best LCD/Plasma to get with a budget

[HydroSqueegee]

im looking to spend no more than 1k (out the door) for an LCD or Plasma in the 46" range... the cheaper the better. Something i can get locally, possibly HHgregg since its close.

its going to be hooked up to an HTPC, Digital cable and possibly a PS3 in the future if i want to get one.

location is in the basement, so glare wont be a problem.

Recommendations?

 

[Narmer]

Get the Panasonic Plasmas. Honestly, try to get the best deal for a great product, not the lowest-priced product.
http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?sduid=1013251&t=2220920

 

[IndyColtsFan]

If you can add about $10 to your budget, you can get the 50" Panasonic G25 TV with free shipping from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-VIER...8060362&sr=8-1

 

[HydroSqueegee]

that G25 looks nice, but i was looking to not order online. any other suggestions? (although i will look locally to see if anyone has it for a decent price)

 

[HydroSqueegee]

looks like I can get the S2 panny plasma for a decent price too. is that fairly comparable to the g25?

 

[IndyColtsFan]

looks like I can get the S2 panny plasma for a decent price too. is that fairly comparable to the g25?

The G25 is a higher-end TV. The VT25 is the top Panasonic line, followed by the G25.

Getting them online really isn't a hassle, by the way. I bought all 3 of my plasmas online and never had an issue (2 from Amazon, 1 from Newegg).

 

[HydroSqueegee]

The G25 is a higher-end TV. The VT25 is the top Panasonic line, followed by the G25.

Getting them online really isn't a hassle, by the way. I bought all 3 of my plasmas online and never had an issue (2 from Amazon, 1 from Newegg).

thing is i have an hhgregg card and can get 0% over 24 months.

ive been patient on getting an hdtv and have put it off for 4 years now because of lack of funds. i dont have 1k in cash... yet. but i dont want to wait till january, when i'll finally have extra dosh rolling in to get one.

 

[Gibson486]

thing is i have an hhgregg card and can get 0% over 24 months.

ive been patient on getting an hdtv and have put it off for 4 years now because of lack of funds. i dont have 1k in cash... yet. but i dont want to wait till january, when i'll finally have extra dosh rolling in to get one.

your lucky you did not post that in OT. You would be ripped for it.

 

[HydroSqueegee]

your lucky you did not post that in OT. You would be ripped for it.

true. just sold my house and im down to 1 mortgage payment. So the cash starts rolling in Friday when i get paid, but i dont want to wait to save up for a couple months. Cards have their uses.

 

[Triumph]

thing is i have an hhgregg card and can get 0% over 24 months.

ive been patient on getting an hdtv and have put it off for 4 years now because of lack of funds. i dont have 1k in cash... yet. but i dont want to wait till january, when i'll finally have extra dosh rolling in to get one.

look at the current hhgregg circular, there is a panasonic TC-P42S2 for $599. the 50S2 is 899, but you could've gotten the 50 from Panasonic online for ~$750. I've been looking at them and the S2 line is pretty good, I'm not sure that the equivalently priced plasmas from LG or Samsung are going to be as good picture wise (based on limited reviews). It's hard to find TV reviews online because there are SO many models. You can save a few more bucks by looking for the U2 series by Panasonic, a step below the S2 series. It loses the AR coating, picture is slightly worse, so you're trading IQ for size/price with the U2 series.

 

[Narmer]

that G25 looks nice, but i was looking to not order online. any other suggestions? (although i will look locally to see if anyone has it for a decent price)

What's wrong with online? Also, I would recommend you just buy it directly from Panasonic. That way, if something goes wrong, they take care of everything. It doesn't hurt that they have a sale going on now...

 

[Exterous]

What's wrong with online? Also, I would recommend you just buy it directly from Panasonic. That way, if something goes wrong, they take care of everything. It doesn't hurt that they have a sale going on now...

I think it was more he doesn't have the cash now and only has a credit card that offers 0% APR for 24mo for purchases from hhgreg

How long would it take you to save up to buy one? Honestly I would wait and save up the money if i could get the same tv for >$50 less online

 

[s44]

I'm pretty sure the U2 is only 1600*900, not true 1080p.

The *real* question is: you sure 50" is big enough?

 

[Howard]

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=18358288&postcount=88

 

[phillyTIM]

THIS Samsung 46" smart TV (razor-thin LED, 120Hz, 1080p, Internet@TV, DLNA), which you can easily find for under $1000 IS HOT!

In fact, It's on sale THIS WEEK @ BEST BUY (model# LN46C670, which is BB's tag for the LN46C650 found elsewhere), with free wifi adapter, and you could get it for 36-months without interest.

http://www.networkworld.com/reviews/2010/102710-best-new-46--to-47-inch.html?source=nww_rss

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+...&skuId=9783685

 

[Anubis]

is best buy still doing the 0% for 36months CC deal? they have the G20 same as the G25 for 1100.
i own the G20 great TV.

 

[phillyTIM]

is best buy still doing the 0% for 36months CC deal? they have the G20 same as the G25 for 1100.
i own the G20 great TV.

YES @ BEST BUY = 0% interest for 36 months on any home theatre purchase of $899 or greater.

This is a great time to buy, and it would be helpful to build a little credit rating for those who need it!

 

[piasabird]

Sometimes they sell a new TV with a sound system for a pretty good deal. I have seen a few offers at places like the online walmart store believe it or not.

 

[Eluros]

I'll mention that I'm very interested in this thread... my wife and I are interested in a TV, 46"-50", priced around $1,000. I'm seriously considering the G25, at this point.

 

[cpals]

I'll mention that I'm very interested in this thread... my wife and I are interested in a TV, 46"-50", priced around $1,000. I'm seriously considering the G25, at this point.

The three plasmas I'm considering so far are:

Panasonic VIERA TC-P50G25 50-Inch
Samsung PN50C550 50-Inch
LG 50PK550 50-Inch

 

[ViviTheMage]

I got my 50" plasma for 799 about 7 months ago ... at sears too I think, haha. Just gotta watch slickdeals

 

[smitbret]

The three plasmas I'm considering so far are:

Panasonic VIERA TC-P50G25 50-Inch
Samsung PN50C550 50-Inch
LG 50PK550 50-Inch

In a basement where glare won't be an issue, I'd say get the Sammy. I'm seeing them advertised locally for $849 right now. Great deal, especially if you have it connected to a Blu-Ray box like a PS3 that takes out the necessity of having an internet connection.

 

[cpals]

In a basement where glare won't be an issue, I'd say get the Sammy. I'm seeing them advertised locally for $849 right now. Great deal, especially if you have it connected to a Blu-Ray box like a PS3 that takes out the necessity of having an internet connection.

I'm not the OP, but if glare could 'possibly' be an issue, you would pick a different one? Mine would be in an office, but mainly watched at night when glare would be a minimum.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Guys, I have a 50" Panasonic G25. The display is as impressive as everyone says, particularly in THX mode. There are a couple of things that are annoying, but definitely not show stoppers:

1. The TV has Netflix built-in, which is great. What isn't so great is that playing Netflix from the TV bypasses the TV's processing logic. What this means is that you can't adjust the screen mode for Netflix content (ie, can't go to Full, Just, etc). So if you're streaming a 4:3 program, you're going to get black bars. If it bugs you too much, the way to avoid this is to use a BD player or something else as your Netflix streamer. I am going to set our BD player up as our default Netflix device. If it doesn't bug you, then no problems at all!

2. The cable box guide comes over as 4:3 as well, and I haven't been able to adjust that. My wife claims she was able to stretch it to the whole screen, but I am not sure how as I checked all the settings. I was able to do this fine on my older Panasonic plasma. My guess is that it is a glitch between HDMI on my Scientific Atlanta box and the new plasma, as I always had the box connected via component on my old plasma. Those SA boxes are notorious for having HDMI issues so if I had to make a wager, I'd say the cable box is at fault.

All in all, I love the G25 and would seriously recommend it.

 

[Eluros]

Guys, I have a 50" Panasonic G25. The display is as impressive as everyone says, particularly in THX mode. There are a couple of things that are annoying, but definitely not show stoppers:

1. The TV has Netflix built-in, which is great. What isn't so great is that playing Netflix from the TV bypasses the TV's processing logic. What this means is that you can't adjust the screen mode for Netflix content (ie, can't go to Full, Just, etc). So if you're streaming a 4:3 program, you're going to get black bars. If it bugs you too much, the way to avoid this is to use a BD player or something else as your Netflix streamer. I am going to set our BD player up as our default Netflix device. If it doesn't bug you, then no problems at all!

2. The cable box guide comes over as 4:3 as well, and I haven't been able to adjust that. My wife claims she was able to stretch it to the whole screen, but I am not sure how as I checked all the settings. I was able to do this fine on my older Panasonic plasma. My guess is that it is a glitch between HDMI on my Scientific Atlanta box and the new plasma, as I always had the box connected via component on my old plasma. Those SA boxes are notorious for having HDMI issues.

All in all, I love the G25 and would seriously recommend it.

Thanks for the review! I do have a question/concern about the G25, and plasmas in general...

I plan on building an HTPC relatively soon. I've heard mixed things about plasmas and how they operate with HTPCs, particularly with regard to ghosting. Anyone have experience or wisdom to share on this topic?