Looking at TVs, don't really know where to start

[gorcorps]

I'm looking at TVs but don't even know where to start. My budget is (hopefully) around $800, and it's for an apartment. I'd say 37" would be a good size for it. What's the best bang for the buck TV I could get in this price range? It'll mostly be used with my 360.

 

[sivart]

LCD, Plasma, DLP?
How far do you sit from the TV?
What is the lighting like in the room? (I.e. window directly across from TV, to the side, no windows near by)
Do you watch mainly in the daylight hours or nighttime hours?
What is your TV/Game ratio?

For good picture quality, low price and large screen, I'd look at the 42" Vizio Plasma ($747) at Wal-Mart/Sams/Costco. However, if you are 90% games, I'd stay away from plasma.

Rear projection DLP's will get you a much larger screen for just a tad over your budget.

We really need more info to point you in the right direction.

 

[gorcorps]

Don't care about the type, anything is better than the tiny SDTV box I have. It's a smaller apartment living room with the couch about 6-7' away. Window is to the side of it. Like I said, it's mostly used for gaming but a bit for TV (football mainly) and some movies here or there.

 

[sivart]

If you are less than 75% of the time playing games I'd go for the plasma. 42" should be just about the right size from that distance. A window to the side will not give you any more glare on the plasma than you are getting now with the SDTV (probably less). I've been watching football today on my plasma and it doesn't show any image retention on the score bars at the top...probably because the commercials are enough to break it up.

There is a break in period of about 100 hours for plasma in which I'd be careful, but beyond that you should be fine. I sit about 9' from my 42" and that is really too far...kind of wish I had a 50"

 

[RandomFool]

I'd jump up to at least a 40. I've got a similar setup as you, 6-7 feet away, side window, mostly gaming. I was originally going to get a 37" but I ended up going with a 40" Samsung, A530. At 6-7 feet a 37 looks pretty small especially for gaming. It took a little work rearranging things but I'm glad I went bigger. I would have liked to even go a little bit larger than 40 but didn't want to spend anymore than I did. My initial budget was 800 and I ended up spending 1150 on the TV + 200 for a new stand.

 

[gorcorps]

Okay also something to consider that I forgot to mention... I will be moving to another state in about 10 months and this will have to fit in my car in some way. It's just a little Honda Accord so I can't go too big.

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: gorcorps
Okay also something to consider that I forgot to mention... I will be moving to another state in about 10 months and this will have to fit in my car in some way. It's just a little Honda Accord so I can't go too big.

You will most likely have to forgo the protective box as the box is very large even for 37" screen.

For my 37" Westinghouse, the box was 42"x33"x13" roughly just for your reference

 

[gplracer]

Plasma = faster response time, better blacks and deeper color, possible burn in problems
LCD = slower response time (not as good for sports and movies), no burn in issues so better for games, weaker blacks
DLP = bigger for less money, smaller viewing angle, larger

 

[sivart]

I wouldn't worry about fitting it in your car. We put my brother's 46" Sony in the back seat of his Mazda six with the stand removed no problem.

 

[gorcorps]

Alright well I've done a bit more research. I'm not 100%, but I'm going to stick with a 720p, want a built in tuner, and am leaning towards samsung. I'm also leaning towards LCD vs. plasma but in all reality will probably end up with whatever will get me what I want for cheaper.