• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

$1k or less hdtvs really a good deal or total crapshoot?

thestrangebrew1

thestrangebrew1

Diamond Member
Not really looking to take the plunge on a new tv yet, but just browsing around, I'm seeing 50"+ tvs for sale below $1k and I was wondering, are these really good deals on great tvs, or are they sub par tvs? Take this example, on sale at TG:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...o=3415169&Sku=

Looks like an awesome tv, heard decent things about vizio, my son has a 3 yr old 32" vizio that I've never had problems with, but I can't find legit reviews on the product. Most reviews come from users, which IMO can be good or bad.

Prob. within the next 6 mos I'll be upgrading my 46" Toshiba Regza tv to something larger, 55-60" but I know I won't have a huge budget (hence looking at the $1k sales lol). I know you get what you pay for, but what do you guys think as far as these sub $1k models go?
 
Vizio is a pretty good Tier 2 manufacturer. They generally manufacture good quality units and the screens that they put inside aren't bad either. That being said there are even better sets available for still under $1k, I'm not sure how much the Vizio you're looking at runs (for some odd reason your link brought up a search page) but there are other option such as this one:

Panasonic Viera TC-L55E50 IPS LED $850 (http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-VIER...rds=55+inch+tv)
 
46-55" is really the sweet spot for TVs right now. There's some really good ones between 700-1000 bucks. If you're able to go a few hundred more you can get some really excellent 60-63 inch plasma TVs. After that it quickly becomes the law of diminishing returns.
 
BTW a few good brands:

Vizio
Samsung
Sharp
LG
Panasonic
Toshiba

Other brands you have to really do your research from model to model or else I just have political contempt for the company(s).
 
I remember reading that there was a glut of tvs the holiday season that just ended and prices might be aggressively discounted.

Lead up to Superbowl might also produce some really good prices.
 
You can find some good deals on really nice sets. I bought a midrange 55" Panny plasma last year for $800.
 
Ok cool. Thanks for the input. I fig'd I would most likely stick with either Samsung, LG or Panasonic, I never see Sony on sale and I think they're overpriced anyways. If something comes up before SuperBowl I may just pull the trigger.
 
nsafreak said:
Vizio is a pretty good Tier 2 manufacturer. They generally manufacture good quality units and the screens that they put inside aren't bad either. That being said there are even better sets available for still under $1k, I'm not sure how much the Vizio you're looking at runs (for some odd reason your link brought up a search page) but there are other option such as this one:

Panasonic Viera TC-L55E50 IPS LED $850 (http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-VIER...rds=55+inch+tv)
Click to expand...

I actually have my eyes on Panasonic Viera. It has smart apps as well, so can do streaming without hooking up ps3 or Xbox.
 
Argo said:
I actually have my eyes on Panasonic Viera. It has smart apps as well, so can do streaming without hooking up ps3 or Xbox.
Click to expand...

Don't make your choice based on apps. They are rarely kept up to date on televisions, and can be discontinued at the drop of a hat.

For 50-100 more you can get an external streamer that does all that and more and you have much more control over it.
 
ImpulsE69 said:
Don't make your choice based on apps. They are rarely kept up to date on televisions, and can be discontinued at the drop of a hat.

For 50-100 more you can get an external streamer that does all that and more and you have much more control over it.
Click to expand...

And the apps are typical horrid. The Netflix app on my Panny plasma is a joke. Both the Apple TV and PS3 are light years ahead of it.
 
boomhower said:
And the apps are typical horrid. The Netflix app on my Panny plasma is a joke. Both the Apple TV and PS3 are light years ahead of it.
Click to expand...

It's tough for me, since my tv is going to hang over the fireplace (not a lot of other good options) and there just isn't much space for a dedicated streaming device.
 
big screen store has the new mitsubishi 73 inch 3d smart wifi connected dlp tv for 1k. downside is if you only like flat screens it isnt a flat screen
 
Cpus said:
big screen store has the new mitsubishi 73 inch 3d smart wifi connected dlp tv for 1k. downside is if you only like flat screens it isnt a flat screen
Click to expand...

It's a flat screen, it's just not a thin profile. I don't know of any currently manufactured HD TVs that aren't.
 
If you have controlled lighting (ie the room doesn't have huge uncovered windows) and are only going to watch 49'er games in the weekend (not ESPN sport center/NFL channel ALL DAY LONG), you should seriously consider Panasonic plasmas. A 55" is readily available for <$1000 and you will not find a LED/LCD that can come close to PQ. I've returned a 47' LED/LCD LM4700 LG and 2 46' Samsungs ES6100/EH6000 due to their crappy black levels, uneven backlighting, ugly color rendition, crappy motion blur reduction, poor viewing angles etc... Yes, there's still a risk of IR/burn-in and slightly higher power (my 50" Panny UT50 pulls an avg of 125 watts when watching regular content - not all white screens vs 55 watts on the last Samsung set) but the black levels, color, and motion smoothness when gaming and watching sports won me over. The glare is worse BTW, but LCD glare has gotten much worse in the last few years as manufacturers have stupidly made their LCD/LED backlit screens more glossy.
 
I've got terrible reflection from a window that is directly across the tv by about 20' that emits light about 70% of the day. The window's covered with blinds and a curtain and if I want to watch a movie during the day, I have to rig a comforter to cover the window. The way our great room is set up, the tv is located in just about the only spot we can put it. I think shopping for a tv is one of the hardest things to shop for lol.
 
If you can swing it, I'd go for a Panasonic 55ST50. Can be had for $1200ish now. When I bought mine, it was going for $1400 on Amazon (though I got it locally for $1150). In 6 months it'll probably be under $1k.
 
Imported said:
If you can swing it, I'd go for a Panasonic 55ST50. Can be had for $1200ish now. When I bought mine, it was going for $1400 on Amazon (though I got it locally for $1150). In 6 months it'll probably be under $1k.
Click to expand...

I bought this set about 3 months ago, its awesome. The black levels and PQ are both excellent.
 
Imported said:
If you can swing it, I'd go for a Panasonic 55ST50. Can be had for $1200ish now. When I bought mine, it was going for $1400 on Amazon (though I got it locally for $1150). In 6 months it'll probably be under $1k.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip, I'll keep an eye on this model.
 
Imported said:
If you can swing it, I'd go for a Panasonic 55ST50. Can be had for $1200ish now. When I bought mine, it was going for $1400 on Amazon (though I got it locally for $1150). In 6 months it'll probably be under $1k.
Click to expand...

IF, there's enough stock left to get it down to that price. If you follow the previous history of Panny plasmas, when they're EOL (ST50 series has officially been replaced with ST60 and is no longer made) you'll initially see a price drop as multiple sellers are dumping last years stock. As the supply dwindles the price will begin to creep up instead and finally you'll be forced to buy the ST60 instead at a higher price as it's the 'new model'.
 
Argo said:
Pretty cool! I also saw that the Roku player isn't that big - so perhaps it'll fit. As it is right now, I'm seeing that Panasonic Viera is good option even when comparing to TVs without apps. So I might get it now, and get a streaming device at a later time.
Click to expand...

Don't get a roku those things are terrible, the interface sucks big time. I got one for my daughter and even she a 7 yr old complains about it
 
Imported said:
If you can swing it, I'd go for a Panasonic 55ST50. Can be had for $1200ish now. When I bought mine, it was going for $1400 on Amazon (though I got it locally for $1150). In 6 months it'll probably be under $1k.
Click to expand...

:wub:I got this set for 1049 a few months back. Its made me enjoy watching TV more than I could have ever imagined

Their ut series are cheaper and almost a good
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top