What 55" or 58" TV for around $1000?

[IHateMyJob2004]

I have been hoping to get a 60" TV for about $1000. But for that price, they are not that good. I saw one TV hit $1000 and I went and looked at it and it was choppy as hell. During fast scenes, you could see 1 or 2 of the past frames since the pixels were not changing color fast enough. It was night and day when looking at the TVs next to it.

So, I'm changing my size requirement while holding the budget steady.

Requirements:
I want to buy it locally (Best Buy, Sears, etc) tonight.
And I do not want 3D.
I do not care for internet connectivity. For "free", sure. I am not paying extra for it though.
I want good accurate black levels!


Leaning towards a 58" plasma by Samsung right now.


From Best Buy, it looks like I am considering (55"):
Samsung LCD LN55C630K1F ($1200)
Phillips LCD 55PFL5505D/F7 ($1000)
Phillips LCD 55PFL5705DV/F7 ($1100) (what is the extra V for in the model name)
Toshiba LCD 55HT1U ($1000)
Westinghouse LCD VR-5585DFZ ($800)
Sony Bravia KDL55EX500 ($1400) (Just a bit out of my price range)

From Best Buy, it looks like I am considering (58"):
Samsung Plasma PN58C500 ($1200)
Samsung Plasma PN58C550G1F ($1300) (on sale, normally $1800)

 

[BigSmooth]

If you want good blacks and are concerned about "choppiness" then I would go for a plasma. Lower end LCDs are generally going to fall short of a plasma in those areas.

 

[Booty]

I'm looking for the same things as you. There's a 60" LG at Cosco you might want to add to your list...

http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?sduid=0&t=2632483

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

If you want good blacks and are concerned about "choppiness" then I would go for a plasma. Lower end LCDs are generally going to fall short of a plasma in those areas.

I was figuring as much.

I'm looking for the same things as you. There's a 60" LG at Cosco you might want to add to your list...

http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?sduid=0&t=2632483

Right now I am leaning towards the Samsung Plasma PN58C550G1F (58"). The speakers are slightly better than the lower priced model (15 watts vs 10 watts). Atleast I am asusming that hey are better. Plus, that is the only model that is in stock at Best Buy. The lesser model seems to be "internet only" or "ship to store". And I am only 2" shy of my original goal.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Upside of PN58C550 is that you can enable 24p support by hacking its service menu:

 

[NutBucket]

Just assume the speakers suck. Seriously, it's the last thing you should compare...unless you're buying a Bose or Mitsubishi flat panel.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Just assume the speakers suck. Seriously, it's the last thing you should compare...unless you're buying a Bose or Mitsubishi flat panel.

Actually, that's one of hte only things you should be sure to check if you intend on using them. Don't believe me, go look at the cheap ass brand that best Buy sells and turn the volume up.

 

[NutBucket]

While there is a difference, they all sound like crap so I wouldn't use any of them. I'd rather add a $150 sound bar. Well worth the dough.

Oddly enough, my parents have an old (as in 1st generation) Vizio LCD that actually has front firing speakers. Best sound I've heard out of a "normal" flat panel.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

While there is a difference, they all sound like crap so I wouldn't use any of them. I'd rather add a $150 sound bar. Well worth the dough.

Oddly enough, my parents have an old (as in 1st generation) Vizio LCD that actually has front firing speakers. Best sound I've heard out of a "normal" flat panel.

You would add a sounbd bar but you represent 1% of the buyers of TVs.

I have a 42" Panny plasma from 3-4 years ago with front firing speakers that sounds nice.

For movies, I have a stereo.

 

[queequeg99]

I'm looking for the same things as you. There's a 60" LG at Cosco you might want to add to your list...

http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?sduid=0&t=2632483

My dad has the 55 inch version of this set and it is excellent. He watches a ton of sports and got the set primary because he watches show with lots of fast action and wanted something that was very smooth. Having watched the set myself a lot, I doubt he could have done better even if he had doubled his price limit.

 

[NutBucket]

I'm sure TV manufacturers are thrilled that people are tone deaf these days. It's one less thing to worry about when making TVs as thin as possible.