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I'm a TV Idiot - Help me pick a HDTV

HeXploiT

HeXploiT

Diamond Member
So I'm finally making the jump from grandpas old boob-tube analog tv to a nice widescreen hdtv. Not really sure what to look for but this Zenith looks like a good deal at under $550.

Yes/no?

In addition to being a HDTV this will also serve as my netflix box and secondary computer monitor/gaming rig. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated as I don't really know what to look for in a tv and Since I live on an island, shipping costs are generally a killer so I'd like to get this right the first time around. Also I've seen many of my friends bigscreen hdtvs that have absolutely horrid picture and color quality and I don't want to make that same mistake.

Need something in the 37" range. Any and all guidance is appreciated.
 
I don't know about Zenith. I'd personally go with Samsung because they're widely regarded as having the best LCD displays on the market. This one is $800.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16889102216

I've heard positive things about Vizio as well. Failing that, Panisonic, LG, Toshiba, or Acer. Here's a tip: don't buy your HDTV online. If you buy it in a store, you can negotiate the price. I got about $50 off mine and got an HDMI cable thrown in half price with a little haggling. $700 TV, was a refurb floor model, they wanted $600 for it, got it for $550.

Not much else to say. It's just like buying a desktop monitor. Look for the lowest response time. Should have at least two HDMI ports and two component connectors. If you're hooking it up to a computer, make sure the HDTV has a VGA connector or your computer has HDMI. Most TVs don't have DVI. Make sure it has a built in ATSC tuner if you want to view over-the-air HD. Go to stores and look at all the TVs and ask them to show you a Blu-ray movie on it. That's the best way of gauging how good it is. You can't tell just by looking at pictures on a website.
 
The first thing would be to move this thread over to Audio/Video Home Theater. Anyway, Samsung is a good suggestion.
 
Alright looks like I posted in the wrong forum. This thread can be closed. Thanks for everyones input. I'll start a new thread in the home theater forum.
 
Originally posted by: mmntech
I don't know about Zenith. I'd personally go with Samsung because they're widely regarded as having the best LCD displays on the market. This one is $800.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16889102216

I've heard positive things about Vizio as well. Failing that, Panisonic, LG, Toshiba, or Acer. Here's a tip: don't buy your HDTV online. If you buy it in a store, you can negotiate the price. I got about $50 off mine and got an HDMI cable thrown in half price with a little haggling. $700 TV, was a refurb floor model, they wanted $600 for it, got it for $550.

Not much else to say. It's just like buying a desktop monitor. Look for the lowest response time. Should have at least two HDMI ports and two component connectors. If you're hooking it up to a computer, make sure the HDTV has a VGA connector or your computer has HDMI. Most TVs don't have DVI. Make sure it has a built in ATSC tuner if you want to view over-the-air HD. Go to stores and look at all the TVs and ask them to show you a Blu-ray movie on it. That's the best way of gauging how good it is. You can't tell just by looking at pictures on a website.
Click to expand...

I don't know about that. I bought my samsung off amazon with a PS3 AND 4 movies for cheaper than the price of the same set locally - BEFORE tax. They're a bit closer in price now, but I'd check out places like amazon just to see what their pricing is. Can't hurt and takes no effort, really.

avsforum is a great place to research those things too. Reviews and owner feedback on nearly every set imaginable. And please, avoid monster cables. You pay $5 for the cable and $70 for the name.
 
Originally posted by: HeXploiT
Alright looks like I posted in the wrong forum. This thread can be closed. Thanks for everyones input. I'll start a new thread in the home theater forum.
Click to expand...

Rather than starting a new one, you could send a PM to the Anandtech Moderator account to have this one moved.

(I only have mod powers in the AV&HT area, so I can't do anything to this thread yet)
 
Originally posted by: cboath
Originally posted by: mmntech
I don't know about Zenith. I'd personally go with Samsung because they're widely regarded as having the best LCD displays on the market. This one is $800.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16889102216

I've heard positive things about Vizio as well. Failing that, Panisonic, LG, Toshiba, or Acer. Here's a tip: don't buy your HDTV online. If you buy it in a store, you can negotiate the price. I got about $50 off mine and got an HDMI cable thrown in half price with a little haggling. $700 TV, was a refurb floor model, they wanted $600 for it, got it for $550.

Not much else to say. It's just like buying a desktop monitor. Look for the lowest response time. Should have at least two HDMI ports and two component connectors. If you're hooking it up to a computer, make sure the HDTV has a VGA connector or your computer has HDMI. Most TVs don't have DVI. Make sure it has a built in ATSC tuner if you want to view over-the-air HD. Go to stores and look at all the TVs and ask them to show you a Blu-ray movie on it. That's the best way of gauging how good it is. You can't tell just by looking at pictures on a website.
Click to expand...

I don't know about that. I bought my samsung off amazon with a PS3 AND 4 movies for cheaper than the price of the same set locally - BEFORE tax. They're a bit closer in price now, but I'd check out places like amazon just to see what their pricing is. Can't hurt and takes no effort, really.

avsforum is a great place to research those things too. Reviews and owner feedback on nearly every set imaginable. And please, avoid monster cables. You pay $5 for the cable and $70 for the name.
Click to expand...

Suit yourself. Everybody has different preferences. Still, it is worth checking them out in store first even if you do plan to buy online as reviews don't give the whole picture, no pun intended.

Good thing you brought up the Monster Cables. I don't know how they manage to get away with that. Never EVER pay more than $20 for a typical 6' HDMI cable. Amazon usually has them for under $5 and they're just as good.
 
My roommate decided he wanted a new TV so we went to BB to look around. Found the old model samsung 32" 1080p for 600. Got the floor model and they knocked it down to 500, 540 after tax. It's a nice frickin tv.
 
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