We're In The Market For A New TV.

[ROMOSAPIEN9]

We'll be getting nothing smaller than 50" flat screen HDTV.

If any of you guys have similar set ups, I'd like to hear the good and bad. Also do we want Plasma or LCD? The guy at Best Buy said that LCD gives the best picture especially if it's refreshing at 120hz.

We're looking to spend $2000-$2500 total for TV the TV stand that it mounts to and I want a surround sound system.

Any body got any tips? Hot sales?

[Kangaroo]

We'll be getting nothing smaller than 50" flat screen HDTV.

If any of you guys have similar set ups, I'd like to hear the good and bad. Also do we want Plasma or LCD? The guy at Best Buy said that LCD gives the best picture especially if it's refreshing at 120hz.

We're looking to spend $2000-$2500 total for TV the TV stand that it mounts to and I want a surround sound system.

Any body got any tips? Hot sales?

I went with the Samsung 50" dlp for $1045 and I got a free stand and it rocks to all end it was my combo Birthday-Christmas present

I got my online with free shipping and no taxes

I have a guy at work that also has it he bought his in 2007 and loves it. I would skip Plasma personally but that is me. LCD and DLP each have their quirks and cool things

You can even get bigger easy with 2k the nice thing about the Samsung DLP no color wheel they use LED lights

I got the 50" version any ways here is a link

http://www.crutchfield.com/g_147350/Big-screen-Projection-TVs.html?search=samsung+dlp&skipvs=T

[trickblue]

I will tell you one thing that most don't consider... the screen finish...

If you get a glossy glass finish then it is very susceptible to glare. My 50" is that way and it can be annoying at times... well... most times...

My 42" has a matte finish and it is awesome. Both have great pictures, but I will never buy another gloss finish...

Sony and Sharpe make units with a matte finish. There maybe others as well...

[ROMOSAPIEN9]

I'll have to keep that in mind when making my purchase TB. Good call.

[zrinkill]

Bought a Sanyo 52" lcd last weekend for my gameroom.

I like it.

[Hoofbite]

Should probably expect to spend at least $200 on a stand.

Maybe another $400 on a "Home theater in a box" set up. You could go cheaper but I wouldn't. Not with that nice of a TV. $400 would be a good starting point.

I have a Vizio and I love it. Looks very good and does everything that I want it to.

Whatever you get, just make sure it looks best to you. If you are told one is better but the cheaper one looks better to you, get the cheaper one.

[ROMOSAPIEN9]

Should probably expect to spend at least $200 on a stand.

Maybe another $400 on a "Home theater in a box" set up. You could go cheaper but I wouldn't. Not with that nice of a TV. $400 would be a good starting point.

I have a Vizio and I love it. Looks very good and does everything that I want it to.

Whatever you get, just make sure it looks best to you. If you are told one is better but the cheaper one looks better to you, get the cheaper one.


I'm always afraid I'm gonna get it home and it doesn't look anwhere near as sharp and crisp as it was in the store. Does that happen a lot?

[5Stars]

I'm always afraid I'm gonna get it home and it doesn't look anwhere near as sharp and crisp as it was in the store. Does that happen a lot?


I have a 50" LG that is a great TV. One thing to look for is the color of black. Make sure to try and compare all the TVs that you see and be sure that the color black is really as dark as black can be. Some "black" is somewhat lighter or "greyer" than actual black.

This is really important for all around color on any TV that you get.

[Rowdy]

I'm always afraid I'm gonna get it home and it doesn't look anwhere near as sharp and crisp as it was in the store. Does that happen a lot?

Just remember if you compare in the store, that particular store may not have the settings the same as other models. Some models may have the color saturation turned up in demo mode and others may have the sharpness turned down to make another model on sale appear crisper. A good salesman will let you play with the settings on the particular model you are interested in.

[tomson75]

Samsung FTW. My 52" plasma is amazing, and can be found for under $1800.00. I shopped for over a year before I made the decision, and I couldn't be happier with it.

FWIW, I have another 1080p flat panel tv in my bedroom....a 32" Phillips LCD, and the Samsung plasma's picture CRUSHES the LCD.

[Rowdy]

....a 32" Phillips LCD, and the Samsung plasma's picture CRUSHES the LCD.

so you're saying...

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/8783/orangecrushds7.jpg

[Kangaroo]

I have a 50" LG that is a great TV. One thing to look for is the color of black. Make sure to try and compare all the TVs that you see and be sure that the color black is really as dark as black can be. Some "black" is somewhat lighter or "greyer" than actual black.

This is really important for all around color on any TV that you get.

The best black is suppose to be the new LaserVue TV. It is a Laser TV

The problem right now is the cost currently only Mitsubishi is deploying the technology it is of course 1st generation use and expensive

[theogt]

Samsung FTW. My 52" plasma is amazing, and can be found for under $1800.00. I shopped for over a year before I made the decision, and I couldn't be happier with it.

FWIW, I have another 1080p flat panel tv in my bedroom....a 32" Phillips LCD, and the Samsung plasma's picture CRUSHES the LCD.That probably depends on a lot of factors other than whether one is LCD or plasma. Generally LCD is better, but more expensive. But, it always depends on the details of the particular product.

[QB9fan]

Consumer Reports ranks Samsung number one in LCD.

[theebs]

Umm LCD is not better than plasma.

LCD is evolving to try and look like plasmas and they are really to the point where there are some nice ones.

However, if you buy an LCD please know that black levels are still not up to par with a plasma, viewing angles are still lagging on plasmas and let me tell you if you buy a 50" or larger LCD and hang it on a wall you will have to tilt it or you will get some shadows and the picture will be dark, so there goes the flat on the wall thing. And depending on what line and what brand LCD's can still have bulbs which go sporadically and are expensive.

If you play video games, buy an 120 hz lcd. If the room you are putting it in gets a ton of sunlight and you watch tv during the day alot with the blinds open, buy an LCD.

IF neither of those fit you, buy a plasma. The picture is more lifelike, the blacks are perfect, the viewing angles are incredible and burn in is no longer a problem.

I would stay away from samsung for a tv that size, they are known for making some poor quality stuff.

My reccomendation to use is decide whether or not you will be buying a blue ray player. If you plan to buy a 1080p Plasma. If you plan to buy a ps3 or xbox 360 buy a 120 hz LCD and make sure to check out the viewing angle abilities.

I just have not seen an lcd that is of the quality of plasmas. THey have a different feel to them. Plasmas carry the same quality and realism as a tube tv.

You just have to figure out what you are doing with it before really comparing the lines of lcd's and plasmas.

If you think you will never be interested in 1080p, which to me is still not that important, you can get a pansasonic 50" plasma for 900 bucks or less because they are trying to do away with them.

[theogt]

Umm LCD is not better than plasma.

...

I would stay away from samsung for a tv that size, they are known for making some poor quality stuff.I disagree strongly with these two comments based on the research I've done. But that brings up a good point with this technology -- the differences at the high end (and if you're spending $2000+ you're at the high end of TVs nowadays) are miniscule enough that you're going to find varying opinions, particularly as a result of, as theebs mentioned, how you're going to use the TV.

[theebs]

I disagree strongly with these two comments based on the research I've done. But that brings up a good point with this technology -- the differences at the high end (and if you're spending $2000+ you're at the high end of TVs nowadays) are miniscule enough that you're going to find varying opinions, particularly as a result of, as theebs mentioned, how you're going to use the TV.


We have talked about this before.

Plasma is the better TV. Its only downfall is the glare it gives off in a bright room. Its the only knock on a plasma.

LCD's still have flaws. They are coming along, they are not plasmas however.

I have a samsung lcd in my extra room. I have had no problems with it, but I know from people who worked in high end audio video places that samsung makes some lousy stuff. There dlp's are deplorable. I dont know much about their plasmas. I really wouldnt consider them when buying a plasma.

and as far as research goes, you have to be very careful what you read and believe, electronics companies have a stranglehold on most publications that do reviews and recommendations. I used to be really into High end audio and I read everything I could get my hands on and talked to everyone I could and tried every product. I had times where I would buy, amps, preamps, cables or speaker wire based on reviews and I would hear something totally different and then realize those companies were pumped up by a certain person because he was paid too.

I bought a parasound amp one time based on this great review and got it home and it was horrendous. I replaced it at the time with an adcom amp with the same specs and half the price and it was light years better....

I know of companies who have stopped selling their products in places because of honest reviews.

Anyway, The reality is, if you are buying an HDTV for the first time, either set will bring nothing but pleasure. You simply wont be dissapointed watching HD, but SD will be a let down and imp LCD is also lagging in making the SD programming look good.

Its all about fitting your needs. Some people dont know what there needs are until it is too late.

and as far as price goes you can get a 50 inch 720p plasma for nothing basically and they are great.

[Doomsday]

If you are looking for 1080p. Panasonic 50 inch plasmas are far and away the best screens in the $2000 price range.

If you are undecided between LCD and Plasma, try going to a store and looking at the pictures of both from a side angle. The Plasmas are much more realistic. My first TV was a 42 inch LCD, I dont think the picture is even close to my Panasonic plasma.

[5Stars]

As others have said, plasama is the best way to go. It has fantastic picture and color. Also, in my family room, I painted the whole room in a deep purple kinda in the way a that a theater would look.

I hung the TV on the wall right above a black surround system with all the blinds shut. I get no glare at all from the deep purple walls and can just sit back and enjoy a theater like experience.

LCD TV's have their purpose I suppose but plasama is a proven product and the picture quality is very good.

[Dallas]

Panasonic Plasma are the best Tv's on the market 2k and below.

I have 3 50's in my house and 1 LCD. I never watch the LCD. Its for the kid.

[Hoofbite]

I'm always afraid I'm gonna get it home and it doesn't look anwhere near as sharp and crisp as it was in the store. Does that happen a lot?

I've heard a lot of manufacturers have the default settings on many TVs to produce more blue than they really should. Because blue is a pleasing color to the eye, it looks really nice to see a lot of it so they turn the blue way up.

True or not, I dunno.

What I would do is get the TV home and visit a couple forums on A/V equipment. You should be able to find what other people are using for their settings.

Some people go the extreme and have these intense calibration configurations to get the best picture out of the TV.

[Duane]

The Home Theater Spot forums have always been helpful in any of my research. Here's the Plasma, LCD, DLP, etc... forum: http://www.hometheaterspot.com/fusionbb/showforum.php?fid/84/

[ChldsPlay]

I say Samsung as far as company, and really the best bang for your buck as far as size/cost is going to be DLP. And if you want the best picture you can spend a few hundred more to have someone that is ISF certified calibrate it for you. NOTHING in the store is how it is supposed to be, and no amount of meddling with the color/contrast/hue, etc. is going to make it right. The Manufacturers alter the settings to make their TV stand out from others. They don't want their TVs looking just like all the rest. There is an HD standard that they should follow, but none of them do. It's something that needs to be done in service menus and requires precise color measuring equipment. But not everyone is serious enough about their TVs to do this.

Still, I say Samsung DLP. Get a 56" or 57" and I think you'll have enough to get the rest.

[theebs]

I say Samsung as far as company, and really the best bang for your buck as far as size/cost is going to be DLP. And if you want the best picture you can spend a few hundred more to have someone that is ISF certified calibrate it for you. NOTHING in the store is how it is supposed to be, and no amount of meddling with the color/contrast/hue, etc. is going to make it right. The Manufacturers alter the settings to make their TV stand out from others. They don't want their TVs looking just like all the rest. There is an HD standard that they should follow, but none of them do. It's something that needs to be done in service menus and requires precise color measuring equipment. But not everyone is serious enough about their TVs to do this.

Still, I say Samsung DLP. Get a 56" or 57" and I think you'll have enough to get the rest.

ISF calibration is somewhere between 300 and 600 bucks. I knew a guy who does this, still does.

They crank all the tvs up in the store, they usually put them on vivid and crank the brightness and stuff more.

That gives a terrible picture and burns the bulbs and or gas out at a higher rate.

I have a panasonic plasma. My settings are down so low its comical. I like life like colors. The sharpness on the pansaonic plasmas is a picky thing, if you dont get it just right the faces start to suffer from a clay look.

I think my sharpness is at -20 or -22.

With a plasma YOu can get a near perfect image without the isf calibration. ISF calibration has been a projector tv thing forever. Especially the older crt's. CRT's have three bulbs in them and when you move those big screens around the bulbs become displaced and it throws off everything.

Most plasma and lcd's dont even have the ability to be isf calibrated if I rememer correctly, I am almost positive sony lcd's do not even have the service menu's and the ability to calibrate.

I would think if you have the cash I would stay away from dlp, they really have poor viewing angles and they have expensive unreliable bulbs.

[ChldsPlay]

ISF calibration is somewhere between 300 and 600 bucks. I knew a guy who does this, still does.

They crank all the tvs up in the store, they usually put them on vivid and crank the brightness and stuff more.

That gives a terrible picture and burns the bulbs and or gas out at a higher rate.

I have a panasonic plasma. My settings are down so low its comical. I like life like colors. The sharpness on the pansaonic plasmas is a picky thing, if you dont get it just right the faces start to suffer from a clay look.

I think my sharpness is at -20 or -22.

With a plasma YOu can get a near perfect image without the isf calibration. ISF calibration has been a projector tv thing forever. Especially the older crt's. CRT's have three bulbs in them and when you move those big screens around the bulbs become displaced and it throws off everything.

Most plasma and lcd's dont even have the ability to be isf calibrated if I rememer correctly, I am almost positive sony lcd's do not even have the service menu's and the ability to calibrate.

I would think if you have the cash I would stay away from dlp, they really have poor viewing angles and they have expensive unreliable bulbs.


LCDs and Plasmas can definitely be calibrated. While they don't have some issues (overscan) that CRTs and other projector type TVs do, they still have other things to be calibrated, most importantly gray scale. Generally though, 95% of people who have HDTVs probably will never even hear of ISF calibration, and most wouldn't care if they did.

DLP bulbs aren't that expensive anymore and usually last 2-3 years. I am still on my original bulb after 2 years, if it dies this year it is under warranty and will be replaced for free. It is only about $100 to replace the bulb. That is not bad over 2-3 years, especially considering the price difference between DLP and LCD/Plasma at the larger sizes.

[tomson75]

That probably depends on a lot of factors other than whether one is LCD or plasma. Generally LCD is better, but more expensive. But, it always depends on the details of the particular product.

Yeah, I was just pointing out that there are exceptions to every LCD vs. Plasma argument, and that you can find Plasma's at a cheaper price than many of their equivalent LCD counterparts...and get a higher quality product. Just takes some some in depth research.

...and as far as Samsung Plasma's, I've owned one for about two years now, and have had no issues. It was the best $2000 I've ever spent. It's quality has prompted three friends to buy large Samsung plasmas as well. They have had no issues.

I've did a lot of research before I purchased it, and while Samsung had it's detractors, it is generally considered to be one of, if not the best televisions on the market. Maybe their product quality has changed in the last two years?

[theebs]

LCDs and Plasmas can definitely be calibrated. While they don't have some issues (overscan) that CRTs and other projector type TVs do, they still have other things to be calibrated, most importantly gray scale. Generally though, 95% of people who have HDTVs probably will never even hear of ISF calibration, and most wouldn't care if they did.

DLP bulbs aren't that expensive anymore and usually last 2-3 years. I am still on my original bulb after 2 years, if it dies this year it is under warranty and will be replaced for free. It is only about $100 to replace the bulb. That is not bad over 2-3 years, especially considering the price difference between DLP and LCD/Plasma at the larger sizes.


yea many can be calibrated but not all of them, I think its sony, cant remember are not able to be calibrated, there are no service menus.

but every tv for the most part can be set up. And if anyone has ever seen an isf calibrated tv it is worth it.

and yep, dlp is less epensive especially at the sizes they come in.

I originally almost bought a 57 inch mitsubishi dlp in 04, then I just held out for plasma prices to come down. I am happy I waited, but I would have been happy with the mitsubishi also. HD is simlpy awesome.

[AmarilloCowboyFan]

We have talked about this before.

Plasma is the better TV. Its only downfall is the glare it gives off in a bright room. Its the only knock on a plasma.

LCD's still have flaws. They are coming along, they are not plasmas however.


That is not really the only knock on plasma.

One thing i haven't seen mentioned here, although I haven't completely read each response, is if you ever want to hook up a computer you must have LCD. Plasmas are susceptible screen burn-in where LCDs are not, so if you play games you should really go for LCD.

As far as just picture quality, yes plasmas are better but not by much and most people wouldn't even notice the difference. Plasmas are still a bit cheaper as well.

I have a 46" Samsung and it is absolutely perfect. Samsung makes quality flat panels.

[tomson75]

Yeah...the one thing that still makes me nervous about my plasma is the burn in threat. It's become far less of a problem than in the past, but its still an issue. If you're prone to falling asleep with a dvd on...you need to utilize your sleep option. If you let those bad boys sit on the same screen for 8 hours or so, you're likely in trouble.

I almost beat my old roomate's *** when he got drunk and passed out in front of the tv with it on a dvd menu. You could see the slight beginnings of a burn in, but it went away in a few hours.

[Cajuncowboy]

I have been shopping for a while now...

#1 When you go to the store and see some of the pictures that look good on one and not so good n another, from what I have been told it was due to the fact that they are splitting the signal so ch among the TVs and depending where the source is it could effect the picture.

#2 Almost every sales person I talked with said that the Plasmas are better and the fact that LCDs are on the whole much more expensive than their counterparts made me believe them.

I have decided on a 46" plasma and will be getting it in to weeks when I get back off the road for more than three days. :cool:

[theebs]

That is not really the only knock on plasma.

One thing i haven't seen mentioned here, although I haven't completely read each response, is if you ever want to hook up a computer you must have LCD. Plasmas are susceptible screen burn-in where LCDs are not, so if you play games you should really go for LCD.

As far as just picture quality, yes plasmas are better but not by much and most people wouldn't even notice the difference. Plasmas are still a bit cheaper as well.

I have a 46" Samsung and it is absolutely perfect. Samsung makes quality flat panels.

Well The burn is not an issue anymore unless you are playing video games on a brand new one. And as I said if you are going to play video games do not buy a plasma.

Pretty much all plasmas now have a white out function where if for some reason you have an image burned you can white out the screen and it will take care of it. Doing this on most sets burns about 2-5 % of the life of the panel though.

And really after 100 - 1000 hours of viewing you will not have any issues with your plasma. Its the people who buy cheaply made plasmas, leave them on the vivid settings and then play games and pause them and leave them that will have issues.

But these are all 8th and 9th generation panels and burn in really isnt an issue.

oh and LCDs do have pc inputs and most plasmas do not. That really shouldnt be a reason you spend alot of money on either panel though.

[theebs]

Yeah...the one thing that still makes me nervous about my plasma is the burn in threat. It's become far less of a problem than in the past, but its still an issue. If you're prone to falling asleep with a dvd on...you need to utilize your sleep option. If you let those bad boys sit on the same screen for 8 hours or so, you're likely in trouble.

I almost beat my old roomate's *** when he got drunk and passed out in front of the tv with it on a dvd menu. You could see the slight beginnings of a burn in, but it went away in a few hours.


pioneer elite ran a test and left static images on the screen for like 7 days. They simply ran the white out or left the tv on an hd source for awhile and it was fine.

burn in really is not an issue anymore.

[tomson75]

pioneer elite ran a test and left static images on the screen for like 7 days. They simply ran the white out or left the tv on an hd source for awhile and it was fine.

burn in really is not an issue anymore.

That's good news, I knew they had been addressing that. My model is almost two years old now though....so either way, I'm not going to be running any "tests" on my plasma. :D

[Bob Sacamano]

That's good news, I knew they had been addressing that. My model is almost two years old now though....so either way, I'm not going to be running any "tests" on my plasma. :D

can I?

[tomson75]

can I?

Only if its a freeze frame of your mother in her birthday suit!

[Bob Sacamano]

Only if its a freeze frame of your mother in her birthday suit!

I meant tests of durability

such as Chuck Norrising the screen

dropping it on your head

those kind of tests

[ChldsPlay]

You can hook a PC to a DLP just fine as well. But if you're limited to LCD/Plasma that's a different story.

They all have strengths and weaknesses.

[ROMOSAPIEN9]

Thanks all for the help.

We got a 55". VIZIO. Exeryone who knows about them was telling us to make sure if we got LCD that is has 120Hz. It cost us $400 extra...as in,the same TV w/o 120Hz was exactly $400 less than this one. I'm hoping we don't have any problems becasue as much as we spent, ($2200) it better be perfect! We bought a 3 year head to toe warranty so if it screws up they'll either fix it or give a new one.

[trickblue]

Thanks all for the help.

We got a 55". VIZIO. Exeryone who knows about them was telling us to make sure if we got LCD that is has 120Hz. It cost us $400 extra...as in,the same TV w/o 120Hz was exactly $400 less than this one. I'm hoping we don't have any problems becasue as much as we spent, ($2200) it better be perfect! We bought a 3 year head to toe warranty so if it screws up they'll either fix it or give a new one.

Good luck... I hope it works out well for you!

[ROMOSAPIEN9]

Good luck... I hope it works out well for you!


Yeah....me too or else. :shoot6: