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| Author | Message |
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Bears
(frozen)
| #1 posted June 16, 2009 at 11:58pm (EST)
edited June 30, 2009 at 9:02pm (EST) |
So my 15 year old TV finally broke and I need to buy a new one. I have about 1500 dollars saved up, and I need some help deciding which TV to buy.
As of now, I've only seen 2 TVs that I liked for their price; the 50 inch 720p Panasonic and the 52 inch 1080p Sharp. Those aren't my only choices, they're just TVs that seem to be good value based on their features. Any other suggestions? Which one is better?
Oh, and I have a PS3 that I'm hoping to also use as a Blu Ray player
------------------------------------------
So I ended up buying This for 1065 from Bestbuy! Great deal IMO. Thanks for the advice everyone! |
kess
  
| | #2 posted June 17, 2009 at 12:02am (EST) |
You're like a Persian Philip Redling Jr.
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DaveSGE
| | #3 posted June 17, 2009 at 12:12am (EST) |
Whatever you buy, make sure it's a Samsung. |
Bears
(frozen)
| | #4 posted June 17, 2009 at 12:20am (EST) |
kess wrote:
> You're like a Persian Philip Redling Jr.
>
who? |
kess
| | #5 posted June 17, 2009 at 12:24am (EST) |
http://gametz.com/user/metsfan718.html |
Bears
(frozen)
| | #6 posted June 17, 2009 at 12:25am (EST) |
kess wrote:
> http://gametz.com/user/metsfan718.html
ew
how am I anything like him?
and I'm not Persian either, btw |
kess
| | #7 posted June 17, 2009 at 1:34am (EST) |
http://gametz.com/forum/General/topic/332766.html#... |
Bears
(frozen)
| | #8 posted June 17, 2009 at 8:06am (EST) |
kess wrote:
> http://gametz.com/forum/General/topic/332766.html#...
That topic is like 5 months old, and I have this money in my bank.
Either way, this isn't the point of my thread. |
John
  
 
| | #9 posted June 17, 2009 at 9:13am (EST) |
DaveSGE wrote:
> Whatever you buy, make sure it's a Samsung.
I'm with Dave. 
- John...
Be sure to check out the new WANTED FORUM! |
Bears
(frozen)
| | #10 posted June 17, 2009 at 9:27am (EST) |
What makes Samsung better? |
John
| | #11 posted June 17, 2009 at 11:13am (EST) |
Better components, better technology, better research.
Seriously, sometimes in life, brand doesn't matter (i.e. you can get a great quality HDMI cable from Monoprice for $10 or from Monster for $100 -- in that case, the brand does not matter -- the Monster branded cable is not a better cable). Other times, brand DOES matter -- because they make a better product. That is the case with HDTVs. Samsung makes a much better product, in general, than Sharp for sure and than Panasonic most likely. (In my personal opinion, Sharp/RCA makes lower-end electronics all the time -- Panasonic kinda varies with decent equipment in some things and cheap junk in others.)
So, put simply, I would never buy either of the TVs that you mentioned in the first post. Well, I'd definitely never buy the Sharp -- and I'd consider some Panasonics if there was some insane deal where it was priced 25% of normal street price. But, other than that, neither would be on my list.
Samsung makes great HDTVs at decent prices. If I have been telling people that if I were buying today and on a limited budget, I'd get a Samsung DLP with LED engine -- most likely the 61". (I currently have a 57" Hitachi from years ago that still works fine that I bought on a super sale as a scratch-and-dent special.) Unfortunately, Samsung just discontinued their DLP line at the end of 2008 -- so those are no longer available. Their plasmas have come down quite a bit -- you can get a 55" 1080p Samsung plasma from Amazon/OneCall for under $2000 shipped. Note that I don't have any personal experience with Samsung's plasma like I do with their DLPs.
If I didn't have to worry about a limited budget, I'd likely get one of the new Samsung LED models. Unfortunately, they currently only go up to 55" and cost too much. My price point for a new TV is somewhere under $2000 and at least 60". So, if I were buying today, I'd really have to give some thought to whether or not I wanted a Samsung plasma -- or to wait for the LEDs to drop.
- John...
Be sure to check out the new WANTED FORUM! |
Bubbler28
| | #12 posted June 17, 2009 at 11:33am (EST) |
sony xbr4 and xbr6 are awesome tvs that have some 40-50 inch models in your price range. |
Bears
(frozen)
| | #13 posted June 17, 2009 at 11:37am (EST) |
John, Those seem like great suggestions, and after looking, I came accross this and this
Do you think they'd be good? |
John
| | #14 posted June 17, 2009 at 1:08pm (EST) |
Bubbler28 wrote:
> sony xbr4 and xbr6 are awesome tvs that have some 40-50 inch models
> in your price range.
I meant to mention earlier that I think that there certainly ARE some other brands besides Samsung that our decent. Sony would be one of those.
- John...
Be sure to check out the new WANTED FORUM! |
John
| | #15 posted June 17, 2009 at 1:11pm (EST) |
Bears wrote:
> John, Those seem like great suggestions, and after looking, I came
> accross this
> and this
>
>
> Do you think they'd be good?
The first one is the HL61A750 -- it is one of the 61" DLPs with LED engines that I mentioned that I would buy myself if I were buying today. Basically, because it has been discontinued, there are likely some great deals to be had on it. It is actually out of stock at the lowest price place. If they actually had one for $1200 shipped, I think that would be a sweet deal on a great TV.
That second one seems decent also -- but, as I said, I don't have personal experience with the plasmas, so don't value my opinion too much on those. I just assume it is decent because it is a Samsung plasma.
- John...
Be sure to check out the new WANTED FORUM! |
Mendo
 
| | #16 posted June 17, 2009 at 3:21pm (EST) |
I would back up Samsung in a contest no question. But Sony is also pretty reliable.
I took the time to save up and buy my widescreen too. Go for quality over quantity and you wont regret it. Both Samsung and Sony carry some really nice models that are 40 inches and up for around that price range. Just go out to the depots and check out the tv's in action.
Big Widescreen HDTV + PS3 = 
|
metsfan718
 
| | #17 posted June 17, 2009 at 5:08pm (EST) |
kess wrote:
> You're like a Persian Philip Redling Jr.
>
 and yeah I got a 65 inch Sharp Aquos and I'm loving every second of it! Also Bears stick with the main brands like Sony,Sharp,Samsung etc |
metsfan718
| | #18 posted June 17, 2009 at 5:11pm (EST) |
Bears wrote:
> kess wrote:
>> http://gametz.com/forum/General/topic/332766.html#...
>
> and I have this money in my bank.
>
>
I have more money in the bank son! My TV was almost $4000 with tax and warranty. The tax kills us in NY BTW
|
metsfan718
| | #19 posted June 17, 2009 at 5:14pm (EST) |
Here is some pics of my TV. Look and DAZE!
http://img412.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=picture001rh... |
shady520
| | #20 posted June 17, 2009 at 5:30pm (EST) |
that tv is not crap metsfan.
i like the sony xbr's, haven't really spent time with a samsung but the sharp and panasonics i have seen have been sub par and about as good as a vizio. i have a toshiba rezga and i can vouch for the toshiba lcd's for being great picture quality and excellent sound from the tv. i also have a sony xbr something that is great but another brand that i haven't seen mentioned that has caught my eye would be lg.
your best bet would be try and find a slightly used hdtv on craigslist since i have seen a couple nice ass 50' samsungs and sonys go for $800-900 |
Priest_of_Gaming
 
| | #21 posted June 17, 2009 at 7:40pm (EST) |
Between the two you have pictured the Panasonic is better. Most Sharp televisions are crap and that one you linked too is most certainly crapty.
Also stay away from Vizio, Westinghouse, Emerson, and the lower end Sony tv's. They all suck.
-joseph
Ask Me If You Need Help! Click For Information. |
karaiya44
 
| #22 posted June 17, 2009 at 8:14pm (EST)
edited June 17, 2009 at 8:15pm (EST) |
I would go with Samsung or Sony if that is in your budget range. To spend the money on these is way worth it. But if you want a good "budget" HDTV go with Vizio, as far as lower end goes Vizio's pack a decent bang for your buck. A good HDMI cord makes it harder to tell the difference between them and other higher end televisions.
 |
Priest_of_Gaming
| | #23 posted June 17, 2009 at 8:22pm (EST) |
HDMI connections are "all or nothing." That means the quality of cable really doesn't matter. Vizio TV's are made very crapty. They might have decent pictures but don't last very long.
-joseph
Ask Me If You Need Help! Click For Information. |
karaiya44
| | #24 posted June 17, 2009 at 8:43pm (EST) |
Priest_of_Gaming wrote:
> HDMI connections are "all or nothing." That means the quality of
> cable really doesn't matter. Vizio TV's are made very crapty. They
> might have decent pictures but don't last very long.
>
> -joseph
>
>
I've had mine for a while and it has been excellent and based on my own experience I would recommend them as a good entry level TV for those who don't have them money for higher end models and brands. As for others who own or have owned Vizios, I can't vouch for them.
|
John
| | #25 posted June 17, 2009 at 8:56pm (EST) |
karaiya44 wrote:
> I would go with Samsung or Sony if that is in your budget range.
> To spend the money on these is way worth it. But if you want a good
> "budget" HDTV go with Vizio, as far as lower end goes Vizio's pack
> a decent bang for your buck.
While I agree that Vizio is the better of the "cheap" ones -- it is still a cheap one when it comes to quality and I can't recommend them. I tell people that if you can afford a lower-end HDTV but not the better one -- then wait and save up more money. At least in the 40"+ range of HDTVs. (Smaller than that, and I'd buy a cheap one too in many cases.)
> A good HDMI cord makes it harder to
> tell the difference between them and other higher end televisions.
I disagree. Priest_of_Gaming has it right. HDMI is a digital transfer of data. Either all the bits make it to the other end or they don't (and, if they don't, you absolutely KNOW it as the screen goes garbled). Therefore, there really isn't much in the way of what is a "good" HDMI cable and what isn't. Either they do what the spec requires or they don't. I recommend people buy their HDMI (and all other) cables from Monoprice.com -- cheap and well made stuff.
- John...
Be sure to check out the new WANTED FORUM! |
The_Grey_One
| #26 posted June 18, 2009 at 12:15am (EST)
edited June 19, 2009 at 12:43am (EST) |
With an investment like this, don't play around with the new school brands, personally I'd go with Samsung if you're on a budget, Sony if budget doesn't matter, but whatever you do make sure you buy from a well known, authentic retailer, i.e. newegg, tigerdirect, j&r, etc. for online purchase, or bestbuy, sears, etc. in-store, somewhere that has excellent customer service and you will feel secure with your warranty and service. And look for the best deals!
|
Priest_of_Gaming
| | #27 posted June 18, 2009 at 10:18am (EST) |
The higher end Sony's are great but there are better TV's out there for the money. Samsung, Hitachi, and Panasonic all seem to have GOOD quality tv's at any price range. However, I always recommend the same thing John said: If you don't think you will be satisfied SAVE UP till you will be satisfied.
Main things to look for is contrast ratio, response time, refresh rate (LCD), and connections (ports).
-joseph
Ask Me If You Need Help! Click For Information. |
Chad
| | #28 posted June 25, 2009 at 1:28pm (EST) |
i was at best buy the other day and i was looking at the tvs and now samsung (i think, maybe it was sharp or sony) has some new bullcrap "MEGA DYNAMIC CONTRAST RATIO!!!!!" and were getting some 2,000,000:1 numbers. I just shook my head. |
John
| | #29 posted June 25, 2009 at 3:35pm (EST) |
Who are you?
- John...
Be sure to check out the new WANTED FORUM! |
Chad
| | #30 posted June 25, 2009 at 4:52pm (EST) |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lnsg0jDbHk4 |
CoachMcGuirk
| | #31 posted June 26, 2009 at 12:19am (EST) |
Black Hole Brew pub is open for business! Drunken ramblings encouraged! |
Bears
(frozen)
| | #32 posted June 30, 2009 at 9:03pm (EST) |
So I ended up buying This for 1065 today from Bestbuy! Great deal IMO. Thanks for the advice everyone! |
Mendo
| | #33 posted June 30, 2009 at 9:17pm (EST) |
excellent TV |
Bears
(frozen)
| | #34 posted June 30, 2009 at 10:02pm (EST) |
Thanks 
I went to Best Buy and the Samsung TVs clearly looked the best in terms of video quality compared to most of the other ones, and I got it nearly $540 off! |
Chad
| | #35 posted July 1, 2009 at 1:51pm (EST) |
John wrote:
> If I didn't have to worry about a limited budget, I'd likely get one
> of the new Samsung LED models. Unfortunately, they currently only
> go up to 55" and cost too much. My price point for a new TV is somewhere
> under $2000 and at least 60". So, if I were buying today, I'd really
> have to give some thought to whether or not I wanted a Samsung plasma
> -- or to wait for the LEDs to drop.
>
Didn't see this before, but what is it that you like about the LEDs that could push them over the plasmas? From what I understand they still have the drawbacks of LCD (primarly burnt pixel, which I find to be an incredible PITA) with the biggest bonus being increased contrast and decreased power consumption. I haven't seen aything that compares contrast and colors vs. plasma, though.
I too am sad about the DLPs getting put out. A 72" LED driven DLP for under $2k would have been awesome. |
shady520
| | #36 posted July 1, 2009 at 2:09pm (EST) |
from everything i have heard and read its the other way around chad, plasma tv's are more acceptable to having an image burnt into them vs. lcd tv's. |
Bears
(frozen)
| | #37 posted July 1, 2009 at 2:50pm (EST) |
shady520 wrote:
> from everything i have heard and read its the other way around chad,
> plasma tv's are more acceptable to having an image burnt into them
> vs. lcd tv's.
That was more the case 10 years ago. Nowadays, its not that much of a problem unless you leave your TV stuck on one image for a very extended period of time |
Chad
| | #38 posted July 1, 2009 at 2:57pm (EST) |
lcds dont have burn in, they have dead/stuck pixels which i find very distracting. burn in is basically a non-issue anymore, though if you actually try to have it happen, you still can during the break in period, but it pretty much requires specific effort to do so anymore. |
John
| | #39 posted July 2, 2009 at 9:53am (EST) |
Chad wrote:
> Didn't see this before, but what is it that you like about the LEDs
> that could push them over the plasmas?
Well, as I said above, I've never been a plasma expert -- they may be fine. But, also, I said that I'd want at least a 60". My understanding was that, currently, if I want something in that size, the plasma is still going to be well above the price of the new LEDs (or especially a discontinued DLP w/ LED engine).
So, I guess I was thinking that the 60"+ plasmas were still too pricey for me. Maybe I'm mistaken though and have assumed that incorrectly? What prices are we talking on a 60" plasma?
- John...
Be sure to check out the new WANTED FORUM! |
Grenadier
| | #40 posted July 2, 2009 at 10:25am (EST) |
I finally got my first HDTV this week too. Ended up with this. Got a bit of a break on it from a local shop. They used a dozen of them for a week at the Rochester LPGA event, and then boxed them back up and sold them off at a discount.
Click here to join Goozex! |
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