What TV to Buy?

[126coupe]

I dont have a clue, Plasma, HD, projection.
What Brand? What brand not to buy?

Costco? Best Buy? Circut City? Frys?

[RickM]

Brain dump....

Personally I wouldn't buy anything in the "standard" square format or standard/SDTV or enhanced/EDTV. Stick with HD(TV) as a minimum (and accepted) standard.

IMO, Plasma is still the leader in total pic quality. LCD has come a long way with fewer dropped pixels, better contrast and wider viewing angles. Some argue longevity is better with LCDs. I wouldn't hesitate buying a quality LCD....especially the Sony Bravia models.


Regarding scanning techniques you have to decide between Interlaced and Progressive. The later will provide a higher quality, smoother, flicker free picture. Available resolutions are currently 480, 720 and 1080. Stations broadcast in 480p, 720p and 1080i....all dependent on the station.

1080p sets are coming out now but it may take some time for stations to broadcast....so you're buying for the future if springing for this capability. (HD DVDs are stamped in it but equipment is lagging behind)

Also keep in mind that a TV/monitor display will have a native resolution. In order to display higher resolutions the unit must upconvert. This will almost always compromise pic quality. So, if comparing sets keep this in mind. Higher native resolution is an important feature to consider.

Considering the above a native 720p set will likely look better than a 1080i with a 480p or 720p broadcast.



You must also think of what you'll use the TV for and what budget to work with.

- Do you want an all-in-one TV or a monitor where you provide the tuner (satellite or cable box)?

- Dont want a cable box? Some TVs come with a slot (or two) for cable cards...not unlike a PC expansion card...less wires. The limitation is if you make use of a DVR. You'll still need an external box.

- Want to hook a computer up to the unit? Look for DVI or other PC specific connectors.

- Want HDMI? This is a new cable/connector standard for combining digital audio and video signals into one cable. This standard supports E/S/HDTV. Used for audio/video accessories....more than one is desirable.


BTW, I was at Costco and saw a Toshiba 50" Plasma with a killer picture...$2999. A great price if the features are there. Keep in mind that manufacturers are making models specifically for big box stores. For instance Pioneer makes a 41" (? yes an off size) specifically for Costco. When you look at the features you'll see many of the features stripped for the set. Same goes for the 42" Sanyo made for Walmart (but at $1500 not a bad deal http://www.sanyo.com/entertainment/televisions/plasma/index.cfm?productID=1245 ).

Lastly, I would seriously consider an extended warranty from a reputable company.

[motion]

Really depends on what you want to do with it, where it will be viewed (lighting), what sources you'll be feeding it, etc. Tell us a bit more.

I just picked up a 42" LCD from Costco... a Vizio. Very happy with it and cheap, too!

[Rot 911]

LCD better in rooms with lots of natural lighting. Plasma tends to was out.

[Overpaid Slacker]

Huge question; and I'm afraid I'm not going to make it much easier. First off, if you ask 10 people, you're going to get 11 opinions.... just be warned.

I'd say the DLP are the best bang-for-buck. I dislike plasmas b/c their black levels just aren't good (last time I looked anyway, about 1 year ago) and there is almost always "crawl" in expanses of similar color. LCD have a similar black level issue and, though they may be better now, had a lot of ghosting due to long latency times.

OK, if you NEED to hang your TV from a wall (ooOOOoooohhhh) get a plasma. They don't suck, but you'll pay quite a bit for a good one; that has a cell halflife. The DLP can get you more vivid/bright colors, with great black level (new Toshibas are not only 1080p native, but have great blacks) and you replace a bulb every few years, rather than having your TV decay into washout.

BUT, if you're going to spend a fistload of cash ($4000+, I have big hands) then you've really got to consider a GOOD projector. InFocus makes some great machines (actually, I think Toshiba makes InFocus). Then, your image is scalable up to 10, 12, 15 feet, and if you're so inclined, you can move the projector from room to room as necessary.

You can either "paint" a wall or get a screen (recommended). And the screens aren't cheap, but they actually do wonders for an image.

There's a thousand ways to go here, so give some thought first to where/how the TV is to be used (in a cellar or home theater, where extraneous light is a non-factor, or in a room consisting largely of windows, eg) how large you can use, and what uses it will be put to (doubling as a computer monitor, video games, etc. -- which go to the hook ups Mark referred to. 2 HDMI are essential, IMHO).

Personally, I would look for the fewest trendy "features" and no speakers. I've spent thousands and thousands on sound processing, speakers and cables ... why do I want to pay even $100 more to have speakers in my TV that I'm going to shut off?

You, OTOH might want speakers.

This isn't going to be easy, but it may be fun.

JP

[Harlan Chinn]

Get something that uses HDMI cables. HDMI cables carry both audio and video signals, far superior to component video, RCA audio connections. Do not over pay for HDMI cables, there is a firm in Auburn, Washington that sells HDMI cables for what they should be sold for.

Be sure that your Video monitor is connected to some type of audio/visual sound processor or at a minimum, a stereo reciever. The sound played through your stereo speakers will greatly enhance your viewing experience, even if you are viewing a 20" screen.

Wait until this fall to buy a high end TV - Slim DLP comes out. The cabinet will be ~8" deep on a 60" set. Look at Samsung 1080p DLP's - they will kick ass.