Budget LCD TV for College

[dhorn]

I'm going to college on August 23rd, and want to pick up an LCD TV before then. I don't need all the bells and whistles, but I want something with a good quality picture, and good options.

As for requirements... at least 720p, HDMI input (hopefully 2), VGA or DVI, and at least 27".
I'll be hooking up a PS3 via HDMI, so that is going to be the main purpose.

Now I see lots of TV's for 499, or 549, but they are brands like Dynex, Sylvania, or Olevia. Is it worth it to spend the extra, say, up to 650, for a Sony or a Samsung. I'd appreciate any feedback, with specific models to look for, and maybe the place to get them too

Thanks,

Dan

 

[sivart]

I have a Vizio and so do several family members. Mine has a great picture and has been rock solid for the last 20 months. I see that Wal-Mart carries both the 720p plasma from Vizio in a 32" ($528) and a 42" ($747) size. Either one of these would be my choice.
Unless of course you plan to use it more than 50% of the times for games.

 

[g8wayrebel]

Vizio and Olevia are both decent ,not only according to experience , but Consumers reports.
PM or better yet Email me if you want take on specific model.

 

[mshan]

http://hdguru.com/?p=107

That being said, at your price point, I would probably research what actual LCD panel a particular model has, then search to see if that particular model is a lemon with lots of failures / required repairs?

Then just buy from a local source that has like a simple, solid 30 day return policy with no restocking fee, and then test all functionality before that 30 day period has expired. If it has no dead pixels and doesn't break down under extensive use / testing during that first 30 day period, it will probably function fine for it's useable life in your college dorm.

Good Luck!

 

[dhorn]

Well I've been to Wal-mart, Best Buy, ABC warehouse, etc. And when comparing them side by side, I notice the Samsung 3/4 series and the Sony Bravia 32" lcd have a lot sharper pictures, and great color/contrast. They all run about $700 flat.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm...m/ccd/productDetail.do is probably the best one, at least based on series. I also heard Olevia went bankrupt? so will they stop manufacturing TV's or not honor warranties, or is it going to be like when KMart went bankrupt, and they got better?

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Originally posted by: dhorn
Well I've been to Wal-mart, Best Buy, ABC warehouse, etc. And when comparing them side by side, I notice the Samsung 3/4 series and the Sony Bravia 32" lcd have a lot sharper pictures, and great color/contrast. They all run about $700 flat.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm...m/ccd/productDetail.do is probably the best one, at least based on series. I also heard Olevia went bankrupt? so will they stop manufacturing TV's or not honor warranties, or is it going to be like when KMart went bankrupt, and they got better?

Thats the exact TV I have and its awesome, thats even a better price then I paid. At the time I got mine it was $799 then a few weeks later they had a 10% off coupon so I got it applied to my TV. That $699 is a pretty good deal for retail on that model, dont forget if you buy from them skip the extra crap and entended warranties etc.

 

[dhorn]

I've noticed that the Samsung 3 series 720p and the Sony Bravia 720p 32" look almost identical picture wise, with maybe the Sony showing a little more detail, but they were the same price as that Samsung 4 series, which should be better. I definitely don't plan on getting an extended warranty. But I think 699 for that is a good deal, on a good TV.

So are we in agreement that spending the extra 150-200 for a Samsung or Sony will net me a TV with better build quality, and a better picture (colors, contrast, sharpness), as compared to the $500 Dynex, Olevia, or Sylvania? My main purpose is definitely going to be gaming with a PS3, and definitely some BluRay movies.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Originally posted by: dhorn
I've noticed that the Samsung 3 series 720p and the Sony Bravia 720p 32" look almost identical picture wise, with maybe the Sony showing a little more detail, but they were the same price as that Samsung 4 series, which should be better. I definitely don't plan on getting an extended warranty. But I think 699 for that is a good deal, on a good TV.

So are we in agreement that spending the extra 150-200 for a Samsung or Sony will net me a TV with better build quality, and a better picture (colors, contrast, sharpness), as compared to the $500 Dynex, Olevia, or Sylvania? My main purpose is definitely going to be gaming with a PS3, and definitely some BluRay movies.

I would jump on the Samsung 450 at that price.

 

[Nizbot]

Are you gonna be in dorms? If so, I'd recommend a little smaller set. I have the panasonic 26" tc-26lx70 and love it. Perfect size. In my opinion, panasonic has the most accurate color reproduction. Jus my $.02

 

[s44]

Originally posted by: dhorn
So are we in agreement that spending the extra 150-200 for a Samsung or Sony will net me a TV with better build quality, and a better picture (colors, contrast, sharpness), as compared to the $500 Dynex, Olevia, or Sylvania? My main purpose is definitely going to be gaming with a PS3, and definitely some BluRay movies.

Absolutely.

 

[dhorn]

Well, I'll be in a dorm, but the viewing distance will be about 9-10 feet, so 32" should be alright, plus If I plan on moving out and increasing the viewing distance, I'll be all set.

 

[sivart]

9-10 feet with 32" TV...might as well keep your tube you won't see that much of a picture quality improvement at that distance. I sit about 8' from my 42" TV and that is a little too far. I sit 13' from my 100" (FP) and it is just right for HD programming.

I would say that the $100-$150 premium that a 'brand name' gets you isn't worth it. My 720p Vizio Plasma looks just as good as my brothers 720p Sony LCD (both calibrated properly).

 

[dhorn]

With a playstation 3, if you hook up it up at 480 compared to 720 or 1080, there is a huge difference. Not to mention I have to get a digital tv or converter box anyways. The view disance in the dorms will be about 7-8 feet for the most part (10x15 roomsize) and shorter for game sessions (I lean forward, intense). Not to mention, anything bigger than a 32" in the dorm will overwhelm it.

Not only on picture quality, but it seems like the Samsung or Sony have a much sturdier build. The cheap 500 dollar ones seem flimsy to me, like they're made with cheap plastic. And I like the higher quantity of inputs you get with the better models, because who knows how much hi def stuff I might buy.

 

[Toro 45]

I bought the Vizio 32" Plasma at wally world for the price listed above and absolutely love it. 3HDMI hookups, all connectors are on the side and make it easy to hook up since I'm using a wall mount.

You can spend more and get a better brand but you might want to take a closer look at the Vizio next time your in Walmart. Pretty hard to find a 32" LCD for that price. I wanted a plasma because I found that SD looks much better on a plasma than on my 32" LCD TV. If you will not be watching SD content and mostly HD or Gaming then the LCD should be great.