[madsedan]

I just sold my first HD tv, a Panasonic PT43-LC14 I bought in 2005, it was an excellent tv but I didn't want to hassle with moving it and wanted an LCD anyway.

I am looking for a good performer in the sub $1k range, noticed the Samsung 46" LED is on sale at BB for just a tad over that.

Should I stick to my guns and get a decent budget minded LCD in the $800 range or spring the extra $400 or so for the Sammie LED or maybe one of the new Vizio LED's for less than last years Sammie?

Will be used in the living room, will be hanging on a wall and will be running blu-ray/ps3/wii and hd channels, should be minimal cross lighting.

Thanks!

 

[madsedan]

Don't want this to be a "which LCd should I buy" thread but rather should I spend 50% more for one of the budget LED's on the market.

Thanks!

 

[BoilerJim]

If you want a budget LCD that is illuminated by edge-lit LEDs, then you should be prepared to accept the flashlighting inherent in these TVs. Search the Forum and read the numerous complaints by members who are not satisfied with the performance they expected from such sets.


Of course, there are probably thousands of LCD LED owners who aren't as "picky" as those of us on this Forum and probably don't know a good picture from a bad one.


Which one are you?

 

[spyboy]

I wouldn't be tied to Samsung. Even though they have models that peform amirably, they also have had leaking capacitors in some of their recent sets.


They also are moving further toward form over function (side-lit vs back-lit).


I applaud Vizio. While I have focused my attention on the 55 inch Vizio. A 47 inch Vizio is something you should consider.

 

[madsedan]

Thanks guys, great info!

 

[Steve S]

I sold one of those 46" Samsung LEDs to a lady last Sunday at the BB price. She returned it last night (had a cluster of pixels stuck on red-not common at all btw.). We didn't have another one so she left with a new 46" Sony EX-500, a new Sony BD player and HDMI cable (NOT an $80 Monster btw) along with $20 in change.




imho the edge lit Samsung LEDs are a triumph of form over function, while the backlit local dimming 8500 series is arguably one of the best tvs on the market from the standpoint of pq. That being said I share Spy's skepticism of Samsung reliability and would add that their customer service is getting a lot of negative feedback around here.


I would echo the recommendation to consider other brands--perhaps a low-middle Sony, Toshiba, or LG or a more feature laden Vizio at a price point around 1k.