Picking an HDTV: Questions

[RandomFool]

I think I'm finally making the jump and replacing my 19in CRT with an HDTV. I'm a bit space constrained, anything I buy can't be more than 28" high. So I'm pretty much looking at a 37" LCD. It'll be mostly be used for gaming, and DVDs (using my 360) and occasionally whatever I can get from the antenna.

I. Right now I'm using a pair of trusty rabbit ears for all my television. Do I need a separate antenna to pull in stations?
1. Is it worth it to spend the extra money on a 1080p 37" or is it a waste due to the size of the set? I'd like to keep the price down if I can but if it's worth it for full 1080 I'll consider spending more.
A. Any recommendations on brand/model? I've been looking at the Sharp Aquos since they seem to be good for gaming and my SO's parents have one that looks good (to me at least).

Bonus Questions:
+ Is there any store better to buy from than the others? I've got Best Buy, Circuit City, and Bernie's near me.
- Is the extra extended warranty/protection plan BS worth it?

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: RandomFool
I. Right now I'm using a pair of trusty rabbit ears for all my television. Do I need a separate antenna to pull in stations?

You'll want a directional antenna. Your rabbit ears will work, but not well.

1. Is it worth it to spend the extra money on a 1080p 37" or is it a waste due to the size of the set? I'd like to keep the price down if I can but if it's worth it for full 1080 I'll consider spending more.

You need to give us a budget. I don't think there's a ton of value in 1080p at 37", but I disagree with the folks saying you won't be able to tell the difference between that and 720p at all. It's also going to matter what sources you're using - for games and HD television, there's basically zero value for 1080p. But for BR-Ds, HD-DVDs, and PCs, you'll get a reasonable amount of it. *shrugs*

 

[RandomFool]

Originally posted by: erwos

Originally posted by: RandomFool
I. Right now I'm using a pair of trusty rabbit ears for all my television. Do I need a separate antenna to pull in stations?

You'll want a directional antenna. Your rabbit ears will work, but not well.

1. Is it worth it to spend the extra money on a 1080p 37" or is it a waste due to the size of the set? I'd like to keep the price down if I can but if it's worth it for full 1080 I'll consider spending more.

You need to give us a budget. I don't think there's a ton of value in 1080p at 37", but I disagree with the folks saying you won't be able to tell the difference between that and 720p at all. It's also going to matter what sources you're using - for games and HD television, there's basically zero value for 1080p. But for BR-Ds, HD-DVDs, and PCs, you'll get a reasonable amount of it. *shrugs*

Sounds like 720p is fine for me then. I'm just using regular DVDs and I'm not ready to jump to Blu-Ray quite yet. I don't have any plans to use my PC with it either.

As for price I'd like to stick around 1000, maybe a little lower.

 

[AstroManLuca]

You should easily be able to find a 37" LCD, even a 42" LCD, for under $1000. Check slickdeals.net. I found a deal on a 32" Westinghouse, refurbished, for $435, free shipping, no tax. A couple weeks before I bought it I almost pulled the trigger on a 37" Olevia for $700, but I couldn't quite do it.

 

[sivart]

If you are going to double the TV as a PC monitor then for sure 1080p. If you are just going to watch TV sitting more than 6-7 foot away, 720p will do you well. I did see that Wal-Mart has the new Vizio 42" 720p Plasma for $747. It is a little taller than you want, but for $250 you can find a nice stand. I have the previous version of the Vizio 720p Plasma and it is great. Blows away 1080p LCD's -- especially with fast moving sports (golf, hockey, etc). To get close to it you have it hit the $2500 mark

 

[RandomFool]

I went out last night and checked out a bunch of stores. A lot of the sets looked pretty bad picture quality but I think i was just the way they were hooked up or the sets themselves. I can't imagine they would be selling that many crappy sets.

Anyway how is the quality of the non-major brand TVs like Vizio, Olevia and Insignia? I'd like whatever I buy to last more than a couple of years.

 

[sivart]

I'd stay away from Insignia, but would buy either of the other two without hesitation. My calibrated 42" Vizio Plasma ($999 at the time) looks just as good as my brother's calibrated 720p 42" LCD by Sony ($2499 at the time). There are also about 4 Vizio's in my family with no problems from any of them (both Plasma and LCD)