the "help me choose an LCD" thread - Page 137

Should I pull the trigger for the XBR65HX929 for $3800?
I have a chance to purchase a floor model for ~$3800 (asked for $3750 due to deep scratches on the TV stand).
Since I'm going to wall mount, the scratches aren't much of factor for me, other than resell value. (May try to sand it smooth myself to get rid of the sharp edges)

I'm definitely purchasing a service warranty. Most likely through SquareTrade, though it's tempting to go through the store, since they said their guarantee will probably just replace the TV rather than repair it.

The posts I read say the 950 isn't that big of an improvement and that the 2D picture quality is still great for the 929.

I'm currently mulling this, the 950 (may wait to find it for ~4.5k), or the 80" Sharp as the top three choices.

I am leaning towards the Sony for the better picture quality.

Budget: $5000k (after taxes)
Distance: ~12ft. living room.
Glare: Main window behind sofa, so I'll notice it during the day. Will get black out curtains to help mitigate glare

The options I've looked at
XBR65HX929
XBR65HX950
UN65SE8000
LC-80LE632U/633U

I like the 929 since it's full array local dimming.

From what I can gather, most of the time you will notice no difference between a 60hz and 120 hz set. It's most likely to become an issue if you're really into gaming or if you watch a lot of fast-motion sports.

If you do go with a 60hz set, do not count on the "fake" 120 hz. Usually there are substantial problems associated with these features, like dimming of the set to an unacceptable extent, so you will probably end up turning off the feature and just going with the 60hz.

I think I've settled on the EX440. I would like a couple of backup options though, as I am hoping to find a good deal after Christmas, which should happen but may not be this particular model.

In this size and price range, they all have pros and cons. The EX440 has picture-in-picture, which most of the other similarly priced options don't and is something I really want. Plus it's a 42". But the 2 HDMI inputs is just plain stupid (and applies to several of these options), and the speakers appear to have less wattage than most. Then there is the fact that the EX440 and UN40EH5000 are both 60Hz.

I'd like to know what the best model would be out of the 120Hz options in this range (since I am into both gaming and sports): TCL42E50, 40L5200U, 42CS570, LC40LE433U, or one of the Insignia's. And whether that would be enough to choose it over the EX440.
Edited by PerpetualMotion - 11/27/12 at 11:43am

Still hoping to hear some more opinions. Another wrench in the plan, it appears that the Canadian Vizio website has suddenly been updated, and these models are currently available, making them very strong contenders for me:

E420AR
E422VLE
E3D420VX

The E422VLE intrigues me because it has gotten very strong reviews. But the E3D420VX is really interesting. Would provide 120Hz and 3 HDMI inputs, but no picture in picture. Plus of course, the luxury of 3D. I read somewhere that the 2D picture quality may be somewhat lacking in this model, so I'd like to hear more opinions. I guess in the end the 120Hz and 3D would trump the PIP feature on the EX440, but ultimately it comes down to picture quality which is BY FAR the most important thing to consider.

EDIT: I take that back. I went to the Canadian version of Vizio's website, but somehow I must have gotten switched over to the U.S. site. None of these models are available for Canada.
Edited by PerpetualMotion - 11/27/12 at 5:30pm

Panasonic L42E5
Samsung 40EH5000
Vizio E420VSE

Thanks for the assistance. Looks like the Vizio's are out (I was somehow routed to the U.S. Vizio website earlier), I'll add the Panny in. It is really frustrating that their interest in Canadian sales is so pathetic. You can't buy them in stores, and the few options actually listed on their Canadian site are "unavailable". So it looks like I've got a solid list of 3 main contenders here:

Sony EX440
Panasonic L42E5
Samsung 40EH5000

Ok how about a new more reasonable list:

37"-40"

VGA PC input with 1:1 pixel mapping in that mode (1:1 pixel mapping for all modes a plus).

Reasonable low input lag.

Ability to calibrate picture and shut off all of the contrast "enhancing" effects, AKA black crushing effects.

120Hz.

Is that possible if so any ideas? Price and other things not an issue here. There were some Sammy TVs that looked interesting but their new found love for anemic input choices and lack of PC-input ruled those out.
Edited by DaveC19 - 11/27/12 at 8:17pm

Hey guys, I need some purchase advice - -

I currently own a 40" Samsung 4061F 1080p set, that I purchased around 4 years ago and absolutely love it. It might not have the most accurate colors or plasma-like blacks, but I really like the way it pops - maybe I'm not the type who likes a soft, "natural" image. Anyway, I've been looking into a new, larger set in the 50"/$1000-$1200 range, but I'm worried it won't be much of an upgrade, or even a downgrade in everything but sheer size.

I plan to watch movies, play games and plug my laptop into it, and at this point due to concerns about IR and burn-in and a disdain for mirror-like reflective screens, I've all but eliminated plasmas from consideration, which brings me here. Basically, I want something that will impress me, something vibrant and bright. I've gone to a nearby J&R but due to lack of calibration going on and the store being dark (whereas I view typically with lights on), all the sets looked pretty much equally unimpressive - actually, minus the Panasonic ST/GT50 plasmas which looked pretty nice, but I'm not usually viewing in the dark, and again there's the IR/burn-in concerns.

As for specific needs - it must have at least 3 HDMI ports, a VGA/DVI port, would prefer it to be a Smart TV, and a matte/non-high gloss finish. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

1. Budget - $2500
2. Seating distance - 9-10 feet
3. Size/placement limitations - No limitations
4. Uses and sources - Watching TV via my HTPC with a CableCard. It will also be running XBMC for downloaded content, and light gaming such as NES/SNES/N64 games. I will hook it up to an A/V receiver, to be purchased.
5. Room lighting - I have recessed LED lights. This is a ground/basement apartment with full height windows and a 9 foot ceiling. on the opposite of the TV will be 2 windows, about 20 feet away. Sunlight will not shine on the TV.

I am thinking aout a 65" LED TV, 240hz to mount on the wall. Can you help me pick one? Will I noticed the difference in 240hz? Thanks.
Edited by MetsToWS - 11/29/12 at 1:21pm

I almost bought the samsung UN46EH6030FXZA, aka the BF 46" 3D TV. I believe they advertise it as a 240 hz tv? Turns out it's only 60 hz in 2D with a backlight strobe. I'm not saying it doesn't have a good picture, but the specs sheet is very difficult to decipher.

I am looking for: a 46" TV with 3D and frame interpolation (not an LED strobe backlight model). I would like to spend $900 or less. Are there any TV's that fit this criteria? Or, is this feature set unrealistic at $900??

Hope someone can help me gain some insight here. I am looking to buy a new TV for a media room with approx size 14.5 feet X 12.5 feet (172" X 150"). There is going to be ample amount of light. The budget is to avoid crossing 2500 but can maybe can stretch +100.
I tried a samsung UN65Eh6000 and it looked pretty bad. I am thinking if the UN65EH6500 or UN60ES7100 would be better option. However the pictures from my 6 year old samsung 40lnt61f looks way better. So I am no longer sure if I should stick to Samsung TV or see if there are other models from different makers (LG, SONY) with better picture in this price range. Main usage is going to be mainly blu-ray movies and casual TV (cable via Windows 7 WMC HTPC) - shows, some NFL games, netflix, rarely PS3 games. All sources would be directed to TV via AVR. Any help and pointers are much appreciated!

avidracer, where did you try the UN65Eh6000 - in a store, or did you purchase one and return it? Hate to state the obvious, but the latter is the truer indication out of the two.

Anyway, don't have much advice for you but I chimed in since I too am in the market for a new TV and currently own a Samsung 4061F. I love the thing. I'm really impressed by the picture, just want something bigger (50"), but would hate to have the new set be a downgrade in every other regard besides size. So yeah, if you can keep us posted as to what you decide or if you come across a set that's a noticeable upgrade, it would be greatly appreciated. My budget is much smaller than yours (around $1000) but I'm still curious to find out what you end up with and how you like it in comparison to your old Samsung.

My Samsung DLP recently died so looking to replace it if anyone has any ideas.

1. $1000-$2000
2. 7-10' viewing distance
3. ~50" screen fits nicely in the area, could go up a few inches
4. 3+ HDMI, general gaming and TV watching
5. Room is generally dark, light source is in front of the TV

The only real requirement is the TV supports amazon/netflix VOD as we use that alot.

I bought one and returned it. I had it side by side with my old 40lnt651f (both displaying same output from my AVR with 2 HDMI out) and the newer UN65EH6000 looked very washed out in terms of color. I tried various settings provided by others from the samsung UNxxeh6000 thread here in AVS and nothing came close to my 6 year old samsung TN61f set.

Yeah, the LN series tv's ROCK.

Even though tv's are getting thinner and lighter, it almost seems as if PQ has taken a small step backwards.

I posted this in the Samsung thread but wanted to add it here to see if any one else would add there advice.
Hi I'm kind of new to the forum , been lurking for awhile , trying to read posts on Samsung UN60ES8000FXZA . I know some people have a bad sets and service issues , but can people who have had the set for awhile comment on how they like the set ? I currently have a Sony 60 inch SXRD but looking to upgrade . do you feel the Samsung is a improvement over my 7 year old set ?
I'm not to interested in the motion or voice stuff and will disable it . One thing I like about the Sony is the matte finish the helps reduce glare . Does any one see a issue with glare on the Samsung .
Is there a better 60 inch LCD in the same price range ? I will be setting this TV on a stand in a alcove so depth is no issue . I appreciate any feedback .


Harvey

I currently have a Samsung 32" LNS3241D. Which was awesome for it's time, but Christmas is coming up and so is Boxing Day.
I need a new HDTV for my place. My Samsung is still going strong, and will move it to the bedroom.

Size: 50-60"
Uses: Gaming (PS3,N64,Wii,ect), Blu-ray movies
Budget: $~1500 CDN (this is what I'm willing to spend when they go on sale, so if it's 2000 now I'm sure it'll go down)

I just want a great gaming HDTV, and one that looks great viewing blu-rays. 3D is optional and would be nice, but not if it sacrifices game play.

All help is appreciated. Thanks!

Bump...

Ill get to some recs soon.

To the helpful patrons of this thread, many thanks for the great content. I want to replace a 5-6 year old 42" Panasonic plasma in my media room, and thanks to other posts, I have three candidates -- could you please discuss the pros and cons of each? BTW, I primarily use the TV for watching movies, and occasionally for some gaming on a WII. Picture quality and video processing are at the top of my list, and less important are either 3D or internet capabilities. I will mate the TV through HDMI to a Panasonic DMP-500 Blu-ray player, selected mainly for the 7.1 analog output feature, and an older Denon receiver, connected to an Axiom Audio 7.1 speaker system, and a Hsu Research sub.


- Sony KDL-55EX640 ("CNET: Sony delivers a tidy picture with better-than-average black levels. ")
- Vizio E601I-A3 ("CNET: The Vizio E601i-A3 delivered a workmanlike picture, albeit one roughly as good as you see on many LED TVs that cost a lot more. ")
- Panasonic U50 plasma ("CNET: In a word, "Excellent.")

My budget is roughly $1K.

Thanks in advance for your input!

edvacdude
Edited by edvacdude - 12/4/12 at 6:23pm

Yea im looking for the best 50-55" set i can get, mainly for movie watching around 1000 bucks. Im not sure where to ask but what are the pros and cons these days between the LEDs and Plasmas?

I don't know if such a TV as I'm looking for is being made anymore, but if anyone would know, you all would!

• 40"-47" LED/LCD
• Matte Screen
• Front-Facing Speakers (that seems to be the tricky part)

It's easy to find most specs at retailer/manufacturer sites, but it's tough to track down screen gloss and speaker direction (though pics usually give a good idea of the latter).

I'm not too picky when it comes to other specs. I mean inputs, price, and picture quality matter, but those are secondary to the above restrictions. It's for my parents' place, and those are the things about which they can't be flexible. (Glare in the room, and they have trouble hearing speakers that don't face front -- but they don't want to deal with an external speaker system.)

Thanks in advance!

anyone ? any recommendation or pointers ? thanks!

Anyone have anything good or bad to say about the Panny TC-L32X5 as a bedroom TV? Obviously, it won't be for mission critical viewing; just want a solid set in that size/price range.

Nothing in that size is really going to be inspiring, but comparing it to a Samsung, LG, and Toshiba side-by-side, it had more pop, and better viewing angles by far. Blacks seemed surprisingly good for an IPS set as well. A semi-matte panel is good also. Three HDMI inputs, and a metal, not plastic, chassis also seemed to be elevate it above the fray.

I'd appreciate some input here... it seems like the more I research, the less able I am to pick the best tv for my situation.

1. Budget
$400 cap. I'd prefer to spend less, but could justify going as high as $400.

2. Seating distance
~9 feet from couch to tv stand

3. Size/placement limitations
Stand says not to exceed 40 inches width, so I guess 40 to 42 inch diagonal.

4. Uses and sources
This will be a living room TV used for pretty much everything.

• FPS games on Xbox - I play a lot of Halo/COD so I need something that isn't going to have a noticeable lag. However, I'm not exactly planning on going pro and admittedly don't have the most refined sensitivity. So what might irritate a true videophile will probably go unnoticed by me. Still, I don't want to be stuck with something that will put me at a disadvantage.
• TV/Movies. I have Comcast xfinity, but am considering dropping it to just stick with Netflix, etc. I'm not worried about "smart" technology or connectivity to the internet since my xbox will be hooked up to it.
• DVDs - not really planning on upgrading to blu ray in the near future.

5. Room lighting
The couch will be directly facing it. On either side of the couch, there is a floor lamp with 60 w bulbs. They reflect very badly on the CRT I have now and would prefer to have something that doesn't reflect them. I prefer to watch TV in a darker setting, so when we are watching a movie or whatever, they will be off. However, my girlfriend often does homework on the couch while I am watching the TV or playing video games, so they sometimes need to be on. I am not expecting top quality with them on, but would prefer something at least usable under those conditions. Otherwise, there is a large window to the left of the tv that gives decent light during the day.

Breakdown
This is my first apartment. I have the money to drop on a top of the line setup, but I refuse to do so because I don't want to spend my days in front of it once the weather gets nicer outside. That being said, I don't want a cheap piece of crap that will blur like hell or look fuzzy when we do sit down for a movie. I'd also like something that will last more than a few years. The CRT sitting there now is older than I am and still working. I don't expect that kind of life out of it, but I want something that I can expect to keep in service for at least 5 years and hope to keep for 10+.

Do I need 120 hz or will 60 do just fine? I guess I want an LCD since plasma would reflect those lamps. So what would be an ideal 39-42 inch tv that won't set me back more than $400?
Edited by merchantbilly - 12/11/12 at 9:55am

can a few people comment on which lcd/led in the 46-47" range that i should consider. havent bought a tv since my panny tc-l32s1 in 2009...few more options since then.

doesnt need to be 3d

doesnt need to be a smart tv.

would like it to play mp4 media files from a usb slot.

most of the viewing will be regular HD tv use, some blu ray and maybe some light gaming.

What is the typical "standard" LED/LCD TV these days? We've been cruising on a 32" Olevia for years. I really don't care that much about TVs. The only thing I ever notice is aliasing on certain channels.

My wife says she wants a 60" TV but I don't think that's necessary.

1. Budget - $1500, very flexible
2. Seating distance - 8 feet?
3. Size/placement limitations - None really, but wife wants it to look good.
4. Uses and sources - TV and Blu-ray, no plans for 3D yet
5. Room lighting - Window with blinds behind seating area

What would you tell your father to buy, for example?

If you can get me to a brand or a series, I can compare features.

Sharp LC60LE640U. good basic 120hz set with built-in WiFi and about as matte a screen as you'll find. More inputs etc. than comparably priced Samsung models. Should come in a couple of hundred below your target price. I sell tvs and if my Dad was in the market with your requirements that's what I'd tell him to get.

Im curious as to how far these mid level to lower end models have come over the years. Im only really concerned with the picture quality. How would say a Samsungs ES 6 series, or a Sony EX645 compare to a Samsung LNTXX81f. Its a 5 year old high end model.

Looking at these options for a 46" TV (47 is too big for my space):

Samsung UN46EH6000
Toshiba 46L5200U
Sony KDL46EX645

Given the (higher) price difference for the Sony, I'm leaving towards the Samsung or the Toshiba. Anyone have thoughts on one over the other? No gaming, just normal HDTV viewing. I also don't really need any Smart TV functionality.