So my lease is up in about six weeks, and my current roommate is going to be buying a house this summer, which is going to leave me without a HDTV for short period, as our current set is more his than ours.

I have a budget of about $1500-2000 and would like to get something at 45-50 inches and 1080p.

We're currently gaming and movie watching on Sammy's 50" 720p [HPT5054] set that he picked up at Best Buy last summer for a cool grand. We've had no issues with it what's so ever, and I think it's a quality tube for the price he paid.

I've been looking and reading all of the threads on the boards, and weighting my options as I'm as ready as ever to finally pull the trigger.

So far I like what I'm seeing out of:
Samsung LN46A550
Samsung LN46A650
Panasonic Viera TH-46PZ85U
Sony 46XBR4

Anyone of these tv's could of course get the job done, but beside price, I just wanted to ask if anyone has had or heard of anything that would set them apart from one another. Or any suggestions on comparable tubes would also be appreciated.

I have a high school friend who has assured me that he could get me a great deal on the 46" XBR4 at around $2000. I just don't know if collectively the features it offers out class anything that the Samsung models are doing for hundreds of dollars cheaper.

This is going to be my primary gaming, tv, movie, porno, community set and I would really like to have as much to think about as possible before I lay down any loot.

Thanks for the inquiry, but this is not the correct forum.

I dont think you will get as quality advice in this thread. Try these...

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

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=167 <-- Plasma Talk

Considered a projector? I have a 46" DLP now, and it's great but compared to 100" with a projector. Hmmmmmm.
Not sure if I helped any in terms of your choices, but maybe gave you something else to consider.

Thanks for the inquiry, but this is not the correct forum.

I dont think you will get as quality advice in this thread. Try these...

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

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=167 <-- Plasma Talk

Hey, now that's not very accurate, people here are quite knowledgeable about HD displays. However I do agree with you that "quality advice" can also be found on those forums.

Me, personnel I like (from your list) the Sony 46XBR4: great picture quality, nice black level, nice array if inputs, 120Hz and a beautifully designed "cabinet". Don't think there's an also-ran in that list to be honest.

Hey, now that's not very accurate, people here are quite knowledgeable about HD displays. However I do agree with you that "quality advice" can also be found on those forums.

Me, personnel I like (from your list) the Sony 46XBR4: great picture quality, nice black level, nice array if inputs, 120Hz and a beautifully designed "cabinet". Don't think there's an also-ran in that list to be honest.

I never said these people weren't knowledgeable, there is actually some spillover from those forums to the PS3 one of the same users.

Now, what I mean was, this isn't the right "place" to discuss this topic. Please refer to those two threads I listed above.

You could very well get good advice here, I don't deny that. I just recommend keeping this thread related to PS3 discussions. As many of my brethren will agree.

My main reason for spending any kind of money on a new HDTV is because of gaming, so I wanted feedback and opinions from the gaming side of the forum.

My main reason for spending any kind of money on a new HDTV is because of gaming, so I wanted feedback and opinions from the gaming side of the forum.

Thats cool, I would look for 3 things then:

1080p
Fast Respsonse Time
42" or larger

Any HT guy will tell you a good HDTV display will make any input sparkle (Cable Programming, HD Gaming, BD/HD DVD etc...)

If it's primarily for gaming then I don't see why 1080p is in the "must column". If you're getting an LCD well then yah they're all 1080 at that size anyways, but if you're also looking at plasmas... the price jump kind of stinks.

All the best games are still 720p

But, if you're set on it, that's all good, but why didn't the sammy pn50a550 make your short list? ;)

So my lease is up in about six weeks, and my current roommate is going to be buying a house this summer, which is going to leave me without a HDTV for short period, as our current set is more his than ours.

I have a budget of about $1500-2000 and would like to get something at 45-50 inches and 1080p.

We're currently gaming and movie watching on Sammy's 50" 720p [HPT5054] set that he picked up at Best Buy last summer for a cool grand. We've had no issues with it what's so ever, and I think it's a quality tube for the price he paid.

I've been looking and reading all of the threads on the boards, and weighting my options as I'm as ready as ever to finally pull the trigger.

So far I like what I'm seeing out of:
Samsung LN46A550
Samsung LN46A650
Panasonic Viera TH-46PZ85U
Sony 46XBR4

Anyone of these tv's could of course get the job done, but beside price, I just wanted to ask if anyone has had or heard of anything that would set them apart from one another. Or any suggestions on comparable tubes would also be appreciated.

I have a high school friend who has assured me that he could get me a great deal on the 46" XBR4 at around $2000. I just don't know if collectively the features it offers out class anything that the Samsung models are doing for hundreds of dollars cheaper.

This is going to be my primary gaming, tv, movie, porno, community set and I would really like to have as much to think about as possible before I lay down any loot.

For just under 2k you can look to Costco for their LCD's. I think there is a nice Sharp, Vizio, and Phillips 52" 1080p tvs that will fit your needs. I've always enjoyed my Sharp LC-60C52U, but of course everyone's taste does vary.

While your at Costco, check out the 1080p 67" Samsung DLP (~$2250) which would give you one of the best bangs for the buck. You might be able to find a better price somewhere else, but I do like Costco's easier return policy if anything does go wrong.

-Splints

I have the Sammy LNT4671. Do not let the Owner thread scare u-it's a great tv

For that matter don't be scared to check out any of the rear-projection technologies (DLP, LCoS, etc.) if space isn't an issue, but price is. I don't need to hang my screen on a wall, so I was able to get a 61" LCoS RPTV for a crazy low price. I got the JVC HD-61FH97 about a year ago, and both my Xbox 360 and PS3 games are incredible on it. I paid around $1450... for a 61" 1080p display. Love it.

The only thing different I will do next time is go for a projector on a 110" screen... :)

yea, I'd recommend that, too. If you can find an A3000 SXRD around, buy it.

They handle motion very well. I can't say that for most LCDs.

All the sets you listed are capable. I personally prefer the rich colors of a plasma and therefor chose the panasonic PZ85U which will give you 1080p for your blu ray watching needs. Hope this helps.

samsung 71 series, ignore the owners thread too many peeps complain about everything. the 120 hz really makes games magic