Suggestions on a new flat screen TV

[Rich46yo]

I have a Toshiba 42" LCD 1080P. I bought it when the sets were still very expensive cause the thought of sitting out another SuperBowl without HD was killing me. I was thrilled with the set then and am just as thrilled now.

Here http://www.google.com/products/catalog?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS336&q=toshiba+1080p&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=7320918546672973470&ei=K6bsSpf5LZKcMcXbiIQM&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBAQ8wIwAA#ps-sellers And to think I paid 2g for mine.

[Stalwart]

I'm very happy with the picture on my Sony LCD.  It will keep the den warm in winter too. 

[rabbidrabbit]

Any comments on this one?

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11495854&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|79|2341&N=4001374&Mo=60&No=3&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=2341&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=

[blkmgc]

 I bought a Vizio for the family room , and loved the picture (HD input) and sound so much over the other brands that I had , I bought one for the bedroom and my gaming room as well.

[Bodhi]

We have three Sony flat screens over 42" in the house.  We have a smaller Pioneer in  the guest room, think it is 20 something inches.  All are LCD and all function flawlessly and I notice no difference between the Pioneer and the Sonys. 

I don't know about some of the other comments from people saying they (Sony) are crap, but I own three of them and am very happy with all three.  Guess I just like crap.

[ToeTag]

We thought about getting a flat screen. Then we started comparing prices and so on.  Save your self some money buy a dlp projector.  I think I spent 1000.00 on everything I needed to get a 109" (Across not sure about diagonal) screen. Ive got my computer and tv hooked to it. Movies, Football games and AH are awesome on a screen that big.  Not to mention game day is always at your place.  No drinkie and drivie.   Make sure you get the highest possible resolution and contrast that your budget can afford.  If you put as much into it as the cost of the TV you can get some really nice stuff...ie remote screen, all in one remote and curtains.  The best part is that if you don't want to look at it you press a button and it goes away.

[Xtrepid]

<S> Gents,
I am in the market for a new flat screen TV and dont know a whole lot about them.
Im looking to get one 46" and up, and im not quite sure what to go with Plasma or LCD.

My son and daughter do play video games on the TV that we have currently ( Wii and PS ) and ive heard that the images of the video game can get "burned" on to the screen. ( i think thats the term used )

What i would like is some suggestions on TVs ( mfg and type ) that i should get, and one that wouldnt be harmed by the kids video games.
Any help or tips would be appreciated.

Quite a few to choose from Mr. Bailey... but we know who it's really for.  


X

[mbailey]

Alright Xtrepid, ya busted me  lol. 

But seriously, thank you all for your suggestions. I think ill have to wait a month or so though. Had a really bad flood in my basement this weekend ( hot water heater went kaput) , and its torn all to heck.

The plus side is, it will give me a little time to save for the one i really want. Im really glad to hear that the "burned screen image" has been taken care of. Makes the choice a little easier.

<S> gents, thanks

[xbrit]

One of the best value for money TV' on sale at present is the Vizio 47 inch, 120Hz LCD. You can pick one up for just under $1000.
Don't let people confuse you by making too much out of contrast ratio numbers, there is no governing body to say how these numbers are arrived at so all of the companies play a numbers game. Some will show "static" others "dynamic" but honestly you are better off looking at the TV and seeing for your self how it looks. Salesmen get so hooked on contrast ratios they forget about grey scaling which is also a big part of how the picture looks. Just take your time and look for yourself, watch each TV for a few minutes and see the definition before making your choice.
Which ever TV you select I hope you have years of enjoyment watching it.

[gyrene81]

Any comments on this one?

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11495854&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|79|2341&N=4001374&Mo=60&No=3&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=2341&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=

Wow, I looked at a black frame model...wish I had $2000 to spend right now. I like Vizio...and just to get an idea of their customer service, even though I didn't really have a problem, I made a call and it was easier than dealing with Toshiba by a long shot.

[rabbidrabbit]

Did a bit of research and it looks like it will be superseded this month http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/vizio-vf552xvt/4505-6482_7-33770094.html so perhaps they will be dumping that version to clear the shelves.

[Soulyss]

I'll also add that when you're ready to pull the trigger find a retailer somewhere and go look at the sets.  Also ask the salesman if they can put some standard definition programming on if any of your favorite channels haven't added a HD feed yet.  Also consider what sources you will be using, and how far away you will be sitting from the TV. 

Some of the things I try to look for when evaluating a TV are

Black level and black level detail:  The TV should be capable of producing true inky blacks but should also be able to render detail in those darker scenes

Crisp edges:  Look at the edges of objects, cheaper sets with lower quality will have "jaggies" kind of like a game w/out anti-aliasing turned on.

Three Dimensionality:  A set with a good processor should be able to render depth to a certain degree some set look "flatter" than others. 

If you want to see what a TV is  capable  of (even if it's not in your price point) see if there are any retailers out there that are displaying brands like Pioneer Elite, Panasonic Professional (Premiere Series), or Runco.  These are three high end video manufacturers and can show you what's capable in TV these days (interesting fact Panasonic OEM's for the other two).  Then you come down to see where performance matches price point. 

[Wolfie]

Am quiet happy with a 120 Mhz 52" Sharp Aquos LCD I purchased earlier this year.