Topic: Need a new tv, what to buy. I know nothing about flat screens. (Read 4954 times)

ratcityrex · « **on:** December 27, 2011, 07:28:19 PM »

Well like it says. My 36" sony tube tv is starting to go out and I need a replacment. School me on them. Led, lcd, plasma or wtf? I no about jack shit when it comes to tv's. All I know is I want one thats 45"-50"ish in size. So basicly I watch the history channel, national geo, discovery and a few moves here and there. Also just receved a hand me down 60gig ps3 set up for blue ray so. Wtf do I need, and in rhmt words I want the best bang for the buck. I was looking at some led tv's at costco and they look to be pretty nice. I didnt really care for the plasmas because they seemed like they had a muddy picture, but It could have been they way they set it up so who knows. I was looking at this at frys too.....

http://www.frys.com/product/6075368?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
Looks like a pretty good price to me.

mandrel-bends · « **Reply #1 on:** December 27, 2011, 08:53:28 PM »

My sony lcd 46" bravia is going on year 3 now with heavy abuse from my kids. No issues. If I remember correctly vizio is the most commonly serviced tv set you can buy. Only other thing I can think off the top of my head is I would never buy samsung as we went through 3 of their blue ray players in a row - they each crapped out - one a rediculously expensive unit when blue ray first came out. The $80 sony blue ray I bought at costco has been cranking for a year or so now with no issues.

highroller54 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 27, 2011, 09:06:51 PM »

I have a 50" plasma lg, as does my dad, my sister has a 47" led lg and we all have lg blue ray players and I even have a pimp lg fridge, I also have a lcd 32" no problems yet.

ratcityrex · « **Reply #3 on:** December 27, 2011, 09:16:25 PM »

But what makes one better than the other? Specifically plasma vs led vs lcd

slappynuts · « **Reply #4 on:** December 27, 2011, 09:22:25 PM »

ratcityrex · « **Reply #5 on:** December 27, 2011, 09:27:36 PM »

Yeah, that's what my 36" tube tv Sony looks like. A big box.

ironcrx · « **Reply #6 on:** December 27, 2011, 09:35:41 PM »

Samsung, LG, Sony. Only ones I ever go with. I got a vizeo from (won in a drawing) and its really nice and works great, but sounds poor in open spaces.

88dx · « **Reply #7 on:** December 27, 2011, 09:37:58 PM »

I would provide you with a lot of usefully info but you sold your CRX and baby jebus now hates you, so

FUCK YOU

ratcityrex · « **Reply #8 on:** December 27, 2011, 11:21:09 PM »

Quote from: 88dx on December 27, 2011, 09:37:58 PM

I would provide you with a lot of usefully info but you sold your CRX and baby jebus now hates you, so

you should have bought it when you had the chance. That way it could sit next to your current project. Thats also unfinished.

hatchboy · « **Reply #9 on:** December 27, 2011, 11:44:42 PM »

I have a 52" Sony Bravia XBR5 LCD, I bought it in late 2007 and it has worked like a champ with heavy use. That mated with a Onkyo S5300 HTIB and its a pretty sweet setup if tuned correctly.
Also, I have a sony blu-ray player that I have had nothing but good luck with as well.

Joseph Davis · « **Reply #10 on:** December 28, 2011, 12:45:22 AM »

Quote from: 88dx on December 27, 2011, 09:37:58 PM

I would provide you with a lot of usefully info but you sold your CRX and baby jebus now hates you, so

FUCK YOU

HiProfile · « **Reply #11 on:** December 28, 2011, 03:48:02 AM »

Quote from: ratcityrex on December 27, 2011, 09:16:25 PM

But what makes one better than the other? Specifically plasma vs led vs lcd

Plasma
Good: Price, contrast (specifically darks are DARK), no stuttering motion (some have 600Hz where they blend each 2 frames with 9 more subframes between), lifespan
Bad: sucks if you have lots of light (windows during day, lamps at night), power consumption vs others, weight

LCD
Good: Price sorta, good contrast in bright rooms, power consumption
Bad: looks washed out in dark rooms, dark colors aren't as good even with ultra-high contrast tomfoolery, motion shots can stutter

LED
Good: lowest power consumption, great contrast, great brightness (works well in dark & bright rooms), better lifespan than LCD
Bad: price, can still have stuttering during motion

The motion stutter isn't very noticeable unless you look for it, but go to Best Buy/etc to see yourself. I can say that a 600Hz plasma is as smooth as the best CRT.

I went with plasma due to price, I got a great deal on a 2011 42" Panasonic that had netflix and DLNA. Speaking of that, newer models let you connect the TV to your network so you can stream movies from netflix or even your own PC/server if it has a DLNA-compatable fileserver. As for mine, I'd have done LED if I had the money. I have 3 huge windows in my room, and darker shows require me to cover them during the day.

Other than that, it's good to look at online and consumer reports reviews before buying. There were no reviews when I bought mine, but Panasonics all got a good rep for previous models. 7-8 months and no probs beyond being a bit dark. Sounds decent too.

RotaryGeek · « **Reply #12 on:** December 28, 2011, 07:17:37 AM »

I bought a 32" led from Walmart like 3 years ago. Some off brand I can't even remember right now. But it works great. Only problem is the sound, on music it's way too loud and on talking its too quiet. Plus I keep losing the remote.

ratcityrex · « **Reply #13 on:** December 28, 2011, 10:14:24 AM »

Thanks hipro, ill have to go to my local best buy and check the stutter out on them.

HiProfile · « **Reply #14 on:** December 28, 2011, 11:54:45 AM »

The other thing is I got 720p, the only way I was able to tell a difference between 1080p was when their computer text "Best Buy" logo flashed on a black background. In my case it was the only possible deal breaker, but I'm not missing 1080p on a 42". I don't own a single blu-ray nor have I tried to stream h.264. My parents have a older 50" 720p plasma, and I can't notice it there either.

j.h.christ · « **Reply #15 on:** December 28, 2011, 12:29:14 PM »

I have a 60" 1080 Sharp aquos plasma, kicks the shit out of my Panasonic 50" 720 lcd. I would get a plasma or a led if you can swing it.

ratcityrex · « **Reply #16 on:** December 28, 2011, 12:41:12 PM »

Yeah, I'm leaning towards a led in the 45"-50" range. I really wish frys had that LG that posted in the first post up top in stock. In rhmt I'm a cheap ass, and want to spend as little as possible, but I don't want a ssautochrome tv. So I've been thinking about Costco because they take all the manufactures warrantys and bump them to 2 years, and then they also sell an extended warranty for $50 that takes it to a 5 year. But they don't have that good of deals on there tv's either. So I think ill wait and see if there is any new years sales napping this weekend.

malichite · « **Reply #17 on:** December 28, 2011, 12:47:40 PM »

come by and check out my LG Plasma I got. 50" 1080p. Thing kicks ass. I have zero complaints and I got it from frys for $600 out the door.

92CXyD · « **Reply #18 on:** December 28, 2011, 01:15:49 PM »

Quote from: malichite on December 28, 2011, 12:47:40 PM

come by and check out my LG Plasma I got. 50" 1080p. Thing kicks ass. I have zero complaints and I got it from frys for $600 out the door.

How in the hell did you get that for $600?

malichite · « **Reply #19 on:** December 28, 2011, 01:29:36 PM »

Right place right time floor model

Kenny Rogers · « **Reply #20 on:** December 29, 2011, 03:55:23 PM »

I got a 60" LG Plasma and I love it. It really is the best bang for the buck in my opinion. However, make sure you have a way to control the light (IE: curtains). Modern plasmas really aren't too bad for power consumption either.

Ntrain2k · « **Reply #21 on:** December 29, 2011, 04:07:16 PM »

LED LCD every day of the week.

jeffsciv23 · « **Reply #22 on:** December 29, 2011, 04:22:47 PM »

i have a sony 42" lcd that i picked up last year. picture is good, no real complaints. this summer i wanted somethign bigger and seen a 50" panasonic plasma on sale for $550 so i got it. seens like the backs are darker and it is better for playing games on and has a clearer picture. only thing i dont like is that if there is alot of windows in the room there is a glare. but all in all i think the plasma was a way better deal for picture quality and all that then the lcds and leds of the same size.

ratcityrex · « **Reply #23 on:** December 29, 2011, 04:29:42 PM »

well Ive been doing a little more research and think I might go plasma. I have 1 good sized window in the room but I get glare on my 36" sony crt, so I dont think it will be any worse on something like a plasma. I guess it just depends on the price I can end up snagging one for. Im probably gona wait a few weeks until they have some huge super bowl sale somewhere like they do every year and see what I can come up with.

jeffsciv23 · « **Reply #24 on:** December 29, 2011, 04:43:23 PM »

i have two large windows in the corner of my living room and if i get a glare i usually just turn the blinds a little bit and it goes away.

HiProfile · « **Reply #25 on:** December 29, 2011, 05:30:13 PM »

I have the mini blinds you adjust, and thick curtains. I usually just cover the 2 opposite the tv, the third I leave the blinds turned 75% closed and it's fine. I only cover it on a bright day with a dark movie.

ratcityrex · « **Reply #26 on:** December 29, 2011, 05:32:01 PM »

well I Just have mini blinds because Im not baller enough to have curtains. Do sheets count

PHILLYSLEEPER · « **Reply #27 on:** December 29, 2011, 09:06:03 PM »

I have a 55" LCD Samsung LN55b650 240hz 1080p. Great picture and Sound. HD cable box and blue Ray player Are the way to go. Also a 22" and 32" samsungs with no problems

jabberwock · « **Reply #28 on:** December 29, 2011, 10:13:41 PM »

My black friday 42" Sharp LCD has some pretty bad blur in dark scenes.

sadface

theidealone · « **Reply #29 on:** December 29, 2011, 10:38:34 PM »

LG 42" 1080p LCD. Got it for like 700 about 2+ years ago. Never had a complaint with it.

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Author Topic: Need a new tv, what to buy. I know nothing about flat screens. (Read 4954 times)