Potentially buying a 52" LCD, torn between a few models

[MrDudeMan]

I'm currently debating on which TV to purchase in the next week or so. I went to BB and checked out all of them for a few hours and since then I've been doing some homework on each TV.

Here are the models I'm interested in:

LNT5271
LN52A750
LN52A650
LN52A550

To be completely honest, I didn't see a huge difference between most of them. I do have a preference though after spending a lot of time looking at all of them for the LNT5271. I don't know what it is but it looks better to me than the others. Does anyone have any insight into this? I don't really care about the inputs as I will only be using HDMI for the BR player and the 360 and they all have at least 2.

I am not against plasma, but I just didn't see any plasmas in the same price range that looked as good as these LCDs. Feel free to mention some models if you think I'm wrong. I'm buying a new TV to play Wii and 360 on HD as well as BR movies if that helps. We currently have a 42" plasma and will be moving that to a different room. We'd like to replace it with a 46"-52" TV and have $2000-$2700ish to spend on it.

Update:

I'm currently leaning toward the 650. Amazon has the 46" for $2000 and the 52" for $2500. If you know of a better deal please let me know.

 

[krotchy]

Well the 5271 is last years model, and its AMP processing is quite inferior to the A650/750. The store you looked at this model at must have had the settings on this calibrated better, because after calibration there is no way it looks better than either a 650 or a 750. As it stands, unless you find a great deal on the 5271 it shouldn't be in consideration. Also the triple ball effect and some other issues were fixed in the transition to the 650, along with better contrast, better panels and better processing.

The 650 and 750 are identical models, except that the 750 has a built in woofer, ethernet connectivity and 1GB of flash storage. Unless you intend to use the sound you probably don't need the upgrade.

The 650 has the following differences from the 550:
650 has 50K:1 vs 550's 30K:1 dynamic contrast (Static 3K to 2K)
650 has a glossy panel, 550 is matte, so the 550 will be easier to watch in a bright room.
650 has 120Hz processing, 550 does not.

Personally I think the 650 is the TV to go with. My dad recently bought a 46" 550 for his exercise room and a 52" 650 for his bedroom, and I think the 650 really looks much better. If you are leaning towards the 71, then the 650 should be your TV of choice, because IMO it improves on it in several ways as it is the direct follow up to the 71 model.

 

[MrDudeMan]

After reading your reply, I did some more digging and I think you sold me on the 650. Amazon has the 46" for $2000 and the 52" for $2500. What do you think of those prices? Also, what do you think about buying it online versus B&M w.r.t. the warranty?

I'm also concerned about what to do regarding my Tivo and cable service. I guess HD Tivo isn't a big deal since most of the shows we watch aren't broadcast in HD, but I didn't know what was going on with the all digital cable switch at the end of this year or whenever it is supposed to happen. Mostly we just want this TV for BluRay movies and consoles. I've been shopping for BluRay players and can't really decide on one. Anyway, thanks for your reply krotchy.

 

[krotchy]

Originally posted by: MrDudeMan
After reading your reply, I did some more digging and I think you sold me on the 650. Amazon has the 46" for $2000 and the 52" for $2500. What do you think of those prices? Also, what do you think about buying it online versus B&M w.r.t. the warranty?

This is always the tricky question I find, though I personally have bought alot from amazon in the past with no issues, but nothing as large as a TV, so I dunno. One thing to keep in mind if you are worried, is Circuit City and Best Buy are both kind of hurting with the economy doing badly. If you walk in there and say, here is the TV I want, here is what I can get on amazon with Free shipping and no tax, what can you do for me. The employees will usually deal on things now.

My dad got his exercise room TV from best buy, for the same price as amazon (though he had to pay tax), and the guy knocked 50 bucks off a wall mount for it. Give it a shot and be a bit of a hard ass

*edit* Oh Yeah, At my old job we bought a 61in LED DLP from an Amazon reseller, and it was a pretty simple purchase, with no issues and it arrived within a week. However that TV never needed repair, but I think if it did, you still deal with Samsung on that and not amazon anyways. Not 100% sure though.