Help with finding perfect TV for me!

[Bengalfang]

I have been a lot of research the past couple days to try and find the perfect TV for me and my new townhouse, but unfortunately I am still confused as to what I should get! I have read tons of reviews and tons of LCD vs. Plasmas FAQs etc.

Here are some specifics:

Viewing Distance will be around 9.5 Ft
In my living room, so non-dedicated with a good amount of light
Budget: <$2,000
I love watching football & ESPN, will also be playing video games and hooking up my laptop.

So what I have decided with research so far is a 40-42 inch LCD.

However, I did not do as much research on RPTVs but they seem to be better at the larger sizes.

Also there are so many differences in between LCD TVs, I have gotten thoroughly confused.

Some Questions:
How would I hookup my laptop to the TV?
With a 40-42 inch screen would I need 1080p?
For $2000 what LCD should I get? I am leaning towards the
Sony BRAVIA V-Series HDTV (KDL-40V2500)
or
Sharp AQUOS® 42" LCD HDTV (LC-42D62U)
or
Samsung 40" LCD HDTV (LN-T4061F).

I hear these are the best brands for LCDs and they are in my price range. Other than that though I don't know the differences between these 3.

Anybody think I should go with a RPTV or Plasma instead? Any thoughts/advice would be greatly appreciated! I am off to BB and CC today to take a look at some TVs.

Thanks in advance,

Todd

 

[The Dukester]

First, I would also look at 50" as well as the 42" for that viewing distance. Take a tape measure or walk off the approximate distance when you look at the tvs today and view from that distance if possible. Also try to find a 40-42" next to a 50" and see the difference. It's all a matter of preference, but I would most likely go with the larger screen. You can get great 50" plasmas (or 42, for that matter) right now in your budget from Pannasonic or Pioneer (two of the best IMO) if you shop around, especially off the net.

As far as LCD vs Plasma, etc, you will get fans of both technologies trying to sway you to their side Personally, I liked the plasma better. I think it has a better picture plus I got the 50" size where plasma still has the price advantage. In the 42" size, there is a lot stiffer competition. The biggest differences to me in the two technologies are: a) LCDs will tend to be brighter, but some say the brightness makes the colors pop a little too much causing them to look unnatural. b) LCDs have a much less reflective screen on them. Plasmas have glass screens like the old CRT units do. If you have lights in the room, they may reflect off the screen, so consider that as to where lighting will be, etc for plasma. c) Plasmas have better black levels as a rule. d) Some LCDs still have motion lag where plasmas excel, so in fast moving sports plasmas will most always have the advantage, although this is improving on LCDs. e) If you do go with the larger screen, look for screen door effect in the LCD models. f) Plasmas are more susceptible to image retention/burn in but again, on newer models this is almost a mute point with even moderate care.

As for 1080p being an advantage in the 40" screen size, I would say no at your seating distance. At 5-6', maybe, but at nearly 10, no. As for your picks in the LCDs, I would go for the Sharp first, Sony second and the Samsung last. My reasoning is because of picture quality (IMO!) and unit quality overall, from what I hear and read.

Good luck with your purchase. In the end, just make a decision and don't look back or second guess yourself. Just enjoy your new TV!

 

[marcus68]

Hey Dukester!

I like your clear concise points. I have recently been going through what Bengalfang has been going through. After lots of research and help from this forum, I've decided to go with the latest 768p version of Panasonic's plasmas. I did my evaluations for 42" displays. But now that I've reached purchase time, I find myself being seduced by the Panasonic's bigger brother, the 50" screen.

I would only be sitting 8' (max.) away from the screen. Do you think the 50" screen would be a sensible choice? Do you think the 768p resolution would be an issue at that distance?

I only ask because you seem to favor plasmas and seem to know what you're talking about. And because if I do go for the 50", I'll need some well reasoned ammunition to sell the idea to my wife...

Thanks.

 

[The Dukester]

Thanks, marcus. I know what you mean by being suduced by the big screen. After buying my plasma, I went for a front pj with a 92" screen that pulls down in front of my 50" Yeah, I personally do favor plasmas, but as I mentioned, it's all a personal preference. I don't bash someone that likes LCD better Buy what you like and can afford!

At a max distance of 8' and a 50" screen I would seriously look at the 1080p units if they are in your budget. There will be several new ones out this fall and winter for you to look at. If you have the urge to buy now, you might want to stick with the smaller screen. A 50 incher at your distance will give you a pretty good big screen effect, however.

Also, it may depend on how often you upgrade. If you buy a set now and want it to last for say, 10 years, I would tend to buy a larger 1080p set vs upgrading in say, 3-4 yrs where I would go with perhaps a smaller 768p set. You can save money now and get the larger 1080p set when there is more content to take advantage of the higher res and the HD disc war has settled down. You could always move the old unit to a bedroom, etc, too where the difference would not matter as much.

Good luck on selling your wife on the need for a big screen! Perhaps a big box of Godivas to munch on while watching a movie on the new set!

Dukester

Hey Dukester!

I like your clear concise points. I have recently been going through what Bengalfang has been going through. After lots of research and help from this forum, I've decided to go with the latest 768p version of Panasonic's plasmas. I did my evaluations for 42" displays. But now that I've reached purchase time, I find myself being seduced by the Panasonic's bigger brother, the 50" screen.

I would only be sitting 8' (max.) away from the screen. Do you think the 50" screen would be a sensible choice? Do you think the 768p resolution would be an issue at that distance?

I only ask because you seem to favor plasmas and seem to know what you're talking about. And because if I do go for the 50", I'll need some well reasoned ammunition to sell the idea to my wife...

Thanks.

 

[TRT]

What to buy?

46" Sharp Aquos...period!

 

[Bengalfang]

Thanks for the input Dukester. One thing I have to adjust on my original point is that I forgot to account for the TV being off the wall and on a stand so the viewing distance would be closer t0 8.5 instead of 9.5.

I just got back from the stores and I like the LCDs better because of the brighter screens. The living room isn't going to be dark when I watch 1:00pm football games so LCD it is.

I measured out the distance I would be away from the TV and I am liking the 46" TVs more. However, a 46" TV with 1080p is taking me a bit out of my price range. The 46" with 768p are a lot more affordable. So my decision is now between.
46" 768p versus 42" 1080p.

Any thoughts? I am leaning towards the 46" 768p. The Sharp Aquos looked pretty nice.

First, I would also look at 50" as well as the 42" for that viewing distance. Take a tape measure or walk off the approximate distance when you look at the tvs today and view from that distance if possible. Also try to find a 40-42" next to a 50" and see the difference. It's all a matter of preference, but I would most likely go with the larger screen. You can get great 50" plasmas (or 42, for that matter) right now in your budget from Pannasonic or Pioneer (two of the best IMO) if you shop around, especially off the net.

As far as LCD vs Plasma, etc, you will get fans of both technologies trying to sway you to their side Personally, I liked the plasma better. I think it has a better picture plus I got the 50" size where plasma still has the price advantage. In the 42" size, there is a lot stiffer competition. The biggest differences to me in the two technologies are: a) LCDs will tend to be brighter, but some say the brightness makes the colors pop a little too much causing them to look unnatural. b) LCDs have a much less reflective screen on them. Plasmas have glass screens like the old CRT units do. If you have lights in the room, they may reflect off the screen, so consider that as to where lighting will be, etc for plasma. c) Plasmas have better black levels as a rule. d) Some LCDs still have motion lag where plasmas excel, so in fast moving sports plasmas will most always have the advantage, although this is improving on LCDs. e) If you do go with the larger screen, look for screen door effect in the LCD models. f) Plasmas are more susceptible to image retention/burn in but again, on newer models this is almost a mute point with even moderate care.

As for 1080p being an advantage in the 40" screen size, I would say no at your seating distance. At 5-6', maybe, but at nearly 10, no. As for your picks in the LCDs, I would go for the Sharp first, Sony second and the Samsung last. My reasoning is because of picture quality (IMO!) and unit quality overall, from what I hear and read.

Good luck with your purchase. In the end, just make a decision and don't look back or second guess yourself. Just enjoy your new TV!

 

[TRT]

46" Sharp Aquos...period!

60" Sony SXRD is the best, but out of your budget.

 

[Bengalfang]

60" Sony SXRD is the best, but out of your budget.

This Westinghouse TX-47F430S looks like a great value that could give me 1080p and 47".

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8346685&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat95100050025&id=1175902657231

What do you guys think?

 

[Adam]

This Westinghouse TX-47F430S looks like a great value that could give me 1080p and 47".

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8346685&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat95100050025&id=1175902657231

What do you guys think?

My brother has a 37" 1080P Westinghouse monitor that he bought about 1.5 years ago, and he's very happy with it. The off-angle picture is worse than I've seen on other sets, but it wasn't horrible. I haven't seen any of the newer Westinghouse units. I'd say go see it in person just to make sure that the picture (including off-angle) is up to your standards.

 

[The Dukester]

I don't know much about the Westys. I have read a couple of articles that rate them OK, but have not seen any in person. Have you checked online to see what kind of price you can get? There are some great stores online you can buy from and get a really great price, also. Some even offer deliveries that wait untill you get the TV out of the box and running before they leave to assure there are no DOAs. At the very least you can compare prices and take what you find into the local stores to see how close they will come to get your business.
Try here http://www.audioholics.com/buying-guides/recommended-stores-manufacturers/recommended-online-companies

or PriceGrabber.com and type in the model you are looking at.

 

[DT1009]

Just went to CC and bought the 46" Samsung 4661F 1080p set, and it is really sweet. I was going with the intention of the getting a 40"-42" set either Sharp Aquos, Sony XBR or a Samsung but my wife talked me into the 46" Samsung and I'm glad she did. Had the best picture of the three. The physical dimensions are almost the same as a 40-42". Definitely go bigger if you can.

 

[Bengalfang]

That TV looked nice, but it's a bit out of my price range. I have been going back and forth on the size. I'd prefer a "46-47 but I am afraid my 8-9 ft viewing distance might be too short for that size. Also of course I'd save $$$ going with "42. But with the Westinghouse I could easily get the "47 in plus the 4 yr warranty from BB all for less than any other 46" 1080p. That is what I am leaning towards now, but the "42 might fit better in my room.

Just went to CC and bought the 46" Samsung 4661F 1080p set, and it is really sweet. I was going with the intention of the getting a 40"-42" set either Sharp Aquos, Sony XBR or a Samsung but my wife talked me into the 46" Samsung and I'm glad she did. Had the best picture of the three. The physical dimensions are almost the same as a 40-42". Definitely go bigger if you can.

 

[Duffinator]

I just got back from the stores and I like the LCDs better because of the brighter screens. The living room isn't going to be dark when I watch 1:00pm football games so LCD it is.

I measured out the distance I would be away from the TV and I am liking the 46" TVs more. However, a 46" TV with 1080p is taking me a bit out of my price range. The 46" with 768p are a lot more affordable. So my decision is now between.
46" 768p versus 42" 1080p.

Any thoughts? I am leaning towards the 46" 768p. The Sharp Aquos looked pretty nice.

The light in your room might have a big impact on what you should buy. If you have windows that get direct sunlight and watch football in the daytime like most of us then you do not want a screen that reflects light and images. I have a Toshiba HD RPTV that I've lived with for almost seven years and it's almost unwatchable during the fall becuase of the reflections. Because of this I've narrowed future purchases to screens that don't reflect. That pretty much rules out plasmas and many RPTV's. IMO Samsung makes the least reflective RPTV's. I have a Sharp 45" LCD in my bedroom and last fall I spent quite a bit of time watching football in there.

How long do you plan on keeping this TV? Many keep sets for at least 10 years. So make sure that whatever you buy is something you want to live with for a long time. Personally I woundn't be looking at anything that's not 1080P. Sony, Sharp, and Samsung make the best LCD's. That's not saying the others are bad but these are the best. And bigger is better. Rarely do you see someone complain about buying a set too large but ofter people want something bigger. I say you are fine with 60" plus in your room.

 

[Bengalfang]

I'll probably keep it for 5 or 6 yrs. But you are right about no one ever complaining that the TV is too big, only too small. 47" it is! Thanks!

I noticed on like the new Sharp LCDs they have a glossy finish to the frame and it is so reflective it annoys me. I couldn't get into the picture because the reflection was so bad just on the frame. Westinghouse has a nice matte finish that doesn't reflect so much. I'll just make sure I buy the extended warranty incase things go wrong with the TV. In terms of picture quality, from what I've read and seen this TV is good enough for me.

The light in your room might have a big impact on what you should buy. If you have windows that get direct sunlight and watch football in the daytime like most of us then you do not want a screen that reflects light and images. I have a Toshiba HD RPTV that I've lived with for almost seven years and it's almost unwatchable during the fall becuase of the reflections. Because of this I've narrowed future purchases to screens that don't reflect. That pretty much rules out plasmas and many RPTV's. IMO Samsung makes the least reflective RPTV's. I have a Sharp 45" LCD in my bedroom and last fall I spent quite a bit of time watching football in there.

How long do you plan on keeping this TV? Many keep sets for at least 10 years. So make sure that whatever you buy is something you want to live with for a long time. Personally I woundn't be looking at anything that's not 1080P. Sony, Sharp, and Samsung make the best LCD's. That's not saying the others are bad but these are the best. And bigger is better. Rarely do you see someone complain about buying a set too large but ofter people want something bigger. I say you are fine with 60" plus in your room.