42" LCD: Sharp Aquos vs Westinghouse vs Samsung?

[ark42]

So I'm considering getting a cheap 42" LCD to replace my 27" CRT, and considering these two models.
The Westinghouse LVM-42W2 isn't available in stores as far as I can see, so I have to order from Amazon, which is a big minus. It is only around $1300 though compared to the $2000 the Sharp Aquos LC42D62U costs at Best Buy/Circuit City/ABC Warehouse. I'm sure with shipping and those 12% of coupons Best Buy sends me all the time, the price is more like $1400 compared to $1760 though.
Both TVs are 1080p 42" and have 2 component inputs as well as an S-vid. The Westinghouse has 2 DVI, 1 VGA and 1 HDMI compared to just 2 HDMI on the Sharp. I'm not sure I care about VGA or HDMI, but DVI might be a slight plus, but I think a cheap cable makes HDMI pin compatible to DVI anyway, so it doesn't really matter.
The Sharp has a built-in Tuner, which again I don't think matters a whole lot. I have Dish and need either composite or channel 73, and if I had cable, I'd have a cable box from that all the same. I'm not sure how much a tuner really adds to the cost of the TV, but that might be a big part of the difference.

What I *really* want to know though, is if either of these TVs has a much better LCD panel and much better picture quality, or if both of them are pretty poor even?

*edit* - I really like this Samsung LNS4095D too.

 

[GimpyFuzznut]

If you want the Westinghouse, order from Crutchfield.com. They are apparently the best place to order a TV from. That said, I'm pretty sure if you have the extra money to spend, the Sharp is a better TV with better picture quality. The question is, is the extra money worth it for minor differences?

 

[ark42]

Well the Westinghouse is $1500 with free shipping at Crutchfield. An extra $200-$300 might be worth getting an item like this from a physical store, just in case something goes wrong, and I need to exchange or return it. Plus, unlike everything else I ever buy, I'll probably buy the sucker insurance for a TV this expensive.

 

[Zap]

How about using a credit card that gives extra insurance? My Platinum MasterCard does just that, giving a whole extra year on my Westy 42" (I called them to double check).

ark42, at the price of the Aquos, you can get a 47" Westy.

 

[ark42]

I really don't want to have to deal with shipping. I've been looking in BB/CC/ABC a lot today, and now I added a Samsung LNS4095D 40" to the mix of what I'm looking at. I think I'm going to eliminate the Westinghouse since I can't find it in stores. I almost bought the Samsung today, since the picture quality and contract really looks a lot better than the Sharp, but neither BB nor CC had the LNS4095D in stock right now, and I didn't feel like waiting several weeks to receive it. The Samsung has VGA input which is sorta nice, but I heard that it has overscan issues which cuts off your start bar even with HDMI, and it has no 1-to-1 pixel mapping option. I'm really stuck now on what to get, but I'm sure I don't want to mail order a TV now.

 

[ark42]

I bought the Samsung LNS4696D 46" LCD instead - $2583

 

[cliftonite]

The Westinghouse and the Sharp 42" LCD have the same panels.

 

[runninkyle17]

I have the Westinghouse 42" LCD and all I can say is that it is amazing!!! I have played many Xbox 360 games on it and it is perfect for games. The HD picture quality is just as good if not better than any Sony or Samsung LCD. I know because I used to own a Sony Bravia that was given to me by my dad.

I am sure the Samsung is a good panel, but you really can't go wrong with the Westy.