Flat screen tv - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

curbfeeler · #1 08-26-2006, 02:29 PM

I am considering purchase of a flat screen tv, nothing huge, around 40". Not sure to go with plasma or lcd, but leaning toward lcd now. It will not be used as a monitor or to play video games. Any advice toward type and manufacturer is welcome.

300EVIL · #2 08-26-2006, 02:51 PM

Look into DLP TV's as well. I have a 61" Samsung DLP, smaller sizes are available. What caught my eye was that the DLP technology seems to have brighter and crisper color. The image is absolutely amazing in HD, it's like looking through a window! Mine uses an arc lamp but some of the new ones use massive LED's which last a lot longer. I've already had to replace the bulb in mine. Only $200, so no big deal.

G-Benz · #3 08-26-2006, 04:21 PM

I have a 42" Maxent plasma purchased about a year or so ago. I opted for the plasma because the prices have gone down considerably (remember seeing $12K on the price tags just after the turn of the millenium)?

The horror stories regarding plasma lamps burning out within a two-year lifespan is bogus. Early models did have that problem, and only facilities that ran their sets 24-7 saw that anomaly.

The technology has improved to where a set that sees 6 or so hours of daily useage is good for about 15 years. Tube sets were never that reliable.

Wodnek · #4 08-26-2006, 04:39 PM

LCD screens that large have seams and sufffer from pixel burnout. If you need a flat screen I would go for plasma. 42 inch screens have come way down in price.
If you can live with a little more thickness DLP or LCOS sets offer more features for the same money.

Check here:
http://www.highdefforum.com/

#5 08-26-2006, 05:06 PM

If you want HDTV, don't settle for anything less than 1080i. 720P is nowhere as good as 1080i and 1080P.

1080P is starting to become more common and you will be amazed how clear it is. If you ever get HD-DVD or BluRay, you won't be disappointed.

G-Benz · #6 08-27-2006, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackE55

If you can, wait until the Superbowl. You'll see a decent price reduction.

Do you mean "AFTER" the Superbowl?

Dee8go · #7 08-27-2006, 08:46 AM

I walked into the Sony store at Tyson's Corner (N. VA) about a week ago and looked at a fifty-something inch 1080p plasma screen that was hooked up to a Blu-Ray and felt like I was going to fall into the damned icture. Wow! I hardly ever watch TV, but immediately started jonsin' for that thing.

I thought i'd get an LCD if I ever bought a big screen TV. I loked the Sharp Aquos series. They actually have one that is 65." Of course, it costs about $20K I think. The plasmas are much better now than they were a couple of years ago. They've addressed some of the issues like burn-in, etc.

TwitchKitty · #8 08-27-2006, 10:24 AM

The specifications on these things are changing as time goes by. I think is important to look into which specifications translate into picture quality that you can really see on an everyday basis. I have not really looked into it as I am not real hot to buy one yet, but it is on the horizon.

I think my first one will be a ~26" lcd that I can use as a TV and a computer monitor.

Resolution and dot pitch are important. Response times seem important and are getting better. The contrast ratio seems to be an important number and the power of the light behind the screen would be needed to draw out the contrast. Anyone know if this is accurate?

http://www.lcdtvbuyingguide.com/lcdtv-crt.shtml

Here is a link to a buyer's guide and it has more links at the bottom of the article.

elau · #9 08-27-2006, 08:34 PM

I stopped by Best Buy after reading this thread and see for myself. I honestly can't tell the difference between the 780p and 1080p. They both look sharp to me. However, the 780p is definitely alot cheaper. You can pick up a 32" for $699. I almost bought one till a guy told me I need to get a cable that does not come with the TV. The cable is between $99 and $150

Then he told me I better call Comcast first before I buy anything because I need another piece of equipment before the new TV looks like the ones in the store. After getting all the "education" from this other shopper, I decided to save myself $699 and went home empty handed

jlomon · #10 08-28-2006, 12:14 PM

I bought the 42 inch version of this for Christmas last year:

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926HDS0010077258&catid=23250

It is a rear projection LCD from Sony, and I've been very happy with it. My only complaint is that you do get a bit of "pixelation" with close-up high-speed action, but this depends on the quality of your cable/satellite feed. I have a weaker signal coming into the house than I would like to have.

I was all set to purchase a flat screen LCD HDTV at the time but I decided to go with the rear projection instead. It was $1000 cheaper than the comparable flat screen, and I figured that since I was never going to hang it on the wall there was no point in getting it, other than the "cool" factor. If you don't plan on hanging your TV up, a rear projection (either LCD or DLP) might be a good option for you.

G-Benz · #11 08-28-2006, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elau

I almost bought one till a guy told me I need to get a cable that does not come with the TV. The cable is between $99 and $150

Then he told me I better call Comcast first before I buy anything because I need another piece of equipment before the new TV looks like the ones in the store.

What is REALLY the case is that even if your TV of choice has a tuner, there are no HD broadcasts available except though your local carrier...be it cable, satellite or broadband.

That will require a separate box (probably) provided by your carrier (for some monthly fee). My carrier (Verizon) offers video via their FIOS network, using the existing broadband connection with an ethernet-to-coax converter box to send the signal via the coax connections thoughout the house. Then each set had a box. The Verizon installer provided the composite video cables with the set top box for the HD sets, and standard coax for the normal sets.

After seeing HD in the house for the first time, I never looked back!

btw...composite cables run on average from $50 for the ultra high-end stuff, to as low as $15 for the "Sam's Choice" brands...

John Doe · #12 08-28-2006, 02:17 PM

I have become a big cnet electronics review fan. I don't have the time (or more importantly the desire) to go look at all this stuff before I buy it. I bought a Panasonic 42" plasma about 8 mos ago and love it. I also have a 26" Samsung in my kitchen. Samsung rated higher than the Panasonic on cnet, but I wanted a "frameless" and the 42" Samsung had a silver frame. I bought it online, btw, for $700 less than Best Buy wanted for it (the big one).

suginami · #13 08-28-2006, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Doe

I have become a big cnet electronics review fan. I don't have the time (or more importantly the desire) to go look at all this stuff before I buy it. I bought a Panasonic 42" plasma about 8 mos ago and love it. I also have a 26" Samsung in my kitchen. Samsung rated higher than the Panasonic on cnet, but I wanted a "frameless" and the 42" Samsung had a silver frame. I bought it online, btw, for $700 less than Best Buy wanted for it (the big one).

What's interesting about Best Buy is that they price match - - even an internet price.

My neighbor bought a 50-something inch DLP Sony TV a few months ago. He found the unit in a Best Buy, went home and found it for several hundred dollars cheaper on the internet.

He printed the page, brought it in, and they sold it to him for the same price, plus what he would've payed for shipping. The website didn't charge sales tax, either, so Best Buy's price was net of sale tax.

I had never heard before that Best Buy would price match against the internet, but they apparently do.

elau · #14 08-28-2006, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suginami

What's interesting about Best Buy is that they price match - - even an internet price.

My neighbor bought a 50-something inch DLP Sony TV a few months ago. He found the unit in a Best Buy, went home and found it for several hundred dollars cheaper on the internet.

He printed the page, brought it in, and they sold it to him for the same price, plus what he would've payed for shipping. The website didn't charge sales tax, either, so Best Buy's price was net of sale tax.

I had never heard before that Best Buy would price match against the internet, but they apparently do.

So does Circuit City.

suginami · #15 08-28-2006, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elau

So does Circuit City.

Circuit City price matches against internet pricing?

Coooooool.