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So you've decided that you want an LCD HDTV. Maybe you just got this year's bonus, or that big tax return, or you need a new TV because that 20 year old tube just died this week. But, you aren't sure where to begin. Well, you've come to the right place.
Resources for research
Information at CNET
Here are some helpful CNET links to reviews and buying guides for HDTVs:
CNET's television reviews:
http://reviews.cnet.com/televisions/...ftColumnArea.0
CNET's HDTV buying guide:
http://reviews.cnet.com/tv-buying-gu...tColumnArea1.0
CNET's HDTV finder, a step-by-step guide for chosing a TV:
http://reviews.cnet.com/4247-6475_7-...rColumnArea1.3
-----
Before diving into makes and models, there are some things you should consider that will help your decision making process.
If you plan on posting in this thread asking for assistance, please include the following information in your post:
1. Budget
2. Seating distance
3. Size/placement limitations
4. Uses and sources
5. Room lighting
1. Budget
Buying a new HDTV can be an expensive endeavor. To make things even more complicated, there is a whole price range of LCDs available, costing from just hundreds to several thousands of dollars. You should understand from the beginning how much you want to spend for a new TV. By having a budget, you whittle down your search to a price range and just look at makes and models within your budget. It will reduce the number of LCDs you are looking at, making the task of choosing less daunting.
2. Seating distance
High definition televion brings greater detail to the picture. However, in order to be able to see the increased detail in HDTV we need to sit within an optimal distance from the TV. Also, the room you plan on putting your new LCD in may limit you on how close or how far you will be sitting from it. Now, not everyone is going to (or be able to) sit 7 feet from a 55" LCD. Knowing how far you plan on sitting from your new LCD will help you determine how large of an LCD you are interested in.
3. Size/placement limitations
Where you plan on placing (or mounting) your new LCD may also impact the size of the LCD you choose. So, in terms of getting the most out of your new high definition experience, you will need to find a balance between size, distance, resolution (720p, 1080p), and practicality.
Some resources that can assist you in making the size/distance choice can be found here:
Viewing distance calculator:
http://myhometheater.homestead.com/v...alculator.html
Seating distance chart:
If you find yourself sitting farther than ideal for 1080p viewing from your chosen size, you may want to consider saving some money and buying a 720p LCD, instead.
4. Uses and sources
The number and types of source devices you have and plan on getting will determine the types of connections you will need available on your new LCD. Or, you might find after tallying up your sources that a new audio/video receiver would be a good addition to your new purchase.
You should also consider what you are planning on using your new LCD for. For watching primarily movies on Blu-ray, you might want to consider seating arrangements that put you closer to the optimal seating distance for the size you purchase. Perhaps you will be watching alot of broadcast over cable, or you haven't upgraded to Blu-ray or you still have a large collection of standard DVDs. What you plan on watching on your LCD HDTV can influence what quality level, features, or even resolution (720p? 1080p?) you choose in a model.
If you plan on gaming on your LCD, you might want to find out about input lag of the different makes/models you are considering. Here's a good thread we have going here on input lag:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1131464
5. Room lighting
Well lit room? Or do you like watching movies in the dark? Some LCDs come with matte finish screens, and others can be as reflective as plasmas. You should consider the lighting of your room and look for models that would be appropriate.
What about bias lighting? What exactly is bias lighting? Here's a good post on theory from the Calibration forum:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1162578
Here's a thread of bias lighting examples with pictures in the LCD forum:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=bias+lighting
2010 LCDs from some of the top brands
Samsung:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...t=samsung+2010
Sony:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...ight=sony+2010
LG:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...hlight=lg+2010
Toshiba:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...t=toshiba+2010
Sharp:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...ght=sharp+2010
Panasonic (not much going on in this thread, but it's the best I could dig up):
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...ight=panasonic
Vizio:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...ighlight=vizio
Cables!
For all your buying needs:
http://www.monoprice.com
http://www.bluejeanscable.com
http://www.tartancable.com
I'm hoping that this thread will be a help to people, and a place for knowledgeable folks to stop by and help out others looking for information. If there's anything you think should be in this first post, either information or links, just let me know and I will put it up.
So you've decided that you want an LCD HDTV. Maybe you just got this year's bonus, or that big tax return, or you need a new TV because that 20 year old tube just died this week. But, you aren't sure where to begin. Well, you've come to the right place.
Resources for research
Information at CNET
Here are some helpful CNET links to reviews and buying guides for HDTVs:
CNET's television reviews:
http://reviews.cnet.com/televisions/...ftColumnArea.0
CNET's HDTV buying guide:
http://reviews.cnet.com/tv-buying-gu...tColumnArea1.0
CNET's HDTV finder, a step-by-step guide for chosing a TV:
http://reviews.cnet.com/4247-6475_7-...rColumnArea1.3
-----
Before diving into makes and models, there are some things you should consider that will help your decision making process.
If you plan on posting in this thread asking for assistance, please include the following information in your post:
1. Budget
2. Seating distance
3. Size/placement limitations
4. Uses and sources
5. Room lighting
1. Budget
Buying a new HDTV can be an expensive endeavor. To make things even more complicated, there is a whole price range of LCDs available, costing from just hundreds to several thousands of dollars. You should understand from the beginning how much you want to spend for a new TV. By having a budget, you whittle down your search to a price range and just look at makes and models within your budget. It will reduce the number of LCDs you are looking at, making the task of choosing less daunting.
2. Seating distance
High definition televion brings greater detail to the picture. However, in order to be able to see the increased detail in HDTV we need to sit within an optimal distance from the TV. Also, the room you plan on putting your new LCD in may limit you on how close or how far you will be sitting from it. Now, not everyone is going to (or be able to) sit 7 feet from a 55" LCD. Knowing how far you plan on sitting from your new LCD will help you determine how large of an LCD you are interested in.
3. Size/placement limitations
Where you plan on placing (or mounting) your new LCD may also impact the size of the LCD you choose. So, in terms of getting the most out of your new high definition experience, you will need to find a balance between size, distance, resolution (720p, 1080p), and practicality.
Some resources that can assist you in making the size/distance choice can be found here:
Viewing distance calculator:
http://myhometheater.homestead.com/v...alculator.html
Seating distance chart:
If you find yourself sitting farther than ideal for 1080p viewing from your chosen size, you may want to consider saving some money and buying a 720p LCD, instead.
4. Uses and sources
The number and types of source devices you have and plan on getting will determine the types of connections you will need available on your new LCD. Or, you might find after tallying up your sources that a new audio/video receiver would be a good addition to your new purchase.
You should also consider what you are planning on using your new LCD for. For watching primarily movies on Blu-ray, you might want to consider seating arrangements that put you closer to the optimal seating distance for the size you purchase. Perhaps you will be watching alot of broadcast over cable, or you haven't upgraded to Blu-ray or you still have a large collection of standard DVDs. What you plan on watching on your LCD HDTV can influence what quality level, features, or even resolution (720p? 1080p?) you choose in a model.
If you plan on gaming on your LCD, you might want to find out about input lag of the different makes/models you are considering. Here's a good thread we have going here on input lag:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1131464
5. Room lighting
Well lit room? Or do you like watching movies in the dark? Some LCDs come with matte finish screens, and others can be as reflective as plasmas. You should consider the lighting of your room and look for models that would be appropriate.
What about bias lighting? What exactly is bias lighting? Here's a good post on theory from the Calibration forum:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1162578
Here's a thread of bias lighting examples with pictures in the LCD forum:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=bias+lighting
2010 LCDs from some of the top brands
Samsung:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...t=samsung+2010
Sony:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...ight=sony+2010
LG:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...hlight=lg+2010
Toshiba:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...t=toshiba+2010
Sharp:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...ght=sharp+2010
Panasonic (not much going on in this thread, but it's the best I could dig up):
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...ight=panasonic
Vizio:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...ighlight=vizio
Cables!
For all your buying needs:
http://www.monoprice.com
http://www.bluejeanscable.com
http://www.tartancable.com
I'm hoping that this thread will be a help to people, and a place for knowledgeable folks to stop by and help out others looking for information. If there's anything you think should be in this first post, either information or links, just let me know and I will put it up.