Help with new TV choice

[Drdogface]

I've had a Panasonic 50" HDTV for about 7 years...more or less. It's the kind with a $200 replaceable bulb and I just did that. It's now out again but it's not the bulb but the ballast I'm told. That's a $450 repair so I'm gonna get a newer/better one and need input.

I want, I think, either an lcd or led but don't really know the diff to tell the truth. Plasmas are cheaper but most say they don't last as long usually. ?? I do have a friend with a plasma that's ten years old and just fine, so I dunno the real truth. They do seem to be cheaper.

So my question is what brands are best to look at in the 47-50 inch range? And, where are prices best. Rather not pay tax and shipping so Amazon sounds good in that respect. We use it mostly on the dish and have a wifi DVD player to watch Netflix. Usually only watch about 3 hr at night if that matters. Good sound is impt. but I could attach external speakers if need be.

Thanks for all the advice I know you guys can and will give me

[Brian in VA]

I really like my LG. Reasonable price, good picture, pretty good sound too.

Brian

[grendiers]

We have a couple of Panasonic 42 and 46 inch plasma 1080P TV's. Very happy with both, work real well with HD channels, not so much with earlier stuff. Black and white old movies look nice, seems that 70s and 80s TV shows not so much. But, we don't watch those, lived thru both and MASH reruns and Cheers reruns are/or should be dead anyway! We'd buy them again, and again. Got them both from Sam's club, cheap.

[rfuerst911sc]

We have a 42 inch Panasonic plasma and love it. Great picture quality. However if the room you are installing the TV in has a good amount of windows/natural light the plasma is not the way to go. Plasma uses a glass screen and will refllect natural light. In that setting LCD/LED is probably better. We have ours in a corner and the room only has one window so light not an issue. Panasonic , Toshiba , LG , Sharp and a few others are all good.

[nota]

LED is the back lite and unlike the bulb you just paid for
you will not need to replace them

older LCD use bulbs for back light

the other good thing about LED is they can be turned off for deeper blacks in areas
unlike the back lite that is always the same level

the other thing is the Hz 60 is low slow 120 is better 240 best
esp for fast motion like hockey or baseball

plasma has a burn in problem esp in video games
but some channel logos can be a problem to for some

[azasadny]

Remember to consider the room characteristics (size, layout, ambient light, distance sitting from the TV) when making your decision. You probably already know this, but AVOID the BestBuy store brand (Insignia), whatever you do!

When we finished adding our family room onto our house, I measured the distance from the couches, chairs, etc... to the TV screen, then determined the size cabinet we needed and we got the Dell (re-badged Philips) 32" LCD TV about 6 years ago and we've been very happy with it. Dell doesn't sell re-badged TV's anymore and I don't know which brand I would choose today, but probably Philips...

[azasadny]

No more TVs from Philips...

Philips CEO switches off TV in search for profit | Reuters

[Drdogface]

Thanks Art. I don't much care for Phillips brand either. I'm still looking. I guess if I'm looking for one in the 50" range (given our room size) I need one with 1080p. Cheaper ones are only 720p. I'm not too sure what that means but has something to do with resolution/pixels or some such. There is a large difference in price. I started looking at Plasmas cuz they are less expensive but have decent ratings and I have seen them in action...just fine for me.

Edit: Ah....I see now....1080 is/means HD. Yep...want that.

[Scott Watkins]

Sony XBR

XBR-52HX909 | 52" BRAVIA XBR HX909 Series 3D HDTV | Sony | Sony Style USA

[Drdogface]

Scott: thanks...looks nice but way outta my budget. Thanks for taking the trouble to reply, however

I'm trying to stay in the $1200 and below range. Likely I'll have to consider a smaller set, or so it seems.

[porsche4life]

Look at the Vizios... People say they have the highest return rates, but they also sell the most... So take that for what it is

My folks have two, the oldest being about 4yrs old now. They are both excellent, and they wouldn't hesitate to buy another. I would get one for my apartment, but the TV I have here hasn't been turned on in MONTHS.

[Drdogface]

I have seen Vizio at Sam's and had thought they were rated will but guess not. Thanks for that bit of info...

There is no hurry to do this so I have time to research and, as usual, Pelican is the best resource...

[porsche4life]

I wouldn't let that stop me from buying one. Like I said, if you sell the most, statistics say, you will have the most returns. They are good TVs, check one out.