Opinions on new TV's

[Kerplunk]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

As for the burn-in and lifespan, it just simply is no longer true.

Ummm...burn-in still is an issue, maybe just not as bad. When I was hunting for a TV just a while ago, two sets in different locations were turned off with a note of "burn-in problem" on them.

[NuclearFart]

Originally Posted by Pagal4321

Well people are talking mighy high of Sharp and Samsung, so, what about this bad boy?

http://www.visions.ca/catalogue/cate...9;&menuLevel=2

Yup, that's the one I've also got. Beautiful.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by Kerplunk

Ummm...burn-in still is an issue, maybe just not as bad. When I was hunting for a TV just a while ago, two sets in different locations were turned off with a note of "burn-in problem" on them.

That could be from any number of causes, and in fact may not even be burn-in at all.

That's like saying all Minivans are susceptible to flat tires, because you saw two of them pulled over on the side of the road one day.

...but to each their own.

[Kerplunk]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

That could be from any number of causes, and in fact may not even be burn-in at all.

I think it was because of the burned-in image on the screen...just sayin.

[ken0042]

Just to throw in my 2¢- Future Shop is having a "Calgary only" sale and has a 40" Sony on for $999. Might be an option to consider.

If not they also have the new Shaw HD-PVR for $468. That's the cash price- not the "after bill credits" price.

IMHO as long as you are buying a major brand, then it would be better to buy a $1000 TV and a $500 HD box than a $1500 TV without the HD box.

[old-fart]

I bought a Toshiba Regza 42" 1080p from Futureshop during their boxing day sale and have been quite happy with it. Shaw HD looks great, Xbox360 looks awesome and the upconverting DVD looks fantastic. Been very happy with it so far.

Bought the kids a Wii from Amazon.ca last week and that will hook up nicely, and I just need to convince the wife somehow that I really need a PS3 (ya, right).

[burnin_vernon]

What is everyones' take on extended warranty plans?

[old-fart]

Originally Posted by burnin_vernon

What is everyones' take on extended warranty plans?

A rip off. You'd be much better off taking whatever money they are trying to charge you for it and put it in even a low interest savings account. Much more often than not, you'll end up way further ahead at the end of the warranty.

Read this: http://www.associatedcontent.com/art...ed.html?cat=15

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by old-fart

I bought a Toshiba Regza 42" 1080p from Futureshop during their boxing day sale and have been quite happy with it. Shaw HD looks great, Xbox360 looks awesome and the upconverting DVD looks fantastic. Been very happy with it so far.

Bought the kids a Wii from Amazon.ca last week and that will hook up nicely, and I just need to convince the wife somehow that I really need a PS3 (ya, right).

Yeah, behind the big three of LCDs; Sony, Sharp and Samsung, the Toshiba and LG seem to be offering a fair product and good prices.

[Old Yeller]

Originally Posted by Kerplunk

Ummm...burn-in still is an issue, maybe just not as bad. When I was hunting for a TV just a while ago, two sets in different locations were turned off with a note of "burn-in problem" on them.

I've left my TV paused on a static screen while playing a video game for hours... afterwards I had slight image retention which went away as soon as there was motion on the screen and the phosphors were essentially "refreshed".

It wouldn't surprise me that a demo model in a store was messed up, but plasma's just don't surfer from image burn-in any longer as long as the owner is remotely responsible. They're up to 10th and 11th generation panels with various technologies, burn-in hasn't been an issue for at least 5 or 6 years.

[Draug]

My Vote goes to Panasonic Plasma as well.

Between my brother and I, we have 5 of them, ranging from 42" to 65".

The "professional" models are better than most of the consumer models, especially if you plan to hook up a PC. If you go with a consumer model, the 700-850u models are much better than the 75, 77, 80, and 85's. But, the professionals arent sold in the big box electronic stores; you have to go somewhere like Vistek or an online retailer.

You can look up some past posts I've made in other TV threads for more information...

Also, I concur that image burn is not a problem, at least on the Panasonics. Sometimes, there is slight image retention, but it dissapears as soon as you show a new image. Also, lifespan is no problem at all; they have a half life of 30,000 hours. Consider how much TV that actually is; by the time you watch that long, we'll be 3 or 4 display technologies away and your plasma will likely already be in the garbage.

[Russic]

I'll not get into the moral implications, but a guy I know bought the 4 year warranty on his tv. Every year he calls future shop and tells them that the fan is too loud. They send somebody to fix it. He continues this twice more, and on the third time they let him pick out a tv of equal value to what he paid originally.

[arsenal]

What do you guys think of Olevia?
http://www.wired.com/gadgets/display...tv_olevia_747i

[Russic]

I've actually heard some very good things about the Olevia line. Can't remember where I heard it mind you, but I'm sure that I did hear it!

[arsenal]

Time to bump another tv thread (the original is archived locked, and don't want to start another one).

So I am finally going to get myself a tv. I currently have an old 36" tube.
What I am looking at getting right now is 50" - 52" 1080p lcd or plasma, for around 2k (give or take a few hundred $$).

Basically what I am going to be using it for is my PS3 (games and blu-ray), will get an HD box, and that's pretty much it (not much else you can do with a tv i guess).

Looking at the visions site, I noticed a few tvs stating that they have 120hz technology. What the hell is that?

So based on my criteria, what recomendations can the guru's of CP give me.

[missdpuck]

Panasonic Plasma gets my vote..and that of Consumer Reports.

[OBCT]

Originally Posted by missdpuck

Panasonic Plasma gets my vote..and that of Consumer Reports.

I would concur.

I've heard that LCD's are often preferred under ~40", but plasmas are (almost) always the way to go at 50"+. Panasonic makes a great plasma television. Target a set or two that work for you, and wait for a sale!!


To answer arsenal's specific question:

120Hz Technology refers to the highest consumer-available refresh rate for any TV at present. The idea behind the technology began with the realization that much of the best HD programming is fast-action stuff: sports, action movies, nature scenes with brids, cheetas or waterfalls, etc. Motion blur is the problem TV engineers are attempting to defeat with this innovation. It has been a prominent issue with fast-action shows since the inception of HD, especially on larger displays (these make the effect more noticeable - not actually "worse").

One way to combat motion blur: increase the frequency in which the individual frames are shown (the industry standard has been 60Hz). Manufacturers decided to double the normal frame rate up to 120Hz on many newish TV models (note: there are different ways to accomplish this; see this article for more). Many compatible sets come equipped with a degree of cutomizability in this regard. The ability to turn the effect on\off, and choose varying degrees in between (ie. low, medium, high) are somewhat common.

In my personal experience, the 40" Samsung LCD television my family purchased 8 months ago is better for having the 120Hz technology built-in ... though there is surely room for improvement. Most of the time, the 120Hz "Low" setting gives the best result - even with viewing fast-action HD programming. "Medium" and "High" seem to overcompensate, causing more artifacts and blurring than they remove. I'm sure the technology will continue to improve over time, and since every manufacturer uses a slightly different approach to the issue than the next, it's best to read as many critical reviews as possible and look at the TVs in-person for yourself.


Happy hunting!!

[Vulcan]

I like the CNET site for reviews.

Panasonic has a good name in Plasmas but not all their models are equal. Sometimes a Samsung plasma 650 or 550 might be better value for the same price or less.

For LCDs the Samsung 650 gets lots of raves for value and performance. The 52" asking price at best Buy is $3000 though. Try bargaining and look around for a deal. Here's a price of $2600 so if you can price match for another 10% off that would make it $2340. Also new models are coming out so the old models may be marked down.

http://www.gibbysaudiovideo.com/sams...tv-p-2611.html

If you want to go very top end in LCDs look for the Samsung 950 with the LED backlight. Other manufacturers are also coming out with LED back lights.

Here's the CNET TV review site.

http://reviews.cnet.com/televisions/

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Here's the Sharp 42" D64U 1080P on sale for one day only for 1299. I've heard it's good.

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...3524&langid=en

I bought this tv today. Don't have a HD box yet but the regular cable with just component looks pretty good.

[arsenal]

thanks for the input guys.
So far i am liking the Panasonic TH50PZ800.
Now I guess it's just a matter of getting out to the stores and see what they look like in person.