LCD HDTV Suggestions

[roacher07]

I am a college student looking for a good TV for our dorm room. I am looking to get either a 32" or 37" LCD. Some people say at that size the difference between 720 and 1080 doesnt make a difference, is that true?

Most, if not all, of the movies will be played from a 360, and we plan on gaming quite a bit on it. I know some friends who have trouble gaming on some larger TV's and I dont want to run into that problem.

Would you suggest going with a mainstream brand over an off-brand? I have read about the very poor warranties offered by the off-brand companies and that looks like a bad situation if something goes wrong.

I have heard a lot of good things about Toshiba and Samsung, but dont know what models would be best for picture but with a good value, looking to pay around 900 or less if possible.

 

[krotchy]

720p vs 1080p at 32" really boils down to one thing. Do you intend to use the TV as a PC monitor as well or not. If you hook a PC up to it, you are going to want 1080p, if not 720p is probably fine. With a 37" I would probably move to 1080p, depending on how close you are.

As for mainstream vs off brands. Yes the warranty on off-brands is worse, but the bigger issue is that the panels are simply not as good, and lack significantly on processing. If you never intend to watch SD-TV on your screen, then you can definitely get away with an off-brand not having a great scalar, but if you do watch standard def stuff, get a real company. IMO your best TV choices for ~900 dollars is this bad boy hands down: http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-...80p-HDTV/dp/B00141AYM8

At 899 the Samsung 32A550 is going to be by far the best bang for the buck you will get in a TV, 32" 1080p, great processing, great panel.

 

[roacher07]

The 32A550 does look nice, but how does the Toshiba REGZA line stack up to Samsung?

Which would be better between the 32A550 and http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-...&qid=1211745912&sr=8-4

 

[krotchy]

Originally posted by: roacher07
The 32A550 does look nice, but how does the Toshiba REGZA line stack up to Samsung?

Which would be better between the 32A550 and http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-...&qid=1211745912&sr=8-4

Honestly between those 2 its pretty much a toss-up with a slight edge to the Sammy. IMO the Sammy has the better panel, Toshiba better processing, but its like 51%-49% on each fight. Both are 2008 1080p 32" LCD's from good companies, cant go wrong either way.

 

[ManBearPig]

what about the LN32A550 vs the LN32A650?

 

[krotchy]

Originally posted by: Kazaam
what about the LN32A550 vs the LN32A650?

In the 32" lineup, none of the Samsungs have 120Hz, which is generally the upgrade from the 550 to 650. I am pretty sure the 650 in the 32" simply adds the touch of color bezel and improved contrast with the glossy screen.

 

[roacher07]

Will you find any 32" tv with 120Hz? I hear it really helps sharpen the image quite a bit over 60Hz.

 

[krotchy]

Originally posted by: roacher07
Will you find any 32" tv with 120Hz? I hear it really helps sharpen the image quite a bit over 60Hz.

You know, Im not sure why 32" 120Hz 1080p TV's are so hard to find. Sony didnt put 120Hz on the 32XBR6, Samsung didnt on the 32A650. Doesn't make a ton of sense, but I suspect since the screen is so small it might not be as noticeable, or the price of the processor for 120Hz is too expensive to warrant being in a smaller screen, because it would knock the price point up too much.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

Vizio.