Smaller LED LCD or a bigger Plasma?

[cpals]

I bought a 40" Samsung UN40C6400 from BJs this week and trying to decide whether or not it's BIG enough. I sit at my desk a couple feet from the TV, but when I'm in the recliner in the office it's around eight feet for playing games/watching movies. Looks like I could get a 46" - 50" Samsung plasma for around what I paid for the LED LCD...

 

[RockinZ28]

Are you using it frequently as a monitor at your desk, or just mainly gaming/movies? LCD is better for a monitor imo, but gaming and video watching are better on the plasma, as long as you can make the room fairly dark. And of course as you said, the plasma is bigger for the same money.

 

[cpals]

I have my computer hooked to it, but haven't utilized it too much for 'computer tasks.' So far just playing games from the computer via HDMI, PS3 and movies either from the PS3 or streaming from Hulu/Netflix.

My office is facing East so during the day it gets quite a bit of sunlight (I have decent blinds though), but during the night when I'm around it's very dark.

Any good deals right now on 50" plasmas?

 

[RockinZ28]

Yea I would try the plasma if you're using it for games and movies. I have a Samsung 58" C7000 plasma in my office for games. With the game mode on you have no input lag or response time issues, and blacks are awesome of course.

Also, compared to my 2009 PN50B650 50" plasma which will get image retention after only a couple minutes on something like a ESPN scoreboard, the image retention is almost nonexistent on the 2010 model. You would really have to abuse it to get any burn-in.

The biggest downside to the Samsung plasmas is "the buzz". All plasmas will buzz to a certain degree, but many of them emit a rather loud buzzing noise that Samsung claims is normal. Some you can only hear it a foot away from the tv which is fine, but others you can hear it from 12ft+ away. 50" or less panels are usually ok though, because they only have one power board.
Depending on your age, you may not even be able to hear the buzz whatsoever though. But if you can and it bothers you, buying locally should ensure you can exchange it or return no questions asked.

Far as local deals go, I'd check out a site like slickdeals.net. At 9.75% sales tax here, I take the risk of online only. Samsung's warranty is decent though, I got a brand new tv direct from them cause mine had one dead pixel. Took about a month all said and done, but they replaced it no cost to me.

 

[Mermaidman]

HHGregg mailed me a "3-Day Sale" flyer that showed a 50" Panasonic plasma for $850. The mailer did not specify what model exactly but I suspect it's the S2. If it is the S2, then the price is very competitive with online vendors, except you'll have to pay upfront sales tax and delivery fee. I believe the sale is good only for this weekend.

 

[sivart]

I've never heard anyone say that they wished they had bought a smaller TV, computer monitor, etc.

 

[s44]

Size size size.

 

[0roo0roo]

at 8 feet it looks small..cuz it is. optimal viewing distance for a 40" 1080p is not a normal viable/reasonable couch distance...which is why its a kinda lame tv size.

 

[sandorski]

at 8 feet it looks small..cuz it is. optimal viewing distance for a 40" 1080p is not a normal viable/reasonable couch distance...which is why its a kinda lame tv size.

This is what I've been thinking. Currently have a 27" CRT and figure I'll need at least a 30" LCD as a decent replacement due to difference in height of the screen. Fortunately my Living area is small so I'm only approx 6" from the TV.

 

[CallMeJoe]

This is what I've been thinking. Currently have a 27" CRT and figure I'll need at least a 30" LCD as a decent replacement due to difference in height of the screen. Fortunately my Living area is small so I'm only approx 6" from the TV.

At that distance, I would think a 19" set would fill your entire field of vision.

 

[sandorski]

At that distance, I would think a 19" set would fill your entire field of vision.

lol, meant '. my bad.

 

[piasabird]

a 19" Widescreen is only as tall as a 15" standard Monitor. Try some kind of trick to see how the screen really is. Look at the screen dimensions in inches and cut it out on butcher paper or cardboard and hang it up and sit on your expected TV viewing location. That will give you an idea what you are buying. What fits in a giant superstore may not fit in your living room. You may also need to be aware of what kind of conditions are in your home. An LCD may not do well with Direct sunlight or glare. Of course you could just buy some dark drapes or verticle blinds.

 

[0roo0roo]

At that distance, I would think a 19" set would fill your entire field of vision.

lol if only.

40" sadly is just so small. http://myhometheater.homestead.com/viewingdistancecalculator.html Its more like 4.5 feet recommended viewing distance for that size lol

at 19" u just say f**k it

 

[Seleni]

HHGregg mailed me a "3-Day Sale" flyer that showed a 50" Panasonic plasma for $850. The mailer did not specify what model exactly but I suspect it's the S2. If it is the S2, then the price is very competitive with online vendors, except you'll have to pay upfront sales tax and delivery fee. I believe the sale is good only for this weekend.

I guess I just got a killer deal on this TV I got it 45 minutes ago at HHgregg for $700.00. Because of this I am convinced this will be a 699.99 (maybe even lower) Black Friday Special. I talked to 2 sales people and the store manager I was there for 2 hours working them down from the 899.99 floor price. I know Best buy and Sears have it now for 849.99, but PC Richards has it for $796.97. I got personal assurance about their 30 day price policy from the store manger. I am sure he would honor it because I will be around there on black friday or so buying a $900 camera.