HDTV Gurus

[Sphexi]

My father-in-law seems to be finally ready to buy an LCD, which he's wanted to do for a while, but has been held back for a few reasons (his wife mostly).

Apparantly he was in the Sony Store today and was sweet-talked by a salesperson on the benefits of owning a Bravia 32" LCD (S2010 model). They want $2100 for it, plus they'd give him the 4-year ext warranty on top of the 1-year standard for $300 more, instead of their normal $500 or something. He thought it was a pretty good deal, but called me to check.

I've checked around, and it seems there's a few different Sony models at 32", the S2000 and S2010. The main differences seem to be the number of inputs (more on the S2010), as well as the different resolutions the S2010 supports. Since we're up in Canada, we're more limited on the different websites we can buy such fancy things from, but I found that the S2010 can be had from Futureshop (kinda like Best Buy, but doesn't suck) for about $1800 on sale right now, plus a similar amount for the ext warranty (in-house repairs).

What I haven't found is any decent amount of customer/user feedback on these models, how they actually look, if they're reliable, how they compare to similar sized Samsung/LG/Panasonics or whatever.

So of course, I've turned to the vast number of knowledgeable people here on OT, especially those with experience in pricing/deals. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated, as when/if he purchases said LCD I would get one of the two 27" CRTs they have in their house currently, both far better than the 24" I have now.

Futureshop S2010 Link (Says $2100, but is only $1800)
Sony Store S2010 Link ($2100)
Sony Store S200A Link ($1800)

Edit: Apparantly the compare link doesn't work right, it'll bring you to a list, you can select the 37" Sharp and the 32" Sony just below the one that's already selected, then click compare if you're interested.

Compare link (doesn't work right, see above edit)


Also, if there are any recommendations on other models he should be looking at, preferably under the $2000 mark (my mother-in-law freaked when she heard him mention how much it was lol) he'd probably be willing to look elsewhere.

 

[Sphexi]

Okay, it seems I was mistaken on the model, apparantly he was looking at the KDLV32XBR1, which is being discontinued by Sony. All of the local shops are carrying it at $2800+, they're offering him a new one for $2000 plus $300 for the warranty. Still not all that sure on the price, as you can get it cheaper in the states, but not up here.

 

[jpeyton]

Even after currency conversion, I wouldn't touch that deal with a ten-foot pole.

$1500 USD buys you a great 42" 1080P LCD from multiple manufacturers. Add a few hundred and you're looking at a 47" 1080P LCD. Nobody in their right mind would pay that much for a 32" 720P LCD, Sony or not.

Brands your friend should be looking at are Westinghouse and Sceptre.

 

[RossMAN]

I'm by no means an HDTV expert, so I would page Apex instead. He was very helpful when I was seriously considering a Panasonic LCD RP and offered some great advice. I didn't get the Panny LCD RP byt I did get a Toshiba DLP. My only regret is not waiting for the new Sony SXRD which was only $600 more

CostCo has the Sharp 32? AQUOS for $999 out the door, sale ends this Sunday 9/24. That's what I would buy.

 

[jpeyton]

Futureshop has an LG 40" LCD for $1999. Do you guys have any big electronics chains besides Futureshop in Canada?

 

[Sphexi]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
Futureshop has an LG 40" LCD for $1999. Do you guys have any big electronics chains besides Futureshop in Canada?

Not around here in Victoria. There's Futureshop, plus some other local places and the Brick. There's a Best Buy over near Vancouver I think, not too far to go for a good deal.

I've looked for Westinghouse, I haven't really seen them up here that much, outside of Best Buy. I pointed out to him that just because it used to be $3200 and is only $2000 now, doesn't make it a great deal. Just means that the stuff got cheaper and easier to make, so newer products are cheaper. I also pointed out that he can get a 40" with a few less features, but same quality and picture, for the same price.

Hell, they even got this Sharp 37" on sale for $1500 only, I'd much rather he go with something like that. He has no HD equipment right now, likely won't go out and buy anything else for a while either, so a basic 720p set would work fine for a few years for him.

We'll see what happens today, I'm going to probably tell him to hold off and see what else he can find. I'll point out the 1080p Westinghouse at BB to him, he may decide next Thursday to drive over to Vancouver and get it, much cheaper and a better set from everything I've heard about it.

 

[yllus]

Check out the Sony Grand Wega 42" LCD Projection HDTV for $1499 at The Bay.

I'd possibly price match it against Future Shop to get another $50 off the price, but if you bought it from The Bay you could get their extended warranty, which covers bulb replacements - Future Shop's doesn't (no matter what they say, it doesn't; read the brochure's fine print).

Great thing about this TV is aside from doing 1080i/720p/480p/480i, it has an ATSC tuner built in. If you've got a south or south-east facing view, you can pull down over-the-air (OTA) free hi-definition content.

 

[iRONic]

Sony=The Debil

 

[Sphexi]

Originally posted by: yllus
Check out the Sony Grand Wega 42" LCD Projection HDTV for $1499 at The Bay.

I'd possibly price match it against Future Shop to get another $50 off the price, but if you bought it from The Bay you could get their extended warranty, which covers bulb replacements - Future Shop's doesn't (no matter what they say, it doesn't; read the brochure's fine print).

Great thing about this TV is aside from doing 1080i/720p/480p/480i, it has an ATSC tuner built in. If you've got a south or south-east facing view, you can pull down over-the-air (OTA) free hi-definition content.

I think he's limited on space, they have a fairly large cabinet that the TV is going to go in, but not big enough for a projection. Honestly right now I'm looking at the Westinghouse over at BB, which combined with a nice Samsung upconverting DVD player, all the cables, plus the protection plans *cough*, would still be less than what he wants to spend now, for more TV.

As much as it pains me to give up my shot at free electronics from in-laws, I'm gonna have to tell him not to buy

 

[Sphexi]

Good news!

After a lot of pestering, and telling him that he didn't want last year's Sony for this year's price, we ended up going to a local shop (A&B Audio), and looked at this. Much better looking unit than the Sony he wanted, plus it's a 37", plus Sharp just dropped the prices in the past few weeks down to $2300. He haggled the salesman a bit, got it for $1999, plus they'll give him half off the 4 year warranty (includes backlight, and onsite repair/replacement, normally $450 or something), 40% off this ugly looking stand (he didn't go with that afterwards), and some Monster cables/cleaning stuff on the cheap.

He seemed pretty happy, they had to order it though as they only had the display, but he'll have it in under a week. Very nice looking in the store too, especially side-by-side some Panasonic sets that for the same price looked like garbage.

 

[JulesMaximus]

You could almost buy a 62" DLP HD set for that.

Dude, tell him to shop around more and get a bigger model. If you're going to drop $2k on a TV you might as well get the biggest/quality one you can IMO.

 

[Sphexi]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
You could almost buy a 62" DLP HD set for that.

Dude, tell him to shop around more and get a bigger model. If you're going to drop $2k on a TV you might as well get the biggest/quality one you can IMO.

Bigger does not mean better, he's limited on space especially.

Plus, this unit looked WAY better, even with analog signals.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Sphexi

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
You could almost buy a 62" DLP HD set for that.

Dude, tell him to shop around more and get a bigger model. If you're going to drop $2k on a TV you might as well get the biggest/quality one you can IMO.

Bigger does not mean better, he's limited on space especially.

Plus, this unit looked WAY better, even with analog signals.

No, but bigger can usually be had for not a whole lot more money with equal quality. I have a 50" 4:3 aspect ratio TV now and I've been looking at upgrading to a widescreen. I won't even entertain anything smaller than 60" though.

 

[potato28]

Originally posted by: Sphexi

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
You could almost buy a 62" DLP HD set for that.

Dude, tell him to shop around more and get a bigger model. If you're going to drop $2k on a TV you might as well get the biggest/quality one you can IMO.

Bigger does not mean better, he's limited on space especially.

Plus, this unit looked WAY better, even with analog signals.

I own a similer model(26"), and as long as you turn down the contrast 3 points, it looks very good on an analog signal. I was gonna sugest goin to Vancouver to look at NCIX, but that looks like a really good deal.

 

[Sphexi]

Originally posted by: potato28

Originally posted by: Sphexi

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
You could almost buy a 62" DLP HD set for that.

Dude, tell him to shop around more and get a bigger model. If you're going to drop $2k on a TV you might as well get the biggest/quality one you can IMO.

Bigger does not mean better, he's limited on space especially.

Plus, this unit looked WAY better, even with analog signals.

I own a similer model(26"), and as long as you turn down the contrast 3 points, it looks very good on an analog signal. I was gonna sugest goin to Vancouver to look at NCIX, but that looks like a really good deal.

I suggested we go to Van to look at the Westinghouse in BB, but realistically most of his inputs are still SD, nothing really high end except maybe a computer. From what I've heard the Westinghouse do really well with HD inputs, but lower end stuff like composite/S-Video tend to look a lot worse, this TV looked good on all the inputs, even standard cable (they don't have an HD box, probably won't get one anytime soon).

And like I said, yes you can get a nice big screen for cheap, but they wanted something with a decent sized screen, but small overall package. It's going in a living room, not a rec-room or TV room or something, they entertain in there so need it to look really nice, without a giant TV taking up a wall or something like that. For his downstairs room he'll probably end up with a projector or a big ass TV or something.

 

[shadowplay]

50" is a good size. The resolution doesn't increase above 50". The pixels just get bigger or futher apart.

 

[CTrain]

Damm, what a rip on that Sony.
The Sharp is a much better deal but still expensive.
$2000 is $1787 in US.
Just imagine you can get a Sceptre 37" 1080P for $1299 at Cotsco and the warranty is FREE.

 

[mrrman]

I think you are paying WAYYYY to much...you can online and buy from any US dealer at much less costs....have it shipped FEDEX Priority or UPS Special Delivery that costs $125US, the courier charges $125 for GST ONLY and you still got a great deal...I saved $900 by buying my LCD from JR.com and A&B, Visions, FutureShop,Worst Buy could not even come close...