[moshock]

I can't decide which model to go with.


I can get the Dynex for $599 or the Insignia for $699. At those prices, what is the better buy, and why?

DX-LCD42HD-09 (Dynex® - 42" 1080p Flat-Panel LCD HDTV)

NS-LCD42HD-09 (Insignia® - 42" Class 1080p Flat-Panel LCD HDTV)


Please help me!

 

[QSPR]

dynex has more contrast ratio and is cheaper

 

[moshock]

2000:1 vs. 6000:1 (dynamic); 1500:1 (native)


Kind of confusing if you ask me. And I know manufacturer's rate their contrast ratios differently from one another.


Why do you suppose the Insignia is $200 more retail?


I plan on getting the service plan, so I figure here are my options:


1) Save $100 on the Dynex, buy the service plan for $100

2) Save $200 on the Insignia, buy the service plan for $100 ($50 savings)


So I can only save up to $100 on the Dynex, or I can save $250 on the Insignia purchase.


I need more assistance, as I plan on making my purchase potentially tomorrow morning.

 

[moshock]

Any other input or comments would be greatly appreciated. I am looking to make my purchase as early as tomorrow morning when BB's doors open.

 

[westa6969]

This is a pull my finger thread as to what perhaps they farted out the two worst panels at BB.


Save a little more and get a real panel by a first tier manufacturer. Cheaper equates to cheaper and old tech in a new box.

 

[moshock]

This TV is for my parents and will only be used to watch 1080i DirecTV HD. That's it.


Their Requirements:


- 42" HDTV

- LCD

- Matte Bezel (They hate gloss)

- Service Plan


Either of these sets are perfectly fine for my parents, I'm just wondering which one to get. You can bash them all you want, but they look beautiful in person. There's no sense in spending twice as much IMO, not for my parents anyways. They can't tell the difference between these and more expensive models.

 

[SystemShock2]

I'm sorry, but Insignias just plain look awful, 'for your parents' or no.

Only looked at the Dynexs for a short time, but they did seem slightly better. Of course, the Sonys and Samsungs were way better than either, ditto the 'strong second tier' LCD makes like Toshiba, Panasonic, Sharp, etc.


I bet if you shopped around you could find a good make in 40" that was close to the Insignia in price. But hey, it's your call.

edit- Costco has a 42" Sharp LCD for $799. You can find a 40" Toshiba REGZA at Amazon for $749. There are deals out there.


--

 

[moshock]

Well I've been shopping around for the past few weeks, and I can't see any better deals than this.


I went and looked at both of these TV's in person, and I was honestly impressed with the picture on both TV's. I know people like to rip on Dynex/Insignia, but I honestly think they look pretty good. And I do consider myself quite a videophile/audiophile, but I also consider myself a realist. Spending twice as much won't benefit my parents AT ALL.


Back to the TV's at hand though, why do you suppose the Dynex TV is so heavy in comparison to the Insignia?


And to the people who say there are comparable deals, please find me "better" 42" HDTV's for $699 or $799, including 4 year service plans. I'm open to suggestions, I just can't find anything comparable in price.

 

[meliti]

Awesome post

 

[moshock]

lol, some of you are so helpful.

 

[moshock]



Quote:
Originally Posted by SystemShock2 /forum/post/15450633


edit- Costco has a 42" Sharp LCD for $799. You can find a 40" Toshiba REGZA at Amazon for $749. There are deals out there.


--

TV @ Costco - I'm not a member. Don't have a Costco within 100 miles.


TV @ Amazon - This TV is also at Best Buy, but it's 2" less, glossy (parents hate gloss), and would be $849 after the service plan. I looked at this TV in person, and in all honesty both the Dynex and Insignia looked better. I had a Magnolia Rep playing with the remotes to all three TV's, tinkering the settings and making comparisons. The Toshiba was not very impressive IMO, and was even on my list of potential TV purchases too!

 

[SystemShock2]

Good luck then. I'm out.

 

[moshock]



Quote:
Originally Posted by SystemShock2 /forum/post/15451564


Good luck then. I'm out.

I appreciate your suggestions!

 

[moshock]

Well I didn't buy anything today, but I do plan on picking up the Insignia 42" (NS-LCD42HD-09) sometime this week.


My parents not wanting glossy bezels really limits their options... I don't blame them though, I don't like glossy bezels either. They glare something terrible, and I'm not sure why they're so popular.

 

[zgumby85]

I don't understand why so many people give Insignia tvs a bad name. I have found quite a few people on this forum who liked them, and I would not have traded mine in except i got a xbr6 which is like comparing a metro to a lexus haha. I had a lg in the family room (the 32lg30 i think) and I thought the insignia looked just as good.. Good luck with your purchase

 

[moshock]

I ended up pulling the trigger on the Dynex, couldn't be happier. Here is some information I posted regarding this display.


This and more information can be found here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...039018&page=23


----------------------------------------

Pros


Absolutely no glare on the bezel

Absolutely no glare on the screen

1080p capable

Accurate colors after calibration

Easily accessible service menu

Ability to lower backlight to increase PQ and reduce power consumption

Deeper blacks than my plasma

Functions well with universal remotes

Inexpensive extended warranty option

Best Buy brand (they will exist the entire duration of the extended warranty)


Cons


Visible pixelation and artifacting within 5 feet (Solution: Sit ~10 feet away, where you should be sitting with a 42" TV)

Minor motion blur (I can sense motion blur on nearly every LCD though, and this isn't any worse than $1500 LCD's, sooo...)


I paid $629.99 for this TV and bought the $99.99 4 Year Extended Warranty. At that price, or even hundreds of dollars more, I wouldn't recommend any other TV than this. This set is truly beautiful after taking the time to configure it properly. IMO, it looks as good if not better than my friends' Sharps, Sonys, and Samsungs, and they all paid $1000-$1200.


----------------------------------------


Here is my exact panel information:


- SW Ver: SL42HV40-10A1018T

- Panel Info: 420H1-L05

- Software Build: 07/05/08 11:44:59


Note: I watch mostly 1080i DirecTV HD over HDMI. After plenty of tweaking and using DVE and the THX Optimizer, here are my settings:

HDMI Settings (Best as of 1-19-09):


Contrast: 75

Brightness: 46

Color: 56

Tint: 0

Sharpness: 30

Color Mode: Cool


Gain Red: 123

Gain Green: 126

Gain Blue: 108

Offset Red: 125

Offset Green: 125

Offset Blue: 125


Backlight: 50


Noise Reduction: Off

XVS: Off

 

[saturation]

Happy for you, can you post a picture of what you think it a good image on your Dynex?

Quote:
Originally Posted by moshock /forum/post/15605470


I ended up pulling the trigger on the Dynex, couldn't be happier. Here is some information I posted regarding this display.


This and more information can be found here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...039018&page=23


----------------------------------------

Pros


Absolutely no glare on the bezel

Absolutely no glare on the screen

1080p capable

Accurate colors after calibration

Easily accessible service menu

Ability to lower backlight to increase PQ and reduce power consumption

Deeper blacks than my plasma

Functions well with universal remotes

Inexpensive extended warranty option

Best Buy brand (they will exist the entire duration of the extended warranty)


Cons


Visible pixelation and artifacting within 5 feet (Solution: Sit ~10 feet away, where you should be sitting with a 42" TV)

Minor motion blur (I can sense motion blur on nearly every LCD though, and this isn't any worse than $1500 LCD's, sooo...)


I paid $629.99 for this TV and bought the $99.99 4 Year Extended Warranty. At that price, or even hundreds of dollars more, I wouldn't recommend any other TV than this. This set is truly beautiful after taking the time to configure it properly. IMO, it looks as good if not better than my friends' Sharps, Sonys, and Samsungs, and they all paid $1000-$1200.


----------------------------------------


Here is my exact panel information:


- SW Ver: SL42HV40-10A1018T

- Panel Info: 420H1-L05

- Software Build: 07/05/08 11:44:59


Note: I watch mostly 1080i DirecTV HD over HDMI. After plenty of tweaking and using DVE and the THX Optimizer, here are my settings:

HDMI Settings (Best as of 1-19-09):


Contrast: 75

Brightness: 46

Color: 56

Tint: 0

Sharpness: 30

Color Mode: Cool


Gain Red: 123

Gain Green: 126

Gain Blue: 108

Offset Red: 125

Offset Green: 125

Offset Blue: 125


Backlight: 50


Noise Reduction: Off

XVS: Off

 

[NickSP]

I would have taken the Insignia over the Dynex. The Insignia is actually a very good LG panel and the LCD lamps in the insignia are much better than on the Dynex.