or wrong answer to which one is better. It's all based on your preferences and what you find better for you.

TylersLakers · Post #12 » by **TylersLakers** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 4:06 am

Scandalouzzzz wrote:LED is real nice. but really if ur looking to go cheap, just get a normal LCD.
Samsung makes real good tv's, i bought a 40 inch for my bedroom and it cost like 500 bucks. 120HZ is nice to have but usually a bit more expensive. if this is for your living room where you're gonna be watching ball games, then dont get anything smaller than a 52 inch. you'll regret it later. STAY AWAY FROM PLASMA!

I'll also agree with the Samsung's.. My 46" is the Samsung. I find it a beautiful TV. However the smaller one I have in my bedroom is an LG and I love that as well.

Desiderium · Post #13 » by **Desiderium** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 7:13 am

Yeah samsung's rock. But make sure you look at all the plug capabilities. Some tv's only have one HDMI cable output. If you have an xbox and Cable on one television, only one will be true HD and you'll have to use hi def component wires for the other, which isn't is good as HDMI

CowsMoo · Post #14 » by **CowsMoo** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 8:43 am

Samsung LEDs. I almost want to look at it from the side.

CowsMoo · Post #15 » by **CowsMoo** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 8:44 am

LApwnd wrote:instead of starting new topic I figure this is related to TV's but anyone own a slingbox? How is the quality is it easy to set up? Thinking of getting slingbox HD, always miss east coast game due to work.

I don't know the quality of slingbox HD, but the regular slingbox is not the greatest quality, but i'm just happy it works and i can stream on my phone over 3G.

TruSkool · Post #16 » by **TruSkool** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 8:54 am

hmm....

if you want quality- you wont go wrong with a panasonic PLASMA...downfall is a bigger electricity bill but the picture is more crisp IMO...

now if u want deals, www.slickdeals.net

you will find a 50-55inch deal on a tv almost every day.....but trust me, slickdeals will give an offer no one can beat, but you need to act fast

ImmortalD24 · Post #17 » by **ImmortalD24** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 1:00 pm

LCD is the way to go.. but if you have money to burn, go with the LED.

Do not get Plasma.

barrettcg · Post #18 » by **barrettcg** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 2:50 pm

I have a 60 in lcd and I really like it. I keep my living room pretty dark and before I had my lcd I had a 50 in plasma and the plasma had the better picture but gave off so much heat and sucked a lot of power. The newer plasmas are actually okay when it comes to power consumption but lcd and led are still better. I have heard about the size mattering due to how far away you view it and blah blah blah but once you have a really nice big tv you don't worry about how far away you sit unless you are like 2 feet away. Think of it like a movie theater.... the screen is huge and people still sit close and don't mind.

Kalidogg24 · Post #19 » by **Kalidogg24** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 5:19 pm

I got a 52 inch Sony Bravia.

I Love this T.V for watching Laker games, blue rays , and playing NBA 2K11.

Like Immortal24 said earlier , an LCD is really the only way to go.
If you do got that extra $$$ get an LED.

An if your in the Los Angeles or Orange County area please go to any Frye's Electronics Locations.
They got the best deals IMO.

Leor_77 · Post #20 » by **Leor_77** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 10:14 pm

Thanks guys very much for the help. Regarding "price range," I'm not entirely sure. At this point, I'm more concerned about finding out what are the best brands, best mediums (i.e. plasma, LED, LCD) models, etc. After that I'm pretty good at doing my own shopping and making good choices (open box, refurb's, Ebay, etc.)