the "help me choose an LCD" thread - Page 2

Originally Posted by life02

Upgrading from a Sharp LC46D82U

1. Budget: $3000
2. Seating distance: 6-12'
3. Size/placement limitations: None... but I would like at least 52"
4. Uses and sources: HTPC, Gaming (1080p)
5. Room lighting: Generally dark. I prefer matte screens though.

Not a huge Samsung fan... would prefer LED local dimming (I think).

Any suggestions?

Originally Posted by jty1

So I am looking to replace my 55 inch Olevia that I got from woot a year and a half ago. Here is what I am looking for:

1. Budget
About 1200, but I will go higher for the right set that I can be happy with and not have to upgrade for at least a couple years.

2. Seating distance
About 13 feet at the farthest point.

3. Size/placement limitations
I live in military housing so the rooms dont have much decorating options. I also have a L-shaped couch and only 1 viable wall/corner for a TV, further limiting options. Maybe something with a swivel?

4. Uses and sources
Primarily HD television content and Blu-Rays. I also order a lot of sporting event PPV's. I also do a lot of gaming (360) and watch a lot of content off of my computer. At least three HDMI ports is desirable. I do not really need an S-video connection however.

5. Room lighting
My current living room has an entire wall made up windows. I work 2nd shift so I do have blackout curtains. I guess what im saying is it can be really bright or really dark, so lighting isnt really a concern.

Other: I have reviewed CNETs Best TV lists but still cant make a decision. I was thinking one of the ultra-thin samsung plasmas, but was scared by all the reviews mentioning buzzing. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Originally Posted by Tenorio

Sales galore will be starting soon so I have selected the 3 HDTV's indicated
and truthfully find little difference between them other than price. I am not
a guru on TV's and after scanning the spec's I am leaning towards the
Toshiba 55ZV650U. For the most part of my TV watching is sports and
watching Blu-Ray movies. Your thoughts please.

Thanks

Originally Posted by HFXguy

I am a HD DV-CRT guy but I want to get my daughter a new TV for her room as a birthday present to replace 13" SD CRT

Budget: unimportant
Seat Dis : 3-10ft
size/placement: desk mtg - limited to 22-24" total height including stand
use: SDTV + DVD (I have a spare Blu-ray player for her to use) using TV speakers
rm light: usually with lights, no sunlight issues

So at size is the PQ similar?
Do some have better speakers?
Any with headphone jacks?
Any that could also double as a monitor? (maybe to replace a Dell 17" 4:3)

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Originally Posted by hollownail

Hey all,

Been browsing here for years, finally need some help on upgrading from my 37" Vizio to a real good 1080p flat panel for the living room in my new place.

1. Budget: Preferably under $1200. Cannot go much higher.
2. Seating distance: 6-10'
3. Size/placement limitations: 46-55" would be best
4. Uses and sources: PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, FIOS, HTPC
5. Room lighting: Pretty dark room. Few room lights and little natural lighting.

I've been having a really hard time deciding what to pick up. I don't have a lot of time to do real good research. I need something fairly lag free as I do game and I hear (on here) that the Sammy's have some bad lag input which is unacceptable. I don't really have any brands that I prefer.

I don't really care whether it is Plasma or LCD. I haven't had much time to check out LEDs either, but I'm wondering if you guys could point me to the best panels in that price range.

If it helps, I'm local to the DC area.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Guinea

I'm looking to choose between a 40" Z5100 or a 40" NX700. I can get the Z for almost half the price of the NX700. The Z is 240hz while the NX700 is just 120hz, but the NX is LED (edgelit), while the Z is CCFL. And the NX700 looks very cool with the monolithic design. And is the NX700 even 10-bit? Both are Bravia Engine 3. And I don't care about Wifi on the NX700 since I have a ps3.

My heart wants to go for the NX700, but my brain tells me the Z is better value..

I've heard the Z has flashlighting issues, but does the NX700? Does LED actually improve the quality of the picture versus CCFL?

Originally Posted by Lokks

Ok so I am looking to replace my XBR4 my budget is $3000.00.
1. What will be the equivalent of the XBR4 series
2. Is the NX800 good enough in specs compared to the xbr4 I had before

Please and thank you in advance.

Originally Posted by prophetik

i own a 32" dynex tv that i bought off of a fellow i know for 300$. it's great - except for a few major things.

1. it's got only two hdmi ports. ps3, two 360s, and computer all run into it with hdmi, necessitating the purchase of an hdmi switch. i love the switch i bought, however it's annoying dealing with it. plus, hdcp doesn't always translate through the switch (usually, but once in a while it sticks), necessitating me cycling the switch to get it to 'bite'. crappy switch? maybe. but there's signal degradation every time you pass-through something regardless.

2. it's only 32"! :<<br />
3. no general optical out, meaning that all audio has to go into a separate switch as well (n64, ps2, ps3, 360, vcr, and tv all have another big switch to toggle). this means that, every time i turn on something different, i have to get up and switch both the video and the audio. no remotes on either. plus, there's signal degradation.

i'm looking for a replacement, primarily for gaming but also for movies and web TV. my main job is being a composer for video games, so i'd like a tv that's going to excel with gaming on current consoles, as well as allow me to use older stuff once and a while. i watch some movies, not a lot, but the PS3's bluray player does get used at my house. i do not need good speakers, but i would like an optical out to go to my 5.1 audio system.

i will need:
-gorgeous picture quality
-no less than four hdmi inputs, the more the better
-at least 120hz technology (ps3 3d games coming in Q4 2010!)
-good response time (duh!)
-46", no less, maybe a touch more
-optical audio out
-at least one composite video inputs, preferably two or three
-at least one component video inputs, preferably two
-brightness and contrast ratios that are decent (room will have windows, but i'll cover them when playing

i will NOT need:
-good speakers
-web features (useless with a pc equipped)
-portability

beyond that, i don't even have an idea what to look for. what's led tech...realistically speaking? what's the difference between 120, 240, and 480hz in a real-world situation?

i don't mind buying off-brand - my dynex has been stellar, and i don't plan on ditching it any time soon (particularly for what i paid for it...what a deal!). all that matters is that it does a good job and doesn't break.

last thing - i'd prefer to spend less than 800 or so for this tv. so, don't recommend a 2200$ tv just because it's good. i know there are good, cheap tvs out there (my father-in-law just bought a pretty nice hitachi 46" for 875 at sam's club that i'm looking at too), and i don't mind waiting for deals to come around. just tell me what to look for, and i'll be ready when the time comes. i can pay more if it's totally worth it, but there needs to be a lot of price-to-performance to make it worth it.

help? i'd prefer testimonials over just lmgtfy links, which is why i'm asking here rather than elsewhere. i've got a sam's club membership, and their TVs are often 400-500$ off of the general list price, so if you see one there i'm all about it.

thanks, everyone!

Originally Posted by Miles Teg

1. Budget
$2500
2. Seating distance
7-10 ft
3. Size/placement limitations
~60 inch
4. Uses and sources
A little bit of everything but in order of importance:
1. Movies(should be a complete WOW on blu-rays obviously)
2. Games(will have PS3 and Wii)
3. Sports
4. Computer as source
5. Room lighting
Dim incandescent light, patio windows w/ blinds

It doesn't have to be an LCD tv but I had someone recommend that. I am prepared to spend on a separate sound system so the speakers don't have to be great. Thanks for any advice.

Originally Posted by Davespectral

I missed this thread when I made this post yesterday under the general LCD display title. I did put a lot of investigation in to this, but a couple things made me balk at buying it.

I'm looking for a 32" TV/monitor. The following things are a must:
1080P
Individual calibration of RGB
Computer input
S Video, and composite inputs to monitor my home theatre processor
Of course HDMI which they all seem to have.
under $550 shipped would be nice.

Viewing distance 4'
Sound will come from my HT rig, so that isn't an issue.

I'll be using it to watch some T.V. news and stuff, to spare the constant use of my JVC RS-10U projector. It will also be my computer monitor. It must also have a regular computer input, so that I can see what the computer is doing as it boots, and if I have to go in to safe mode etc. The one I was one mouse click away from buying is the Sony KDL-32EX400. It fits every single thing that I have mention but I wonder about the RGB calibration. I've seen some real cheap T.V.'s that have it, but I can't find anything about it in the owners manual. If a few people are absolutely sure that it has that, I'll buy it tomorrow morning.

I really was ready to click, "Purchase Now", and I thought that I better check with you guys first. LOL The OTHER alternative to RGB adjustment, is one that nails the colors correctly out of the box, say with a "natural" setting or something. The reason I need that, is I'll be doing a bit of color adjusting with certain video files, and I want to have an accurate reference in the first place.

Originally Posted by Tarpon65

I need a little help for the step daughter. She received her tax refund and wanted to upgrade her crappy 25" 12 year old set. She lives in an apartment and sits around 7-8 foot from the set. She is able to control lighting fairly well with blinds. She went and purchased a Magnavox 47MF439B from Target for $799.00. She got it home and I set it up yesterday using an HDMI cable from her Comcast HD STB and Component from a Pioneer Elite progressive dvd player that I had laying around, as well as rcas from an old Playstation 2. I have not really kept up with specs after purchasing my last tv 1-1/2 years ago. It worries me the set is only 60 Hz and I'm not real big on Magnavox as a brand. I was seeing a lot of artifacting last night, but I have to spend time doing a better calibration next weekend. Is she making a big mistake keeping this tv? Should we find something in her $800 price range (obviously we are looking at an entry level set) with 120 Hz in a 45-48 inch set? Fortunately we have 90 days to either calibrate the set to her liking, or return it for a better option. Thanks.

Originally Posted by RayChuang

Here's my goal: a good LCD in the 40-42" size in the US$700 to US$900 price range--and it must have 120 Hz refresh!

The only crappy downside is right now all the stores are transitioning to 2010 models, so I either 1) are disappointed last year's models are no longer in stock or 2) it would be at least a few weeks before the new models arrive.

Originally Posted by kentuckymakers

First thing is first, hats off to the members of avs! The sheer amount of information available on this forum is amazing.

Ok, I am looking to purchase a new hdtv shortly.

Here are my requirements...
1. Budget
I would like to have the budget max to be 800 shipped if possible.

2. Seating distance
5-6 ft

3. Size/placement limitations
Looking to get a 40" or 42" max

4. Uses and sources
Primarily used with a HTPC. Web browsing, streaming video, hulu etc, playing back movies from htpc, watching TV (duh), gaming xbox 360 (low lag preferred), 120hz refresh rate,

I guess the most important thing I would like to make sure of is that I have a TV with low lag, and 1x1 pixel mapping so that I get a clean and crisp display from the HTPC. I will be upgrading my graphics card to an HDMI out to handle from the HTPC end. Might end up building a simple HTPC in the future but right now it will use my existing system with an upgraded video card.

5. Room lighting
Not a factor...

If anyone can point me in the right direction I would appreciate it as browsing and reading for months trying to make a decision can drive someone close to insanity. Thanks.