Need to get 2 LCD TVs - 32"

[maziwanka]

So, my gf and I want to get 32" tvs for our respective bdrms. I want to use mine as a monitor and as a regular tv, so my tv needs to be 1080p. Hers, however, is simply for tv viewing and doesn't need to support 1080p. For my tv, the top priority is getting a quality set that will serve me well - i've been looking at the Samsung LN32A650, Sony 32xbr6 and the LG 32L70. All seem to be pretty good and I'm not sure which among the three I want to go with.

also, i was just wondering what you guys thought in terms of using a tv as a monitor. Good? Bad? I dont care about PC gaming and what I really want to be able to do is to watch movies, tv shows and other media (the only other things i really do are surf the net and check email).

For my gf, i think lowest cost is the top priority. I haven't done much research into sets for her, but a no-name brand would be perfectly fine (i've been very satisfied with the olevia 37" i got 2 years ago on BF) - sub 500 for her set would really be great.

finally, do you guys know if a place like PC Richards operates on commission? If so, I might try to purchase these tvs together to get a better deal.

thanks! personally, it's starting to feel like tv prices aren't gonna get that much lower come december, but if you guys feel otherwise, i may wait.

 

[tefleming]

Article today on Cnet (so take it fwiw) speculating that prices will drop measurably during December leading up to the holidays.

//EDIT: Linkage

 

[maziwanka]

any other advice guys?

 

[krotchy]

The 32A650 and 32A550 are identical panels minus the color border. There is no 120Hz on the 32" Samsungs.
The Sony 32XBR6 is really nice and really overpriced.
I'm not familiar with the 32LG70, but LG makes nice TVs IMO.

Personally the 32A550 would be my choice for you and the 32A450 or 32A330/350 for your GF. Samsungs price/performance is pretty much unbeatable this model year IMO.

 

[maziwanka]

Originally posted by: krotchy
The 32A650 and 32A550 are identical panels minus the color border. There is no 120Hz on the 32" Samsungs.
The Sony 32XBR6 is really nice and really overpriced.
I'm not familiar with the 32LG70, but LG makes nice TVs IMO.

Personally the 32A550 would be my choice for you and the 32A450 or 32A330/350 for your GF. Samsungs price/performance is pretty much unbeatable this model year IMO.

looks like the xbr6 and the a650 are the same price on amazon. the a550 is cheaper by 100 and change. there was also a deal today on a toshiba regza 32rv530u for 590, shipping and no taxes. im wondering whether i should hop on that. only thing is, it's from newegg and i've heard they're not the best place to get tvs from (bad return policy).

 

[marketsons1985]

Originally posted by: krotchy
The 32A650 and 32A550 are identical panels minus the color border. There is no 120Hz on the 32" Samsungs.
The Sony 32XBR6 is really nice and really overpriced.
I'm not familiar with the 32LG70, but LG makes nice TVs IMO.

Personally the 32A550 would be my choice for you and the 32A450 or 32A330/350 for your GF. Samsungs price/performance is pretty much unbeatable this model year IMO.

I second this choice. I got a 40A530 and absolutely love it. It's hooked up to my PC and my PS3 and looks amazing. My only issue with it is the huge ass font for the remote, but I don't think that's a functional issue at all. :-D

 

[kalrith]

Newegg has a Toshiba 32" 1080p for $589 shipped right now. CNET gave the 42" version a 6.6 rating. It's not the greatest set, but it's probably the best set at that price. All the other 32" 1080p TVs that I've seen at this price range haven't done 1:1 pixel mapping and/or have horrible black levels.

 

[maziwanka]

Originally posted by: kalrith
Newegg has a Toshiba 32" 1080p for $589 shipped right now. CNET gave the 42" version a 6.6 rating. It's not the greatest set, but it's probably the best set at that price. All the other 32" 1080p TVs that I've seen at this price range haven't done 1:1 pixel mapping and/or have horrible black levels.

i think i would hop on this, but am concerned about newegg's return policy in case the set is bad

 

[kalrith]

Originally posted by: maziwanka

Originally posted by: kalrith
Newegg has a Toshiba 32" 1080p for $589 shipped right now. CNET gave the 42" version a 6.6 rating. It's not the greatest set, but it's probably the best set at that price. All the other 32" 1080p TVs that I've seen at this price range haven't done 1:1 pixel mapping and/or have horrible black levels.

i think i would hop on this, but am concerned about newegg's return policy in case the set is bad

It's $695 shipped at Amazon. I wonder if they would price match Newegg.

 

[maziwanka]

Originally posted by: kalrith

Originally posted by: maziwanka

Originally posted by: kalrith
Newegg has a Toshiba 32" 1080p for $589 shipped right now. CNET gave the 42" version a 6.6 rating. It's not the greatest set, but it's probably the best set at that price. All the other 32" 1080p TVs that I've seen at this price range haven't done 1:1 pixel mapping and/or have horrible black levels.

i think i would hop on this, but am concerned about newegg's return policy in case the set is bad

It's $695 shipped at Amazon. I wonder if they would price match Newegg.

well i hopped on the newegg deal. bought a desktop as well (HP deal), a blu-ray/hddvd/dvd burner drive and an extra 2 gigs of ram.

im psyched!

still need to get another tv for the gf, but im certain i can get a decent 32" for less than 500 with bf around the corner

thanks all!