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Am I wasting my money?

post #1 of 16
11/17/10 at 8:05am
Thread Starter 
I'm looking for a new TV for my basement, about 12ft viewing distance. Is it worth getting a 55" to 60" Sammy or Panasonic plasma if I only have basic comcast cable service with the digital box but no HD?

From what I've researched I'd be looking at a Sammsung PN58C8000, Panasonic TC-P58VT25 or LG 55LX9500 but that's alot of $$ that may not be used to it's capability. Sports, WII and family movies would be the primary use. Any less expensive quality alternatives recommended?
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post #2 of 16
11/17/10 at 8:42am
.. do you want 3d? what price max have you placed? have you considered an investment in a OTA (antenna), whereby HD programming (thru local networks) is attainable? (plus, blu-ray player or Playstation 3)

good buys for non-3d: LG 60PK550 (reflective panel; 'bout it) & Samsung PN58C550.
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post #3 of 16
11/17/10 at 9:11am
Thread Starter 
3D would be nice but not a deal breaker. Ideally under $2,000
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post #4 of 16
11/17/10 at 9:59am
Let's see no HD coming into the house, so your sports are all SD. Wii and home movies won't benefit from a high end set. Your lookin' at high dollar plasmas ? WTF are you nuts ? I ask that in a nice way because I'd hate to see you waste your money. I think you should visit ebay and look for a used 73" Mits SD RPTV, you can't beat the price...........or you could go Panny S2 and take the leftover cash and get some HD piped in for god's sake.

Scotty
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post #5 of 16
11/17/10 at 10:07am
Wait until you get HD before you get a major tv. It's a waste of money as you've said already. Go for something cheap or change to HD asap.
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post #6 of 16
11/17/10 at 10:12am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the advice.

I'll have to look into comcast HD, between cable and internet i'm well over $100/month so I'll have to see what it will cost to add.


Would a plasma in general for my app. be a waste as opposed to an LCD? I'll have to look into the S2 as scoddee mentioned.
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post #7 of 16
11/17/10 at 10:26am
^^ .. regarding cable/internet, have you checked ATT bundle (internet, DirecTv w/ DVR, long/local phone), under $100/mo.

what's you sitting distance; may descide Panasonic 54" G25 (non-3d) would suffice & pickup blu-ray (or) Playstation 3 (plays blu-ray in additon to gaming) for under amount quoted (adequate dist. 9-11ft).

otherwise: Samsung PN58C550.
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post #8 of 16
11/17/10 at 10:33am
Thread Starter 
12 feet. Although there will be some seating less than 45deg off to the sides. Oh, and a bar closer to 70-80 deg.
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post #9 of 16
11/17/10 at 10:33am
Take into consideration what the future holds when you make your choice. Things change.
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post #10 of 16
11/17/10 at 10:38am
HD is pretty cheap. Well worth it if you have an HD tv. I wouldnt even buy an HD tv without HD cable service inless you plan on upgrading in the future.
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post #11 of 16
11/17/10 at 11:02am
If you aren't going to have ANY hd sources, it does seem like a lot of money. I still have SD satellite. But most of my tv watching is OTA (news, tv shows, sports), upscaled dvds, blu-ray, and Internet streaming. So it get's plenty of good source material. Eventually I'll go to HD satellite, but I'm just in no hurry as long as OTA is free.
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post #12 of 16
11/17/10 at 11:24am
About six weeks ago I bought a Panny 65S2 for under 2K and switched my TV service from Comcast to Dish Network. I could not pass up Dish's free HD for life promotion, along with free installation, free DVR, and free locals. Of course, Comcast bumped up my price for Internet service without TV by $15, but my total with Dish's basic package is still under $100. Check it out if you live in the US.
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post #13 of 16
11/17/10 at 12:47pm
Thread Starter 
Yes, I definetely need to look at other providers. Currently I have internet and cable through comcast.
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post #14 of 16
11/17/10 at 1:00pm
What's your viewing environment? If it's a darker or light controlled room, you could even consider a projector.
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post #15 of 16
11/17/10 at 2:31pm
DirecTV picture quality is pretty horrible.
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post #16 of 16
11/17/10 at 3:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Capboy View Post

Thanks for the advice.

I'll have to look into comcast HD, between cable and internet i'm well over $100/month so I'll have to see what it will cost to add.


Would a plasma in general for my app. be a waste as opposed to an LCD? I'll have to look into the S2 as scoddee mentioned.

Do check because it may not cost any more. I have Cox cable and their charge for an HD box is the same as for an SD box. I don't know if Comcast charges more for HD but Cox doesn't.
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