[elohel]

I've spent the past two months now trying to pick out a new TV.


So far, this is what I know I want:


46-55 inches

LCD

120 hz

1080p

$1000-1600 or so


I'm leaning towards Samsung. I like Sony, but their tvs just look so unattractive. I also like Toshibas, but it seems like their new LCDs, which have a great price and picture, have almost no reviews.


Anyways, I'm heavily leaning towards samsung. However, they have a million freakin models out and I just don't know what to buy. I know I'll buy one and then find out the other model for $50 more is vastly superior is some way.


I've been looking at this tv:


Samsung LN52A750


However, it seems pretty cheap for a 55". What's wrong with it? Am I better off going with something along the lines of this..?


Samsung LN46B650


I should probably also say that my main uses for the tv would be:


Xbox 360 games (I've heard it's a bad idea to go over a 32" screen for gaming, true?)


Streaming video from Netflix via a bluray player


Bluray/regular dvd watching


A little tv, not much


Anyways, if someone could point me in the right direction for a tv, I would be very appreciative of it. I'm just so overwhelmed with all the choices.


Thanks!

 

[chinee]

The 52A750 is last year's model and was a top rated TV. It's clearance-priced because the new B750 series are out. 120Hz vs. the new 240Hz. My guess is that this year's B650 is probably comparable to last year's A750.


Do just a little more research and I am sure you will choose the 750. Don't needlessly sacrifice the extra 6 inches... it makes a difference.

 

[elohel]

Thanks for the reply. I just saw the a750 tonight when browsing, read up on it for a few hours and feel like this is the tv.


Now, my only concern is this. The tv is going to be about 6-8 feet away from the couch. I'm only at this place for a year, and then I'm moving (I'm in college).


Is this tv going to be too big? I want to use it as a tv monitor at times for gaming mostly, and also xbox 360 gaming. I keep hearing that you don't want to go over 32" or you'll have a hard time gaming. Can someone squash this rumor so I can buy this?! I hope it's not true.

 

[peartree]

I'm no expert, but I've been playing Xbox 360 games for the last couple years on a 40" Samsung LCD. I'm not sure of the model number, since my roommate bought it, but I know it's 1080p and 60hz. I haven't had any problems playing games on it. There is a slight lag, but the only time I ever noticed it was in Guitar Hero/Rock Band, and those games have a tool for calibrating lag so it's not a problem.

 

[BoilerJim]



Quote:
Originally Posted by elohel /forum/post/16860115


Thanks for the reply. I just saw the a750 tonight when browsing, read up on it for a few hours and feel like this is the tv.


Now, my only concern is this. The tv is going to be about 6-8 feet away from the couch. I'm only at this place for a year, and then I'm moving (I'm in college).


Is this tv going to be too big? I want to use it as a tv monitor at times for gaming mostly, and also xbox 360 gaming. I keep hearing that you don't want to go over 32" or you'll have a hard time gaming. Can someone squash this rumor so I can buy this?! I hope it's not true.

I hope you realize that the A750 is a 2008 model and the B750 is a 2009 model. You said you feel the the A750 is the one for you. Why did you make this determination when all of the reviews say that the B750 is by far the better TV? As I've always said, it's your money and your choice, but since you asked our opinions, my vote is for the Samsung LN52B750 or the LN46B750, whichever size best fits your needs.


Good luck in your decision.

 

[elohel]



Quote:
Originally Posted by BoilerJim /forum/post/16860743


I hope you realize that the A750 is a 2008 model and the B750 is a 2009 model. You said you feel the the A750 is the one for you. Why did you make this determination when all of the reviews say that the B750 is by far the better TV? As I've always said, it's your money and your choice, but since you asked our opinions, my vote is for the Samsung LN52B750 or the LN46B750, whichever size best fits your needs.


Good luck in your decision.

Sure, it's a nicer TV, but so is the Pioneer Kuro. I'm not going to buy the "best" tv, just the best in my price range. I'd have to jump down to the 46" in model to stay in my price range, and I'm not sure if I want to do that.

 

[Big L]



Quote:
Originally Posted by elohel /forum/post/16859871



I've been looking at this tv:


Samsung LN52A750


However, it seems pretty cheap for a 55". What's wrong with it? Am I better off going with something along the lines of this..?

The LN52A750 is a 52"er.


Anyway, as far as some of your other concerns: You can game on a screen >32" just fine. It's not a matter of screen size, it's all about the technology (CRT vs LCD, plasma, etc.). And while most, newer LCDs have input lag, I occasionally game on my 52" Sony LCD and don't notice it.


If you're mostly going to be watching HD content then 6-8' from a 52" is doable. Don't get me wrong, it'll look huge, but you shouldn't be able to see the pixel structure.

Just make sure and try to stay away from any SD content. It's gonna look pretty bad, especially TV.

Other than that I think you'll be good.


Good luck.

 

[xb1032]

As far as screen size goes you can adjust. Years ago I got a 61" DLP and viewed from about 10-11 feet away and it seemed huge at first. Today I have a 106" Front projection setup and my front row is 10 feet away. It might seem overwhelming at first but within a matter of weeks you'll adjust.


From what I've read the A series has less lag than the B series so at least that's one thing that might be a plus with the A series over the B.

 

[zoey67]

do what ever you can to get at least 55"...or else you'll be berry berry soryy down the road. esp for gaming....55" will be teeny. crutchfield has the 55B650 on special $400 off MSRP @ 1998 free shipping and get this 24 mos 0% which comes out to $84/month. I know...you're welcome. I'll be ordering mine sometime this week.

 

[aydu]

First, there is no such thing as "too big" when it comes to screen size.


Secondly, reading these boards will drive you nuts trying to make a decision. Each model and manufacturer has both fans and detractors.


If you go to a local BB and look at the giant wall of tvs, one thing stands out. They all look great. Without getting close enough to read the manufacturer's name on the set, you can't tell a difference beween the cheapest Insignia and the top of the line Samsung.


What really matters is matching the features in a set to your needs. Even if you make the worst choice possible, it will still look great. Most people here are concerned with technical performance on test patterns. While sets do perform differently in this environment, it does not make a bit of difference in real world viewing.


What will matter to you is being one input short of what you need to hook up your gear. A badly designed remote will also kill the joy, if you plan to use it on a regular basis. Screen reflection is a happiness killer, if you use the set in an environment that does not have controlled lighting.


If you go the technical evaluation route, whatever set you untimately decide on will be repaced by a whole new batch of sets - all with newer gizmos and buzz word features.


Look at what is in your price range - big is better than small. Check whatever makes your shortlist to make sure your stuff will all hook up properly. Ultimately, look at the ergonomics of the set - appearance, remote, screen reflectivity, etc. Go with the one that best matches your needs and don't look back.


Once you get the set home and hooked up to a decent HD signal, you'll be blown away by the pq and how great a shopper you turned out to be.


Have a few cold ones to reward your hard work and enjoy the set.

 

[zoey67]



Quote:
Originally Posted by elohel /forum/post/16859871


Xbox 360 games (I've heard it's a bad idea to go over a 32" screen for gaming, true?)

That is true big time, oh gosh yes definitely...what you want is one those 13" black n white with only RF input which is one up higher than HDMI which now takes you to ZD (zenith definition) And no lag time or screen burn-in with this one for sure.

 

[elohel]



Quote:
Originally Posted by zoey67 /forum/post/16864913


That is true big time, oh gosh yes definitely...what you want is one those 13" black n white with only RF input which is one up higher than HDMI which now takes you to ZD (zenith definition) And no lag time or screen burn-in with this one for sure.

Jesus, shut up.. I didn't ask if I should get a 20 year old TV. I've heard from a few people who are heavily into gaming that a tv too big hinders gameplay performance.. i.e, on a big tv, you can more easily lose people on your screen in COD. Makes sense, to me at least. Maybe if you have some kind of caveman thinking that bigger = better, then it doesn't for you. Not everyone can fit a 65" tv in their room, can they?

 

[veridiac]

As far as the size goes, I wouldn't worry about going to big. Ultimately its personal preference, and if you are into competitive gaming then maybe it matters, but I can say I personally played tons of games on a 10 *foot* front projection screen sitting maybe ~12ish feet away from it and it was awesome

At any rate the numerical size doesn't matter, what would make a difference is the field of view the image is taking up, so if you are worried try sitting closer to whatever you have available now such that it occupies the same field of view that the larger one would at your normal distance, if you don't have a problem doing that then you definitely won't have one with the larger tv.


Beyond that though I don't think I can help much, I'm also looking for a new TV with about the same specs you are, but the more I read the harder it gets to decide! I still can't even decide between plasma vs lcd, I've seen several posts of people switching from lcd to plasma, or preferring plasma, and few going the other way which is disappointing to me I really don't want to have to worry about burn in again X_x What made you choose LCD over plasma? I'm curious / looking for justification

 

[elohel]



Quote:
Originally Posted by veridiac /forum/post/16866364


As far as the size goes, I wouldn't worry about going to big. Ultimately its personal preference, and if you are into competitive gaming then maybe it matters, but I can say I personally played tons of games on a 10 *foot* front projection screen sitting maybe ~12ish feet away from it and it was awesome

At any rate the numerical size doesn't matter, what would make a difference is the field of view the image is taking up, so if you are worried try sitting closer to whatever you have available now such that it occupies the same field of view that the larger one would at your normal distance, if you don't have a problem doing that then you definitely won't have one with the larger tv.


Beyond that though I don't think I can help much, I'm also looking for a new TV with about the same specs you are, but the more I read the harder it gets to decide! I still can't even decide between plasma vs lcd, I've seen several posts of people switching from lcd to plasma, or preferring plasma, and few going the other way which is disappointing to me I really don't want to have to worry about burn in again X_x What made you choose LCD over plasma? I'm curious / looking for justification

I chose the LCDs for the simple reason that they just look better imo. I was going to be watching the TV in a very bright room, so I need a bright screen. Kuro's are out of the picture because of cost. The only othre plasma I could find with a bright screen was the G10 series from Pioneer. They have a nice picture, but the tv itself looks bad imo and I wasn't blown away by the picture like I was samsung's LCDs. They just look perfect imo.