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Need advice on buying new HDTV

3702 Views 52 Replies 13 Participants Last post by frito, Feb 22, 2010

MSorrell7

Discussion Starter · Feb 9, 2010

DISCLAIMER: I spent a while searching the forums before posting and didn't find any answers that satisfied me!

I am in the research stage of buying a new LCD HDTV. Hopefully I will be buying in the next few months, but until then, I have some questions. I hope this is the right section to post it in.

I am searching for a 32"-40" (leaning more towards 37" or 40") 1080p LCD HDTV. It will be used in a bedroom and later on in an apartment living room, so viewing distances will probably be no further than 12' and no closer than a few feet. Light is pretty controllable.

I will want to hook up my laptop to it to watch streaming TV, DVDs and Blu-Rays, via HDMI. I also watch a lot of sports (basketball, soccer, car racing) so I think that I would want 120Hz over 60Hz but I'm not sure if this is really an important thing or not.

Quality is the most important factor. Style is not a big issue. Black everything is just fine. Even a swivel stand isn't all that important but would be nice.

Budget is $800 but would be nice to get something good for less.

So what advice can everybody give me?

1 - 20 of 53 Posts

Steve S

· #2 · Feb 9, 2010

Right now it's model changeover time. Outgoing models are actually available as cheaply in B&M stores as they are online so a good course of action would be to hop in the car and go shopping.

Just about any major brand 120hz set would meet your requirements. Although attractively priced you pretty much want to avoid store brands, brands you never heard of, and brands that carry famous old American names like Zenith, RCA, Magnavox, Sylvania.

Sony and Samsung are favorites around here but Toshiba, LG, Panasonic, Sharp are also quite good. You'd be safe buying any of these that look good to you and fall into your pricerange.

spyboy

· #3 · Feb 9, 2010

Quote:
Originally Posted by MSorrell7 /forum/post/18101872

DISCLAIMER: I spent a while searching the forums before posting and didn't find any answers that satisfied me!

I am in the research stage of buying a new LCD HDTV. Hopefully I will be buying in the next few months, but until then, I have some questions. I hope this is the right section to post it in.

I am searching for a 32"-40" (leaning more towards 37" or 40") 1080p LCD HDTV. It will be used in a bedroom and later on in an apartment living room, so viewing distances will probably be no further than 12' and no closer than a few feet. Light is pretty controllable.

I will want to hook up my laptop to it to watch streaming TV, DVDs and Blu-Rays, via HDMI. I also watch a lot of sports (basketball, soccer, car racing) so I think that I would want 120Hz over 60Hz but I'm not sure if this is really an important thing or not.

Quality is the most important factor. Style is not a big issue. Black everything is just fine. Even a swivel stand isn't all that important but would be nice.

Budget is $800 but would be nice to get something good for less.

So what advice can everybody give me?

In your price range you should try to look at:

Toshiba 40XV645U

MSorrell7

Discussion Starter · #4 · Feb 9, 2010

Are the new lines of TVs going to be released in the next couple months?

I like to have the latest technology (not necessarily the most expensive) so if they're all released around the same time, maybe I should start researching then instead of researching all the older TVs.

Servicetech571

· #5 · Feb 9, 2010

Get the largest name brand TV you can find for your budget. Entry level sets from a good brand are some of the best values out there.

MSorrell7

Discussion Starter · #6 · Feb 10, 2010

Quote:
Originally Posted by MSorrell7 /forum/post/18103438

Are the new lines of TVs going to be released in the next couple months?

I like to have the latest technology (not necessarily the most expensive) so if they're all released around the same time, maybe I should start researching then instead of researching all the older TVs.

Before any other questions, this is the most important right now.

BoilerJim

· #7 · Feb 10, 2010

Quote:
Originally Posted by MSorrell7 /forum/post/18109173

Before any other questions, this is the most important right now.

Historically, new TVs are introduced throughout the year. The cheaper models usually come out first, then the mid-range in the late spring or early summer, with the higher-end models around September or so. Each manufacturer has a different schedule, but I'd say it's pretty close.

In addition, the various companies most likely will offer firmware updates throughout the year to address any performance imperfections that may be inherent in the new models.

spyboy

· #8 · Feb 10, 2010

Quote:
Originally Posted by MSorrell7 /forum/post/18109173

Before any other questions, this is the most important right now.

Since getting the chance to buy the latest designs is so important, just wait a few months until the new models have arrived.

Not all of the new sets are going to be released at the same time. Vizio has some new models in the pipe-line, that won't be released for as much as 6-7 months.

You can find a thread on the new Vizios.

With your budget I wouldn't expect things to change very much.

People are waiting to see what the next generation of panels can do. The best new technology isn't likely to be in $800 sets. The best new technology is ususally reserved for the highest price sets.

If you just wait a couple of months you will have the chance to consider the latest releases and at the same time there are going to be models that are carry-overs (with regard to their basic technology).

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MSorrell7

Discussion Starter · #9 · Feb 11, 2010

Thanks for the replies.

One thing I am very curious about is whether or not 120Hz is going to make a difference when watching sports and car racing? I've noticed that, within my budget, it's much harder to find 120Hz TV's than 60Hz ones.

Servicetech571

· #10 · Feb 11, 2010

Quote:
Originally Posted by MSorrell7 /forum/post/18111520

Thanks for the replies.

One thing I am very curious about is whether or not 120Hz is going to make a difference when watching sports and car racing? I've noticed that, within my budget, it's much harder to find 120Hz TV's than 60Hz ones.

Go look at them side by side in the store with a fast pan scene. I doubt you will be able to tell much difference. Modern LCD's aren't like the old sets where it made a big difference model to model. Most name brand sets (even entry models) look great to 90% of the population. Some people on the forum are in the remain 10% and some are willing to spend big bucks for relatively minor performance improvements.

spyboy

· #11 · Feb 11, 2010

Quote:
Originally Posted by Servicetech571 /forum/post/18111549

Go look at them side by side in the store with a fast pan scene. I doubt you will be able to tell much difference. Modern LCD's aren't like the old sets where it made a big difference model to model. Most name brand sets (even entry models) look great to 90% of the population. Some people on the forum are in the remain 10% and some are willing to spend big bucks for relatively minor performance improvements.

Motion blur reduction is easy to see with test patterns, but blur reduction is much more difficult to see in regular TV fare, in which motion is fleeting, but keen eyed viewers might notice softening of texture or edges in sports, action movies, and video games, or in moving text ticker. But they might see little if any difference between the best and blurriest sets in sitcoms, dramas, and news shows.

Spending a few minutes in a store may not provide you with sufficient time to pick up on the differences.

The trend towards 120 Hz is really taking hold. In another year 60 Hz will be almost obsolete, except in the cheapest sets.

120 is available in modestly priced sets from Vizio among others.

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Servicetech571

· #12 · Feb 11, 2010

People don't watch test patterns. Unless you are specifically looking for issues caused by 60hz refresh rates you will never notice it. 10% of the TV buying public will look for it, the other 90% just buys a TV.

BoilerJim

· #13 · Feb 11, 2010

You're going to get less for your $800 if you wait for the new models. If you think 120hz is important to you, then I'd jump on the closeout sales now.

spyboy

· #14 · Feb 11, 2010

Quote:
Originally Posted by Servicetech571 /forum/post/18114028

People don't watch test patterns. Unless you are specifically looking for issues caused by 60hz refresh rates you will never notice it. 10% of the TV buying public will look for it, the other 90% just buys a TV.

Your response is again way off target. People who are posing questions about 120 Hz on this Forum are going to be looking for the differences by definition!

They are not people who simply go to a store and choose something with no conception of the differences in LCD TVs.

Meanwhile, you continue to distort and minimize the desires of people on this Forum, (many of whom are just lurkers), who want to get the best performance possible for their budget, however large it is.

You just continue to compulsively recommend bottom of the line, featureless TVs to everyone who asks.

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MSorrell7

Discussion Starter · #15 · Feb 11, 2010

So my preference towards 120Hz is justified? I think I've pretty much made up my mind that I'll be getting a 120Hz TV. Even if I personally don't notice the difference, it is a fact that it provides better and smoother picture in some scenes and it is also more future proof.

"spyboy" is absolutely right that I am simply looking for the best performance possible for my budget. I was hoping people would recommend specific TVs that give me just that but I will share some that I've been considering:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...300&CatId=3649
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16889005067
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16889102259
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ony-_-89252071

sharkcohen

· #16 · Feb 11, 2010

Quote:
Originally Posted by spyboy /forum/post/18114585

your response is again way off target. People who are posing questions about 120 hz on this forum are going to be looking for the differences by definition!

They are not people who simply go to a store and choose something with no conception of the differences in lcd tvs.

Meanwhile, you continue to distort and minimize the desires of people on this forum, (many of whom are just lurkers), who want to get the best performance possible for their budget, however large it is.

You just continue to compulsively recommend bottom of the line, featureless tvs to everyone who asks.

+1

sharkcohen

· #17 · Feb 11, 2010

Quote:
Originally Posted by MSorrell7 /forum/post/18116089

So my preference towards 120Hz is justified? I think I've pretty much made up my mind that I'll be getting a 120Hz TV. Even if I personally don't notice the difference, it is a fact that it provides better and smoother picture in some scenes and it is also more future proof.

"spyboy" is absolutely right that I am simply looking for the best performance possible for my budget. I was hoping people would recommend specific TVs that give me just that but I will share some that I've been considering:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...300&CatId=3649
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16889005067
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16889102259
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ony-_-89252071

Go 240Hz if you can afford it.

quattroG

· #18 · Feb 11, 2010

Quote:
Originally Posted by spyboy /forum/post/18103334

In your price range you should try to look at:

Toshiba 40XV645U

I second this suggestion. In your price range, it offers a 40" screen, 1080p and 120hz. I think it's most likely one of the best deals going. Right now you can get this from Amazon for under $700 with free shipping.

Clatu6

· #19 · Feb 11, 2010

I just noticed some great deals for 42 inch plasmas (PN42B450 Samsung on Amazon is 550 for example). Motion blur wouldn't be a problem then. These are for 720P plasmas of course.

I going through my own buying decision now and plasma look attractive price wise compared to an LCD. For me, it’s $550 for a 720P 42 inch plasma or 600 for a 32 inch 1080 120 Hz LCD. I know my wife would kill me though if I brought home a 42 inch tv (from a 24in CRT). I wish there was such a thing as a 37-inch plasma.

I'm not intending to start a plamsa vs. lcd debate but you might not have considered plasma has gotten pretty inexpensive. It might be the choice for you if you are really concerned about motion blur.

I know if your like me you want to get the best you can now so you don't feel so depressed in two years when see all the new tech they've added into TVs.

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MSorrell7

Discussion Starter · #20 · Feb 11, 2010

I have considered plasma but decided against it for various reasons. I'm going with LCD.

Is that Toshiba Regza better than all of the TVs below?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...300&CatId=3649
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16889005067
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16889102259
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ony-_-89252071

1 - 20 of 53 Posts

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