Looking for bedroom TV. Suggestions?

[Synomenon]

I'm looking for a bedroom TV. My 26" Sony Bravia was recently killed by my cat.

I can go smaller than 26", but would like to stay at 19" or higher. My budget is around $300. The TV goes into a cabinet so it needs to stay below a certain size.

I've been looking around and saw this:
http://www.vizio.com/flat-panel-hdtvs/vm230xvt.html

A feature I like on this Vizio is that you can plug a USB flash drive into it and pause and rewind up to 29 minutes. I don't have a DVR in the room and this feature would be great to have.

I can get it at Sam's Club for around $297. Any other suggestions, recommendations?

 

[kalrith]

What's your viewing distance from the TV? You can often find a 32" TV for $300-350, and that TV would be almost double the size (93% larger) than the 23" TV. I know it's just a bedroom TV, but if you're 4+ feet away from the TV, then I'd go with the 32" (720p should suffice). If you're 3 to 4 feet away, then a 32" 1080p TV would be great.

 

[Synomenon]

I'm around 4 feet away from the TV. Got any good candidates?

 

[Muadib]

$380:
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-VIER.../dp/B001U3YK52

 

[Synomenon]

Thanks, but that's too much. My budget is around $300.

 

[Muadib]

Best Buy has their brand set on sale this week for $299. Go to their website and look at this weeks sales circular.

 

[Synomenon]

Dynex and Insignia? Are those any good / any better than Vizio?

 

[Muadib]

IMO, no they are not as good as Vizio. However, I don't know of a 32 inch that's as cheap as $300.

 

[kalrith]

I read up on the 32" Dynex at BB (here's the link BTW), and it seems to be a solid TV. The reviews on BB are really good, and several people on avsforum have purchased this TV to use as a bedroom TV and like it as much as the Vizio counterpart. If you can't increase your budget over $300, then I think that's the best TV you can get at the moment. You could get a higher quality TV that's half the size (i.e. a 23"), but you'll notice the bigger size of the Dynex MUCH more than any quality increase you would get.

You can get 5% Bing cashback (making the TV $285, not counting tax) by ordering online and getting free in-store pickup. Here's how to get Bing cashback. Follow this link, click on B, go down to Best Buy, and click Go to store. It will prompt you for an email address, so enter yours and the verification text and click shop and get cashback. As long as you don't close that window or checkout through a new tab or something like that, you should get $15 in cashback in 2-3 months. You can request a check or have it deposited directly into Paypal. If you need any more help with this, let me know.

 

[Muadib]

I agree with Kalrith. You would enjoy the bb set. Check it out!!

 

[Synomenon]

I probably would, but it's too big.

 

[Muadib]

Too big how? What is the room size?

 

[Rhoxed]

I'm looking for a bedroom TV. My 26" Sony Bravia was recently killed by my cat.

I can go smaller than 26", but would like to stay at 19" or higher. My budget is around $300. The TV goes into a cabinet so it needs to stay below a certain size.

I've been looking around and saw this:
http://www.vizio.com/flat-panel-hdtvs/vm230xvt.html

A feature I like on this Vizio is that you can plug a USB flash drive into it and pause and rewind up to 29 minutes. I don't have a DVR in the room and this feature would be great to have.

I can get it at Sam's Club for around $297. Any other suggestions, recommendations?

what size?

 

[Synomenon]

The opening is 30" wide.

 

[Muadib]

The Dynex is just 30-3/5" wide. Can't squeeze it in?

 

[Synomenon]

I wish. The 30" wide is the absolute max a TV can be.

 

[kalrith]

I wish. The 30" wide is the absolute max a TV can be.

A sawzall would remedy this problem

 

[Synomenon]

Ok so after a few day so of searching, here are the two models I'm looking at other than the 23" LED Vizio:

Sony KDL-26L5000
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...52921665746282
$399.99 - 10% off coupon + $50 gift card from Best Buy

Panasonic TC-L26X1
http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-...DTVs/model.TC-L26X1_11002_7000000000000005702
$299 - 15% off coupon from Dell.

I've seen the Sony in person and liked the picture quality. Sony says it uses an 8-bit panel. I haven't seen the Panasonic in person, but have read that their Viera TVs are pretty good. Panasonic's site says it uses a VA panel.

 

[Shadowknight]

Maybe look for a Sony 34xbr960 on craigslist (34 inch tv); they're huge, heavy, and more importantly, cannot be knocked over by a cat like your last tv.

 

[kalrith]

I would try to find some professional reviews on any TV that you consider. Just going by user reviews and the specs won't tell you which is better. Also, seeing them in person at a store won't tell you which is better, unless you're able to change the settings, view a good feed (i.e. BD), and view it in a dark environment (like Magnolia at BB).

Most (maybe all) LCD TVs use VA panels. Both the Sony and the Panasonic look good. I usually lean toward Panasonic due to their excellent reputation and concierge service. Hopefully you can find some reviews to help you decide between them.

 

[Synomenon]

I know Consumer Reports reviews don't really hold any water, but the Sony KDL-26L5000 was their highest rated 26" this year. The Panasonic TC-L26X1 didn't get such a great review and one thing they mentioned was that the viewing angles weren't all that great.

 

[Synomenon]

A little update. I have the opportunity to get one of these:

Sony KDL-32XBR9
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...52921665746302


for $384. Is this Bravia any good? Yeah, it's 32", but it looks like their top 32" model. $384 seems like a great deal on it.

 

[Caly]

A little update. I have the opportunity to get one of these:

Sony KDL-32XBR9
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...52921665746302


for $384. Is this Bravia any good? Yeah, it's 32", but it looks like their top 32" model. $384 seems like a great deal on it.

Whoa where did you find that bargain?

 

[Synomenon]

Work discount at a local store that has them on sale.

 

[Caly]

I don't suppose you're local to NYC? <.<