Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

OK so I'm finally getting an HD TV and I have no clue what to buy. I think the biggest screen I can get is a 37 inch because of limited space (38 inch wide is the max) to place the TV. Other then that I'm clueless. So give me some advise on brands and what to look for. Thanks

Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

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Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

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Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

im not all that informed about tvs, electronics, etc but i did read several articles a few weeks ago where they talked about how the HD tvs (not usre if its plasma, etc) are very over supplied right now and prices are expected (if not already) to be cut by 25%.

so right now or in the next month they say is the best time to buy a tv in a long time.

Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

Matty you forgot the best one!!!!!


[url=http://lmgtfy.com/?q=why+is+firstdown+a+lazy+assshole%2C+just+joking!+]Let me google that for you[/url]

Click on it! Funny!

Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

These threads always turn into the yuppie version of the redneck fight of who is better Chevy or Ford?????


I say Samsung you say Sony, grrr!!!!!

Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

[quote=over the mountain;750663]im not all that informed about tvs, electronics, etc but i did read several articles a few weeks ago where they talked about how the HD tvs (not usre if its plasma, etc) are very over supplied right now and prices are expected (if not already) to be cut by 25%.

so right now or in the next month they say is the best time to buy a tv in a long time.[/quote]I think it's plasmas and LCDs that are predicted to drop in price a little closer to the holidays, so this is good advice OTM.

Firstdown, I'd either way another month or so if possible or if you get a TV from a store see if they have a price adjustment policy: [url=http://www.pricepinx.com/lowest_price_guarantee.php]Lowest Price Guarantee Policy Information for Retailers - Get a Price Drop Alert and then a Refund[/url]

Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

Yeah prices are expected to really drop for Christmas this year, I would hold out until then if you can.

Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

[quote=mredskins;750665]Matty you forgot the best one!!!!!


[URL="http://lmgtfy.com/?q=why+is+firstdown+a+lazy+assshole%2C+just+joking!+"]Let me google that for you[/URL]

Click on it! Funny![/quote]

:laughing2

Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

[quote=Mattyk;750660][URL]http://www.thewarpath.net/parking-lot/31767-buying-a-hdtv-help.html?highlight=hdtv[/URL]

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[URL]http://www.thewarpath.net/parking-lot/19055-i-need-hd-tv-help.html?highlight=hdtv[/URL][/quote]

Matty I'm surprised you of all people should know that electronics are usually out dated pretty quick and the most resent link you gave was over a year old. The other ones are from 2007.

Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

3D and super thin LED TVs are the hot shit now. What is your budget?

Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

[quote=firstdown;750671]Matty I'm surprised you of all people should know that electronics are usually out dated pretty quick and the most resent link you gave was over a year old. The other ones are from 2007.[/quote]


Other then 3D (which is stupid BTW) there is nothing new, get a Panasonic 1080p and you will be all set.

Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

[quote=Mattyk;750661][URL="http://www.lcdtvbuyingguide.com/"]LCD TV Buying Guide: LCD TV Reviews, Ratings, Models, Recommendations & Best Prices on LCD HDTVs[/URL]

[URL="http://www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com/"]Plasma TV Buying Guide: Plasma TV Reviews, HDTV Ratings, Pricing and Comparisons[/URL][/quote]

Do you really trust a rating site that is paid for by the companies advertising what they are rating? Thats my biggest hang up with these on line rating sites.

Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

[quote=mredskins;750673]Other then 3D (which is stupid BTW) there is nothing new, get a Panasonic 1080p and you will be all set.[/quote]

I like the Panasonic and I figured what ever I get I want 1080p. What else do you look for in these TV's.

Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

[quote=firstdown;750676]I like the Panasonic and I figured what ever I get I want 1080p. What else do you look for in these TV's.[/quote]DISCLAIMER - someone please chime in if I am completely botching what I'm attempting to explain...

One mistake I made when I bought my Samsung a few years ago was not paying attention to the megahertz, so I got a 40" 1080p with 60Hz and I really wish I had the same TV only with 120HZ. When I'm watching something with a lot of action (ie football highlights that are closer to the action than the normal TV angle) I notice pixelization. Its not the worst thing in the world but it can be annoying.

At the same time, I've heard that 240Hz can make some images look kind of weird. Like if you're watching a movie the screen can give it a weird digital TV feel, if that makes any sense. The only thing about this is that you can turn the refresh rate down when you're watching a movie or regular TV and then turn it back up when you're watching sports.

Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

[quote=mredskins;750666]These threads always turn into the yuppie version of the redneck fight of who is better Chevy or Ford?????


I say Samsung you say Sony, grrr!!!!![/quote]

I say Samsung.

I have a 42"...still beautiful. I've noticed Samsungs are usually the clearest, best looking displays in the stores.

I'm waiting for December for price drops and will likely buy another 37"-42"-ish to replace my last-remaining CRT antique, a Christmas gift for my wife and I to each other.

HH Gregg has them NOW in the $300-350 range for that size...should be under $300 for the holidays.

Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

In all reality go the store look at which you think looks best, choice it take it home. Then watch it for a few days if you don't like it return. Picture quality is a very selective thing, you may like picture A I may like picture B, it really is just up to your eye as to what you like.

Panasonic, Sony, Samsung, LG all have good products that are built well.


Oh yeah a lot of folks forget about them but a great place to buy a TV is Sears. you can buy their extended warranty and before before the first year is up you can cancel it and get your $$$ back. This is nice becasue if the TV breaks after 30 days (their return policy) you can still bring it back as a normal return they will just switch it out. If you don't have it you will have to deal with the TV manufacture after 30 days and that means a lot of red tape.

Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

[quote=ArtMonkDrillz;750681]DISCLAIMER - someone please chime in if I am completely botching what I'm attempting to explain...

One mistake I made when I bought my Samsung a few years ago was not paying attention to the megahertz, so I got a 40" 1080p with 60Hz and I really wish I had the same TV only with 120HZ. When I'm watching something with a lot of action (ie football highlights that are closer to the action than the normal TV angle) I notice pixelization. Its not the worst thing in the world but it can be annoying.

At the same time, I've heard that 240Hz can make some images look kind of weird. Like if you're watching a movie the screen can give it a weird digital TV feel, if that makes any sense. The only thing about this is that you can turn the refresh rate down when you're watching a movie or regular TV and then turn it back up when you're watching sports.[/quote]


My Panasonic plasma TV has 480 Hz...it looks perfect no matter what is on.

Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

I think Saden1 talk me into Panasonic.Great TV and it has held up well for the first year.

Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

I'm a Panasonic guy myself, they make top notch plasmas.

But if you're going in the 37" range, don't be afraid to check out Vizio. I have a 37" Vizio LCD in my bedroom and it's great. At that size you can get by with 720p too, no need to go full HD.

Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

[quote=firstdown;750674]Do you really trust a rating site that is paid for by the companies advertising what they are rating? Thats my biggest hang up with these on line rating sites.[/quote]

Yes, I trust the reviews there. The reviews well done and thorough.

[B]About the Company:[/B]

Consumer Electronics Advisory Group operates several premier buying guide websites, including plasmatvbuyingguide.com and lcdtvbuyingguide.com, among others. Online since 1996, CEAG focuses on home theatre, smart home and audio & video solutions, providing objective and accurate third-party reviews about new products, systems and products and technologies soon to be launched. CEAG has more than 14 million unique visitors each year and is on track to be growing at 18 million unique visitors by the beginning of 2008.

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Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

[quote=Mattyk;750687]I'm a Panasonic guy myself, they make top notch plasmas.

But if you're going in the 37" range, don't be afraid to check out Vizio. I have a 37" Vizio LCD in my bedroom and it's great. At that size you can get by with 720p too, no need to go full HD.[/quote]Agreed

Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

The links Matty posted might be old, but the basics of buying a HDTV really haven't changed much (aside from the burn-in scare that has all but disappeared).

I have a Sharp Aquos 37 inch 720p LCD in my bedroom and it's been great. Had it a year and a half, and the only complaint is the extremely dark scenes in movies are a bit hard to see sometimes. My sister has a 37 inch Vizio and she seems to like it.

Like it was said before, go to the store(s) and check them out. Be sure to play with the settings (most stores jack up the video settings to make the TVs look better) and see which one you like best. Then come home and find the best price online.

Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

[quote=saden1;750685]My Panasonic plasma TV has 480 Hz...it looks perfect no matter what is on.[/quote]Wow, I didn't even know they made 480Hz.

Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

[quote=ArtMonkDrillz;750691]Wow, I didn't even know they made 480Hz.[/quote]

In the Plasma realm they go up to 600 Hz. Is your TV LCD/LED?

Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

[quote=saden1;750693]In the Plasma realm they go up to 600 Hz. Is your TV LCD/LED?[/quote]Yeah, it's LCD. I got it in 2008 so I don't think I'll be upgrading anytime soon. When I do I'll probably try to go with a 42"-52" LED and at least 120Hz, but probably higher.

I was just reading more about the way plasma work in terms of Hz and I definitely see the pros with plasmas but I'd probably stick with LCD/LED, just as a personal choice.

Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

I have 3 flat panels, a 55" Sharp Aquos that's about 4 yrs old now, a 32" Aquos for the bedroom and a 46" Sony in the basement. l echo what Saden says, go as high as possible on the refresh rate (measured in Hz). For LCD/LED, I think the current best in class is still 240Hz. Personally, I like Sharp's picture quality the best but it's really, really close with Sony.

Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

Folks may laugh but I have a LCD in my bedroom (Philips), a plasma in family room (Panasonic) and a rear projection DLP in my basement (Samsung). Out of 3 IMO the DLP has the best picture.

Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

[quote=mredskins;750710]Folks may laugh but I have a LCD in my bedroom (Philips), a plasma in family room (Panasonic) and a rear projection DLP in my basement (Samsung). Out of 3 IMO the DLP has the best picture.[/quote]

I had heard once that DLP had the longest life expectancy of the three (LCD, Plasma and DLP) because they made an easily replaceable part the fail point on the tv's. I think the fact that you can't hang them on the wall killed DLP.

Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

[quote=mredskins;750710]Folks may laugh but I have a LCD in my bedroom (Philips), a plasma in family room (Panasonic) and a rear projection DLP in my basement (Samsung). Out of 3 IMO the DLP has the best picture.[/quote]

I don't get it...can you elaborate?

Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

[quote=saden1;750714]I don't get it...can you elaborate?[/quote]


Rear projection has kind fallen by the way side, so a lot of TV snobs turn their nose up on them.

Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

[quote=mredskins;750686]I think Saden1 talk me into Panasonic.Great TV and it has held up well for the first year.[/quote]

I have a Panasonic LCD and it started to develop burned out crystals in its third or fourth year. It had a beautiful picture but now it is disappointing.

Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

[quote=saden1;750685]My Panasonic plasma TV has 480 Hz...it looks perfect no matter what is on.[/quote]

= awesome

Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

Remember size wise TVs are usually measured diagonally...so if you have 38 inches wide you can go bigger than a 37. Probably a 42

Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

Samsung, Toshiba, Panasonic, Sony--that's your wheel house. Get a good model in one of those and you'll be happy.

Visios are pretty good too.

Anything you go to from a CRT is going to be awesome.

Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

[quote=Lotus;750719]I have a Panasonic LCD and it started to develop burned out crystals in its third or fourth year. It had a beautiful picture but now it is disappointing.[/quote]


Mines a plasma. I had a Philips Plasma that died on me after 3 years.

Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

[quote=mredskins;750726]Mines a plasma. [B]I had a Philips Plasma that died on me after 3 years.[/B][/quote]

I find that abhorrent. The HD tv's are much more expensive than tv's back in the day. They should last a long time for the price. I don't know about you but I am not made of money, and dishing out $800, $1000, $1200 every few years for a tv is ridiculous.

Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

[quote=Lotus;750729]I find that abhorrent. The HD tv's are much more expensive than tv's back in the day. They should last a long time for the price. I don't know about you but I am not made of money, and dishing out $800, $1000, $1200 every few years for a tv is ridiculous.[/quote]


I agree I bought in 2006 for $3k with the amblights and all. Piss me off, I am starting to think the CRT TV's were built better.

Go figure the industry create a product that needs to be replaced every few years.

Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

[quote=BleedBurgundy;750711]I had heard once that DLP had the longest life expectancy of the three (LCD, Plasma and DLP) because they made an easily replaceable part the fail point on the tv's. I think the fact that you can't hang them on the wall killed DLP.[/quote]

I have a 46" DLP that's five years old. Picture looks fine and I also play a lot of XBox 360 on it. Recently, the lamp burned out (after 5yrs) and all I had to do is replace that part (cost 130 bucks). But you're right, the fact you can't hang these TVs is not a good selling point.

Re: Buying My First HD TV & Need Help
 

[quote=mredskins;750684]In all reality go the store look at which you think looks best, choice it take it home. Then watch it for a few days if you don't like it return. Picture quality is a very selective thing, you may like picture A I may like picture B, it really is just up to your eye as to what you like.

Panasonic, Sony, Samsung, LG all have good products that are built well.


Oh yeah a lot of folks forget about them but a great place to buy a TV is Sears. you can buy their extended warranty and before before the first year is up you can cancel it and get your $$$ back. This is nice becasue if the TV breaks after 30 days (their return policy) you can still bring it back as a normal return they will just switch it out. If you don't have it you will have to deal with the TV manufacture after 30 days and that means a lot of red tape.[/quote]
That's where I bought mine.

Did get the service plan...never do on anything else, but I blew a speaker and they came out and replaced both speakers no charge, plus, I was entitled to a visit for them to come out and recalibrate it every year for the 3 years, which they charge like $125 for without a warranty. Did not necessarily need to be done, but why not...it was not costing me any extra.