Looking to buy a New LCD 37"... PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD HELP ME!

[GreenJelly]

I have around $1500 MAX

I would like the extended warrenty, and would like a great price. I check out newegg and there are allot to choose from...

Allot of people review the Sharp Aquas as the best, yet on Newegg allot of people rate other Displays allot better.

I really am stuck on what to buy. Too many choices...

Please help me... What are the best buys. Forget about speakers and the Remote. Im buying Logitech Remote, and have the B&W speakers. I need 8ms or less response time for I plan on using this to play Computer games on.

I would love a TV that lasts for along time. I just dont know what or where to go from here. I keep looking at items and am more confused the more I shop.

When I go to any retail store, the prices are so much more then Online. So Ill buy online. However I am also worried about warrenty protection. Consumer Reports says to buy the extended warrenty if its less then the 20% the total cost.

I need someone who really knows allot about these products. Who is as good at TV's as I am at speakers that cost under $1500.

Please Help Me
Mike

 

[Jack Hammer]

Don

I bought the newer Vizio 37", vx37l. I don't recomment it. I saw the older model it just replaced. the 37l. That had a much better picture. I'm a little disappointed that the newer model with more features looks worse. The pq isn't that great, but the features are nice.

I've been trying to find a Olevia locally to look at. The 537H has good reviews and a few people here have and are happy. Keep an eye out, they can be had for under $1k.

Jack

 

[EastCoaster]

I have around $1500 MAX

Please Help Me
Mike

Mike - here's what you should do. Buy the Sharp Aquos LC37D40U. It is a sleek, beautiful 37" LCD display from Sharp, that has stunning color and styling. While I think this display is not as pretty as the one it replaced (the LC37D4U), it is technologically more advanced (good black levels at 1200:1, faster response at 6ms, etc.). You can pick up a new one on Amazon for $1,379.99 including free shipping. If you want to do even better, order it from dtvcity (they are also authorized, and have same price or lower) and get their extended 5 year warranty for an additional $199.00.

 

[GreenJelly]

Sounds great... is this price steady, and is Dtvcity a good company???

Also, who is the warrenty with? Them or with Sharp?

Im about to dump the money on it. Looks good... Just need some more info.

J&R Music has it for 1249, but the extended warrenty plans blow..

The 90 is just over 1.5K... I dont think I need a GREAT tv... just a good one... Im not insaine...

What is the
LC37SH20U
and
LC37D6U

Both found here
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Submit=ENE&N=2102640411+50001615+110560308+1105614040&Subcategory=411&description=&Ntk=&srchInDesc=

 

[EastCoaster]

Sounds great... is this price steady, and is Dtvcity a good company???

Also, who is the warrenty with? Them or with Sharp?

Im about to dump the money on it. Looks good... Just need some more info.

J&R Music has it for 1249, but the extended warrenty plans blow..

The 90 is just over 1.5K... I dont think I need a GREAT tv... just a good one... Im not insaine...

What is the
LC37SH20U
and
LC37D6U

Both found here
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Submit=ENE&N=2102640411+50001615+110560308+1105614040&Subcategory=411&description=&Ntk=&srchInDesc=

DTVCity is just fine - just check the TV carton well before you accept shipment - they do know what they're doing and they are authorized Sharp dealer (last time I heard, which was a year ago - you may want to check again with Sharp). I believe the warranty is through them, and you get the normal Sharp warranty which is one year. Ask them to send you the warranty so you can read it beforehand to see if you like it.

The two TV's you list above are older models, and have worse contrast ratio and response time - you want to make sure you get the most recent models. Just know I bought the model before the one I'm recommending, and it cost me $2,499 a year ago, and look at the price now - it's less than half!

If you care about getting a screen that can display full 1080p (this one does not) as well as HDMI 1.3, then you'll need to wait until about March 07, for the next set of models. If you're not burning to buy a TV now, you will always get more for your money if you wait a while...

 

[evilkat]

I have around $1500 MAX

I would like the extended warrenty, and would like a great price. I check out newegg and there are allot to choose from...

Allot of people review the Sharp Aquas as the best, yet on Newegg allot of people rate other Displays allot better.

I really am stuck on what to buy. Too many choices...

Please help me... What are the best buys. Forget about speakers and the Remote. Im buying Logitech Remote, and have the B&W speakers. I need 8ms or less response time for I plan on using this to play Computer games on.

I would love a TV that lasts for along time. I just dont know what or where to go from here. I keep looking at items and am more confused the more I shop.

When I go to any retail store, the prices are so much more then Online. So Ill buy online. However I am also worried about warrenty protection. Consumer Reports says to buy the extended warrenty if its less then the 20% the total cost.

I need someone who really knows allot about these products. Who is as good at TV's as I am at speakers that cost under $1500.

Please Help Me
Mike

Is there any particular reason you're going with a 37" LCD? A 42" Plasma could be had for around $1,300.

Check out the Panasonic TH-42PX60U.

 

[WmAx]

I have around $1500 MAX

If you seriously want the best(best being the most linear/accurate) image quality for your dollar, no LCD televisions yet fulfill this desire. Reconsider.

-Chris

 

[GreenJelly]

Ive heard bad things about plasma, and CRT is out of the question...

Burn in, slow response time, etc...

I need to be able to play games with this... if Plasma is longer life and doesnt suffer from the above problems, then make a suggestion.

I choose 37 inch cause its about my price range and its about as close to acceptable size as I can afford. I wouldnt mind larger...

 

[WmAx]

Slow response times are not an issue with plasma. However, with LCDs, it is.

From what I can tell from my basic research so far( and this is by no means to be accepted with the same level of validity as my audio advice, as with this video technology, I am only referring to higher level sources of information, and I distinctly lack the founding knowledge base in video to have a highly probable level of certainty of anything ), the main issue with a plasma is that apparently the brightness change in the plasma cells reduces exponentially, in reverse, and relative to image brightness: when you first use the unit, for about the first 100 or so hours(though overall, the curve is still flattening out until about 2000 hours, there after being even less change after that point), the brightness reduces much faster than any other time(after this period, the brightness change flattens out), and if you have static images on for long periods that are white or near white(being maximum brightness), it may reduce the brightness from that area of pixels enough to leave a slight darkened area. If you do not use static images for long period in the first 100 or so hours, it is of popular opinion among experts that you are not likely to experience easily visible burn-in. Many people use plasmas for game play. Refer to avsforum.com in the flat panel display area. The most likely issue to occur is reversible, and that is that the gas particles can polarize over the static image sections; but this is easily corrected by displaying alternating noise(no channel static, for example) or using a bright screen wipe function(on a DVD, or some televisions have this function built in). Few ever experience this burn-in phenomenon. Perhaps if you played one game, and only one game, almost all of the time, you may have a highly probable situation where you can expect some visible burn-in on still bright graphics that are always on-screen. I also have a plasma, and I have every intention of using it to play games when I get a hold of a PS3. According to experts and most manufacturers, the plasma should not be any more subject to burn-in as compared to a CRT.

As for specific recommendations, I would recommend the Panasonic TH-42Px60U, because it measures very accurate color (without calibration, but a few basic settings need to be changed in the menu) and has superb black levels, as well as being produced by a manufacturer known for reliable, high quality plasma displays. The unit can be found for under your listed price range from online reputable dealers.

-Chris

 

[es28naples]

Thumbs Up on Vizio VX37L

Needing a second TV to our great, one-year-old Pioneer Elite 50 inch plasma, I bought the Vizio (made in China) VX37L LCD 37 inch HDTV for $999 from Costco. The selection was based on: (1) price and performance comparison in the Costco Warehouse, (2) recommendation of the Costco employee who owns one, (3) the one year manufacturers warranty, and (4) the VERY liberal Costco return policy that more than justifies the $45 annual membership cost.

If you are taking the TV home in your car or SUV, be sure you have help from store personnel with any flat panel TV because you can damage it if you do not keep it reasonably upright, or in accordance with the instructions on the box.

Just setting the TV up on its stand, and plugging the set in and connecting it directly to a second cable outlet using coax was disappointing because the picture looked like standard definition TV. Well, if you read the instructions that's the result you get with a coax connection. The instructions stated that optimum HDTV results are obtained by using a high quality HDMI cable between your cable box (which I had not yet picked up from the cable company) and the Vizio.

Next day, after picking up my second Scientific Atlanta 8300HD cable box, I stopped by Best Buy because an HDMI cable was not supplied by Vizio or my cable company. There I learned that Best Buy offered 3 different HDMI cables ranging in price from about $100 to $150; I elected the $150 Monster HDMI cable. The cable box stayed connected to the wall outlet by coax; and conecting the HDMI cable between the cable box and the Vizio was a snap. Thereafter you follow instructions for the box and the TV, and from that point on I enjoyed very satisfactory HDTV. The Vizio is delivering value, and I am very comfortable with my warranty situation.

I emphasize the importance of proper handling of the TV from store to home, and I shudder to think of how TVs might be mishandled from an on-line dealer to an internet shopper. Is this the cause of screen defects we hear about? But for me, using the HDMI connection was the greatest improvement for this TV. It made a huge difference.

 

[WmAx]

There I learned that Best Buy offered 3 different HDMI cables ranging in price from about $100 to $150; I elected the $150 Monster HDMI cable.

I highly recommend that you purchase a HDMI cable online for about $10 and return the Monster cable for a refund. It's main purpose is to drain your wallet, not offer any enhancement to the picture compared a low cost properly designed HDMI cable. Use the $140 saved dollars to buy movies.

-Chris

 

[Jack Hammer]

I bought a 6' hdmi cable from Blue jeans for $21.50. Works fine.

On a different note, I have to return my second defective Vizio vx37l. The first one had a grainy picture, called vizio and they said it was defective. The one I have now has a 'ghost' image of whatever is playing through any input other than the RF cable. Called Vizio, they said it is defective.

I'm really getting irritated with this tv.

Jack

 

[EastCoaster]

Slow response times are not an issue with plasma. However, with LCDs, it is.

From what I can tell from my basic research so far( and this is by no means to be accepted with the same level of validity as my audio advice, as with this video technology, I am only referring to higher level sources of information, and I distinctly lack the founding knowledge base in video to have a highly probable level of certainty of anything ), the main issue with a plasma is that apparently the brightness change in the plasma cells reduces exponentially, in reverse, and relative to image brightness: when you first use the unit, for about the first 100 or so hours(though overall, the curve is still flattening out until about 2000 hours, there after being even less change after that point), the brightness reduces much faster than any other time(after this period, the brightness change flattens out), and if you have static images on for long periods that are white or near white(being maximum brightness), it may reduce the brightness from that area of pixels enough to leave a slight darkened area. If you do not use static images for long period in the first 100 or so hours, it is of popular opinion among experts that you are not likely to experience easily visible burn-in. Many people use plasmas for game play. Refer to avsforum.com in the flat panel display area. The most likely issue to occur is reversible, and that is that the gas particles can polarize over the static image sections; but this is easily corrected by displaying alternating noise(no channel static, for example) or using a bright screen wipe function(on a DVD, or some televisions have this function built in). Few ever experience this burn-in phenomenon. Perhaps if you played one game, and only one game, almost all of the time, you may have a highly probable situation where you can expect some visible burn-in on still bright graphics that are always on-screen. I also have a plasma, and I have every intention of using it to play games when I get a hold of a PS3. According to experts and most manufacturers, the plasma should not be any more subject to burn-in as compared to a CRT.

As for specific recommendations, I would recommend the Panasonic TH-42Px60U, because it measures very accurate color (without calibration, but a few basic settings need to be changed in the menu) and has superb black levels, as well as being produced by a manufacturer known for reliable, high quality plasma displays. The unit can be found for under your listed price range from online reputable dealers.

-Chris

I think the LCD beats an average Plasma on almost every level except price. First of all, it's half (or less) the weight of the plasma, making it easier to move around, place, hang, etc. Second, it's much brighter, and it's just a fact that people like brighter pictures (plasmas can look dull next to an LCD). Third, no burn-in... (all you plasma people who think you can't get burn-in, think again...). Fourth, non-glare screen (important if you have light coming into the room). Fifth, the bulb will last forever, and certainly much longer than the plasma gas will last...

I've got a Sharp LCD that today can be bought for $1,300. I think it looks better than most plasmas out there, except perhaps top-of-the-line Fujitsu or Pioneer Elite. And I'm not going to pay the difference between my LCD and those plasmas, which are many times more expensive!

 

[jonnythan]

I suggest that you go and spend some time looking at an LCD tv and then at a plasma TV.

Plasmas have a much better, more natural look to me. LCDs, even good ones, feel like I'm staring at a headlight. I bought a plasma not because of the price but because they *look way better*.

Burn in is really not an issue, especially with today's games. I game all the time on my plasma. I even use it as a PC monitor frequently. There certainly are advantages to LCDs (screen reflection, lower power consumption, sometimes higher resolution), but the tradeoffs were too great for me.

Look at some and decide for yourself.

 

[WmAx]

I think the LCD beats an average Plasma on almost every level except price.

A LCD(none that I can find as television displays) can not produce the same linear range of contrast throughout the tonal range, from my perception. It always results in what appears to me as an abrupt change in fine graduations compared to plasma and CRT, and even lack of subtle tonal detail in some cases. But you might actually enjoy the artificial vivid appearance that a LCD provides, and consider this 'better'. But it's not accurate. The only LCDs I know of which can have equal ability in this area as compared to a CRT or plasma are very expensive professional proofing LCD monitors used in the commercial art/graphics design field. But surely, the standard LCD television display will eventually have the same capability; but I have not found anything currently available that pulls it off.

First of all, it's half (or less) the weight of the plasma, making it easier to move around, place, hang, etc. Second, it's much brighter, and it's just a fact that people like brighter pictures (plasmas can look dull next to an LCD). Third, no burn-in... (all you plasma people who think you can't get burn-in, think again...). Fourth, non-glare screen (important if you have light coming into the room). Fifth, the bulb will last forever, and certainly much longer than the plasma gas will last...

In a retail store, the lighting is much brighter than one would have in their home. You would not normally use any television near it's maximum brightness ability in normal use. Some modern plasmas can get extremely bright, if yo so desire. The new Samsungs are such examples. Burn-in, again, is over-hyped. A CRT is about just as prone to it as a modern plasma, but it was not a common problem except in extreme cases. Life? Modern plasmas have a 60,000 hour brightness half-life. This is about 16 years, if you use the television for 8 hours per day every day. Even if you want to presume it's really only half that(30,000 hours), this equates to 8 hours of use per day every day for about 8 years. By the time one gets to the point the television is getting visibly dim, one would probably not want such an old television anyways. This is about the same time that CRTs last.

LCD is obviously much lighter, easier to handle/mount, lower in power consumption and available in higher resolution for cheaper prices. Is this worth the price in other qualities? One has to decide this for him/her self.

-Chris

 

[jonnythan]

Store lighting depends on the store. My local Best Buy, for example, has very low light in its TV sections. So low, in fact, that it's difficult to read the price/info placards below the TVs.

 

[WmAx]

Store lighting depends on the store. My local Best Buy, for example, has very low light in its TV sections. So low, in fact, that it's difficult to read the price/info placards below the TVs.

In any case, the other large number of light sources(such as other televisions, lights across the store in line of view of the display, etc.) may result in glare on most plasmas that will make the screen look more washed out than the more glare resistant LCD screens. My local Best Buy actually has very bright reflector type lights over some of their televisions -- they all looked washed out under those lights -- crazy.

-Chris

 

[EastCoaster]

But you might actually enjoy the artificial vivid appearance that a LCD provides, and consider this 'better'. But it's not accurate.

Exactly - I enjoy it better. At the end of the day, that's why I buy a tv, to enjoy it. I don't buy it for the tonal shading of the person that I'm watching to be closer to life. Watching a tv is not life - it's watching tv. All the stats out there are pointing to the fact that the world agrees with me - purchases of LCD's are getting close to, and will eclipse, plasmas, within very few years. Plasmas are a dying breed - the technology was obsolete years ago, and will not survive. The advances in LCD technology are huge. With the new Sharps, you get excellent contrast ratios and better and better response times. My next Sharp will be a 45 inch 1080p/HDMI 1.3/4ms/4000 contrast ratio tube that will cost me probably around $1,400. Trust me, it will look better than a $10,000 plasma.

 

[GreenJelly]

What is peoples opinion on lifespan of the plasmas?

I think Im going to run down to circuit sh-city and find out what they think

Mike

 

[jonnythan]

What is peoples opinion on lifespan of the plasmas?

I think Im going to run down to circuit sh-city and find out what they think

Mike

They last plenty long. A couple of my friends have had theirs for 3 and 4 years, respectively, and they still look great.