Buying a New TV...Any Tips?

[THE COLONEL]

Well, our TV of 10 years has finally took a crap.  We are looking into buying a flat screen LCD HD tv, and really don't know where to start.  I know there is one number associated with the flat screens that the higher the number is, the better quality picture you get.   So, what I am looking for when reading an ad in the paper, and what have some of you bought that you reccomend, or to stay away from.  Thanks in advanced!

[TylerCharger69]

Keep in mind...the average lifespan of a flat screen is 5 to 7 years......AVERAGE that is.....

[Brock Samson]

  Buying the 46 inch samsung Hi def (i had my eye on since it came out a yr. prior) the morning after thanksgiving at 8:00 AM I saved half the normal purchase price. That particular model was being superceded by another model with a faint red light surrounding the frame and i didn't care at all about that.
I'm not up much on the current prices but I first began lusting after it when it was $1,600 in july of '07 and in Nov. of '08 at the afterthanksgiving sale it was $800. but they sold out of everything before 10:00 am... even bigger savings were had on other larger 52 Samsungs and much smaller off brands but i got exactly what i wanted.
I think by comparing the screens side by side in the store you get a better idea of what will work best for you.
There are deals to be had but you need to do your research way in advance and be prepared for the sales,.. If you can't wait I'm sure there will be Labor Day sales,.. but I know that after the kids are all back in schools and have bought their laptops and other back to school electronic items, the stores will try to lure customers back into the store with "After Labor Day sales".
I would add that you don't want to get a screen that you'll outgrow though if you act quickly stores like Costco have 90 day return policies so you can trade up to a larger screen.
 
i just did a search and it looks like there's 21 pevious topics on the subject, most of which deal with blu-ray Vs. Beta and Plasma Vs Etchesketchs and the like...

[mauve66]

depending on the light/windows in the room your putting it in i prefer the matte screen instead of the gloss one, look at them in the store and you'll notice at certain angles the gloss screens will have alot of reflection of whats in the room making it harder to see the screen

alos i believe the best now have 120HZ refresh rate or something like that, supposed to be better than the old 60 htz

[Brock Samson]

here's a couple of the more releveant threads,.. this first one is a few years old but answers some basic questions..
  http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,7688.0.html

here's another from May '08
and "1080 P" is the number you were asking about..
  http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,7688.0.html

this ones from two yrs ago but still will answer questions...
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,35333.0.html

looks like the 42 inch and 50 inchers are the more popular sizes folks here are buying..

 

[Landonsrt]

I have a 46" 1080p LCD Sony Bravia. Ive had it for almost two years now. If your going to buy a tv. Id go with Sony or Samsung. I think Samsung has the best pic out there. Also, I think LCD is better than Plasma. Brighter picture and screens are supposed to last longer. Plasma developes hot spots if left on for extended periods of time. But you know, the technology is changing so fast now it doesnt really matter.

[69 OUR/TEA]

I am no electronics wiz by any means,but did alot of research  early this year because of new flat screen tv purchase.The previous were HD's were 780 res,now up to 1080.From what I gather regardless of wether you have cable or satelite,the highest res in HD broadcasting right now is around 850( not including fibre optics),so a 780 would be fine as you will not be utilizing the 1080,but if you watch alot of movies either DVD or blue ray that is when you will see the big difference from the 780 to the 1080.If you are going to play DVD's,you have to get an upconverting DVD player to bring DVD's up near or to that resolution.
Now as far as the hertz goes,going from 60 to 120,with fast acting movies or sports,120 they say is the way to go because at 60 hz you could almost see a ghost trail from the action(the 120 refreshes the screen faster).Price difference is usually around 6-800 dollars more.Just be reminded that an old picture tube is around 480 for res and less than the 60 hz now,did it bother you then,not me so I went with a 60 hz,does'nt even raise an issue to me when watching sports or movies with action.
 Now for brand,to each his own,every one I talked with highly recommended Samsung,so I followed the one I wanted,52" 60 hz LCD,last year started out around $2,600,dropped down to around 1,999-2,199 depending on where you shop.Bernies had it for 1,999,then had a sale for $1,599 then ahd a weekend midnight madness sale and it dropped to $1,499 ,thats when I bought it.My own personal opinion is it is awesome,vivid colors,adjustments,etc.I could have used a bigger one as the room is rather large,even for a 52", but the price goes up dramatically for a 55" and bigger.The sound was less than adequite ,but it is in a big room with high ceilings so the sound got lost,so the next day I was out buying a 1000watt 5.1 surround sound system,with 5 disc upconverting DVD player all in one.Now it is like being at the movies!!!!!!Hope this helps your choice or decision.
 Oh yeah,you can get a DLP(digital light projection)for alot less,but when you are not watching from directly in front of,the picture fades away darker,and Plasmas generate alot of heat,food for thought.

[Mike DC]

 
Look into the newer rear-projection TVs if you're shopping for 55" or more. 

It's not like the huge dull old "projection" TVs that you saw in sports bars 15 years ago.  The new ones are sort of like a modern flat TV but they've still got about half the rear end depth of an old glass-screen set.  It's technically considered a step down from the main flatscreen market, but when you're shopping in screens that large it's the same picture for a bit less money.   

 

[68charger383]

Buy an LCD with LED backlighting. A little more expensive, but the best picture.

I'd recommend this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Sharp-AQUOS-LC46LE700UN-46-Inch-1080p/dp/B002BNMPCU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1250732747&sr=8-1

It's a little more expensive then the other ones you see on the market. Go to Bestbuy and look at the picutre and then you'll understand why it's worth the extra cash.

[lisiecki1]

i'd stay away from plasma, i've heard that when they die you have a paper weight....LCD's can be repaired.

[John_Kunkel]

alos i believe the best now have 120HZ refresh rate or something like that, supposed to be better than the old 60 htz

I notice that some of the newer units are now 240HZ.

[jaak]

My Pops just bought a new 42 inch, 1080P.....Awesome! and just in time for Football season!

Jason

[gtx6970]

I just bought an LG 50" plasma flat screen WITH the 5 year extended service contract came to a grand total of $1050 out the door

I had to order a new base to mount it on in till the family room in my still unfinished basement finally gets done. ( later this fall I hope )

a friend of mine works on TV's for a living and he recomended it , seems the average life span for any big screen is limited so I went with the plasma . So I guess time will tell

[devilgear]

I just bought a 55" Samsung LED HDTV and I LOVE it. It's cool because it sits on my tv stand on a post and since the tv is only 1.2" wide and I can swing it in differnt directions to view. I got $1000 off of list price because Best Buy really wanted to sell one that day...HA.I got a Blu Ray player to go with it as well and I really dig it...

[jb666]

I have several LCD's and Plasma's in my house...

My favorite out of all of them is the LG 42". Great picture, awesome color!!  I'd recommend it 

Oh yeah, and DEFINITELY get the extended warranty, no matter what you buy, because as someone else said, they are not meant to last.. These aren't like the old console tv's where 25 years from now you'll be selling it at a yard sale..