Buying a HDTV help!

Warpath · 09-09-2009, 04:37 PM

I searched the forums and 1 or 2 threads poppoed up from 08 and 07 so if this is a repeat I apologize.
Im in the market for a 42" or 46" HDTV. I know to look for 1080 but what else is important? biggest contrast? refresh rate? is vizio a piece of crap? do i have it professionally installed? if you mount it on the wall what do you do with the FIOS box? Theres tons of questions, so any info is welcomed.

ArtMonkDrillz · 09-09-2009, 04:59 PM

I love my TV. I got a 40" 1080p LCD Samsung for a decent price. My couch is close enough to the set that 40" is great, but when I'm back at my table or in my kitchen I sometimes wish I had gone 42" or even 46" but I can make due.

My only real gripe with my TV is that it's only like 60hz so when I'm watching football I occasionally get a blurry picture, especially if it's a close up on a replay or something. So my main advice would be to try to get one that refreshes at 120hz or 240hz if it's not too expensive.

As for everything else, I'm in an apartment that I don't plan on being in for the long term so I didn't bother wall mounting it or anything. I'm of no help in that area.

RedskinRat · 09-09-2009, 05:34 PM

I got a Panasonic plasma 42" because I watch a lot of sports and the refresh rates/contrast is excellent.

1080i vs. 1080p HDTV: should you care? - Fully Equipped - CNET Reviews

That link should give you all the info you need.

Happy viewing!

saden1 · 09-09-2009, 06:18 PM

Panasonic is the way to go. I've heard good things about the G10 model from my friend and the price ($1180) is amazing.

Smooter · 09-09-2009, 07:29 PM

I have a Vizio 42" LCD and love it. Can't beat it for the price.

TheMalcolmConnection · 09-09-2009, 08:03 PM

Just recently my Consumer Reports subscription expired, but the best value for the money is Toshiba, and I agree with AMD, get something with a higher refresh rate.

We have two Toshibas and paid $600 for our 40" 1080p just recently and it is the brightest, nicest LCD I've ever seen. We're about to move it from the bedroom to the living room I like it so much. Vizio is actually a great brand according to CR considering the price. It's not as good as Toshiba, Panasonic, LG (all in about the same category) but it's really close.

Slingin Sammy 33 · 09-09-2009, 08:08 PM

Check out the reviews and info on cnet.com, it should give you some helpful info. I've had good experience with Panasonic and Samsung.

Warpath · 09-09-2009, 09:20 PM

Thanks alot for all the help. I think as long as I get 1080p and at least 120Hz I should be straight. Looking at Panasonic and Samsung. Thanks again tho.

mooby · 09-09-2009, 09:46 PM

Word of advice, since your buying an HDTV do not buy whatever HDMI cables they have in the store. Stores jack the prices up like nobody's business when you can get HDMI cables for cheap. I bought a 26 inch 720p HDTV for my bedroom and I bought two gold-plated 3' HDMI cables online at monoprice.com for 12 bucks (including s&h). There's practically no discernable difference between what I have and what they'll try to sell you instore, other than the ones in store can range between 40-200 bucks. Just a link for further review:

HDMI and HDMI Cables: CNET's Quick Guide - CNET Reviews

itvnetop · 09-10-2009, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mooby

Word of advice, since your buying an HDTV do not buy whatever HDMI cables they have in the store. Stores jack the prices up like nobody's business when you can get HDMI cables for cheap. I bought a 26 inch 720p HDTV for my bedroom and I bought two gold-plated 3' HDMI cables online at monoprice.com for 12 bucks (including s&h). There's practically no discernable difference between what I have and what they'll try to sell you instore, other than the ones in store can range between 40-200 bucks. Just a link for further review:

HDMI and HDMI Cables: CNET's Quick Guide - CNET Reviews

Co-sign on monoprice- your one-stop shop for all things cable.

In terms of LCD, Samsung is the best for your buck. The A650 model has the 120hz refresh rate and the auto-motion is sick with sports.

Go here to learn about everything hi-def before you buy:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=166

Beemnseven · 09-10-2009, 01:18 PM

I have a Samsung 1080p plasma -- As far as size goes, I thought I'd be fine with a 42 or 46 inch model, but went for the 50 inch and have never regretted it.

Warpath · 09-12-2009, 12:15 PM

Just wanted to followup I bought a Samsung 46" LCD Series 6. Thanks again for all the help! Cant wait to watch my first Skins game in HD!!! HTTR!

dmek25 · 09-12-2009, 12:35 PM

is it LCD or DLP? i have an LCD, which i love. but my friend has a DLP, which he cant stand. i know you said LCD, just asking. and congrats

Warpath · 09-12-2009, 01:26 PM

Its an LCD

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmek25

is it LCD or DLP? i have an LCD, which i love. but my friend has a DLP, which he cant stand. i know you said LCD, just asking. and congrats

jsarno · 09-12-2009, 01:46 PM

I got a 44" Magnavox 1080p, and it was for $699 on sale at Target about 6 months ago. There is always a good deal to be had.

09-09-2009, 04:37 PM	#1
Warpath The Starter Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Potomac Falls, VA Age: 48 Posts: 1,762	Buying a HDTV help! I searched the forums and 1 or 2 threads poppoed up from 08 and 07 so if this is a repeat I apologize. Im in the market for a 42" or 46" HDTV. I know to look for 1080 but what else is important? biggest contrast? refresh rate? is vizio a piece of crap? do i have it professionally installed? if you mount it on the wall what do you do with the FIOS box? Theres tons of questions, so any info is welcomed.

09-09-2009, 04:59 PM	#2
ArtMonkDrillz Franchise Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Ellicott City, MD Age: 42 Posts: 8,029	Re: Buying a HDTV help! I love my TV. I got a 40" 1080p LCD Samsung for a decent price. My couch is close enough to the set that 40" is great, but when I'm back at my table or in my kitchen I sometimes wish I had gone 42" or even 46" but I can make due. My only real gripe with my TV is that it's only like 60hz so when I'm watching football I occasionally get a blurry picture, especially if it's a close up on a replay or something. So my main advice would be to try to get one that refreshes at 120hz or 240hz if it's not too expensive. As for everything else, I'm in an apartment that I don't plan on being in for the long term so I didn't bother wall mounting it or anything. I'm of no help in that area. __________________ "Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man." The Dude

09-09-2009, 05:34 PM	#3
RedskinRat Franchise Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: I'm in LA, trick! Posts: 8,700	Re: Buying a HDTV help! I got a Panasonic plasma 42" because I watch a lot of sports and the refresh rates/contrast is excellent. 1080i vs. 1080p HDTV: should you care? - Fully Equipped - CNET Reviews That link should give you all the info you need. Happy viewing!

09-09-2009, 06:18 PM	#4
saden1 MVP Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Seattle Age: 45 Posts: 10,069	Re: Buying a HDTV help! Panasonic is the way to go. I've heard good things about the G10 model from my friend and the price ($1180) is amazing. __________________ "The Redskins have always suffered from chronic organizational deformities under Snyder." -Jenkins

09-09-2009, 07:29 PM	#5
Smooter Impact Rookie Join Date: May 2007 Age: 41 Posts: 965	Re: Buying a HDTV help! I have a Vizio 42" LCD and love it. Can't beat it for the price. __________________ Same freakout different year.

09-09-2009, 08:03 PM	#6
TheMalcolmConnection I like big (_\|_)s. Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lexington, Virginia Age: 43 Posts: 19,225	Re: Buying a HDTV help! Just recently my Consumer Reports subscription expired, but the best value for the money is Toshiba, and I agree with AMD, get something with a higher refresh rate. We have two Toshibas and paid $600 for our 40" 1080p just recently and it is the brightest, nicest LCD I've ever seen. We're about to move it from the bedroom to the living room I like it so much. Vizio is actually a great brand according to CR considering the price. It's not as good as Toshiba, Panasonic, LG (all in about the same category) but it's really close. __________________ Regret nothing. At one time it was exactly what you wanted.

09-09-2009, 08:08 PM	#7
Slingin Sammy 33 Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 4,347	Re: Buying a HDTV help! Check out the reviews and info on cnet.com, it should give you some helpful info. I've had good experience with Panasonic and Samsung. __________________ "I would bet.....(if), an angel fairy came down and said, '[You can have anything] in the world you would like to own,' I wouldn't be surprised if you said a football club and particularly the Washington Redskins.'' — Jack Kent Cooke, 1996.

09-09-2009, 09:20 PM	#8
Warpath The Starter Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Potomac Falls, VA Age: 48 Posts: 1,762	Re: Buying a HDTV help! Thanks alot for all the help. I think as long as I get 1080p and at least 120Hz I should be straight. Looking at Panasonic and Samsung. Thanks again tho.

09-09-2009, 09:46 PM	#9
mooby Hug Anne Spyder Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 20,468	Re: Buying a HDTV help! Word of advice, since your buying an HDTV do not buy whatever HDMI cables they have in the store. Stores jack the prices up like nobody's business when you can get HDMI cables for cheap. I bought a 26 inch 720p HDTV for my bedroom and I bought two gold-plated 3' HDMI cables online at monoprice.com for 12 bucks (including s&h). There's practically no discernable difference between what I have and what they'll try to sell you instore, other than the ones in store can range between 40-200 bucks. Just a link for further review: HDMI and HDMI Cables: CNET's Quick Guide - CNET Reviews

09-10-2009, 01:18 PM	#11
Beemnseven Pro Bowl Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Virginia Beach Age: 50 Posts: 5,311	Re: Buying a HDTV help! I have a Samsung 1080p plasma -- As far as size goes, I thought I'd be fine with a 42 or 46 inch model, but went for the 50 inch and have never regretted it.

09-12-2009, 12:15 PM	#12
Warpath The Starter Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Potomac Falls, VA Age: 48 Posts: 1,762	Re: Buying a HDTV help! Just wanted to followup I bought a Samsung 46" LCD Series 6. Thanks again for all the help! Cant wait to watch my first Skins game in HD!!! HTTR!

09-12-2009, 12:35 PM	#13
dmek25 MVP Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: lancaster,pa Age: 63 Posts: 10,672	Re: Buying a HDTV help! is it LCD or DLP? i have an LCD, which i love. but my friend has a DLP, which he cant stand. i know you said LCD, just asking. and congrats __________________ "It's better to be quiet and thought a fool than to open ones mouth and remove all doubt." courtesy of 53fan

09-12-2009, 01:46 PM	#15
jsarno Franchise Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: 31 Spooner St. Age: 49 Posts: 9,534	Re: Buying a HDTV help! I got a 44" Magnavox 1080p, and it was for $699 on sale at Target about 6 months ago. There is always a good deal to be had. __________________ Zoltan is ZESTY! - courtesy of joeredskin

Buying a HDTV help!

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