Hey folks,

I'm looking for a new TV, but I'm lost on how to do an apples to apples comparison, specifically at stores like Tweeter, Circuit City, Best Buy etc.

The calibrations/settings will be all over the map, possibly to sway the consumer to one TV or another.

The sources will be split many times, ofter corrupting the source, contributing to invalid comparisons.

The TVs I want to compare will never be next to each other, and view angles may be different, etc.

How can I get a valid comparison between TVs?

Thanks!

Its tough to do as your post clearly illustrates. In my case, I figured that with return policies I really didnt have much to lose and just brought a few home and did it that way.

You might get lucky and get a really helpful salesperson which I in fact did once and they helped me setup the TVs the way I wanted with the same DVD & feed at least. This helped a lot. But no matter what you do, the two or three sets you are looking at will likely be far apart and that makes it tough. Why do they setup the stores like that.... all mix-mashed???? :mad:

So, I say:

- Narrow it down to 2 to 4 sets that you have heard good feedback about or read good reviews on.
- Spend time with each of those 2 to 4 TVs dialing in the settings at the store the best you can. Watch the sets from the distance you would at home, NOT 3 feet away like people always seem to do at stores. Make mental notes of the overall usability and PQ.
- Try to get a signal to the TVs with a DVD that your familiar with, this helped me.

Take a couple of them home and spend a week or two with them. If you find that one of the TVs really stands out or you find that you have NO desire to return it then thats the one to keep. This is what I did and Ive been happy ever since.

Good Luck ;)

That's an excellent point, i.e. just bring home a few at the same time!

I just have to convince my wife why we need 4 TVs we once ;).

Thanks s2mikey!

Its tough to do as your post clearly illustrates. In my case, I figured that with return policies I really didnt have much to lose and just brought a few home and did it that way.

You might get lucky and get a really helpful salesperson which I in fact did once and they helped me setup the TVs the way I wanted with the same DVD & feed at least. This helped a lot. But no matter what you do, the two or three sets you are looking at will likely be far apart and that makes it tough. Why do they setup the stores like that.... all mix-mashed???? :mad:

So, I say:

- Narrow it down to 2 to 4 sets that you have heard good feedback about or read good reviews on.
- Spend time with each of those 2 to 4 TVs dialing in the settings at the store the best you can. Watch the sets from the distance you would at home, NOT 3 feet away like people always seem to do at stores. Make mental notes of the overall usability and PQ.
- Try to get a signal to the TVs with a DVD that your familiar with, this helped me.

Take a couple of them home and spend a week or two with them. If you find that one of the TVs really stands out or you find that you have NO desire to return it then thats the one to keep. This is what I did and Ive been happy ever since.

Good Luck ;)
And you wonder why so many stores are getting more strict with return polices. If it works for you then more power to you, but don't spoil it for the rest of us.

take your favorite DVD to the store and play your favorite passage from it on a few select sets - tweak the picture as you go. you have to do this during a quiet period int he store, where the sales weenie can assist you.

take your favorite DVD to the store and play your favorite passage from it on a few select sets - tweak the picture as you go. you have to do this during a quiet period int he store, where the sales weenie can assist you.

The sales weenie at a local BB "the demo sets are not adjustable". :rolleyes:
My reply indicated all the current sets have multiple adjustments.
His reply: "No dude, the settings are locked by the manufacturers". :eek:

The sales weenie at a local BB "the demo sets are not adjustable". :rolleyes:
My reply indicated all the current sets have multiple adjustments.
His reply: "No dude, the settings are locked by the manufacturers". :eek:

Thats funny, because all the remotes are sitting out and secured next to the sets at our BB...you can tweak away all you want :).

And you wonder why so many stores are getting more strict with return polices. If it works for you then more power to you, but don't spoil it for the rest of us.

Nah, I didnt abuse anything and I regularly patronize the Brick and Mortar stores. In all honesty I bought a Sharp 42" LCD and returned it after a week for a 42" Panny plasma which I kept. I wasnt trying to promote massive purchases and returns, sorry if it came out that way and I totally agree with you. :o

;)

That's an excellent point, i.e. just bring home a few at the same time!

I just have to convince my wife why we need 4 TVs we once ;).

Thanks s2mikey!

Try to narrow it down to one or two sets before bringing any home. As others have stated and I agree...the goal is not to overuse the return policy, the goal is to use it fairly which I support fully.

Just making that clear! ;)

dlconner,
The remotes may be available at your BB. They are not at two BBs near my area. The sales associate must retrieve the remote from several miles distant.

dlconner,
The remotes may be available at your BB. They are not at two BBs near my area. The sales associate must retrieve the remote from several miles distant.

It is both a blessing and a curse to have them there. Many times you get noobs just tweaking things horribly the wrong way, and making the sets look like garbage. Takes a while to get them to look decent again :rolleyes: .

Eh, I don't know about that, Mikey. When I really think about it, I have to respectfully disagree. I'm hardly a corporatist, but it's not exactly fair to have BB to end up with an open box unit they have to sell at a lower price. It's one thing to buy a TV (or whatever), decide within the first thirty days that you're just not satisfied, and take it back, especially since the merchant is extending that courtesy to you. But in this case, you know you're going to take one back. I'm more than open to be persuaded that I'm wrong, but in my mind, it's not really right.

Based upon over three months of intense comparisons before buying my flat panel, here's my suggestions:

Plan on visiting b&m stores several times to view all the displays and attempt to narrow down the models that interest you.

Try and build a rapport with at least one person on the sales staff at each store so that when you make a request to see and play with the remote for a model & the remote is not on display with the tv, they will accommodate you. Avoid the idiots like the one that tomjc dealt with. Being nice to & becoming friends with the same sp where I bought my tv paid substantial dividends.

As previously stated, if the remote for a particular model is not with the tv ask to see it so that you can get acclimated to its functions. If the salesperson offers the usual phony excuse that "it's not available", tell him/her that you are interested in purchasing that model tv but only if you can play with the remote first.

Most b& m stores have an HD loop that shows off a terrific picture in the store but does not necessarily reflect how the display will look once you get the tv home. Ask to have the display picture switched from this nice looking loop to regular cable or satellite reception, which will not look as nice. This will give you a better idea of what the display will look like in your living room. Some manual labor on the sp's part is required and if they offer another phony excuse, give them the same response stated in the previous paragraph.

Make sure you view the displays at the angle & distance you expect to have at home, so you can see how each model will look under YOUR conditions rather than theirs inside the store. Frost's recommendation to bring your own dvd with you is an excellent idea.

If the sp fails to comply with the above requests, don't be shy about letting him/her and her manager know you were dissatisfied with your shopping experience & will take your business elsewhere. They may not give a damn but it's worth a shot.

Continue to read these forums for helpful info - best advice anywhere.

The sales weenie at a local BB "the demo sets are not adjustable". :rolleyes:
My reply indicated all the current sets have multiple adjustments.
His reply: "No dude, the settings are locked by the manufacturers". :eek:Oh man i wish a salesman would tell me that. There would be a scene . . . . :p

A few weeks ago a BB salesman told me that the Plasmas last 30,000 hours, while the LCDs last 60,000 hours. I could not believe what i was hearing. We had a nice chat after that. :D

Eh, I don't know about that, Mikey. When I really think about it, I have to respectfully disagree. I'm hardly a corporatist, but it's not exactly fair to have BB to end up with an open box unit they have to sell at a lower price.
-snip-
I'm more than open to be persuaded that I'm wrong, but in my mind, it's not really right.

Find yourself a manager that is willing to work with you. Tell them that you're going to buy a tv, but really want to check a couple out in your house. Ask if they have any open box sets that you could take home & if you don't like it bring back for a full refund (some stores don't allow full refund on open box items). If they don't have any, let thim/her know your time frame (I want to purchase in the next two months) and what models you're keen on. Give him/her your phone number and ask them to call you when/if the models show up as open box.

Alternately (what I actually did), find some friends/neighbors with the sets you're intrested in. View them in their houses, or better yet (depending on how close they are & the situation) bring their set into your house. I can be a bit tough lugging a 50" set around, but worth it.