Are "bargain" LCD HDTVs worth while?

[CurseTheSky]

Hi guys,

My family has been using a 32ish inch, flat screen CRT "HDTV" for several years. It's not horrible, but the extreme left and right side of the wide screen tend to have a noticeable delay compared to the center, so it's sort of like looking into a fun house mirror when a camera pans from side to side.

Anyway, I'm considering having everyone in my family pool some money together on a blind gift for everyone. I'm thinking a 40", 1080P LCD HDTV would be perfect for our living room, and just big enough for everyone to get the "wow" factor.

Unfortunately, since I can't afford it myself, and I can't ask everyone to pool a ton of money together, I'm stuck in the $500-650 range.

Would something like a Samsung LN40B500 (40", $600 at various stores) be worthwhile, or are the cheaper TVs complete junk? I'm not necessarily looking for something with a breath-taking picture, but I'd prefer it not to have any noticeable quirks or premature failures.

Any recommendations, or would I be better of forgetting the idea for now?

 

[Apex]

What about the 42" Panasonic TC-P42X1 720p plasma at Dell for $564 - 20% bing cashback = $451.20 + tax, free shipping?

 

[Queasy]

What about the 42" Panasonic TC-P42X1 720p plasma at Dell for $564 - 20% bing cashback = $451.20 + tax, free shipping?

I'm looking at the Samsung LN40B500 as well. It's at Dell as well to use the 20% bing cashback on. Comes to be $478.40 + tax and free shipping.

 

[sivart]

Hi guys,

My family has been using a 32ish inch, flat screen CRT "HDTV" for several years. It's not horrible, but the extreme left and right side of the wide screen tend to have a noticeable delay compared to the center, so it's sort of like looking into a fun house mirror when a camera pans from side to side.

It sounds like you don't have an HD signal, but are rather stretching a 4:3 SD signal. I forgot the name as my TV doesn't offer that feature, but I have seen it, it keeps the center of the picture aspect normal and overstretches the edges, so when you pan (or something moves fast from one side to the other), you get the 'fun house effect.' I have actually seen "HD" channels that do the same thing (TBS??).

Plasma is going to get you closest to the same picture clarity as your tube HDTV. LED backlit LCD next and then LCD. I have a 3 year old 'bargain' Vizio plasma and it is great. Properly calibrated it will look just as good as your non-bargain LCD's (I.e. Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, etc).

I have been happy with mine and no issues. Since there are only a handful of LCD panel and plasma panel makers, the biggest difference between sets is the electronics inside. Unlike the days where each manufacturer had their own CRT tubes and could vary vastly from one to another.

Also, buy the biggest TV you can afford. Depending on the distance you sit from the TV and the size of the screen you buy, don't rule out any 720p sets (LCD or Plasma). For example, sitting 10' from a 42" TV you wouldn't notice the difference between 720p and 1080p without moving your couch closer.

 

[CurseTheSky]

It sounds like you don't have an HD signal, but are rather stretching a 4:3 SD signal.

Right. They we have digital cable, and they pay for several HD channels, but they never watch them. They actually bought this thing when flat panel CRT "HDTVs" were the latest and greatest, and spent a decent amount. That was before anyone really know what an HDTV was for, of course.

Unfortunately I can't find a setting anywhere in the TV to disable it. I'd imagine it would just give two black bars on the side of the 4:3 viewing area anyway, so as long as it doesn't bother them, I just leave it alone.

Also, buy the biggest TV you can afford. Depending on the distance you sit from the TV and the size of the screen you buy, don't rule out any 720p sets (LCD or Plasma). For example, sitting 10' from a 42" TV you wouldn't notice the difference between 720p and 1080p without moving your couch closer.

The most people sit about 5-7' from the TV, so I think the extra resolution would actually make a difference. This will probably be the last TV they buy for a while anyway, so I want to get something that's somewhat "future-proof." I'm trying to stay in the 37-42" range as I think anything smaller would be too small for the room.

Thanks for the suggestions so far guys. I'm kind of torn between LCD and Plasma, as I heard (early) Plasmas had high failure rates and / or only lasted about 3-5 years. Once again, no one here is a high-def / home theater enthusiast, so I'd probably go with longevity over picture quality if the difference isn't immense.

 

[zerocool84]

Do you have any windows without darkening blinds/curtains in the room where the TV is going?

 

[Blazer]

since you have digital cable as a source i would suggest the dell offer that apex mentioned, the panasonics are well respected units for good reason, find it on dells site and post a link so we can have a look.

 

[Modelworks]

The thing to remember is that low end lcd tv have the same panels as higher priced brands. They do not make their own panels. There are just a few major suppliers of LCD tv panels. Usually if the lower end models fail it is something like the inverter board or other hardware, but rarely the panel itself.

 

[smitbret]

What about the 42" Panasonic TC-P42X1 720p plasma at Dell for $564 - 20% bing cashback = $451.20 + tax, free shipping?

This is definitely the way to go.

 

[bebrewer1]

What about the 42" Panasonic TC-P42X1 720p plasma at Dell for $564 - 20% bing cashback = $451.20 + tax, free shipping?

Looks like I missed out on a great deal! That TV would have been perfect for what we are looking for and well within our budget. Looks like it is now out of stock at Dell and listing for $749 when it is available again

 

[smitbret]

You can find that one all over the place for about $600.

 

[blackangst1]

Thanks for the suggestions so far guys. I'm kind of torn between LCD and Plasma, as I heard (early) Plasmas had high failure rates and / or only lasted about 3-5 years. Once again, no one here is a high-def / home theater enthusiast, so I'd probably go with longevity over picture quality if the difference isn't immense.

Most plasmas today have a 100,000 hour panel life. Thats over 34 years if left on for 8 hours/day.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I just bought a 40" Samsung 1080p LCD TV last week and it looks fantastic. It is a little lacking on inputs/outputs on the rear of the set but otherwise I think it is the same excellent panel they use in their higher end models.