What would you recommend hdtv-wise for me?

[silverpig]

I *may* be getting an hdtv in the near future and would like some advice.

I'm looking for a 37-40" hdtv as the budget and physical size of the room suit a screen of this size. I would prefer a plasma over an LCD for the black levels, but this isn't a requirement. I would also prefer 1080p, but don't mind 720p so long as it's real 720p (I've seen screens say they're 720p but have a native resolution of 1024x768). I would also like to keep it as cheap as possible, and would rather go with a good 720p screen than "spend a few dollars more and upgrade to a xxx".

I'm finding quite a few LCDs in that range, but was hoping someone could recommend a nice plasma, or, short of that, let me in on what's a good bang for the buck LCD right now.

edit: Oh, and a DVI input would be very handy as well. It seems most new sets only have HDMI.

edit2: don't worry about the DVI anymore, I can easily use a DVI-HDMI adapter

 

[sivart]

I am pleased with my Vizio 42" Plasma as a general viewing TV (Netflix, OTA, HD DVD). I think you can pick up the new version for about $750 at Wally-world. Mine is actually a 1024x768 panel with 16:9 pixels and it still looks great (albeit, it is 2 years old). Good luck finding a new one with DVI -- it would be easier to hit monoprice and buy a DVI-HDMI cable for a few bucks.

Panasonic and Samsung also make very nice 42" Plasmas.

The only plasma sizes I've seen in your range are:

32" Plasma (Vizio and LG)
42" Plasma (Various)
50"+ Plasma

Get as big as you can afford....I've never heard anyone say "I wish I had a smaller TV," but have hear many say that they wish they would have bought a larger

 

[krotchy]

Plasmas don't get smaller than 42" unless you go down to the Vizio/LG 32" as mentioned.

A great quick recommendation is the Panasonic 42PZ80U and 42PX80U (1080p and 720p respectively) but the price difference lately is so little I cant see a reason not to get the PZ.

For LCD the Samsung 40A550 is just about perfect, and that is what I settled on for my bedroom TV and I have no regrets.

I do not recommend getting a 37" LCD, the specs/features on under 40" panels seems to decline quite a bit for some reason. The difference between the Samsung 40A550 and 37A550 is quite a bit and the price isn't, and for Sony the 37XBR6 and the 40XBR6 are 2 different class screens as well.

 

[cheesehead]

I have a Sharp LC42SB45U. For the $780 it cost from Dell, it's a much nicer TV than you'd expect.
HDMI can be used with DVI with one of these adapters: http://www.monoprice.com/produ...id=2029&seq=1&format=2

Also, I've been warned about Vizio's reliability. While the one person I know who owns one constitutes a very small sample size, it's worth noting that it went kaput after under a year. (Thankfully, it was covered under warranty.)

 

[sivart]

Originally posted by"

Also, I've been warned about Vizio's reliability. While the one person I know who owns one constitutes a very small sample size, it's worth noting that it went kaput after under a year. (Thankfully, it was covered under warranty.)

Let's see..my experience with Vizio TV's so far:

42" Plasma --- Mine: 2 years old working fine
32" LCD -- cousin: 18 months old working fine
37" LCD -- cousin: 20 months old working fine
32" LCD -- grandparents: 12 months old working fine

Don't throw out the baby because it pooped once on the floor

 

[cheesehead]

Originally posted by: sivart

Originally posted by"

Don't throw out the baby because it pooped once on the floor

Fair enough. The folks on AVSforum don't like them much, though, and the Sharp costs the same.

 

[sivart]

Well, if it is a Sharp AQOUS at the same price, I'd go with the AQUOS, if it is a plain jane Sharp, then I'd want to do some A/B comparisons before making a decision.

 

[zylander]

Another vote for the Sharp LC42SB45U. At the price I got it for from Dell ($750), it was a great buy. Its my first HDTV and I love it, its got a great picture.

 

[s44]

Originally posted by: sivart
Get as big as you can afford....I've never heard anyone say "I wish I had a smaller TV," but have hear many say that they wish they would have bought a larger

:thumbsup:

 

[krotchy]

Originally posted by: sivart

Originally posted by"

Also, I've been warned about Vizio's reliability. While the one person I know who owns one constitutes a very small sample size, it's worth noting that it went kaput after under a year. (Thankfully, it was covered under warranty.)

Let's see..my experience with Vizio TV's so far:

42" Plasma --- Mine: 2 years old working fine
32" LCD -- cousin: 18 months old working fine
37" LCD -- cousin: 20 months old working fine
32" LCD -- grandparents: 12 months old working fine

Don't throw out the baby because it pooped once on the floor

My experience with Vizio:

47" Vizio had HDMI ports short together within 6 months
Friend's 32" TV would not turn on sometimes and required pulling the plug from the wall and re-plugging it in to turn on.

That being said these were a couple of years ago and their quality seems to be improving. Plus buying them from Costco is a nice safeguard.

 

[Greg04]

Originally posted by: sivart

Originally posted by"

Also, I've been warned about Vizio's reliability. While the one person I know who owns one constitutes a very small sample size, it's worth noting that it went kaput after under a year. (Thankfully, it was covered under warranty.)

Let's see..my experience with Vizio TV's so far:

42" Plasma --- Mine: 2 years old working fine
32" LCD -- cousin: 18 months old working fine
37" LCD -- cousin: 20 months old working fine
32" LCD -- grandparents: 12 months old working fine

Don't throw out the baby because it pooped once on the floor

See my sig line, with prices of reliable, reputable 1st tier makers closer to 3rd tiers makers, it makes little sense to go with the risk of buying from a 3rd tier maker. See here

I had two friends buy Vizios and had both of them fail within 18 months. Both sets had to be scrapped. Not a good warranty option for them...