[ShoutingMan]

My question seems simple, yet I find it difficult to accomplish: how do I shop for and make an informed selection of an HDTV?


I've been reading about Plasma and LCD HDTVs the past month and have a fair understanding of their strengths and trade offs; my choice to post this question in the Plasma forum reveals my current bias.


Forums and magazines indicate Plasmas have better blacks and better contrast ratios, which are not readily seen in a brightly lit store. Some LCDs may have better color accuracy (especially for an uncalibrated set) and can look better in a well lit room. Interestingly, prices are about the same for 50"+ sets.


But then it's confounding to shop at stores and be faced with vibrant LCDs and dull, gray Plasmas; intellectually I get it, but it's it's frustrating that seemingly I have to choose a TV based solely on research without first hand experience to confirm what I read.


So, is there anyway to see a good comparison of LCDs and Plasmas at retail stores? I've got Best Buy and Circuit City. In Best Buy's "Magnolia" room is last years Kuro Elite, so I can't compare what's actually for sale. The newer 5020 is on the wall, 12' up, above a Panasonic, and out of reach of adjustments. The local "high end" stores are small, oddly shaped; at one the only Pioneer, a 50" Elite, is mounted at the end of a well-lit hallway.


Are their practical ways to comparison shop for an HDTV? Or is it a dichotomy between buying big box "pop" versus a researched decision (without first hand experience)?

 

[467456878]

I was in the same situation as yours, but a year ago. I went into a big retail store, and couldn't get a straight answer from one of their A/V salespeople (asked for main differences between DLP, LCD, and Plasma). They had two identical TVs displaying blu-ray and dvd. The dvd looked really crappy - I had the same movie playing on my friend's tv and it looked way better. The answer is you really can't trust most salespeople, especially in big retail stores. The smaller B&M stores try their hardest to upsell you on more expensive equipment vs the salespeople in retail stores want to sell you something as quickly as possible.


Your best bet is to search on-line for the big answers so you can at least have a base level of understanding. When you know the basics, you can start going to the stores and use what you have learned. Have an idea what you want before you leave. Nothing worse than a customer going to a salesperson and not knowing what they want, and end up getting something they didn't need or want.


The smaller stores generally have more knowledgeable people since they specialize in that equipment, and some of those also do it as a hobby. Smaller stores also want you as a repeat customer, and will often go out of their way to show you equipment how you want to view it, and move it around so you can make a fair comparison. If they don't, then move onto another store. Don't expect them to tear down a whole room just to show you their 'budget' tv though.

Don't be afraid to take something with you to make notes on specific models/prices and what features you like/dislike about each model... After all, you are their customer and also want to be happy with your purchase.


Hope this helps.

 

[uminchu]

I was fortunate in that I was able to see most of the models on my shortlist in the homes of friends, colleagues, and/or relatives. I found this a much more productive way to shop various panels, as I could see how they looked in friendly environments and friendly lighting conditions, plus I could examine and often experiment with settings. Both techs look so much better in homes, bearing little to no resemblance to the torch modes used in the stores. The opportunity to view them in peoples' homes definitely had an influence in my ultimate choices. Chances are you that one or more of the sets you are interested in may be installed in homes of people you know, but finding out where can be a challenge.

 

[ShoutingMan]



Quote:
The smaller stores generally have more knowledgeable people since they specialize in that equipment, and some of those also do it as a hobby. Smaller stores also want you as a repeat customer, and will often go out of their way to show you equipment how you want to view it, and move it around so you can make a fair comparison. If they don't, then move onto another store. Don't expect them to tear down a whole room just to show you their 'budget' tv though.

There's one smaller shop I haven't been to yet. Maybe they'll have a better setup than when I browsed there 6 years ago for my current TV. But the practical reality with these stores is they charge full MSRP, while big chains like BestBuy and Amazon have them for as much as 40% less. Getting good information is important, but paying a $500 - $1000 premium on an HDTV starts making a "blind" purchase seem not unreasonable.

Quote:
I was fortunate in that I was able to see most of the models on my shortlist in the homes of friends, colleagues, and/or relatives. ... Chances are you that one or more of the sets you are interested in may be installed in homes of people you know, but finding out where can be a challenge.

I'll have to ask around. Oddly, none of my friends have a large HDTV, plasma or otherwise.

 

[467456878]



Quote:
Originally Posted by ShoutingMan /forum/post/15410522


There's one smaller shop I haven't been to yet. Maybe they'll have a better setup than when I browsed there 6 years ago for my current TV. But the practical reality with these stores is they charge full MSRP, while big chains like BestBuy and Amazon have them for as much as 40% less. Getting good information is important, but paying a $500 - $1000 premium on an HDTV starts making a "blind" purchase seem not unreasonable.

I'm guessing you are looking at sticker price, kinda like most people when they look at cars on the dealer lot. Most often that is just the marked price - you can haggle them down, sometimes more than 50%. I was looking at a NHT sub. The store had it listed for $1100, but I walked out with it at $550! First find out what TV you want, then compare prices. If a smaller shop won't price match or beat another retailer, then go somewhere else if you aren't happy... Most of the time they will make a better offer before you walk out the door.

If they are really helpful and clue me in on something I didn't know, then I don't mind spending a little extra to buy from them instead.

 

[ShoutingMan]



Quote:
Originally Posted by ShagnWagn /forum/post/15415190


I'm guessing you are looking at sticker price, kinda like most people when they look at cars on the dealer lot. Most often that is just the marked price - you can haggle them down, sometimes more than 50%. I was looking at a NHT sub. The store had it listed for $1100, but I walked out with it at $550! First find out what TV you want, then compare prices. If a smaller shop won't price match or beat another retailer, then go somewhere else if you aren't happy... Most of the time they will make a better offer before you walk out the door.

If they are really helpful and clue me in on something I didn't know, then I don't mind spending a little extra to buy from them instead.

I'll pay more for good service and product (hence, my current Apple products and my Honda car), but I don't have the haggling gene

I'll put effort into finding a competitive price on electronics, but if a store only lists MSRP, I'm not going to waste time arguing about it and they aren't going to get my business.

 

[hhaller]

1. Do research online (CNet, UltimateAVMag.com, SoundandVisionmag.com, AVS Forum, etc.)


2. Do your "window-shopping" at the B&M/Big Box stores to see if the TV lives up to your expectations


3. Compare those store prices with online prices (but only from respected online vendors--i.e. the AVS sponsors)


4. Pull the trigger when you find the set you want at the best price

 

[ShoutingMan]



Quote:
Originally Posted by hhaller /forum/post/15415530


2. Do your "window-shopping" at the B&M/Big Box stores to see if the TV lives up to your expectations

Step 2 is the problem. My expectations are that plasmas have better blacks and contrast ratios. However, at Big Box stores the LCDs always look much better, completely contrary to all the Cnet, etc. research.



The other problem is that's it hard to make an informed value decision. Without seeing properly setup sets, I can't easily decide if it's worth a premium to buy e.g. a Pioneer over a Panasonic, or a Panasonic over a Samsung LCD.

 

[mswlogo]

How do I shop? I come here and find out what D-Nice is raving about and go buy it and never waste time looking at other TV's not setup right in stores.

 

[scoddee]

You buy the biggest Pioneer Elite you can afford.....really!

 

[PrimeTime]



Quote:
Originally Posted by ShoutingMan /forum/post/15415577


However, at Big Box stores the LCDs always look much better, completely contrary to all the Cnet, etc. research.

Danger, Will Robinson!


I think you'd better find a nice, dim demonstration environment that has both displays. (Magnolia? Frys?) Sounds like your inner LCD lover might come out. Or not.

 

[ShoutingMan]



Quote:
Originally Posted by mswlogo /forum/post/15418308


How do I shop? I come here and find out what D-Nice is raving about and go buy it and never waste time looking at other TV's not setup right in stores.

His (or is it her?) comments, among others, have been very informative.

Quote:
Originally Posted by PrimeTime /forum/post/0


Danger, Will Robinson!


I think you'd better find a nice, dim demonstration environment that has both displays. (Magnolia? Frys?) Sounds like your inner LCD lover might come out. Or not.

I realized that the few big displays I've seen at friends that impressed were very bright and saturated -- certainly closer to "torch" mode than anything calibrated.


I wish I could see a side-by-side comparison of normal and calibrated displays. I understand the technical aspects, but have no experience and so no practical intuition as to what it does for the picture.


I'm really leaning towards the Kruo 5020 based on reviews, price and aesthetics. But maybe a Panny is a better value for me? Or maybe I should spring for a calibration? Hard to decide with no good demos.

 

[Saturn94]



Quote:
Originally Posted by ShoutingMan /forum/post/15407718


My question seems simple, yet I find it difficult to accomplish: how do I shop for and make an informed selection of an HDTV?


I've been reading about Plasma and LCD HDTVs the past month and have a fair understanding of their strengths and trade offs; my choice to post this question in the Plasma forum reveals my current bias.


Forums and magazines indicate Plasmas have better blacks and better contrast ratios, which are not readily seen in a brightly lit store. Some LCDs may have better color accuracy (especially for an uncalibrated set) and can look better in a well lit room. Interestingly, prices are about the same for 50"+ sets.


But then it's confounding to shop at stores and be faced with vibrant LCDs and dull, gray Plasmas; intellectually I get it, but it's it's frustrating that seemingly I have to choose a TV based solely on research without first hand experience to confirm what I read.


So, is there anyway to see a good comparison of LCDs and Plasmas at retail stores? I've got Best Buy and Circuit City. In Best Buy's "Magnolia" room is last years Kuro Elite, so I can't compare what's actually for sale. The newer 5020 is on the wall, 12' up, above a Panasonic, and out of reach of adjustments. The local "high end" stores are small, oddly shaped; at one the only Pioneer, a 50" Elite, is mounted at the end of a well-lit hallway.


Are their practical ways to comparison shop for an HDTV? Or is it a dichotomy between buying big box "pop" versus a researched decision (without first hand experience)?

I also could not find a store that displayed TVs in a proper environment. After reading reviews and doing alot of research on these forums it seems the Pioneer sets always were considered the best (I like an accurate picture). So I bought the 60" Elite and have been extremely happy with it's performance.


It was a bit frustrating not being able to do a proper comparison, but in the end I ended up with a great TV.