In The Market For a TV Plan to Purchase sometime in October

[giacona]

I currently do not own a tv and I am going to be signing a lease on a new apartment sometime in september/oct. I was there yesterday to check it out and the living room is very spacious. I don't have the exact mesurements but my guess it was about 18X14.

I want to get the best for my money and plasma is high up on my list espcially panasonic. Size is another question. I plan to stay in this apartment for a long time, so I want to get something that wont be too big or too small. I am leaning twoards 52/55 or even 60 inch. I am just afraid 60 may be too big. Any advice?

Now price I want to be in the range say 1500 or less. I have no problem getting an older model if I have to. My main concern is quality and it must be 1080P. I don't think I have the budjet to get 3D. If I waited to get 3D i'd probally go a few months without a tv. Unless I bought a cheap one off the internet for the time being.

As for 3d if I don't get a TV that has it built it does it look like I may be able to get an adpater of some sort down the road which will allow me to view in 3D format?

If anyone has some models I should consider please advise and throw them my way.

Thanks

 

[just-some-guy]

rear projection is a good "bang for buck", size wise. a 65" for what, $1400ish ?
and i have yet to hear someone complaining they bought too large a tv.
and lots that complain they bought a too small set. 65" would be good.

 

[SopRage]

It's almost impossible to get "too big" of a TV. I wouldn't sweat that.

At that pricepoint, you've got two options:

1) Go really big. Get a Mitsubishi DLP and you can get a 73" set. Can't vouch for Mitsubishi, but I had a Samsung DLP for awhile and enjoyed it immensely.

2) Go for quality. Pick up a 2009 plasma (probably a Panasonic). For $1500, you can get a 58" S1 series (which I upgraded to after my DLP; I feel it was a significant step up). If you want to go even higher quality, you can get smaller-sized Panny G10s or V10s, but I personally prefer a bit more screen size over the improvements offered by those sets. Others here will undoubtedly disagree.

Honestly, it depends on what you value; for the highest quality, get a Panasonic V10 series in the largest size you can for $1500 (I'd guess 50"). For the largest picture, get a giant Mitsubishi. I'd say the Panasonic G10 and S1s are choices in between that depend on what your viewing habits are.

My two cents.

 

[giacona]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I more looking into flat panel then DLP so I will most likely consider the 2009 Panny's.

The one question left un-answerd is about 3D. Since the TV I will be purchasing will not have 3D. Will there be a way I can purchase a sperate adpater/Tuner down the road if I wanted to have 3D, or do I have to purchase a TV with 3D built in?

 

[SopRage]

As far as I know there is no available adapter to "fake" 3D.

If 3D is a deal-breaker for you, I'd buy a 2010 3D-ready HDTV. I'd wager you'll get a lot less TV for a whole lot more money, however. You'll certainly be sacrificing image quality, size, or both. In addition, you'll need to make sure your Bluray player and/or receiver support 3D.

It all comes down to how much you're willing to bet on 3D.

 

[j_garcia]

3D is a gimmick to me and it absolutely shouldn't be a deal breaker. 3D has to be built into the TV at this point and it requires glasses designed for use with that TV. If you are going to wait until October then you are better off just waiting until the holidays and get an even better deal or get an outgoing model like SopRage is saying.

 

[giacona]

I am consdering waiting to the holidays but my dilema is I currently do not own a tv. I am moving into my own place in october and dealing w/o a tv for a few months would be different. I know I can go to rent a center or a place like that and rent one for like 30 dollars a week.

I also head a few weeks before the superbowl is the best time to get a tv as well.

You said holidays do you mean around black friday? Or would I have to wait closer to Xmas?

Thanks