Buying an HDTV - ideas and any sales on?

[Marc Vaughan]

Hi,

I'm planning on getting an HDTV in the January sales ... no preference for brand really and around 42-46'' in size.

Its primary usage will be as the family TV in the front room, it'll also be used by a Wii and a PS-3 (and hence one day BlueRay movies).

Any ideas from people who know more than myself (ie. everyone ).

[stevew]

How much do you want to spend? Is your digital cable actually digital, or an analog digital hybrid. Are you moving back to england at some point?

[ISiddiqui]

I've heard good things about the Sony LCDs around that size. But they are pricey.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

If you're looking for a good HDTV at a great price, you can't go wrong with Vizio. I bought 3 of them through Target and they've performed just as well as my Sony HDTV and Westinghouse monitor. Don't let the lower price sour you..........they are very good TV's.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

FYI....if you're looking for sales on HDTV's, I'd head over to www.techbargains.com. They advertise the big sales and I've found a couple of cheap ones by going there daily. In addition, they have a low price search engine that can help you find a cheap purchase if you're set on a particular brand or size.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

If you're looking for a good HDTV at a great price, you can't go wrong with Vizio. I bought 3 of them through Target and they've performed just as well as my Sony HDTV and Westinghouse monitor. Don't let the lower price sour you..........they are very good TV's.

sure thing ladanian

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

FYI......Fry's has a great deal on a 65" Toshiba DLP HDTV (1080p) today only. $999 is a stellar price for the visual gluttons in the house.

[stevew]

I will say that I have seen a few pretty good Vizio models, but their quality seems to vary quite a bit from model to model.

[Synovia]

I've got a Vizio GV42LF (42" 1080p LCD). Absolutely love it. Cost me like $950 at Sears.


Best Buy has a 46" Samsung 1080p LCD on sale for today only for like $1399

[Marc Vaughan]

Originally Posted by stevew

How much do you want to spend? Is your digital cable actually digital, or an analog digital hybrid. Are you moving back to england at some point?

Spend - I'm a skinflint but have budgetted up to around $1.5k for this, I'm a great believer in paying as little as possible though (my wife wants to get a new 'unit' for it to stand upon so any saved on the TV will undoubtably go towards the stand and vice-versa).

Cable - No idea, we use DirectTV if that helps.

Moving back to England - I'm not expecting to, we've pretty much put down roots and my eldest is about to start highschool next year so I'd be loathe to move once she's started that part of her schooling.

[Marc Vaughan]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

FYI......Fry's has a great deal on a 65" Toshiba DLP HDTV (1080p) today only. $999 is a stellar price for the visual gluttons in the house.

This might be a purely English reaction but the very size of that TV scares me ... I prefer to watch shows which aren't actually life size

[Marc Vaughan]

Originally Posted by Synovia

I've got a Vizio GV42LF (42" 1080p LCD). Absolutely love it. Cost me like $950 at Sears.


Best Buy has a 46" Samsung 1080p LCD on sale for today only for like $1399

Both of these sounds very interesting thanks

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by Marc Vaughan

This might be a purely English reaction but the very size of that TV scares me ... I prefer to watch shows which aren't actually life size

Your 'flats' over in England are too small for a 65", but over here where we have a bit more room, size matters!

I have a 65" TV right now actually (though I paid more than $999). My wife thanks me every day for that purchase. It's so nice to not have to strain to see anything. With a PS3 like you have, it's absolutely wonderful. But it looks good on a 42" too.

[Flasch186]

Originally Posted by Marc Vaughan

Moving back to England - I'm not expecting to, we've pretty much put down roots and my eldest is about to start highschool next year so I'd be loathe to move once she's started that part of her partying.

fixed for accuracy.

x 5 if she carries an English accent.

[Passacaglia]

Originally Posted by Marc Vaughan

Spend - I'm a skinflint but have budgetted up to around $1.5k for this, I'm a great believer in paying as little as possible though (my wife wants to get a new 'unit' for it to stand upon so any saved on the TV will undoubtably go towards the stand and vice-versa).

Cable - No idea, we use DirectTV if that helps.

Moving back to England - I'm not expecting to, we've pretty much put down roots and my eldest is about to start highschool next year so I'd be loathe to move once she's started that part of her schooling.

Does this mean that you play WSM now, not FM? Be honest!

[stevew]

I'd personally recommend a 42" panasonic plasma, around a grand for the 720p u75 model, around 1.5k for the 1080p model z77. Or if you want an LCD, the Samsung 61/65 series's both should be around 14-1500 in 40", sometimes the 46 also is close to that price.

[Marc Vaughan]

Originally Posted by Flasch186

fixed for accuracy.

x 5 if she carries an English accent.

Heh - you'd have to meet Haley to understand why thats not presently a worry.

She is rather dedicated to her school work to a ludicrous degree (she's an honours student with something like a 92% average in her first year here - yeah I'm proud so sue me ) and is the type of kid who we have to try and STOP working rather than the other way around.

She wants to work with animals when she's older (possibly as a vet) and is determined not to let poor grades prevent her from choosing her career.

[Marc Vaughan]

Originally Posted by Passacaglia

Does this mean that you play WSM now, not FM? Be honest!

I play straight off our development tree so still play FM ...

[Marc Vaughan]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

FYI....if you're looking for sales on HDTV's, I'd head over to www.techbargains.com. They advertise the big sales and I've found a couple of cheap ones by going there daily. In addition, they have a low price search engine that can help you find a cheap purchase if you're set on a particular brand or size.

Thanks that looks like a very useful site

[NoSkillz]

Originally Posted by stevew

I'd personally recommend a 42" panasonic plasma, around a grand for the 720p u75 model, around 1.5k for the 1080p model z77. Or if you want an LCD, the Samsung 61/65 series's both should be around 14-1500 in 40", sometimes the 46 also is close to that price.

+1

I have a 50" Panasonic Vierra plasma that I purchased last year and it is fantastic.

We needed (ie: the wife needed) another smaller TV for our upstairs family room so I just got the 42" Panasonic today on special for $999.00 at Future Shop here in Canada. Just an awesome deal if you can find anything similar down south...

[mattlanta]

Hey, Marc. I'm not an HDTV specialist or know anything much about TVs, but I do know a site that lists daily sales and sometimes I see HDTVs on it that are on a very low price. The site is http://slickdeals.net/ and I think there is a good Blu-Ray sales forum in http://forum.blu-ray.com/index.php?

Good luck with finding the right HDTV for you.

[Wolfpack]

Originally Posted by NoSkillz

We needed (ie: the wife needed) another smaller TV for our upstairs family room so I just got the 42" Panasonic today on special for $999.00 at Future Shop here in Canada. Just an awesome deal if you can find anything similar down south...

42"? Small(er)? One of your other ones better be a movie theater screen....

[cartman]

I just picked up the 46 inch Sony XBR5 from Crutchfield.com. They were offering 18 months no payments/no interest, and it was $800 off as well. Free shipping and no sales tax are added bonuses as well.

[NoSkillz]

Originally Posted by Wolfpack

42"? Small(er)? One of your other ones better be a movie theater screen....

I know, it's ridiculous...sometimes I think the wife should be institutionalized

We were going to get something around 30"-37" but the deal on the 42" was too good to pass up.

[damnMikeBrown]

Got a 46" Aquous 46d64u I love her. I really do. I think this could be the start of a long term meaningful relationship. She is great. She knows all the lines to my favorite movies..she'll stay up all night with me. She has such depth, and just a beautiful color to her...she is just amazing. Ok, she is a little flat, a little short, but I knew the first time I mounted her on the wall that my life would never be the same with her around.

[Marc Vaughan]

Finally fixed on a Sony Bravia 46'' HDTV which was reduced in the sales ... largest TV I've ever owned.

I'm not rigging it up until tomorrow, somewhat intruiged to see what all the hoo haw about HDTV is and whether I'll notice a difference or not ...

[ISiddiqui]

You did remember to get an High-Def package from your cable company/satellite, right?

[mattlanta]

Originally Posted by Marc Vaughan

Finally fixed on a Sony Bravia 46'' HDTV which was reduced in the sales ... largest TV I've ever owned.

I'm not rigging it up until tomorrow, somewhat intruiged to see what all the hoo haw about HDTV is and whether I'll notice a difference or not ...

Personally, I don't really care if it's HDTV. If it's HD or Blu-Ray, it just looks a lot more smooth, but I don't think it's worth all of the fuss yet... I think the most important thing on a TV is the size (so that you can read the letters and things aren't scrunched up) and the color quality. Congrats on your new HD.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by Libid21

Personally, I don't really care if it's HDTV. If it's HD or Blu-Ray, it just looks a lot more smooth, but I don't think it's worth all of the fuss yet... I think the most important thing on a TV is the size (so that you can read the letters and things aren't scrunched up) and the color quality. Congrats on your new HD.

Uh.. say wha? The difference btwn HD and SD is like the difference between color and black & white. It's actually difficult for me to go back to SD programming anymore.

[k0ruptr]

Originally Posted by Libid21

Hey, Marc. I'm not an HDTV specialist or know anything much about TVs, but I do know a site that lists daily sales and sometimes I see HDTVs on it that are on a very low price. The site is http://slickdeals.net/ and I think there is a good Blu-Ray sales forum in http://forum.blu-ray.com/index.php?

Good luck with finding the right HDTV for you.

SD is a good site, as is fatwallet.com same similarness, they are kinda rivals in a way, but both have deals as soon as they are out

[mattlanta]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Uh.. say wha? The difference btwn HD and SD is like the difference between color and black & white. It's actually difficult for me to go back to SD programming anymore.

To each his own opinion. Personally, I think you're just used to HDTV, so you can't go back to regular TV. I can watch TV whatever it is unless it's black and white or from the 60s. I can't see it getting much better than HD though. BluRay looks fictional in a way... maybe it's just me again.

[bhlloy]

Originally Posted by Libid21

To each his own opinion. Personally, I think you're just used to HDTV, so you can't go back to regular TV. I can watch TV whatever it is unless it's black and white or from the 60s. I can't see it getting much better than HD though. BluRay looks fictional in a way... maybe it's just me again.

Ugh... I disagree also. Trying to watch Fox Soccer channel or non-HD hockey games on my 46" Sony is a crap-fest. I have to watch them on the smaller TV we have in the bedroom.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by Marc Vaughan

Heh - you'd have to meet Haley to understand why thats not presently a worry.

She is rather dedicated to her school work to a ludicrous degree (she's an honours student with something like a 92% average in her first year here - yeah I'm proud so sue me ) and is the type of kid who we have to try and STOP working rather than the other way around.

She wants to work with animals when she's older (possibly as a vet) and is determined not to let poor grades prevent her from choosing her career.

Veterinary School is harder to get into than medical school, so that work ethic will be important and should serve her well in college.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by Marc Vaughan

Finally fixed on a Sony Bravia 46'' HDTV which was reduced in the sales ... largest TV I've ever owned.

I'm not rigging it up until tomorrow, somewhat intruiged to see what all the hoo haw about HDTV is and whether I'll notice a difference or not ...

Assuming you get some of the HD packages from DirecTV, you are going to notice a drastic difference. It's hard for me to watch standard def shows since we got our HDTV.

[mattlanta]

I still have an issue with both Blu-Ray. How much clearer can movies truly get? I mean, this is technology for awesome living room setups to truly experience what both companies brag about. The movies are always over $25. It just doesn't seem worth it just yet. Until you can show me something truly revolutionary with all that space you tout, I don't care to pay for something like this. Maybe you can, but not me.

[k0ruptr]

Originally Posted by Libid21

I still have an issue with both Blu-Ray. How much clearer can movies truly get? I mean, this is technology for awesome living room setups to truly experience what both companies brag about. The movies are always over $25. It just doesn't seem worth it just yet. Until you can show me something truly revolutionary with all that space you tout, I don't care to pay for something like this. Maybe you can, but not me.

you can buy a blu ray burner and then just download ure movies... not that i do that or anything.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Marc Vaughan

Finally fixed on a Sony Bravia 46'' HDTV which was reduced in the sales ... largest TV I've ever owned.

I'm not rigging it up until tomorrow, somewhat intruiged to see what all the hoo haw about HDTV is and whether I'll notice a difference or not ...

Cool. The 46S3000 sony? If so, even with being the "entry level" sony model, it's still an amazingly good tv. I dunno where you bought, but many places will offer a 30 to 60 day price match guarantee. Meaning if you find your TV available cheaper somewhere else within that time period, you can get the difference refunded to you. Dunno if they do stuff like that in England.

[cuervo72]

We bought a 42" Philips LCD from BB just last Friday as something in our TV blew earlier that day (right before the holiday, great timing). Not sure what the deal was, but the price in the store was considerably cheaper than what's on the site, and we "saved" $100 by upgrading our Directv to HD (of course, we shelled out $299 for their HD DVR). DTV guy doesn't come until Jan 2, but so far we're pretty happy with the tv. We have a setup where the ideal wall for the TV is directly across from a bank of four windows, which give direct light in the morning/afternoon. Glare on this TV doesn't seem to be a problem at all. It has a handy input on the left side of the monitor, and then seemingly plenty in the back as well.

edit: but good luck with your Sony! Tough to go wrong there.

[cartman]

Congrats Marc! As I mentioned earlier, I picked up the Bravia 46 inch XBR5 recently. Just a note, be sure to read through the manual. There are about eleventy billion different settings that can be changed. Out of the box, I was disappointed with the picture compared to my existing 42 inch Sony LCD rear projection TV. But after trial and error, and some setting changes, I'm very happy with the picture. HD channels on DirecTV look awesome, and games on the XBox 360 are incredible.

[Bee]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

Ugh... I disagree also. Trying to watch Fox Soccer channel or non-HD hockey games on my 46" Sony is a crap-fest. I have to watch them on the smaller TV we have in the bedroom.

With my projector I only watch HD and upscaled DVDs because SD at 100"+ really sucks. I generally avoid any SD, but if I do find myself having to watch it I'll go to the 20" tv in the guest room. That's about the only way I can stand it, but even then it's annoying.

[dawgfan]

Just to jump in to the "asking advice" part of this thread, I'll be in the market for an HDTV in the next 6 months. Here's the criticals:

- I doubt I'll need a TV bigger than 46";
- I'm inclined to go LCD or Plasma over DLP, but I could be swayed by persuasive arguments;
- My primary usage will be video gaming and DVD playback (not sure yet whether I'll break down and get cable or a dish);
- I'm worried about whether video-game lag is still an issue with the sets coming out now;
- I'm wondering how much of an issue burn-in still is with Plasmas;
- I'm bothered when I see standard TV signals on HDTV's - they look really bad to me;
- If I did get cable/a dish, I'd be watching a lot of sports, so issues of quick movement and how the various formats handle that could be important;
- Not sure yet whether the room would be light or dark, so I don't know how much of an issue glare will be;
- Wider viewing angle carries some weight with me - I'd like flexibility in how to lay out the TV room so multiple guests can see a good picture without having to sit directly in line with the screen

Thanks for any help...

[DeToxRox]

Just ordered the same TV as Marc. Didn't realize this thread until after. Good choice.

[Cork]

Originally Posted by Libid21

Personally, I don't really care if it's HDTV. If it's HD or Blu-Ray, it just looks a lot more smooth, but I don't think it's worth all of the fuss yet... I think the most important thing on a TV is the size (so that you can read the letters and things aren't scrunched up) and the color quality. Congrats on your new HD.

While HD might be nice, I think the general public has been sold a bill of goods by the TV industry. My current picture on my 27" RCA CRT via the Dish network looks better than anything I have seen from the current crop of HD TVs. To me, HD is like the law of diminishing goods. The picture is only marginally better than digital cable, but the price is substantial once you factor in the cost of the TV ad the HD package.

I will definately make the switch down the road when all channels are shown in HD. Until then the slight increase in picture quality simply isn't worth the outrageous price. It's too bad that TV manufacturers gave up on CRT technology as nothing today comes remotely close to its picture quality.

-Cork

[Rich1033]

Originally Posted by Cork

W My current picture on my 27" RCA CRT via the Dish network looks better than anything I have seen from the current crop of HD TVs.

-Cork

You have to be kidding. Thats like saying a DVD of 300 sounds better on your old 2 speaker stereo than a nice new surround sound system.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by dawgfan

Just to jump in to the "asking advice" part of this thread, I'll be in the market for an HDTV in the next 6 months. Here's the criticals:

- I doubt I'll need a TV bigger than 46";
- I'm inclined to go LCD or Plasma over DLP, but I could be swayed by persuasive arguments;
- My primary usage will be video gaming and DVD playback (not sure yet whether I'll break down and get cable or a dish);
- I'm worried about whether video-game lag is still an issue with the sets coming out now;
- I'm wondering how much of an issue burn-in still is with Plasmas;
- I'm bothered when I see standard TV signals on HDTV's - they look really bad to me;
- If I did get cable/a dish, I'd be watching a lot of sports, so issues of quick movement and how the various formats handle that could be important;
- Not sure yet whether the room would be light or dark, so I don't know how much of an issue glare will be;
- Wider viewing angle carries some weight with me - I'd like flexibility in how to lay out the TV room so multiple guests can see a good picture without having to sit directly in line with the screen

Thanks for any help...

All signs point to you being happy with a plasma. It'll somewhat mask poor quality SD stuff. Wide angle of viewing. Doesn't pixelate as much as LCD. Burn in is probably a pretty moot point at this time....basically you just baby the TV for the first 100 or so hours, and then it's good to go. I'd suggest something by panasonic or Pioneer, depending on how much you want to spend. I'd also suggest checking out a bunch of models in the store, and then probably just ordering online. Also look for an anti-glare coated one, but make sure to check it out in the store first.

[dawgfan]

Originally Posted by stevew

All signs point to you being happy with a plasma. It'll somewhat mask poor quality SD stuff. Wide angle of viewing. Doesn't pixelate as much as LCD. Burn in is probably a pretty moot point at this time....basically you just baby the TV for the first 100 or so hours, and then it's good to go. I'd suggest something by panasonic or Pioneer, depending on how much you want to spend. I'd also suggest checking out a bunch of models in the store, and then probably just ordering online. Also look for an anti-glare coated one, but make sure to check it out in the store first.

Awesome, thanks. I'd been gravitating towards a Pioneer PDP series anyway, so this helps solidify that thinking.

I take it gaming lag is no longer an issue?

[Logan]

If you can swing the money, Pioneer makes the top-of-the-line plasma (and I agree with steve in that seems like the better choice for you). If you find that too pricey, take a very minor step down to a Panasonic.

I'm not 100% sure what "gaming lag" is but I have no issues with my 360 on my Panasonic 42" 75u plasma. Maybe it's similar to how some sports don't look that great on an LCD because of the fast motion?

[Cork]

Originally Posted by Rich1033

You have to be kidding. Thats like saying a DVD of 300 sounds better on your old 2 speaker stereo than a nice new surround sound system.

I am dead serious. CRT technology is definately better than what you will see from an LCD or a plasma TV. Even the hardcore tecnogeeks on AVS generally acknowledge this. The problem is that for whatever reason, the TV industry has decided to abandon CRTs and push inferior technology on the consumer. Hopefully in another 5 years or so, all the issues with LCD's, and Plasmas will be solved. By then these technologies will be considered "mature" and should be worthy successors to the CRT.

When I purchase a new TV, I don't want to have to worry about motion blur, image tearing, poor dark colors, the inability to run games, image burn in, inability to see SD broadcasts decently, and the myriad of other issues that plague todays HD TVs.

I really wish that the TV industry would have continued to manufacture HD CRTs. Those would have been nice to try out.

-Cork

[Rich1033]

Originally Posted by Cork

I am dead serious. CRT technology is definately better than what you will see from an LCD or a plasma TV. Even the hardcore tecnogeeks on AVS generally acknowledge this. The problem is that for whatever reason, the TV industry has decided to abandon CRTs and push inferior technology on the consumer. Hopefully in another 5 years or so, all the issues with LCD's, and Plasmas will be solved. By then these technologies will be considered "mature" and should be worthy successors to the CRT.

When I purchase a new TV, I don't want to have to worry about motion blur, image tearing, poor dark colors, the inability to run games, image burn in, inability to see SD broadcasts decently, and the myriad of other issues that plague todays HD TVs.

I really wish that the TV industry would have continued to manufacture HD CRTs. Those would have been nice to try out.

-Cork

Well, to each his own I guess. Obviously the CRTs arent produced like LCDs and plasmas because of the bulk and weight, but Im sure we all know that.

All I know is that Im sitting here watching the bowl game in HD on my 32" LCD and it would be very tough to go into the bedroom and watch it on my old 27" CRT.

[lighthousekeeper]

Originally Posted by Cork

While HD might be nice, I think the general public has been sold a bill of goods by the TV industry. My current picture on my 27" RCA CRT via the Dish network looks better than anything I have seen from the current crop of HD TVs. To me, HD is like the law of diminishing goods. The picture is only marginally better than digital cable, but the price is substantial once you factor in the cost of the TV ad the HD package.

I will definately make the switch down the road when all channels are shown in HD. Until then the slight increase in picture quality simply isn't worth the outrageous price. It's too bad that TV manufacturers gave up on CRT technology as nothing today comes remotely close to its picture quality.

-Cork

Thank you! I feel exactly the same way. I keep wanting to purchase an hdtv, but whenever I see my friend's HDTVs or go to the store to purchase one, I feel like the picture quality isn't really any better than my current 27" CRT. A football game will be on at Circuit City, and the picture will be gorgeous, but then the camera will pan quickly on a passing play, and everything will be all blocky. That blockyness just doesn't exist on my CRT. And besides, I don't think that I really look too closely to the TV anyways, or if I do, I don't think that a more precise image will improve my viewing pleasure.