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Please help me choose a TV

R

rossco17

Junior Member
I'm looking for a 46" or 47" television (as big as possible under 44" wide) for around $600. The two units in the running are:

Samsung UN46EH5000
Vizio E470i-A0

The Samsung is an entry level, basic unit and the Vizio has the nicer specifications (smartTV, 120Hz). I've never felt the need for a smartTV, so that's not a big selling point for me.

So do i go with the bigger brand name or the one with the features? I don't have much experience with either brand so your help would be very much appreciated.

Or, if you have another unit that fits the bill, please feel free to mention it.
 
I'm no expert, but I'd lean toward the Samsung. 120 Hz is jarring and unnatural looking to me. Samsung panels, even lower end ones, tend to look much better. Vizio has still not improved enough for me to recommend unless your goal is a low price no matter what.

I feel like smart tv functions are largely pointless, but I have consoles plugged in that have the same functionality with way more horsepower.

LG has good panels, but I really dislike 120 Hz. And Samsung's panels are still better.

But at the end of the day, it's your tv, not mine. Is there a store nearby where you can demo sets and see what you do and don't like?
 
Hi - thanks for your reply. Yes, I can hit bestbuy and compare the LG and Samsung.

In watching sports and fast-action things, would 120 Hz be 'better' than 60 Hz?

You're right - smartTV isn't a selling point at all with DVD players and other units having built-in wifi and streaming already.

So i called best buy to ask about these 2 models and they mentioned that they have an open box sale on a Samsung UN46FH6030AFXZA for $545. I'm not sure what the warranty is on an open box item but would certainly make sure it's acceptable. Any thoughts on an open box item like this?
 
sweenish said:
LG has good panels, but I really dislike 120 Hz. And Samsung's panels are still better.
Click to expand...

Doesn't Vizio use LG panels anyway?

Also, I own a newer Vizio TV, and it works fine. I also own a smaller, cheaper LG panel, and my only complaint is the glossy screen, which is probably the glass-based patterned retarder used for passive 3D.

I would keep in mind that you can't always trust a showroom model for the display quality. The stores don't exactly go around and calibrate each TV properly, so some of them may look fine and others may look awful. I recall seeing two Vizio TVs next to each other in Best Buy: 70" E series and 65" M Series. The E-series TV looked terrible compared to the M-series TV, but I guarantee that most of the issues were just in poor calibration (looked like the brightness was jacked up).
 
Thank you. Based on comments everywhere, i'm pulling the Vizio out of the equation - just too many bad reviews out there. So, if these sets were all the same price, which would you go for and why? (no gaming - just movies and sports via satellite)

Samsung UN46EH5000
LG 47LN5400
Samsung UN46EH6030

thanks very much
 
If you don't mind a bigger screen, then Panasonic 50" Plasma from Costco/Sams. I forgot the model number, but it's FANTASTIC!!!
 
Aikouka said:
Doesn't Vizio use LG panels anyway?

Also, I own a newer Vizio TV, and it works fine. I also own a smaller, cheaper LG panel, and my only complaint is the glossy screen, which is probably the glass-based patterned retarder used for passive 3D.

I would keep in mind that you can't always trust a showroom model for the display quality. The stores don't exactly go around and calibrate each TV properly, so some of them may look fine and others may look awful. I recall seeing two Vizio TVs next to each other in Best Buy: 70" E series and 65" M Series. The E-series TV looked terrible compared to the M-series TV, but I guarantee that most of the issues were just in poor calibration (looked like the brightness was jacked up).
Click to expand...

Not sure about the panels Vizio uses. I never said vizio sets don't work. I just hate their screens. Like I said, I only throw their name out when a low budget is the driving factor. Even then, I'll still recommend an older Samsung at the same time.

You're not wrong about showrooming televisions and why it's not the best (unless you're allowed to fiddle with the settings), but it's still better than buying blind.

OP, I would still go with a Samsung set personally, the newest one that's in the size and price range that suits you.
 
pmark said:
I second this. I just picked this up about a week ago and it is great! Can't beat it for $599.
Click to expand...

I also just bought this set from Costco. Its a great set for a great price. Best picture I have seen personally, and very highly rated PQ by CNet.
 
Even though the 120Hz LCD TVs can look strange, most sets allow for various adjustments to lesson the visual side effects or you can turn the processing off entirely. Personally, I would get a Plasma but if I were to go with LCD I would definitely get a set with 120Hz capability. I would just turn it off when watching movies.

Oh, and there is nothing wrong with Vizio TVs. You are doing yourself a disservice by not considering them.

-KeithP
 
I have the panasonic one too, so far so good. Used to own samsung 3d TV , the image quality is great but the 3d glasses were spoilt after slightly more than a year. It's a nightmare trying to get a replacement set as samsung has stop producing the glasses. After that, even for a standard TV, I tend to avoid Samsung.
 
rossco17 said:
I just noticed the LG 47LN5400 might fit the bill as well. This is overwhelming! please help!

thanks
Click to expand...

I have this TV and love it. For the 600 bucks I paid last year it was quite the bargain. My only issue with it is the only 2 HDMI ports and the speakers. I have a sound bar so its not to bad an issue as I am sure most TVs of this thinness have crappy speakers but 2 HDMI? sucks. But the ease of use and screen picture quality are excellent.
 
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