Help me pick a TV please!!

[JJ650]

I have alotted myself a $2k budget for a new tv.
I want greater than 40", & full HD capabilities (1080p). I have ruled out projection TV's for the time being. Replacing bulbs isn't something I want to have to worry about.

I have noticed some plasmas being cheaper than the newer LCD's.
I was at BestBuy this evening eyeballing a 47" LG and a Phillips that had the same features. The LG was $2240 and the Phillips was $2040.
I don't remember exact model numbers right now.

I was looking at others, but I haven't the foggiest idea of what to get.

My old 32" Sony Vega HDTV (one heavy SOB) is in the bonus room relegated to the PS2 and watching 'guy' stuff while the wife watches "The Notebook" for the gazillionth time.
We want a TV in the main living room for ourselves and entertaining guest, in-laws, etc.


Point me to the right TV please!!

 

[montypythizzle]

Look for a Sharp Aquos, they have 1080p, cheap, and look good.

 

[sao123]

Originally posted by: JJ650
I have alotted myself a $2k budget for a new tv.
I want greater than 40", & full HD capabilities (1080p). I have ruled out projection TV's for the time being. Replacing bulbs isn't something I want to have to worry about.

I have noticed some plasmas being cheaper than the newer LCD's.
I was at BestBuy this evening eyeballing a 47" LG and a Phillips that had the same features. The LG was $2240 and the Phillips was $2040.
I don't remember exact model numbers right now.

I was looking at others, but I haven't the foggiest idea of what to get.

My old 32" Sony Vega HDTV (one heavy SOB) is in the bonus room relegated to the PS2 and watching 'guy' stuff while the wife watches "The Notebook" for the gazillionth time.
We want a TV in the main living room for ourselves and entertaining guest, in-laws, etc.


Point me to the right TV please!!

Samsung Makes LED DLP's which do not need bulbs changed... why not consider them? Consider the HLTxx87S available in 50", 56" & 61" models.

 

[JJ650]

How are the viewing angles on them tho?

I've seen some things about the geometry being off on them as well. I just don't feel that the projections have the same picture quality.

 

[kalrith]

The "right" TV for you depends on a few things:
What will be you viewing distance from the screen (take into account that the screen on a flat panel might be farther back than your current TV)?
What source(s) will you feed it?
Why do you want 1080p?

Anyways, sticking with your budget and 1080p, I think this TV is your best bet.

Here's an article explaining the differences between different TV technology (i.e. plasma vs. lcd).
Here's an article explaining the different HD resolution (i.e. 720p vs. 1080p).
Here's a chart showing how much resolution the human eye can perceive relative to screen size and viewing distance. For example, if you sit 10 feet away from a 50" set, you won't be able to tell the difference between 720p and 1080p.

 

[JJ650]

Originally posted by: kalrith
The "right" TV for you depends on a few things:
What will be you viewing distance from the screen (take into account that the screen on a flat panel might be farther back than your current TV)?
What source(s) will you feed it?
Why do you want 1080p?

Anyways, sticking with your budget and 1080p, I think this TV is your best bet.

Here's an article explaining the differences between different TV technology (i.e. plasma vs. lcd).
Here's an article explaining the different HD resolution (i.e. 720p vs. 1080p).
Here's a chart showing how much resolution the human eye can perceive relative to screen size and viewing distance. For example, if you sit 10 feet away from a 50" set, you won't be able to tell the difference between 720p and 1080p.

Too bad they are sold out!

 

[kalrith]

Originally posted by: JJ650

Originally posted by: kalrith
The "right" TV for you depends on a few things:
What will be you viewing distance from the screen (take into account that the screen on a flat panel might be farther back than your current TV)?
What source(s) will you feed it?
Why do you want 1080p?

Anyways, sticking with your budget and 1080p, I think this TV is your best bet.

Here's an article explaining the differences between different TV technology (i.e. plasma vs. lcd).
Here's an article explaining the different HD resolution (i.e. 720p vs. 1080p).
Here's a chart showing how much resolution the human eye can perceive relative to screen size and viewing distance. For example, if you sit 10 feet away from a 50" set, you won't be able to tell the difference between 720p and 1080p.

Too bad they are sold out!

Here's the pricegrabber link. Beach Camera and Vanns are both good companies with decent prices on this TV (less than $2400 after tax and shipping).

If you want to buy it locally, I think Sears has it for $2600. They have a special right now for a $250 instant rebate or 24 months no-interest financing if you use your Sears card. The Sears-card special is only valid in the store.

The Samsung FP-T5084 is another good and reasonably priced 50" 1080p plasma.

 

[tidehigh]

pioneer 5080. nothing near it on the market. best plasma ever made. but pay attention to kariths questions. room size, lighting in room, veiwing distance are all key to finding the right set.

 

[tidehigh]

and oyu won't notice a difference from 720 to 1080 unless u are sitting right in front of the TV or you have superman's eyes

 

[kalrith]

Originally posted by: tidehigh
pioneer 5080. nothing near it on the market. best plasma ever made. but pay attention to kariths questions. room size, lighting in room, veiwing distance are all key to finding the right set.

I agree with this in not only words but also in actions, as this is the set I am getting.

Originally posted by: tidehigh
and oyu won't notice a difference from 720 to 1080 unless u are sitting right in front of the TV or you have superman's eyes

I agree with this as well. To add specific numbers to it, on a 50" set you will NOT be able to tell the difference between 720p and 1080p at 10 feet away. At a viewing distance of 8-10 feet, most people will not be able to tell the difference between 720p and 1080p. Any closer than that, I would say use your own eyes as judgment. You mainly want to make sure that you don't see SDE (screen door effect), which is seeing pixelation that looks like looking through a screen door. I personally wouldn't buy a 50" 1080p set if I were 8 feet or farther away (which I am).

Edit: Oops! I didn't realize that I had already posted some of this info. Well, to make this post a little more applicable let me add this. The four things that impact picture quality the most are (in order of importance) contrast ratio, color saturation, color accuracy, and resolution. With resolution being the least important of these four, you don't want to base your decision on that just because 1080p is the latest, greatest thing (at least that's what the marketing department wants you to believe). You should only get 1080p if you're using your TV as a computer monitor (not just for gaming but as your actual monitor) or if your viewing distance relative to the screen size warrants it (i.e. you sit 6 feet from a 50" screen).

 

[tidehigh]

saving up for my 5080 as well. enjoy it!!

 

[kalrith]

Originally posted by: tidehigh
saving up for my 5080 as well. enjoy it!!

I haven't order it yet. I'm hoping that the prices fall within the next couple of months. I know this isn't pertinent to this thread, but I just had to post something to get my post count off of "666"

Edit: Phew! That's a relief!

 

[thegimp03]

The Pioneer is an extremely nice plasma, probably the best tv for the money you spend on it (albeit near $3k). However, it has 720p resolution and I haven't been a big fan of plasmas in the past.

The Samsung LN-T4065F (under $2k) and the LN-T4665F (over $2k) are some of the best 1080p LCDs made in this generation of LCDs. I think they're both rated better than the LG and Philips LCDs you posted. CNET has good reviews of them.