Any reason I shouldn't get an Aquos?

[TallBill]

I missed out on the low CC prices on the 42" Aquos this last month but still want the set. Compusa has it for $1550 + tax which is about the upper limit of my budget.

Are there any incompatabilities with the set and my xbox 360 using HDMI? And I understand that the set doesn't support 1920x1280 from my 8800 GTX, but is there another LCD under $1600 that does? It wont be the end of the world, but it could possibly be a nice perk.

Also, I'm kind of HDTV stupid. Does a 1080p tv take and display a 720p source without any problems?

 

[Auric]

Main reason not to get it is the price. If $1000, sure, at least worth trying out at home. But not $1500. What's this 1920x1280 schtuff? How could it possibly display a higher res without panning? 720p should be fine.

 

[DBL]

For that kind of cash, I'd get the 1080p 42" Panasonic plasma. Much better overall picture.

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: DBL
For that kind of cash, I'd get the 1080p 42" Panasonic plasma. Much better overall picture.

Any good place to buy it. Also, my 1920x1280 was a typo. I've read that DVI to HDMI works great on the panasonic set.

 

[DBL]

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: DBL
For that kind of cash, I'd get the 1080p 42" Panasonic plasma. Much better overall picture.

Any good place to buy it. Also, my 1920x1280 was a typo. I've read that DVI to HDMI works great on the panasonic set.

I actually bought an Aquos from abesofmaine.com (before I bought a 50" 700u Panasonic). They have good prices but might try and sell you a warranty and upgrade your shipping automatically if you comply. I just declined and the set showed up within 2 weeks.

The Panasonic does have fewer inputs and some restrictions compared to other TV's. For instance, it does not do 1080p through component. It has only 2 HDMI inputs but those support 1080p w/o issues.

If you know anyone who can get the EPP (Employee Preferred Pricing) from Panasonic that may be the way to go. That is how I got mine.

 

[TallBill]

Found it for $1444 shipped. Gonna think about it, thanks.

http://www.beachcamera.com/sho....aspx?sku=PNTH42PZ700U

 

[s44]

Did Sharp finally fix the banding problems?

 

[DBL]

Originally posted by: s44
Did Sharp finally fix the banding problems?

The 42" 62u Sharp does not have banding issues. Not sure about the 64u though.

 

[BornStar]

The banding issues were rare on the 42" screens for the 62U generation. The 46" and 52" screens used different panels than the 42" screens which was what caused the problem.

I can't speak on any of the OP's concerns but I can say that I love my LC-42D62U. I can also state that I play 360 at 1080p over component on my TV although that's basically meaningless to you.

 

[Auric]

Originally posted by: TallBill

Also, my 1920x1280 was a typo. I've read that DVI to HDMI works great on the panasonic set.

Ah, so why would there be a question of the viddy card and TV doing normal 1920x1080?

I was keen on a Panasonic industrial plasma for awhile when they first dropped to $1000 about a year ago but the downers were the queer resolution, glossy screen, power consumption, heat and potential noise (fan), weight, fragility, &c. I haven't followed 'em since deciding to go the LCD route (despite the IQ drawbacks) but am glad to see 1920x1080 plasma's below $1500 now as the res was the main limitation for PC use.

Well, there's still the burn-in issue but less so than in ye olden days.

 

[bendixG15]

Might find something useful on the Aquos here ..........

http://www.besttelevisionindex...ufr4gI8CFRzWgAod4nrqwA

(Circuit City has it for $1300, appears that shipping is free)

 

[sciencewhiz]

If you plan to use it for the computer, make sure there is a mode with no overscan. My Aquos can do that, but a lot of cheaper TVs can't.

 

[SlickSnake]

(sort of a repost of mine from a different thread)

The difference between the 120hz and 60hz Aquos panels was not noticeable, motion wise. Both panels do 4ms natively. And I do not feel it is worth paying about $2799.99 at BB for the LC-46D82U for this limited feature.

Now, the 5 wave length 120hz Aquos LC-46D92U does 15000:1 contrast and does have a bit better of a picture with a bit more added color definition. But most retailers do not seem to stock it for comparison purposes, either. And it is $2499.99!!! at BB currently!!! And free shipping!!! That would be a HOT deal on that set, if you ever saw one. Most BBs don't have a Magnolia Home Theater store in them to compare them in.

I considered also the LC-46D64U which adds HDMI 1.3 and an extra port for PC, but the price was $2249.99 at BB and is still about $650 more than what I paid for mine, and the same 60hz speed.

And there is no banding or clouding what so ever on my LC-46D62U which is contrary to a popular problem with Aquos models. Mine was only $1671.99 price matched at Compusa, but bought at Sears, and minus 10% of the difference.

And my Sharp Aquos ROCKS for that price, especially since I got it at Sears for no payments or interest for 24 months! But I had to send a copy of the Sears.com website add from the Super Saturday sale on 9/29 to get them to honor that financing plan, the cheap skates! And with a 15% restocking fee on opened items like this TV, I refused to even open it till they honored it.

And Sharp has a 3 month extended warranty on top of the one year warranty for joining the Sharp Aquos Advantage online!

Sharp Aquos Advantage

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: DBL
For that kind of cash, I'd get the 1080p 42" Panasonic plasma. Much better overall picture.

 

[TheVrolok]

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: DBL
For that kind of cash, I'd get the 1080p 42" Panasonic plasma. Much better overall picture.

He's gotta be careful with plasma burn-in if he's going to be using it as a monitor tho. I've been playing TF2 on my 42" 1080p Philips Ambilight 2 for a few days now and I love it.

 

[Auric]

Originally posted by: TheVrolok

He's gotta be careful with plasma burn-in if he's going to be using it as a monitor tho. I've been playing TF2 on my 42" 1080p Philips Ambilight 2 for a few days now and I love it.

Heh, that was the other recent contender for my moolah -Philips, Sharp, and WDE 42 inchers. Just coming to the end of the third week with the WDE and thinking I'll keep it and sock away the savings.

 

[nboy22]

Wait till black friday. If nothing shows up in terms of deals pull the trigger afterwards.

You know it's only a few weeks away, definitely worth waiting to see if anything shows up.

I have a Philips Ambilight and that was my first pick. If I was gonna get something else my 2nd pick was a Sharp Aquos.

 

[TheVrolok]

Originally posted by: nboy22
Wait till black friday. If nothing shows up in terms of deals pull the trigger afterwards.

You know it's only a few weeks away, definitely worth waiting to see if anything shows up.

I have a Philips Ambilight and that was my first pick. If I was gonna get something else my 2nd pick was a Sharp Aquos.

Me too. I like the Aquos, I just really like the Ambilighting.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Is this really the best time of the year to buy a new TV, think about it soon enough we are gonna have the Xmas deals then not too far after that the CES show then new models with huge price cuts on the older models.

 

[DBL]

Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp
Is this really the best time of the year to buy a new TV, think about it soon enough we are gonna have the Xmas deals then not too far after that the CES show then new models with huge price cuts on the older models.

Uh, there are always savings to be had if you wait. Besides, in my experience after Christmas deals are a myth. They know people expect deals and don't offer much.

Typically, I think Sept and Oct are excellent times since prices usually come down on the latest tech that was introduced in the 1st half of the year.

Look at the 50" 700u Panasonic. 3K when introduced. I can now be had from 2.2K. I doubt it's going below 2K until the next models are introduced and hit the shelves in March or April.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Originally posted by: sciencewhiz
If you plan to use it for the computer, make sure there is a mode with no overscan. My Aquos can do that, but a lot of cheaper TVs can't.

Nvidia drivers have an option to set custom resolutions that correct overscan on HDTVs when using the computer as an HTPC. I'm not sure about ATI, but I imagine they offer a similar option as their newer cards are being billed as the preferred card for HTPCs (due to HDMI support).