[bose301s]

So, my mom wants to get my dad a new TV, he definitely deserves it and I know the TVs that he likes are the Samsung LED LCD TVs. My first question is whether LED LCD is the best way to go or if regular LCD would be better. My other question then is out of these TVs, what would be the best choice?


Samsung - 46" Class / 1080p / 120Hz / LED-LCD HDTV Model: UN46B6000VF


LG - 47" Class / 1080p / 240Hz / LED-LCD HDTV Model: 47LH90


Samsung - 46" Class / 1080p / 120Hz / LED-LCD HDTV Model: UN46B7100


Sharp - AQUOS 46" Class / 1080p / 120Hz / LED-LCD HDTV Model: LC-46LE700UN


Sony - BRAVIA 46" Class / 1080p / 120Hz / LED-LCD HDTV Model: KDL-46EX700


Personally I think the 2 Samsung televisions are the best choice, but I haven't kept up 100% with everything, so any suggestions would be nice, however keep it to something from Best Buy as my parents are not too tech savvy so if it breaks I want them to be able to bring it to Best Buy to get it fixed or replaced.

 

[rahzel]

There's LED backlit and LED edgelit. Edgelit doesn't provide all the benefits an LED backlit display would over a traditional CCFL backlit. Most LED backlit models have localized dimming for better blacks and contrast ratios. The only LED backlit model I know of that doesn't have localized dimming, is the Sharp. So other than styling, you gain very little going with an edgelit over a CCFL backlit. An LED backlit will give you the best performance, but out of your choices, you won't get the most aesthetically pleasing TV.


Out of those choices, the LH90 will give you the best performance. The EX700 is a new model so relatively little is known about it while the B6000 and B7100 are 2009 Samsung edgelit models.


So if you want the best performance, go with the LH90. If you want good performance and a slick looking set, go with either the EX700 or one of the Samsungs. Not a big fan of Sharp personally.

 

[omeletpants]

These "help me choose" threads are supposed to go in this thread at the top of the page

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1230050

 

[Servicetech571]

Viewing distance?

 

[Steve S]



Quote:
Originally Posted by omeletpants /forum/post/18231750


These "help me choose" threads are supposed to go in this thread at the top of the page

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1230050

Which will soon become so unwieldy nobody will use it if it hasn't already become impenetrable.

Granted there are a lot of "which tv should I buy" threads which seems to annoy some, but different people have different priorities and needs and aren't willing to wade thru hundreds of posts to find the information and advice they want.


In other words one thread does not fit all.

 

[omeletpants]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve S /forum/post/18232579


Which will soon become so unwieldy nobody will use it if it hasn't already

Naw

 

[bose301s]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Servicetech571 /forum/post/18231814


Viewing distance?

In the range of a 46" TV, already checked that. Just wondering what TV would suit them. My dad loves the Samsung from the store, but really I think the best thing for them would be to get a normal LCD.

 

[rahzel]

What's a "normal" LCD to you? And why do you think a 'normal' LCD is right for him?

 

[Servicetech571]

The fact your dad is not doing the research suggests to me that he would probably be fine with a plain 60hz set. Most people cannot tell the difference, especially with normal programming material. Use the difference to get him a BR player or a nice sound system.

 

[spyboy]



Quote:
Originally Posted by bose301s /forum/post/18232807


In the range of a 46" TV, already checked that. Just wondering what TV would suit them. My dad loves the Samsung from the store, but really I think the best thing for them would be to get a normal LCD.

The fact that your father "loves the Samsung from the store" suggests that he is involved in the selection process and his wishes should be taken seriously.


Given the seemingly signficicant number of Samsungs that have developed faulty electrolytic capacitors, a 3-5 year extended warranty should be considered.

 

[dm145]



Quote:
Originally Posted by omeletpants /forum/post/18231750


these "help me choose" threads are supposed to go in this thread at the top of the page

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1230050

+1

 

[obeck]



Quote:
Originally Posted by bose301s /forum/post/18232807


In the range of a 46" TV, already checked that. Just wondering what TV would suit them. My dad loves the Samsung from the store, but really I think the best thing for them would be to get a normal LCD.

In a couple more years the LED sets WILL be the "normal LCD" sets. The move to LED is already massive and gaining momentum ( something like 10% of all sets in 2009, expected to be more than 50% by 2012).


The nonLED sets are going to save you about $500 in the 46" size. Are they $500/30% better? Not to me. In another three or four years, 46" LED sets might only cost $500 altogether!

 

[Servicetech571]



Quote:
Originally Posted by obeck /forum/post/18234530


In a couple more years the LED sets WILL be the "normal LCD" sets. The move to LED is already massive and gaining momentum ( something like 10% of all sets in 2009, expected to be more than 50% by 2012).


The nonLED sets are going to save you about $500 in the 46" size. Are they $500/30% better? Not to me. In another three or four years, 46" LED sets might only cost $500 altogether!

+1, LED still has quite a bit of early adopter tax built in. Let the price drop then buy.

 

[spyboy]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Servicetech571 /forum/post/18236410


+1, LED still has quite a bit of early adopter tax built in. Let the price drop then buy.

Just keep pushing featureless, bottom of the line LCDs to people who can afford to get what they like and looks good to them.

 

[Steve S]



Quote:
Originally Posted by spyboy /forum/post/18234086


The fact that your father "loves the Samsung from the store" suggests that he is involved in the selection process and his wishes should be taken seriously.


Given the seemingly signficicant number of Samsungs that have developed faulty electrolytic capacitors, a 3-5 year extended warranty should be considered.

Your second sentence speaks volumes since you're normally vehemently opposed to extended warrantys.

 

[spyboy]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve S /forum/post/18236607


Your second sentence speaks volumes since you're normally vehemently opposed to extended warrantys.

So far there is nothing but anecdotal evidence for a serious lapse in quality control or a design defect with the Samsungs in question. It seems most of them were just out of warranty which means those TVs were purchased in 2007, 2008.


This conflicts with the 118,700 surveys received by Consumer Reports for the period 2006-mid 2009.


Given the fact that most people who post here don't subscribe to Consumer Reports, there are times when I will err on the side of precaution with Samsung.


What I would never recommend is what you try to sell people, the Sears Master Protection Agreement (MPA) that costs enough to replace a TV using the $$$$ that MPA costs.

 

[Steve S]



Quote:
Originally Posted by spyboy /forum/post/18236769


So far there is nothing but anecdotal evidence for a serious lapse in quality control or a design defect with the Samsungs in question. It seems most of them were just out of warranty which means those TVs were purchased in 2007, 2008.


This conflicts with the 118,700 surveys received by Consumer Reports for the period 2006-mid 2009.


Given the fact that most people who post here don't subscribe to Consumer Reports, there are times when I will err on the side of precaution with Samsung.


What I would never recommend is what you try to sell people, the Sears Master Protection Agreement (MPA) that costs enough to replace a TV using the $$$$ that MPA costs.

Here I was just trying to compliment you on being able to make an exception to your rule in a specific scenario and you can't resist attacking me. Pretty small of you. I'd also suggest you price out the cost of that MPA before posting. It's by no means as expensive as a new tv, unless you consider a 32" Vizio a suitable replacement for a 55" B650.

 

[Polydorus]



Quote:
Originally Posted by bose301s /forum/post/18231411


So, my mom wants to get my dad a new TV

Approximately how old are your parents? I'm in my 60's, buying electronics for my in-laws, who are in their 70's and 80's, the very first thing I want to be sure of is the remote. Large buttons and fairly simple to operate.

 

[spyboy]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve S /forum/post/18243092


Here I was just trying to compliment you on being able to make an exception to your rule in a specific scenario and you can't resist attacking me. Pretty small of you. I'd also suggest you price out the cost of that MPA before posting. It's by no means as expensive as a new tv, unless you consider a 32" Vizio a suitable replacement for a 55" B650.

Thanks for the compliment. It must have been too subtle for me

The exception to the "no extended warranty" policy is when someone wants what is known to have reliability problems. People will buy such products for various reasons and in that situation, an extended warranty makes sense.


You have already acknowledged that MPA is more expensive than something like MACK. I haven't investigated MPA, but that might be an interesting pursuit.

 

[Steve S]



Quote:
Originally Posted by spyboy /forum/post/18243303


Thanks for the compliment. It must have been too subtle for me

The exception to the "no extended warranty" policy is when someone wants what is known to have reliability problems. People will buy such products for various reasons and in that situation, an extended warranty makes sense.


You have already acknowledged that MPA is more expensive than something like MACK. I haven't investigated MPA, but that might be an interesting pursuit.

Sorry 'bout that. It really was meant as a compliment and I'm glad to see that there are times when you think extra coverage is worth considering.


When you compare costs also compare coverage. I won't go into details on the Sears thing here as that would be shilling for them and I have to do enough of that at work.