Need some help picking a TV.

[Krynj]

Ok, so I got a Boxee Box for Christmas, and right now I have just a regular old tube TV. I was going to use an HDMI - RCA converter box but, fuck that. My girlfriend and I have been talking about splitting the cost of a new TV, so I'd rather put the cost of the converter box toward a new TV -- SO, that's what I'm doing.

My budget is $550 +/- $20. The only requirements I really have are decent picture (duh), good amount of inputs, and reliability. I'm not concerned about viewing angles, and I wouldn't pay an extra $100-$200 for deeper blacks, or anything else real specific like that. 1080p and 60Hz is a must.

I want to buy local. I've been eying a few models at Wal-Mart, and they all seem to have real solid reviews. I don't really care about brand, so, long as it works well and lasts long.

Here are a few I've been considering:

Sanyo DP42840
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sanyo-DP42840/14237667

Sony Bravia KDL-40EX400
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sony/13422987

Panasonic TC-L42U22
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Panasonic-TC-L42U22/14100710

So what do you guys thing? Good for the price?

Like I said, I don't need anything real new and cutting edge. 3D doesn't interest me, and plasma is out of my price range. I just want to stream 1080p content on my Boxee Box, with crisp, lag-free picture.

I'm open to suggestions in my price range, and most retailers do site-to-store, so I'll do that if there's something else I should look into. The retailers in my area are Best Buy, Sam's Club, Wal-Mart, and Target.

Also, are there any reliable sites for TV reviews and ratings? I've read reviews on a few different tech blogs, but I'd prefer a site that really gets under the hood. Which sites do you guys swear by?

 

[fralexandr]

avsforum.com
DLP would be a nice choice if you're planning on sitting a decent distance away (size) and don't care about wall mounting, since viewing angles won't be a problem.
Alot of the image problems when viewing DLP in stores is due to improper height. Also, Mitsubishi might still be offering a free replacement bulb as part of the warranty.

 

[schmunk]

Im a big fan of Samsung myself, though Panasonic makes the higest rated TV right now. Make sure the TV you get has all the connections you need, for instance some TVs dont have optical out, or SPDIF coaxial digital out in case you need to run the sound to TV via HDMI, and then split back to reciever. My TV dosent have optical or SPDIF input, but I carry the sound through the HDMI. Some only have one HDMI input which sucks if you get a cable box and also a bluray player or DVD with 1080P upscale ability or PS3.

 

[kornphlake]

We just bought a 40" Toshiba at costco for $480, I probably would have bought something else somewhere else but Costco offers a 2 year warranty on TVs. The piece of mind is worth what I might have saved elsewhere. The TV I purchased does not have analog audio outputs only a digital optical output, I planned on using my old 2 channel stereo receiver for sound but it doesn't have digital inputs, I'm going to have to pull the analog from the Blue ray player and the HD receiver and manually switch the source on the receiver or buy a new receiver with a digital input.

 

[schmunk]

I bought an Onkyo 5.1 dts reciever from craigslist, and put it together with some decent second hand boston acoustic bookshelf speakers and a sub and I absolutly love it! I think the reciever is the way to go.