Thinking about getting a 60" for football season

[RossMAN]

Sony W700B series at 55" for $999. Basically the 2D version of the W800B which is $1499.

Which is awesome because i have no interest in a 3D TV.

I bought a Sony 55" LED a few years ago, best purchase ever. Although it offers active 3D (which sucks compared to passive), I haven't used it.

If you're worried about a warranty I would pay with a premium credit card which usually offers 1 free year extended warranty or get this (that's what we did although TV was purchased elsewhere).

 

[Capt Caveman]

I want a plasma but can't find a model with 3+ HDMI inputs anywhere.

All of the LGs Plasmas have 3 HDMI inputs.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Just add a HDMI switch, Problem solved.

Yup, or up your budget to the last truly great plasma: the F8500.

Or heck get a HDMI AVR. That is pretty much the minimum needed for a decent setup in 2014. Using the TV speakers when you have invested more than the Walmart special in your home entertainment center is pretty big no-no.

 

[Raincity]

Yup, or up your budget to the last truly great plasma: the F8500.

Or heck get a HDMI AVR. That is pretty much the minimum needed for a decent setup in 2014. Using the TV speakers when you have invested more than the Walmart special in your home entertainment center is pretty big no-no.

The 8500 is a great set and might be worth the extra coin if you can not control the lighting in the room. But its hardly worth triple the price of a 60F5300 that can be had for $720 at Best Buy using the %10 movers coupon that you can get at the post office.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Depends on what "worth it" is to you. The F8500 is probably the best non-$6000+ tv anyone is going to buy for 3+ years. For anyone serious about watching HD content at the best you can watch it I would take the F8500 over any 4K set on the market this year, next year or the year after. And yes I know I don't know what's on the market in three years, I just feel REALLY confident LEDs will still suffer from motion blur by then so who cares about the higher resolution in still shots.

With that said, I agree with your overall premise that the F5300 is a better value especially if your room is dark and with that cash saved you can not use the TV speakers. Heck I bought the ST60 instead of the ZT60 last year for the same reason- we all can't afford "the best." I would still rather have my ST60 over anything in its price range this year, or next year, or the year after.

Either way, the F5300 and the F8500 are the last two sets before we enter the Dark Ages of TV. Get them while you can....

 

[cmdrdredd]

I bought a Sony 55" LED a few years ago, best purchase ever. Although it offers active 3D (which sucks compared to passive), I haven't used it.

If you're worried about a warranty I would pay with a premium credit card which usually offers 1 free year extended warranty or get this (that's what we did although TV was purchased elsewhere).

Active 3D is better than passive 3D because that's the only way to get the full 1080p picture in each eye. The brightness difference can be adjusted out with your picture settings.

The only areas where active may not be ideal for an individual is the glasses are heavier (but not overly so IMO) and the flicker. I don't notice the flicker, some people claim they do. Technically speaking though, the image quality is superior with active 3D.

 

[Capt Caveman]

fwiw - the LG Plasma I have is back on sale for $599 at Frys with free shipping

http://www.frys.com/product/8259476

nvm - just realized it's a lower end version of mine with only 1 hdmi and smart tv.

 

[Trimlock]

IMO 1 HDMI is fine, two would be perfect.

If anyone was semi serious about a TV they should look into getting a cheap 5.1 receiver as well with at least 3 HDMI IN ports.