What HDTV would you buy in the $2000 not including tax?

simsalabim24

Senior member
Jan 5, 2005
444
0
0
Unfortunately this will most likely have to be something I can get from Best Buy or Circuit City since my GF is unwilling to buy online.

What would you go with?

The main thing I am interested in is great picture quality and the biggest I can get. I love the theater experience and want to bring it home.

We live in a condo.

I was looking at some models and they all seemed grainy? Also they played a DVD and I really noticed a lot of pixelation (text had weird artifacts around it) I never noticed with my old CRT Television and DVDs is this common on all LCD/Plasma HDs? Is this because of the DVDs 480p resolution and the Tube Television fuzzed it up so I couldnt see it? It almost seems like they oversharpen the image? I noticed a really annoying aray of danzing grain sized dots on the screens as well.

It would be nice if in the future the TV would be compatible with Blue Ray or HD DVD whichever wins out.

Thanks for any and all suggestions!
 

KLin

Lifer
Feb 29, 2000
30,913
1,043
126
Originally posted by: Flashram
Originally posted by: KLin
This one for 1849.

Oh wait, I did :D. Should get it next Monday. :thumbsup:

When did you order? I am looking to order this from Amazon and was curious how long delivery will take.

Ordered it last Friday night. Free shipping. It was sent 5 day ground freight via Eagle USA.
 

loup garou

Lifer
Feb 17, 2000
35,132
1
81
Originally posted by: KLin
Originally posted by: loup garou
Originally posted by: KLin
This one for 1849.

Oh wait, I did :D. Should get it next Monday. :thumbsup:
Agreed! My dad just got his today, I'm going to help him set it up this weekend.

Awesome :thumbsup:. I got the free mp3 player today. :D
Is it any good? He offered his to me, but I already have an mp3 player and I mostly use it on the subway, where satellite radio would be pretty useless. I think I'm going to set it up in my mom's car for her....she said she didn't want it, but I think she'll like it once she starts using it.
 

Dunbar

Platinum Member
Feb 19, 2001
2,041
0
0
A bit over $2k but my dad bought one of these this summer (for over $3k!) DVD's look awesome on it and regular TV looks just fine. Like you've noticed, I found projection TV's make standard TV look aweful.
 

KLin

Lifer
Feb 29, 2000
30,913
1,043
126
Originally posted by: loup garou
Originally posted by: KLin
Originally posted by: loup garou
Originally posted by: KLin
This one for 1849.

Oh wait, I did :D. Should get it next Monday. :thumbsup:
Agreed! My dad just got his today, I'm going to help him set it up this weekend.

Awesome :thumbsup:. I got the free mp3 player today. :D
Is it any good? He offered his to me, but I already have an mp3 player and I mostly use it on the subway, where satellite radio would be pretty useless. I think I'm going to set it up in my mom's car for her....she said she didn't want it, but I think she'll like it once she starts using it.

It sounds pretty good. It has 512 megs of memory but it's expensive because of the XM receiver. It's not worth 13 bucks a month to me.
 

isasir

Diamond Member
Aug 8, 2000
8,609
0
0
Originally posted by: Dunbar
A bit over $2k but my dad bought one of these this summer (for over $3k!) DVD's look awesome on it and regular TV looks just fine. Like you've noticed, I found projection TV's make standard TV look aweful.

That's the one I'm keeping my eye on, especially since Walmart gave a killer price to the 42" version from Panasonic.
 

JBT

Lifer
Nov 28, 2001
12,094
1
81
Go to a Costco or Sams club type store. They have amazing TV's for under 2K. I bought a 62" DLP for 2K a few months ago with 2 HDMI inputs. I think its dropped $200 since then :( They also INCLUDE STANDS at Costco which are usually another $200 or more at the other stores.

That 56" 1080p TV looks NICE!!!
 

krotchy

Golden Member
Mar 29, 2006
1,942
0
76
This is my vote:
Heres the biggest LCD your going to find to fit your budget, and its also an excellent TV in my opinion, 2000 on the nose from best buy:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp...yId=pcmcat95100050044&id=1158317794037

Westinghouse 47 Inch LCD. 1080p(great as a TV and especially as a computer monitor)
Has 1 HDMI, 2 DVI and 2 Component inputs that all do high def. Also it can be found B&M at Best Buy.
If you have ever considered hooking a Computer up to your TV this is by far your best option IMO.

Although I highly recommend Crutchfield for online orders, and even more than B&M. They are way more professional and helpful than best buy could dream of, including on returns and warranty disputes. Honestly Crutchfield may be the best online store I have ever shopped at. Their support is fantastic.


Overall id suggest you goto http://www.avsforum.com if you really want to learn about the best TV purchase for you.
 

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
79,091
457
136
Originally posted by: krotchy
This is my vote:
Heres the biggest LCD your going to find to fit your budget, and its also an excellent TV in my opinion, 2000 on the nose from best buy:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp...yId=pcmcat95100050044&id=1158317794037

Westinghouse 47 Inch LCD. 1080p(great as a TV and especially as a computer monitor)
Has 1 HDMI, 2 DVI and 2 Component inputs that all do high def. Also it can be found B&M at Best Buy.
If you have ever considered hooking a Computer up to your TV this is by far your best option IMO.

Although I highly recommend Crutchfield for online orders, and even more than B&M. They are way more professional and helpful than best buy could dream of, including on returns and warranty disputes. Honestly Crutchfield may be the best online store I have ever shopped at. Their support is fantastic.


Overall id suggest you goto http://www.avsforum.com if you really want to learn about the best TV purchase for you.

I'd rather go with a 50" Plasma (CostCo) or 56" DLP.

The Best Buy BF ad was leaked today and they'll have a Westinghouse 42" LCD for $999 but it's 720p not 1080p.
 

Slikkster

Diamond Member
Apr 29, 2000
3,141
0
0
Size does matter, but you can easily get a set that's too big for your room and viewing distance. Not quite sure something in the 50"+ range is good for a condo and the distance from the screen. There are formulas that can help you decide that.

For straight ahead picture quality, I still think Plasma rules. And from my personal experience with Panasonic, I'd have to say Panasonics rule!

Look for the THxxPX60U series. They have outstanding picture quality, 2 HDMI inputs, ATSC tuners (so you can get over the air digital/hdtv vs. needing to rely on a cable tuner).

These sets have just been discounted by Panasonic, and you can get them at great prices now.

(the "xx" in the model above reflects the three sizes in this family; 37", 42" and 50", so the model numbers would be TH37PX60U, TH42PX60U, and TH50PX60U.) The largest model, the 50", can now be obtained for under $2000 at some stores! But probably slightly over 2K at reputable stores on sale.

Go take a look at this family series at Best Buy. These sets also have very good progressive scan scalars for DVD playback. The internal progressive scan scalar looks better than my DVD player progressive scan output.
 

krotchy

Golden Member
Mar 29, 2006
1,942
0
76
Originally posted by: RossMAN
Originally posted by: krotchy
This is my vote:
Heres the biggest LCD your going to find to fit your budget, and its also an excellent TV in my opinion, 2000 on the nose from best buy:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp...yId=pcmcat95100050044&id=1158317794037

Westinghouse 47 Inch LCD. 1080p(great as a TV and especially as a computer monitor)
Has 1 HDMI, 2 DVI and 2 Component inputs that all do high def. Also it can be found B&M at Best Buy.
If you have ever considered hooking a Computer up to your TV this is by far your best option IMO.

Although I highly recommend Crutchfield for online orders, and even more than B&M. They are way more professional and helpful than best buy could dream of, including on returns and warranty disputes. Honestly Crutchfield may be the best online store I have ever shopped at. Their support is fantastic.


Overall id suggest you goto http://www.avsforum.com if you really want to learn about the best TV purchase for you.

I'd rather go with a 50" Plasma (CostCo) or 56" DLP.

The Best Buy BF ad was leaked today and they'll have a Westinghouse 42" LCD for $999 but it's 720p not 1080p.

1. A 720P Plasma is not nearly as good as a computer monitor as the Westinghouse 47, if he plans on ever going that route, which is the reason I suggested this TV. I'm just trying to expand his options. Clearly if he wants something bigger than a flat panel he has already had other suggestions given in the area of DLP's.

2. How does a 47 Inch 1080p Westinghouse have anything to do with a 42 inch 720p one?

Your response makes no sense and doesn't even address the TV I mention.

p.s. OP, Best Buy has a tendency to hook this TV up to terrible sources to say why the cheaper brand LCD's are bad compared to a sony/sharp to try get you to spend twice as much. I really suggest reading up on any TV your looking into at http://www.avsforum.com . There you can find user experience from tons of actual owners.
 

isasir

Diamond Member
Aug 8, 2000
8,609
0
0
Originally posted by: Slikkster
Size does matter, but you can easily get a set that's too big for your room and viewing distance. Not quite sure something in the 50"+ range is good for a condo and the distance from the screen. There are formulas that can help you decide that.

For straight ahead picture quality, I still think Plasma rules. And from my personal experience with Panasonic, I'd have to say Panasonics rule!

Look for the THxxPX60U series. They have outstanding picture quality, 2 HDMI inputs, ATSC tuners (so you can get over the air digital/hdtv vs. needing to rely on a cable tuner).

These sets have just been discounted by Panasonic, and you can get them at great prices now.

(the "xx" in the model above reflects the three sizes in this family; 37", 42" and 50", so the model numbers would be TH37PX60U, TH42PX60U, and TH50PX60U.) The largest model, the 50", can now be obtained for under $2000 at some stores! But probably slightly over 2K at reputable stores on sale.

Go take a look at this family series at Best Buy. These sets also have very good progressive scan scalars for DVD playback. The internal progressive scan scalar looks better than my DVD player progressive scan output.

Panasonic discontinued the TH50PX60U? When did that happen? Any idea how long one can probably expect stores to continue to sell this model? I'm hoping to pick up this TV in January, hopefully for about $2k even.