picking a new hdtv and need help

Bman123

Diamond Member
Nov 16, 2008
3,221
1
81
Ive never had a nice tv, ive always bought bargain bin stuff around 32-42 inches and now I have the chance to drop some money on one and need some help
1. Must be purchased at best buy due to 18months no interest
2. Will be sitting about 12 feet away from it
3. Not sure what size to get but it will probably need to be 55 inch or more
4. Max budget of $1100 with tax
5. I dont need 3d nor will I use it, it gives me a migraine

I looked at the store and was lost on what to get and figured I should ask here for help. I can get the tv some time this week thanks in advance to everyone who chimes in.
 

Tweak155

Lifer
Sep 23, 2003
11,449
264
126
I think for a nice quality TV, $1100 is going to push you down to that 55" mark, but that is actually a pretty good size for 12 feet I think.

I haven't looked at specific models in years, but do you know what technology you want? I always preferred LCD but those are pretty much all but gone at this point, replaced by LED.

My next TV may be plasma due to this.
 

Zivic

Diamond Member
Nov 25, 2002
3,505
38
91
I think for a nice quality TV, $1100 is going to push you down to that 55" mark, but that is actually a pretty good size for 12 feet I think.

I haven't looked at specific models in years, but do you know what technology you want? I always preferred LCD but those are pretty much all but gone at this point, replaced by LED.

My next TV may be plasma due to this.

you do realize LED is LCD... LED only refers to how the panel is lit.
 

Tweak155

Lifer
Sep 23, 2003
11,449
264
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Ok so you left out a key piece of information: how bright is the room and are their any bright light sources (aka windows) facing the screen?

If dark room buy:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-...&skuId=8182045

If bright room buy:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/vizio-e-...&skuId=7172045

Vizio gives you ridiculous size for the money, but their quality has gone way down IMO. I bought one of their TV's back in 2008 and it was much better quality than anything I see in the stores today as far as materials. But, their picture quality is still pretty good.

EDIT:

It was also much more costly than TV's today. It was like $1800 for a 55" at that time, still substantially cheaper than other brands.
 

poofyhairguy

Lifer
Nov 20, 2005
14,612
318
126
Vizio gives you ridiculous size for the money, but their quality has gone way down IMO. I bought one of their TV's back in 2008 and it was much better quality than anything I see in the stores today as far as materials. But, their picture quality is still pretty good.

Visio is all over the map. Some crap sets mixed in with ones with amazing value. This one in particular gets the CNET stamp of approval and is on sale, which is why I recommended it:

http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/vizio-e601i-a3/4505-6482_7-35477662.html

I prefer plasmas myself (just recently bought the last P60ST60 my Best Buy had last month), but that Visio looks like a great set for the money if you need a bright room TV.
 

Tweak155

Lifer
Sep 23, 2003
11,449
264
126
Visio is all over the map. Some crap sets mixed in with ones with amazing value. This one in particular gets the CNET stamp of approval and is on sale, which is why I recommended it:

http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/vizio-e601i-a3/4505-6482_7-35477662.html

I prefer plasmas myself (just recently bought the last P60ST60 my Best Buy had last month), but that Visio looks like a great set for the money if you need a bright room TV.

I wouldn't hesitate buying it myself if in store I was happy with viewing angles and brightness. But if I wanted a really high end quality set, I'd look elsewhere.

I'm not knocking Vizio, just stating an observation. They aren't charging $1800 for TV's anymore in the 60" range, you're getting what you pay for.
 

poofyhairguy

Lifer
Nov 20, 2005
14,612
318
126
I wouldn't hesitate buying it myself if in store I was happy with viewing angles and brightness. But if I wanted a really high end quality set, I'd look elsewhere.

I'm not knocking Vizio, just stating an observation. They aren't charging $1800 for TV's anymore in the 60" range, you're getting what you pay for.

True that is not a high-end set, but for OP's viewing distance 60 inches is optimal and that Visio is CNET's value pick of last year.
 

Bman123

Diamond Member
Nov 16, 2008
3,221
1
81
Its going in a dark room but I am moving soon so that could change so I don't want to get a plasma. When I go to check stores on that vizio its says page unavailable for some reason but I am on my phone
 

cmdrdredd

Lifer
Dec 12, 2001
27,052
357
126
I agree with the Vizio for the value per dollar. You could spend more, a lot more and get a much better set but you'd blow your budget by a good bit.
 

Bman123

Diamond Member
Nov 16, 2008
3,221
1
81
They had the 50inch of this set at the store but I dont think they had the 60 on display, i dont remember seeing it. Still listening to suggestions but overall it seems like the 60inch vizio is my best bet according to everyone here.
 
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Bman123

Diamond Member
Nov 16, 2008
3,221
1
81
I found the vizio that was linked in that cnet review open box at best buy only missing the manual for $688 in the 60 inch size. I called and had them hold it for me. Ill take a flash drive with the book of eli blu ray rip on it with me to test the picture. Hopefully this pans out
 
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Tweak155

Lifer
Sep 23, 2003
11,449
264
126
I found the vizio that was linked in that cnet review open box at best buy only missing the manual for $688 in the 60 inch size. I called and had them hold it for me. Ill take a flash drive with the book of eli blu ray rip on it with me to test the picture. Hopefully this pans out

Nice! Good luck.
 

Bman123

Diamond Member
Nov 16, 2008
3,221
1
81
For once I had a good experience with best buy. I got there and the tv looked like new. Sticker price was $688 only thing missing was the manual. Out the door with a 2 year warranty it came out to $818.

Got it all setup and used the settings someone posted on the avs forum and the picture is beautiful on this tv. Thank you guys for suggesting this set, my girlfriend loves it too
 

cmdrdredd

Lifer
Dec 12, 2001
27,052
357
126
For once I had a good experience with best buy. I got there and the tv looked like new. Sticker price was $688 only thing missing was the manual. Out the door with a 2 year warranty it came out to $818.

Got it all setup and used the settings someone posted on the avs forum and the picture is beautiful on this tv. Thank you guys for suggesting this set, my girlfriend loves it too

Glad you found something you were happy with and you saved a few bux too.
 

Bman123

Diamond Member
Nov 16, 2008
3,221
1
81
Glad you found something you were happy with and you saved a few bux too.

With the 2 year warranty it ended up being cheaper then what I would of paid for it new with tax so I can't complain at all. I just played cod ghosts on xbox one and now I can see how terrible the game really looks.
Thank you all for the help. Poofyhairguy I owe ya one for suggesting this set, thank you again.
 

hawtdawg

Golden Member
Jun 4, 2005
1,223
7
81
I think for a nice quality TV, $1100 is going to push you down to that 55" mark, but that is actually a pretty good size for 12 feet I think.

I haven't looked at specific models in years, but do you know what technology you want? I always preferred LCD but those are pretty much all but gone at this point, replaced by LED.

My next TV may be plasma due to this.

1080p is not discernible on a 55 inch TV at that distance. Also, all of the good plasmas are gone. Panasonic stopped making them and they're pretty much sold out.
 

Tweak155

Lifer
Sep 23, 2003
11,449
264
126
doesn't seem so by your previous statement.




so tell us again, how LCD has been replaced by LED :rollseyes:

Lol, sorry they didn't call the previous iteration "CCFL" when they were sitting on shelves. Go ahead and feel butthurt, doesn't bother me one bit ;)

Just using terms you'd see on the shelves as generally that is what someone can relate to when they need TV recommendations. If the question was different or came from a different source, I'd answer differently.
 
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Tweak155

Lifer
Sep 23, 2003
11,449
264
126
1080p is not discernible on a 55 inch TV at that distance. Also, all of the good plasmas are gone. Panasonic stopped making them and they're pretty much sold out.

I updated my 55" TV to a 65" at 18 feet and I felt it was too big. I imagine at 12 feet 55" is probably a good size. Just commenting on the physical size, nothing else. Most TV's these days that I've seen are 1080p regardless. I haven't looked in a while though.
 
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