Narrowing choices for an LCD purchase.. input please

[Romulus]

I'm finally getting things together for my first HT purchase.. I'm going for the whole setup at once (stereo, tv, and stand together). I've narrowed my decision for a display down to a flat panel LCD. I would go with plasma but want to use it for a computer display as well, so LCD it is.

My requirements are:

<$1500, and I don't mind not having the latest greatest model
- prefer 40 or 42" model
-1080p

I had purchased a samsung LN-T3242 a few months ago and took it back because when I watched it from slightly off angle, I mean sitting at the end of the couch versus the center, the contrast was very washed out and during dark movie scenes the ghosting was horrible. I know this is a lower end display in samsung's line, but do nicer displays (such as the LN-T4061 or 65 series suffer the same drawbacks? I eventually returned the 32" to best buy..

I am looking at samsung's 61 and 65 series models, along with sharp's 62 and 64U displays. Are there any others I should consider?

 

[Adam]

I'm considering doing something similar and using my TV as a computer monitor. I have been getting more interested in the Panasonic 1080p plasmas. I'd like to ask what made you pick LCD, because I'm sure that you did your homework and I'd like to learn from that. My understanding is that the new Panasonics use pixel shift to alleviate the burn-in issue. Last year's 42" model (42PZ700) has inputs for PC video and audio. This year's model doesn't have PC inputs but might have better anti-glare, and I was thinking that video from a computer could be fed through an HDMI input on the TV.

Anyway, I'd appreciate your thoughts on the plasmas and why you decided to go LCD. Thanks.

 

[jliedeka]

Viewing angle on LCDs has gotten better but you'll need to see for yourself if the pictures are acceptable at your normal viewing angle.

I bought my TV several months ago and the market is different now. I went with an older model 40" Sony in 720p. I figured 1080p for a 40" TV would be a waste of money, especially considering I'm 8-10 feet from the screen.

There were two other factors going in to my decision to buy a cheaper 720p model. I'm looking a few years down the road and hoping I'll be able to buy an SED or OLED TV that will be a quantum jump in quality. Also, I have no immediate plans for getting a high definition disc player. I mainly use my TV for upscaled DVDs, sports over broadcast TV and some video game consoles.

If I were buying now instead of last spring, I'd rethink the LCD over plasma decision and the 720p decision based on what's available now but I'd also be thinking bigger screen size. A 40" widescreen was a nice jump from my 27" CRT but eventually I'll want something bigger.

 

[avaserfi]

Well you seem to know what you want, but I really have to wonder why you are so insistent on a 42" 1080p set as you will likely not be able to tell the difference between 1080p and 720p with a set that small unless you are sitting close than about 5 feet.

As far as off-axis viewing and LCDs most all have some washout, but some models have less than others.

As far as LCD vs Plasma Adam is right you can feed plasmas a signal via HDMI if they have no other connectivity options. Also, if you are worried about the whole display image not showing on the Plasma (this applies to LCDs) make sure it has dot by dot pixel maping and you will be good as it will scale any input from a computer to the full size of the screen rather than having you have to drag the screen on the edges.

In the end I would recommend looking into some Panasonic 720p plasmas as they have a far better PQ than any LCD I have seen, they can be had for well under $1500 and off-axis viewing will be far better plus you will not have a problem getting them hooked up to the computer.

Adam - if you get one of those Panny 1080p sets I will be jealous of you forever. They are absolutely gorgeous. Probably one of the best sets I have seen especially for the price.

 

[jonnythan]

Well you seem to know what you want, but I really have to wonder why you are so insistent on a 42" 1080p set as you will likely not be able to tell the difference between 1080p and 720p with a set that small unless you are sitting close than about 5 feet.

He plans on using it as a computer monitor as well.

The difference between 1280x720 and 1920x1080 as a computer display are immense.

He *should* be buying a 1080p display.

 

[Adam]

He plans on using it as a computer monitor as well.

The difference between 1280x720 and 1920x1080 as a computer display are immense.

He *should* be buying a 1080p display.

I agree with you there. That's one big reason that I held off on buying a new TV - I really want 1920x1080 for my computer viewing.

 

[avaserfi]

He plans on using it as a computer monitor as well.

The difference between 1280x720 and 1920x1080 as a computer display are immense.

He *should* be buying a 1080p display.

Should have had my coffee this morning. That didn't even cross my mind when I was posting my reply. Thanks for keeping me honest .

 

[Adam]

Should have had my coffee this morning.

Coffee? You're just a youngin. You should be sucking down an energy drink or a soda or something.

To Romulus, if you're set on an LCD, I'd suggest also looking at Toshibas.

 

[mtrycrafts]

... Thanks for keeping me honest .

You were not dishonest We just cannot think of every possibility, especially when not many also consider their TV purchase to include pc monitor as well.

 

[Romulus]

Coffee? You're just a youngin. You should be sucking down an energy drink or a soda or something.

To Romulus, if you're set on an LCD, I'd suggest also looking at Toshibas.

Any models in particular? I'm not familiar with their lineup.

I wouldn't really mind going 720, but are there any "higher end" models that are still 720? I was particularly thinking about 1080 because I assumed those models would be nicer, therefore avoid the ghosting and washout that was on my previous lower end display.

I would buy a panny plasma in a heartbeat if I wasn't using it as a monitor.. they do look very nice.

 

[MDS]

The current Toshiba models are 42/46/52/57LX177 and they are 120 Hz refresh and full 1080p. The 52LX177 is most likely the one I am going to get just before Thanksgiving.

The prior model run is HL167. They are 60 Hz refresh and 1080p native resolution but do not accept 1080p as input - only 1080i (which naturally it deinterlaces to 1080p). The prices on the HL167 lineup are dropping fast.

 

[gus6464]

If you want to do hdmi->dvi you can get this panasonic 1080p plasma. It has anti-glare coating on it. I checked it out at best buy before going for an older 50in plasma and it looks just like an lcd.

TH-42PZ77U On sale at Sears for $1399
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_05775597000P?filter=Brand|Panasonic&vName=Computers+&+Electronics&cName=Televisions&sName=Plasma+TVs

 

[Romulus]

Wound up going with a 4061 for 1575+ tax, but they were offering 2 years no interest financing. Yea, I did try to talk myself into a nice pioneer but was able to slap myself back into reality

I've only watched two movies so far and they were regular dvd's, but so far i'm happy with it Thanks for the input

 

[Adam]

Congratulations on your new TV!