Tell me about new and refurb'ed LCD and Plasma TV's.
 

I'm looking to get a better and lighter tv, so I don't have to move the monster projection tv across the country. I want at least 50". I am seeing lots of refurbs with 90-100 day warranties for really low prices and plenty of new ones for not too bad prices. What's the difference between LCD and Plasma other than a few degrees of viewing angle picture quality? Are factory refurbs any good? How do you like Vizio?

Go with a 1080p LCD. Most all plasmas are 768 native, and have larger masking (dead-space between pixels).

NEVER buy factory refurb...

Tiger Direct & DLP

Ah, DLP. There's a good call. It is a projection set, but will weigh far less than a 50" LCD.

I looked. To get a petter pic than my $1700 61" DLP costs $8500. Only Pioneer elite or Hitatchi Director's edition looked better to me.

Not true. In most instances a factory refurb has been gone through after repair to make sure it works unlike the factory new product that probably has never even been turned on to see if it works. I have bought several factory refurb products and they are all still working.

TVs
 

I have a couple myself so I have a few opinions.
In terms of 1080p, the picture quality is amazing, but I do not beleive there are that many avenues the output a 1080p signal yet, unless you are viewing an HDDVD or bluray, so i do not see it worth the money yet. Especially because the prices continue to drop.

In tems of Plasma or LCD, it matters how much natural light is in the room. THe more light in the room, the more likely you will want to lean towards plasma.
I have a 98" Sharpvision DLP front projector in my Media room and a 42" HP LCD in my family room.
Each has its own purpose. The LCD has a much brighter pic than the Proj, but the media room is much darker than the family room.
Personally, I really like DLP.

Have not not heard too much about Vizio yet, but Samsung makes some really nice sets.

Good Luck and have fun shopping, it is almost as fun as buying a new car... especially now that it is football season again.

Cheers, J.

I purchased the 50" Pioneer (1080I native) and couldn't be happier. Paid approx $2600 a while ago at a place that is very competitive.

IMO, it's one of the best pictures out there. The one caveat (and mentioned by others) is that in a bright room you will see reflections on the glass panel. This is not the case with LCD sets.


Personally I wouldn't go the refurb route unless they offer an all inclusive, extended warranty from a reputable (insurance) company.

Add: here's a link to a review of the Pioneer.... http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-and-plasma/pioneer-pdp-5080hd/4505-6482_7-32476901.html?tag=lst

Shown as low as $2200 and change.

This is where I go for all my AV info.SmileWavy

http://www.avsforum.com/

Well, that's not technically correct. I also go here.

http://forums.klipsch.com/forums/default.aspx

Buy a refurb vacuum. Buy a refurb power drill. They are throwaways.

You make the big bucks. Spending four figures on something someone else found unsatisfactory is not a wise choice. But, do what makes you happy.

I don't know that refurbs are necessarily something someone found unsatisfactory. I just called Escort yesterday about a repair order on one of my radar detctors, and while on hold there was a recording about trading in a used model for a newer one. If you have a perfectly functioning radar detector, but need some features in the latest model and you send your old one in for exchange and the factory goes over it and gives it a new warranty, I don't see how that's unsatisfactory.

just got a panasonic 1080 plasma and it's stunning. amazing picture and i paid for it less than i did for my lcd 4yrs ago. technology advancements are a wonderful thing.

same as w/ other gadgets, i wouldn't buy a 1st generation type of product. used to have problems w/ the lcd. covered by warranty but a guy had to show up twice to replace parts.

no idea ab them but i wouldn't buy a refurb.

I love that aspect of my LCD... I can sit on my back deck on a nice fall afternoon and casually watch the games, etc. from outside... no reflection at all! I didn't even consider that aspect when purchasing, but I like it...

Rick, a friend of mine has a Vizio and the picture is outstanding.

I have to make a slight correction to my info: I have the HD-5070 (Editors Choice award). While it is nearly identical to the set I linked to (HD-5080) it is the older model. The new model now touts an anti-reflective screen coating that is said to be very good....but not as good as LCD.

BTW, In the past Visio has been rated highly amongst sets in it's price range. However, if you shop around you can decrease the cost difference with higher end units.

I have a Vizio 37 refurb in the bar at the restaraunt, and it gets constant compliments and questions.

I was just as Best/Worst Buy. Prices didn't look that great, but I did seem to notice that the Pioneer and Sony plasmas had the best pictures and certainly showed black better than the others. Is 1080p overkill? I'm starting to think I might be able to live with a 46". DLP is just too big for me. I don't want to get rid of one perfectly working projection tv to get another one that a tad smaller and a lot more expensive.

Costco has a very clean designed 47" 1080p Visio for ~1400... Last I checked.