Should I get a new TV?

[Eeezee]

Does anyone have recommendations for me? Here is my situation.

I don't know anything about HDTVs.

What kind should I get? What are the advantages of LCD/Plasma/Projection/Tube? Which is better, 780p or 1080i? Would 480p be good enough?

I don't want to spend an incredible amount of money. Several hundred dollars should be obvious. More than $1000 is way too much. I don't need top of the line equipment, I just want something that looks nice but is still reasonably big.

I have a friend who works at Best Buy, so I can take advantage of the discount. I think it's at cost +10% or 20%. I forget. Whatever, it's a discount, and on televisions I can only assume that the discount would be considerable.

I plan on owning the PS3 and a Wii. I might get a 360 if it gets more good games. Halo does not excite me, but Gears of War could be great. This is why I need to upgrade my TV. I currently have a 23" SDTV. It's about 8 years old and the corners have weird color issues. On a completely blue screen, every corner is purple.

Edit: With the Best Buy discount, This TV is only $750 instead of $900. Should I do it?

 

[Kaido]

I would suggest a projector. Keep your old TV and then use the project for games & HD content.

 

[RossMAN]

Since you have access to a BB discount, I would get the Westinghouse 32" LCD (720p).

How do you plan on receiving HD content? OTA, cable, satellite or PC TV tuner card?

 

[MustISO]

Do your research. There's a lot to know about the different options and pros and cons.

AVS

There's some decent information at Crutchfield.
http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/S-zjTBdgnkOZ6/learningcenter/home/tv.html

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Eeezee
I currently have a 23" SDTV. It's about 8 years old and the corners have weird color issues. On a completely blue screen, every corner is purple.

I think your TV just needs to be degaussed.

 

[Eeezee]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: Eeezee
I currently have a 23" SDTV. It's about 8 years old and the corners have weird color issues. On a completely blue screen, every corner is purple.

I think your TV just needs to be degaussed.

I'd love it if that were true, but degaussing it has no effect.

 

[Eeezee]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Since you have access to a BB discount, I would get the Westinghouse 32" LCD (720p).

How do you plan on receiving HD content? OTA, cable, satellite or PC TV tuner card?

PC TV tuner card and whatever HD content is provided by my gaming consoles

 

[UpgradeFailure]

Plasma, FTW

 

[Slew Foot]

FYI the Wii only supports 420p. Hope it looks good on my 56" Samsung DLP Id reccomend that buts its a little out of your price range.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Eeezee

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Since you have access to a BB discount, I would get the Westinghouse 32" LCD (720p).

How do you plan on receiving HD content? OTA, cable, satellite or PC TV tuner card?

PC TV tuner card and whatever HD content is provided by my gaming consoles

That's what I loved about my older Westinghouse 32" which had DVI. You can buy an HDMI to DVI cable for around $15.

 

[Eeezee]

RossMAN, I am totally digging that TV. It has pretty much everything I need, and it's a pretty great size.

Anyone else have suggestions? If not, I'm going to look into buying the Westinghouse.

 

[fire400]

don't forget the kids

 

[Eeezee]

The Westinghbouse, with employee discount, is $744.78. Should I do it???

 

[intogamer]

I don't think all BB employees have discounts

Maybe because the guy I know works at newly opened BB

 

[Eeezee]

Originally posted by: intogamer
I don't think all BB employees have discounts

Maybe because the guy I know works at newly opened BB

That's the price that my friend quoted for me, he definitely gets the discount

 

[Reel]

I have the 32w6. I bought it 9/2 from BB at 660 before tax. I don't know if a scan of my receipt would help you get the deal but the details were $50 discount for a comcast hd agreement, then 12% labor day coupon. It was on sale then for $800 regular price.

I have used it for the cable non-encrypted HD channels and I was very impressed. I am awaiting an HD-DVR from Comcast next weekend. There are some quirks about this TV though such as sound problems, variations on firmware floating about, occasional software trouble. Mine has some audio output trouble where it will stop outputting the 5.1 sound from the HD channels. However, it will be a moot point once the cable box comes in. Keep in mind that the BB page is wrong because you will likely not have PIP because the latest firmware does not support it. It is believed that you could upgrade firmware by plugging in a USB key with the firmware on it but Westinghouse won't release details. PM me if you have any questions about the TV or its performance.

 

[Eeezee]

Originally posted by: Reel
I have the 32w6. I bought it 9/2 from BB at 660 before tax. I don't know if a scan of my receipt would help you get the deal but the details were $50 discount for a comcast hd agreement, then 12% labor day coupon. It was on sale then for $800 regular price.

I have used it for the cable non-encrypted HD channels and I was very impressed. I am awaiting an HD-DVR from Comcast next weekend. There are some quirks about this TV though such as sound problems, variations on firmware floating about, occasional software trouble. Mine has some audio output trouble where it will stop outputting the 5.1 sound from the HD channels. However, it will be a moot point once the cable box comes in. Keep in mind that the BB page is wrong because you will likely not have PIP because the latest firmware does not support it. It is believed that you could upgrade firmware by plugging in a USB key with the firmware on it but Westinghouse won't release details. PM me if you have any questions about the TV or its performance.

Damn, that would imply that the TV has risen in price considerably since labor day. I really am tempted to just wait until black friday to see if something better shows up.

 

[JasonE4]

I recently bought the 32w6 as well ($720 + tax). It's a great tv. If you wait for another 10% off coupon, you can get it for less than the $744 that your friend quoted you, but it's hardly worth the twenty something dollars saved if you have to wait more than a couple days. If you want a new tv now, get it now. There'll always be price drops and better things in the future.

 

[Trikat]

It's technology, it will rise and fall, but mainly fall.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: intogamer
I don't think all BB employees have discounts

Maybe because the guy I know works at newly opened BB

Within the last 30 days? BB doesn't give a discount until you've been there a month.

 

[Saint Nick]

I would just talk to the guys that work in home theatre . . . they would probably know best, and not just try to sell you something that sucks since you work there.

I'm with Geek Squad, and I'm looking at a new TV for my apartment as well. Love Best Buy discounts

 

[handoverfist]

Is that the best deal you can get with the employee discount? I remember getting close to $500 off a rear pro when I worked there.

 

[JasonE4]

Originally posted by: pOwder
I would just talk to the guys that work in home theatre . . . they would probably know best, and not just try to sell you something that sucks since you work there.

I'm with Geek Squad, and I'm looking at a new TV for my apartment as well. Love Best Buy discounts

Well, he doesn't work there. Also, I really doubt that they know best.