heldmacm
08-04-07, 09:27 AM
Hi all,
I've done my initial research and would appreciate some help deciding on wish TV would be best for my needs. Since I will also be buying an upconverting DVD player, any cables that are needed, possibly a new receiver and a new TV stand (if the TV does not fit my current model), I'm looking to keep it within ~$1600 for the TV itself. I am currently looking at nothing less than 42" models, but would be open to going bigger if it stays within my budget and makes sense for my viewing distance (mentioned below).
I currently have non-HD digital cable, but will be upgrading to HD cable (Time Warner) with this purchase. Most of what I watch is sports and some DVD's (maybe 25% of my viewing time), so while I watch HDTV when available for what I want to watch, I will still be watching plenty of SD programming. I do not have any current plans to buy a Blu-Ray or HDTV DVD player (at the very least until the price drops significantly), so buying a TV that has 1080P capabilities is not a necessity (unless the price difference is fairly negligable and pretty close to my budget of about $1600). I do not plan to connect my PC to the TV.
My viewing distance is 8 feet and since I currently live in an apartment and noise is potentially an issue, this will be connected to an older Energy Take 5 5.1 audio system with the matching 10" subwoofer. My receiver is a Kenwood VR-407, but as I mentioned, I am open to upgrading that if it would beneficial without upgrading the speakers and subwoofer at this time. My current receiver does not offer component or HDMI inputs, which I would like to use, so unless I upgrade my receiver, I will need to directly connect the video to my new DVD player.
As far as plasma vs. LCD, I do not yet have a preference, so I am hoping someone can weigh in on which would better suit my uses. I do not play any video games, but as I mentioned, I do watch quite a bit of sports and ESPN of course has numerous menus on its channels. One factor that concerns me about plasma is the potential for burn-in, but I've also read that enough advances have been made that this is no longer much of an issue. In short, I'm not opposed to plasma, but only if I don't have to be concerned about destroying my TV if I fall asleep with it tuned in to ESPN (which commonly happens). The lighting in the room this will be in has no windows with a sliding door to my patio (with blinds), no overhead light and a large spider lamp, so the I can pretty easily control the lighting in the room.
Even though I realize I will pay a bit more, I would prefer to buy from a local retailer (Best Buy, Circuit City, HH Gregg, Costco and Sam's Club) simply for ease of returning it, if necessary. That assumes that none of these places match online prices, of course, which I would be surprised to hear that any do. Though I rarely, if ever, buy extended warranties, most of research I have done seems to recommend doing so for this particular purchase - is that a fair statement? The models I am currently considering are: Toshiba 42HL67 (LCD), Panasonic TH-42PX75U (Plasma) and Samsung HP-T4254 (Plasma). Costco also offers the Panasonic TH-42PE77U. All have received good reviews from everywhere I have looked and the price of each model is about the same. As I mentioned, I'm not opposed to a bigger display if it's from a reputable brand and is not overkill for a viewing distance of 8'.
I have done my initial research, so I am now looking for some input on which size, technology and hopefully model will best accomodate my viewing habits while staying close to my budget. Also, any advice on potentially upgrading to a newer receiver would be appreciated, as well. Thank you in advance for the help.
I've done my initial research and would appreciate some help deciding on wish TV would be best for my needs. Since I will also be buying an upconverting DVD player, any cables that are needed, possibly a new receiver and a new TV stand (if the TV does not fit my current model), I'm looking to keep it within ~$1600 for the TV itself. I am currently looking at nothing less than 42" models, but would be open to going bigger if it stays within my budget and makes sense for my viewing distance (mentioned below).
I currently have non-HD digital cable, but will be upgrading to HD cable (Time Warner) with this purchase. Most of what I watch is sports and some DVD's (maybe 25% of my viewing time), so while I watch HDTV when available for what I want to watch, I will still be watching plenty of SD programming. I do not have any current plans to buy a Blu-Ray or HDTV DVD player (at the very least until the price drops significantly), so buying a TV that has 1080P capabilities is not a necessity (unless the price difference is fairly negligable and pretty close to my budget of about $1600). I do not plan to connect my PC to the TV.
My viewing distance is 8 feet and since I currently live in an apartment and noise is potentially an issue, this will be connected to an older Energy Take 5 5.1 audio system with the matching 10" subwoofer. My receiver is a Kenwood VR-407, but as I mentioned, I am open to upgrading that if it would beneficial without upgrading the speakers and subwoofer at this time. My current receiver does not offer component or HDMI inputs, which I would like to use, so unless I upgrade my receiver, I will need to directly connect the video to my new DVD player.
As far as plasma vs. LCD, I do not yet have a preference, so I am hoping someone can weigh in on which would better suit my uses. I do not play any video games, but as I mentioned, I do watch quite a bit of sports and ESPN of course has numerous menus on its channels. One factor that concerns me about plasma is the potential for burn-in, but I've also read that enough advances have been made that this is no longer much of an issue. In short, I'm not opposed to plasma, but only if I don't have to be concerned about destroying my TV if I fall asleep with it tuned in to ESPN (which commonly happens). The lighting in the room this will be in has no windows with a sliding door to my patio (with blinds), no overhead light and a large spider lamp, so the I can pretty easily control the lighting in the room.
Even though I realize I will pay a bit more, I would prefer to buy from a local retailer (Best Buy, Circuit City, HH Gregg, Costco and Sam's Club) simply for ease of returning it, if necessary. That assumes that none of these places match online prices, of course, which I would be surprised to hear that any do. Though I rarely, if ever, buy extended warranties, most of research I have done seems to recommend doing so for this particular purchase - is that a fair statement? The models I am currently considering are: Toshiba 42HL67 (LCD), Panasonic TH-42PX75U (Plasma) and Samsung HP-T4254 (Plasma). Costco also offers the Panasonic TH-42PE77U. All have received good reviews from everywhere I have looked and the price of each model is about the same. As I mentioned, I'm not opposed to a bigger display if it's from a reputable brand and is not overkill for a viewing distance of 8'.
I have done my initial research, so I am now looking for some input on which size, technology and hopefully model will best accomodate my viewing habits while staying close to my budget. Also, any advice on potentially upgrading to a newer receiver would be appreciated, as well. Thank you in advance for the help.