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My First HDTV. Where do I start??

1900 Views 13 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Rauly Fingers, Jun 24, 2008

Rauly Fingers

Discussion Starter · Jun 19, 2008

HI all,

Yes, this is yet, ANOTHER "HELP ME" thread!

I plan to purchase my first HDTV in the next few weeks!

The problemn is that I am in the dark with a lot of this HDTV stuff. I mean I know the basics, but when I plan on spending money on something I like to educate myself first. So, I guess I'm asking answers to some of the basic questions like: Whats better, plasma or Lcd? What about brands? Is there a consensus on brands or models to buy? What about to stay away from? These are some of the questions, just to start

. Oh ya, my budget is between $1800-2200. Thanks in advance!

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1 - 14 of 14 Posts

Rammitinski

· #2 · Jun 19, 2008

What size are you looking at, and will the room it's in be especially sunlit, particularly directly opposite the set?

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Buckeye911

· #3 · Jun 19, 2008

Welcome to the forum. We need a little more information to help you here. What will you be using the TV for? What is your viewing distance and what kind of environment will it be in? What is your budget?

As far as brands, if you go plasma I would recommend Panasonic, Pioneer, Samsung, LG, or Philips. For LCDs consider Samsung, Sony, Sharp, Toshiba, LG, Philips and JVC. I personally would not consider off brands like Vizio, Westinghouse, Olevia, Akai, Polaroid, Sanyo, etc...

To get you started, here is a link to Cnet's picks for top HDTVs. Bear in mind that they have not reviewed EVERY model, their recommendations are based on the models they have tested and reviewed.
http://reviews.cnet.com/best-hdtvs-overall/

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doogiehowser

· #4 · Jun 19, 2008

Buy plasma, it offers the best picture. Panasonic is right in your price range and is one of the best plasmas you can buy.

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Rauly Fingers

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jun 19, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rammitinski /forum/post/14114285

What size are you looking at, and will the room it's in be especially sunlit, particularly directly opposite the set?

The room will be pretty dark, but not entirely. There are a set of windows to the left of the viewers sitting directly in front of where im going to place it.

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Rauly Fingers

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jun 19, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by Buckeye911 /forum/post/14114423

Welcome to the forum. We need a little more information to help you here. What will you be using the TV for? What is your viewing distance and what kind of environment will it be in? What is your budget?

As far as brands, if you go plasma I would recommend Panasonic, Pioneer, Samsung, LG, or Philips. For LCDs consider Samsung, Sony, Sharp, Toshiba, LG, Philips and JVC. I personally would not consider off brands like Vizio, Westinghouse, Olevia, Akai, Polaroid, Sanyo, etc...

To get you started, here is a link to Cnet's picks for top HDTVs. Bear in mind that they have not reviewed EVERY model, their recommendations are based on the models they have tested and reviewed.

My budget is between $1800-2200. I will be between 6-8 feet away from the TV. The environment will be a Den more towards the darker side. I will use it to play Video games 40%, Watch cable 30% and DVD's 35%. I tend to participate in each of these for long periods of time at one sitting, i.e. watch two Dvd's in a row or play 5hrs of games straight.

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Rauly Fingers

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jun 19, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by doogiehowser /forum/post/14115151

Buy plasma, it offers the best picture. Panasonic is right in your price range and is one of the best plasmas you can buy.

I'm starting to understand plasmas are the way to go based on other posts. I just want to be sure.

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Fanaticalism

· #8 · Jun 20, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by doogiehowser /forum/post/14115151

Buy plasma, it offers the best picture. Panasonic is right in your price range and is one of the best plasmas you can buy.

I find it ammusing how you get a couple of posts with people doing so actual investigation before answering a question so that it can be answered accordingly. Then you get the troll that without reason comes in and throws out their preference.

Anyway, now that we know that your budget is roughly 18-2200, and the room is relatively dark, we need to know what are the space restraints? Veiwing distances? Will you be wall mounting, or will it be on a stand? Does decor matter? What kind of theme do you have going? Piano black finish all the way around? What will the veiwing angles be like? These are all lifestyle questions that are always overlooked and should be taken into consideration.

I would definitely love to help you out, just like most of the people that have already responded with the exception of a "few". Lots of people solidify their own investment by convincing others to do the same. Self gratification/reassurance if you will.

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Rauly Fingers

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jun 20, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fanaticalism /forum/post/14121359

I find it ammusing how you get a couple of posts with people doing so actual investigation before answering a question so that it can be answered accordingly. Then you get the troll that without reason comes in and throws out their preference.

Anyway, now that we know that your budget is roughly 18-2200, and the room is relatively dark, we need to know what are the space restraints? Veiwing distances? Will you be wall mounting, or will it be on a stand? Does decor matter? What kind of theme do you have going? Piano black finish all the way around? What will the veiwing angles be like? These are all lifestyle questions that are always overlooked and should be taken into consideration.

I would definitely love to help you out, just like most of the people that have already responded with the exception of a "few". Lots of people solidify their own investment by convincing others to do the same. Self gratification/reassurance if you will.

haha Ya I know what you mean. Well lets see. Viewing distance = 6-8ft. I would like to mount it on a wall, but I'm not sure if it is a good idea for a 50inch. Decor doesnt really matter. I would be fine with piano black. Viewing angles would be from a cornered couch, so directly in front and from the right side, but not to far off. I think thats it. to start. Thanks guys for all the great info so far!

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Buckeye911

· #10 · Jun 20, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rauly Fingers /forum/post/14119829

My budget is between $1800-2200. I will be between 6-8 feet away from the TV. The environment will be a Den more towards the darker side. I will use it to play Video games 40%, Watch cable 30% and DVD's 35%. I tend to participate in each of these for long periods of time at one sitting, i.e. watch two Dvd's in a row or play 5hrs of games straight.

If you want a 50" display I would recommend a 1080p set given your viewing distance, that is assuming you will be connecting a 1080p source at some point. You don't need to be concerned about the weight if you mount it correctly, I've seen 55" and 58" plasmas hanging on walls without any problems. My personal preference is plasma but if you game for five hours at a time I'm not sure. Burn-in is really not a concern for me but you definitely need to search the forum a bit for owners who do heavy gaming on their plasmas, see what kind of IR or burn-in they experience and what model of display they are using.

You have a reasonable budget so you have some decent options available to you. It seems lighting isn't a problem in your room so plasma would be a good choice. If you decide on an LCD you should still be okay since viewing will not be too far off-axis.

Have fun. Oh BTW, your usage percentages add up to 105.

Sorry, I just had to mention it.

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Rauly Fingers

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jun 20, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by Buckeye911 /forum/post/14121819

If you want a 50" display I would recommend a 1080p set given your viewing distance, that is assuming you will be connecting a 1080p source at some point. You don't need to be concerned about the weight if you mount it correctly, I've seen 55" and 58" plasmas hanging on walls without any problems. My personal preference is plasma but if you game for five hours at a time I'm not sure. Burn-in is really not a concern for me but you definitely need to search the forum a bit for owners who do heavy gaming on their plasmas, see what kind of IR or burn-in they experience and what model of display they are using.

You have a reasonable budget so you have some decent options available to you. It seems lighting isn't a problem in your room so plasma would be a good choice. If you decide on an LCD you should still be okay since viewing will not be too far off-axis.

Have fun. Oh BTW, your usage percentages add up to 105.

Sorry, I just had to mention it.

Thanks for the advice. I need to do some research on the burn in from gaming. Oh ya, what is IR and what causes burn in? haha I didn't even notice the 105%.

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Fanaticalism

· #12 · Jun 21, 2008

If you do decide to go with plasma, you do not have to worry about IR whatsoever. I've left my Elite on a pause screen for more than 10 hours and haven't gotten any IR. As long as the orbiter is on, you have no worrys. My biggest thing is this, although you are gonna get the size for the price range you are working in with a plasma, I'd rather get an lna650 from Samsung. I know Best Buy has 3yrs no interest financing on any Samsung until Saturday, I got the flyer in the mail. That being said, you could get a 52a650 for a pretty good price, unless you wanted to get creative and spoil yourself with a Pioneer Pro111fd

.

P.S. No need to worry in regards to the weight and wall mounting, that is what they are meant for. I have a 42" Elite, 52" 5271, and now a Pro151fd that I just ordered, and they are all wall mounted. The 60" Elite will be wall mounted as well when it comes in.

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Rauly Fingers

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jun 21, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fanaticalism /forum/post/14128911

If you do decide to go with plasma, you do not have to worry about IR whatsoever. I've left my Elite on a pause screen for more than 10 hours and haven't gotten any IR. As long as the orbiter is on, you have no worrys. My biggest thing is this, although you are gonna get the size for the price range you are working in with a plasma, I'd rather get an lna650 from Samsung. I know Best Buy has 3yrs no interest financing on any Samsung until Saturday, I got the flyer in the mail. That being said, you could get a 52a650 for a pretty good price, unless you wanted to get creative and spoil yourself with a Pioneer Pro111fd

.

P.S. No need to worry in regards to the weight and wall mounting, that is what they are meant for. I have a 42" Elite, 52" 5271, and now a Pro151fd that I just ordered, and they are all wall mounted. The 60" Elite will be wall mounted as well when it comes in.

Why would you suggest an LCD? What are the cost benefits compared to a plasma? I think i'm going to wait until fourth of July weekend to buy. Maybe I will find a good deal.

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Rauly Fingers

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jun 24, 2008

Ok. I know I want a plasma and it looks like I'm headed towards a Samsung or a Panasonic, but now I need help deciding between the two brands and then what model. Anyone willing to help me out?

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