Big-screen TV shopping

[Doctordestiny]

My wife says I should treat myself and get a big-screen TV. I do't know what I'm doing and want to learn about the difference between brands and TV types. Can someone recommend a website where I can learn the technical stuff about TVs? I need to learn about digital, plasma, high-def, etc. etc. so I can shop intelligently.

Also, if folks want to provide me with advice here that would be appreciated. I want a screen of at least 40 or 42 inches and very good quality. I have always felt that good brands are Sony and Hitachi. I've heard that Samsung is good now; is this so? What brands should I be looking for and what kinds (plasma, etc.)?

[3 Justin 3]

Get 1080p, get over 42", get Samsung, Pioneer, or Sharp (I hate Sony's) get a tv with at least 3 HDMI ports (at least HDMI 1.2). Depending on what you will use your tv for, you'll either want LCD or Plasma. Plasma you'll get true blacks, LCD you won't, LCD you should try and get 120Hz even if you don't use it. For LCD, you'll want a really fast refresh rate, like below 2ms.

If you go Plasma, go with a known brand because you'll want the best quality because of burn-in issues (which are super minimal these days).

As for sites, just google what ever you want to know, a bunch of good sites will come up.

[Doctordestiny]

What is the (technical) difference between LCD and plasma?

[ken0042]

You will go batty trying to figure the technical differences between the two; and at the end of the day it's about what is best for you. Me, I wouldn't buy another plasma. Big reasons for LCD over Plasma for me:

- No burn in. They say newer plasmas don't have burn in, but I can tell you what my finacee last watched on ours- the next day.
- No need for special lighting. An LCD will look good in almost full sun, but a plasma can suffer from glare.

Plasma generally has better colours and better response time (less blurr watching sports), but LCD is so close these days it's almost a wash.

And I would get Sony or Samsung myself.

[TheU]

Get a samsung LCD, and you can thank me later. Plasma look great but they were too dim for my liking.

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde...84&catid=26554

this is at FS for 1599 they will price match. its the best LCD you can get without splurging to LED imo

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde...83&catid=24558

the 46" i have. it's a great tv amazing high def great for gaming and movies

[KTrain]

How about a Samsung LED?

The plan is to buy this TV. I can get it for $500 cheaper than the sale price. The 240Hz for an extra grand is a little too steep for me and I'm not sure I would notice the difference.

Any TV connoisseurs want to talk me out of the purchase or is this is good buy for $2500?

[TheU]

dont do it, ktrain. LED is a very new technology and it's not organic LED. its simply LCD technology with an LED backlight. we dont know yet how long they are going to live, and they look nice, yes, but it's not worth an extra grand

[Ryan Coke]

I love the Panasonic Plasma's, and have had no burn in issues or problems with lighting in a normal room. I would go for at least 50 inches if this is your primary TV.

I have no problem with LCD's just that the image is better with plasma.

[teamchachi]

TV size is totally dependent on the size of room and how close you're going to sit to the TV.

1080P is important if you by a large TV, watch Blu-Ray, and sit close enough to tell the difference. Broadcast TV isn't in 1080P and you'll never tell the difference between 1080P and 720P on a screen under 40" unless you bring your magnifying glass or like to sit 3 feet from the TV. Having said that, it is getting difficult to buy a TV that isn't 1080P.

Plasma versus LCD is largely governed by the brightness of the room that you're watching in. If it is bright (or you can't easily control outside light) then go LCD. Otherwise plasma is an option.

I have a 42" 720P Panasonic Viera plasma in the basement and I love it. Had it for about a year and burn in has not been an issue. But I would have gone for LCD if I was a big gamer since static images are generally the biggest burn-in culprit.

[Doctordestiny]

I should have mentioned that this TV would be combined with a home-theatre system. Not sure that matters for the advice.

[Esoteric]

I would stick with Samsung and Sony if you're getting an LCD. Sharps have a horrible dejudder engine in them, and they look like garbage in 120 hz and higher. Sony's have the best (Motionflow looks amazing), and Samsung isn't far behind. I have a Sony Z series TV, and really enjoy it.

If I was to buy a TV right now, I'd buy this - http://www.londondrugs.com/Cultures/...ductID=3728748

Sony KDL46Z5100 - It's the Z series, 46 inches, 240 hz, 1080p, for under $1600. Incredible deal right now, and an all around amazing TV.

[ken0042]

The other important thing, be sure you budget ~$400 for the HDPVR. If your total budget is $1400; you will get much better enjoyment out of a $1000 TV with the HDPVR than even a $2000 TV without the HDPVR.

[Burninator]

Originally Posted by ken0042

No burn in. They say newer plasmas don't have burn in, but I can tell you what my finacee last watched on ours- the next day.

Really? I have an older Sony Plasma TV and there is no burn in at all.

[ma-skis.com]

Make sure you check memory express for prices as well, their store by chinook has a surprisingly large selection of well priced tvs.

[Zevo]

avsforum.com

Best sight to do your research. I prefer plasma as the picture is more realistic. Panasonic is probably your best bet for plasma. There is virtually no need to worry about burn in if you don't buy the cheaper brands and use common sense.

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by Burninator

Really? I have an older Sony Plasma TV and there is no burn in at all.

4 year old Panasonic plasma, and have never seen a hint of burn in, even after leaving a still image on for hours.

I currently have lcd, sxrd, and plasma hdtvs, and plasma is by far my favorite picture. Every time I look at my or any lcd, all I see is flaws. Reviews seems to say that good lcd pictures are possible, but I've never seen one.

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by Zevo

avsforum.com

Best sight to do your research. I prefer plasma as the picture is more realistic. Panasonic is probably your best bet for plasma. There is virtually no need to worry about burn in if you don't buy the cheaper brands and use common sense.

Agreed, if you don't have any special needs, and don't want to do a lot of research, you can't really go wrong buying the biggest Panasonic plasma you can afford/have space for.

[Table 5]

Ugh, careful though, the "research" can drive you crazy. I spent a good 2-3 months researching this stuff, and going in circles about all the technical details.

If you're smart, you'll go to the store, take a look at all the 1080p LCD's, pick the one that looks best to you, and buy that one. Honestly, once you pick your tv, you won't give a crap about what you're possibly missing.

Sony's and Samsungs are great......in the end, I went with a Toshiba and don't regret it one bit.

[Nufy]

I picked up this last night at Future Shop. They matched Visions pricing.

http://www2.visions.ca/Catalogue/Cat...productId=4123

Looks good so far for a 60Hz LCD.

I have 30 days to decide if I want to move up to a 120 or 240Hz model.

[GoinAllTheWay]

/\/\/\/\/\

Table 5 speaks the truth. You can read review after review after review and read all the specs you want. Go with one of the big 3, LCD will likely work just fine for you, make sure it has at least 3 HDMI ports and have at er.

I do 2nd Memory Express though, that's where I just bought my new 52" samsung and I love it.

Word of advice on the Samsungs, if it has a feature called Auto Motion Plus, turn it to "clear" or "off" as you get a really weird soap opera effect where everything looks like it was filmed as a soap opera, it was REALLY weird watching movies like that.