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Buying TV: 42-50", plasma/crt 1080p/720p, recommend brand/model

S

SJP0tato

Senior member
Hey guys,

I'm looking for a tv for basic channel surfing/occasional movies (95% used by the wife who couldn't care less about specs). Based on the viewing distance of 7'-9' I think something in the 42-50 inch range should do the trick (anything should be better than the 29" CRT we've had the past 5+ years). 🙂

After reading other responses here I'm guessing 720p will be adequate enough since it's under 50", and plasma seems to offer the best bang/buck. Does anyone have any line they'd recommend to take a look at? I understand Amazon has some good deals from time to time.

Thanks for any/all suggestions!
 
I'd really go with 1080p in that size range. Might as well since the cost difference isn't that big anymore. They don't really make 720p plasmas anymore. Only a couple floating around. Same goes for LCD.

For plasma, I'd look at Samsung, Panasonic, and Pioneer. LCDs in that size range are pretty cheap right now. If you're wife doesn't care much about deep black levels, an LCD makes sense. Lower power consumption, more durable.
 
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I bought my wife a 50 Samsung 720P plasma. NN50Bsometing or other 😛

we love it, it looks great with the HD OTA on it. its bright and crisp. way nicer than the comprable 42 60hz 1080P LCD for the same price, and its HUGE compared to them

it was 900 bucks at best buy a few months ago and came with a cute little surround/upconvert system with a powered sub that actually sounds decent.


this one: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+50%22+Class+/+720p+/+600Hz+/+Plasma+HDTV/9239371.p?id=1218065984669&skuId=9239371

it was really easy to configure with the thx stuff off my star wars dvd's.

no 'real' gaming done it besides the wii(its also my wife's) but it looks good when it does it.

our living room is REALLY BRIGHT with some S and W facing windows so I went plasma for the inherent brighter nature anyways. It does a good job even in the day watching football Sunday afternoon
 
Zargon said:
our living room is REALLY BRIGHT with some S and W facing windows so I went plasma for the inherent brighter nature anyways.
Click to expand...

I might be wrong, but I believe that plasmas are dimmer. LCD is the brighter technology. That's why so many people buy them....they're brighter in the store so they "look" better.
 
At the risk of thread crappin' what would y'all suggest for me:

Budget: $1200

Size: 46 to 50" (viewing distance is 8-9')

TV will be used:

60% video games (Xbox360, Wii)
30% DVDs (movies and a lot of rock concerts)
10% TV (college football and basketball, History, Disney and Discovery channel)

To be honest, HDTV is not a desire. We're more interested in 16:9 vs 4:3...we like the widescreen format and that's why we want to upgrade.

The room has an entire south wall full of windows, but is light controlled (blinds).

Viewing angles aren't a big concern as we have one couch sitting directly in front of the tv.

Power consumption and heat are a concern - electricity will be increasingly more expensive (already been announced here in Austin, TX) and since I'm in Austin the AC runs 10 months out of the year.

Based on all that, I'm leaning towards an LCD. But I haven't ruled out plasma. I want the best bang for the buck tv. And it seems like all the LCD reviews I read are nothing but complaints of problems.....which makes me wonder if the technology is just too new.

Suggestions (sorry OP...it sounds like you're in a similar situation so I piggybacked)?
 
Thanks guys,

Sorry forgot to include budget of around $900 max. I think at that price point the choice between 720 & 1080 means a gain/loss of 4-6" inches overall for the same price of the two.

I've noticed LG seems to have some of the lower prices, but I "think" I remember people saying it reflects their quality.

Don't mind the add-on rivethead, it sounds like we're looking for somewhat similar things (other than mine not being used for video games currently), and more discussion/suggestions are good things. 🙂
 
Samsung PNB450B would be an awesome choice. Prices in my area fluctuate between $799 and $899 for it. The picture quality is as good as it gets on a 720p plasma and will be superior to anything an LCD in this price/size range will put out, especially when trying to deal with fast moving action. The Samsungs just LOOK GOOD, too. If you wanna save a little cash or set aside some money for A Blu-Ray player, any of the 42" Panasonics are awesome, too.
 
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SJP0tato said:
Hey guys,

I'm looking for a tv for basic channel surfing/occasional movies (95% used by the wife who couldn't care less about specs). Based on the viewing distance of 7'-9' I think something in the 42-50 inch range should do the trick (anything should be better than the 29" CRT we've had the past 5+ years). 🙂

After reading other responses here I'm guessing 720p will be adequate enough since it's under 50", and plasma seems to offer the best bang/buck. Does anyone have any line they'd recommend to take a look at? I understand Amazon has some good deals from time to time.

Thanks for any/all suggestions!
Click to expand...

SJP0tato said:
Thanks guys,

Sorry forgot to include budget of around $900 max. I think at that price point the choice between 720 & 1080 means a gain/loss of 4-6" inches overall for the same price of the two.

I've noticed LG seems to have some of the lower prices, but I "think" I remember people saying it reflects their quality.

Don't mind the add-on rivethead, it sounds like we're looking for somewhat similar things (other than mine not being used for video games currently), and more discussion/suggestions are good things. 🙂
Click to expand...

You might want to look into the TC-P50X1 from Panasonic. It's a 50" 720p plasma. I've seen it locally on a rolling sale from store to store for $799 and Best buy currentlly has it at that price. Unless something happens between now and than it's the one I'll be spending some tax money on to replace our 32" CRT.
 
rivethead said:
At the risk of thread crappin' what would y'all suggest for me:

Budget: $1200

Size: 46 to 50" (viewing distance is 8-9')

TV will be used:

60% video games (Xbox360, Wii)
30% DVDs (movies and a lot of rock concerts)
10% TV (college football and basketball, History, Disney and Discovery channel)

To be honest, HDTV is not a desire. We're more interested in 16:9 vs 4:3...we like the widescreen format and that's why we want to upgrade.

The room has an entire south wall full of windows, but is light controlled (blinds).

Viewing angles aren't a big concern as we have one couch sitting directly in front of the tv.

Power consumption and heat are a concern - electricity will be increasingly more expensive (already been announced here in Austin, TX) and since I'm in Austin the AC runs 10 months out of the year.

Based on all that, I'm leaning towards an LCD. But I haven't ruled out plasma. I want the best bang for the buck tv. And it seems like all the LCD reviews I read are nothing but complaints of problems.....which makes me wonder if the technology is just too new.

Suggestions (sorry OP...it sounds like you're in a similar situation so I piggybacked)?
Click to expand...

Based on the first part of your post I was going to toss out the same panny that I put in my reply to SJP0tato. Between the cost and features it's a good buy to me.

Now if power usage is your #1 priority than, your pretty much out of luck on a plasma. Plasmas are getting better, but I still think LCDs use less power. I can't really recommend a LCD as I decided early on while reading up that I wanted a plasma so I focused on them.
 
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