School a newb . . . HD Televisions

[HoleInTheRoof]

I've gone this long without getting a HD television, but I think I'm gonna finally get one. I just never saw the need, previously.

Yet, there I was at Target the other day while the wife was shopping, staring at some of the TV's. I was blown away . . . and when I came home, I couldn't quite look at my old faithful 36" box the same.

That said . . . I'm cutting my dependency on credit cards, and I have a hard time bringing 1k + cash to the store for a TV.

Is it possible to get a good sized, quality HD television for around 500-900?

And if so, what should I look for in both brands and specs?

 

[ethiostar]

I've gone this long without getting a HD television, but I think I'm gonna finally get one. I just never saw the need, previously.

Yet, there I was at Target the other day while the wife was shopping, staring at some of the TV's. I was blown away . . . and when I came home, I couldn't quite look at my old faithful 36" box the same.

That said . . . I'm cutting my dependency on credit cards, and I have a hard time bringing 1k + cash to the store for a TV.

Is it possible to get a good sized, quality HD television for around 500-900?

And if so, what should I look for in both brands and specs?

I'm not sure how big of a tv you're looking for but i bought the one below a couple of months ago and i'm very happy with it. It's a 32", which was the size we wanted and was about $600.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sony-KDL32EX500/13812461

 

[YosemiteSam]

Between price and what you get, Samsung is king.

It's all I buy anymore. There are some other good TVs, but they cost more.

Don't let anyone fool you into buying a Vizio! :laugh2:

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

I think 32" would be minimum size. I don't need anything huge, because honestly, television watching doesn't take up that much of my time.

Also, how do the measurements work? On a 32", I'm guessing that's the length . . . how many inches is the screen, height wise?

And I've heard mixed reviews about Vizios. But when it comes to electronics, I tend to lean towards established brands like Sony, HP, Samsung, etc.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I'm not sure how big of a tv you're looking for but i bought the one below a couple of months ago and i'm very happy with it. It's a 32", which was the size we wanted and was about $600.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sony-KDL32EX500/13812461

Thats a nice TV for $630; especially for 1080p at 120hz.

If you bump up your price to $809, you can get a 40" Samsung at 1080p and 120hz at Best Buy. Eight more inches of TV is very substantial. Especially for $180 and still getting 1080p and 120hz.

 

[ethiostar]

I think 32" would be minimum size. I don't need anything huge, because honestly, television watching doesn't take up that much of my time.

Also, how do the measurements work? On a 32", I'm guessing that's the length . . . how many inches is the screen, height wise?

And I've heard mixed reviews about Vizios. But when it comes to electronics, I tend to lean towards established brands like Sony, HP, Samsung, etc.

The TV screen is measured diagonally, if i'm not mistaken.

As for other dimensions, here are the specs for the one i posted earlier

Product in Inches (L x W x H): 9.88 x 31.5 x 21.13

 

[YosemiteSam]

I think 32" would be minimum size. I don't need anything huge, because honestly, television watching doesn't take up that much of my time.

Also, how do the measurements work? On a 32", I'm guessing that's the length . . . how many inches is the screen, height wise?

And I've heard mixed reviews about Vizios. But when it comes to electronics, I tend to lean towards established brands like Sony, HP, Samsung, etc.

The size of the screen is measured diagonally.

btw, once you get an idea, go to the store and visually examine the picture of that specific model. Some are brighter, some are more dim, some are just more crisp in detail.

Remember, there are cheaper TVs out there that may even look pretty good. That is when the quality of the electronics come into play. When you see a big LCD TV that has a pretty good picture, but cost around $400. Electronics quality is going to be your biggest issue. You want your TV to last longer than 366 days. (1 day longer than the warranty)

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

The TV screen is measured diagonally, if i'm not mistaken.

As for other dimensions, here are the specs for the one i posted earlier

Product in Inches (L x W x H): 9.88 x 31.5 x 21.13

You're right. I remember reading that somewhere. Thanks.


Question . . . when you go into Best Buy or any of these other places, can you negotiate? If the price was, say 800, could you tell them you'd give them 750?

Also, are the stands and all the cables typically included?

 

[ethiostar]

Thats a nice TV for $630; especially for 1080p at 120hz.

If you bump up your price to $809, you can get a 40" Samsung at 1080p and 120hz at Best Buy. Eight more inches of TV is very substantial. Especially for $180 and still getting 1080p and 120hz.

I actually found it elsewhere online for $580 and free shopping. For what we wanted, 32 inches was plenty. Anything more would have been overkill for the viewing distance in our living room. The idea is to use this in the living room until we by a house, after that the 32" will be move into the bedroom and we plan on getting a TV projector for the living room.

 

[YosemiteSam]

You're right. I remember reading that somewhere. Thanks.


Question . . . when you go into Best Buy or any of these other places, can you negotiate? If the price was, say 800, could you tell them you'd give them 750?

Also, are the stands and all the cables typically included?

Best Buy doesn't negotiate, although sometimes they have "Open Box" items that are cheaper. Those they might even drop $10-$30 off if you ask. Best Buy usually takes 15% of open box items.

As for cables, it usually only comes with the cables you need to get it started. Sometimes they will come with HD component cables, but not all of them. The box will usually tell you what it includes.

 

[ethiostar]

Best Buy doesn't negotiate, although sometimes they have "Open Box" items that are cheaper. Those they might even drop $10-$30 off if you ask. Best Buy usually takes 15% of open box items.

As for cables, it usually only comes with the cables you need to get it started. Sometimes they will come with HD component cables, but not all of them. The box will usually tell you what it includes.

If it doesn't come with all the cables you need to connect all your components, do yourself a favor and do a key word search in this zone for a thread or two on HDMI cables and read them. A lot of very useful information there.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I actually found it elsewhere online for $580 and free shopping. For what we wanted, 32 inches was plenty. Anything more would have been overkill for the viewing distance in our living room. The idea is to use this in the living room until we by a house, after that the 32" will be move into the bedroom and we plan on getting a TV projector for the living room.

We have a 46" Samsung DLP in our family room and a 32" Samsung LCD in the living room. (living room is smaller) Both are prefect sizes for the room. The 46" works in the larger room, but the larger room is 25' deep and the pit group sits towards the back of the room.

I agree, a 32" is plenty of TV in most cases. Those 50"+ TVs are ridiculous! :laugh2:

 

[YosemiteSam]

If the it doesn't come with all the cables you need to connect all your components, do yourself a favor and do a key word search in this zone for a thread or two on HDMI cables and read them. A lot of very useful information there.

:stupid:

 

[ethiostar]

:stupid:

why are you calling me stupid man!!! I thought we were cool.






































:

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

I appreciate the help guys. A lot of good information.

I'll update this thread when I finally get one.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

I guess it all depends on what you are looking for, but I went with a Samsung LED and Blue Ray player because of the way they can link up. I have my blu-ray in a closed cabinet, but can operate it from pointing the remote at my TV.

The newer models are also internet capable and I can stream Net-flix, Blockbuster, Pandora and other apps (yahoo and youtube come to mind), along with purchasing/downloading movies from Amazon. The TV also links to my computer wirelessly, so I can pull videos and pics from there without a direct connection.

The Sonys were also pretty good, but they weren't as easy to wifi as the Samsungs and that is kind of what sold me.

 

[YosemiteSam]

why are you calling me stupid man!!! I thought we were cool.

Well, they don't have one that says, "I'm with Brainiac!" :laugh2:

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

I guess it all depends on what you are looking for, but I went with a Samsung LED and Blue Ray player because of the way they can link up. I have my blu-ray in a closed cabinet, but can operate it from pointing the remote at my TV.

The newer models are also internet capable and I can stream Net-flix, Blockbuster, Pandora and other apps (yahoo and youtube come to mind), along with purchasing/downloading movies from Amazon. The TV also links to my computer wirelessly, so I can pull videos and pics from there without a direct connection.

The Sonys were also pretty good, but they weren't as easy to wifi as the Samsungs and that is kind of what sold me.

I'm getting old. All that talk confuses me. I just want to hook directv up to my television and be able to turn it on, off, and change channels.

I don't think I'll ever stream internet off my television. At least not any time soon.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

I'm getting old. All that talk confuses me. I just want to hook directv up to my television and be able to turn it on, off, and change channels.

I don't think I'll ever stream internet off my television. At least not any time soon.

Good info to know. Do you want or care about Blu-Ray? Do you use Net-Flix at all? If you are just wanting DTV and to hook up a DVD player, then you don't need the high end products that are out there. That is a big dollar saver and it would allow for more educated suggestions.

Give us a run-down of what you plan on using it for and we can probably give you some better suggestions that fit your price-range.

EDIT: Size would help as well!

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

Good info to know. Do you want or care about Blu-Ray? Do you use Net-Flix at all? If you are just wanting DTV and to hook up a DVD player, then you don't need the high end products that are out there. That is a big dollar saver and it would allow for more educated suggestions.

Give us a run-down of what you plan on using it for and we can probably give you some better suggestions that fit your price-range.

EDIT: Size would help as well!

Doubtful I'll use Netflix or Blue Rays. I mean, I don't really rent movies anymore. I've actually sold all my DVD's and don't plan on starting my collection over again.

Pretty much it'll be for Directv and XBox 360. Those would be the only things connected to it.

Regarding size . . . probably something around 36" or bigger. Don't need a 50", but the 32" might leave me wanting for more.