What's a good 32" TV?

[brxndxn]

A while ago, I saw a 32" Panasonic(?) TV at Best Buy for $650. It was capable of 480p but not 1080i. I figured it was great - but BB doesn't have it any more.

Basically, I want to spend less than $600 for a 32" TV that:
- isn't noticeably interlaced (black lines between each display line)
- clear picture
- yummy features
- 480p (hopefully)

Please lemme know a make/model of a TV to look for.. I think many of you are pretty knowledgable about something like this.

 

[fastman]

Get any Sony you can afford, you can't go wrong with them. To get a set that can display 1080i your looking at around $1800.

Edit just did A price check around $1500, Sony of course.

 

[VBboy]

Uhh, according to the Consumer Reports, Sony is very unreliable, and their video quality is not the best. It's just that people like "brand names" (while those may be of worse quality and reliability).

A TV is not a PC - you are not going to upgrade a year later, so do some reliability research - not just the price research..

www.ReviewFinder.com and some others, as well as ConsumerReports.com

 

[fastman]

Sony has had problems out of the box, usually because of someone handling them like small tv's the big ones weigh in at over 200lbs, but the reviews speak for them selves look them up. They are expensive but IMHO they are the best.

 

[blstriker]

I have a 36 inch Sony Wega XBR. It's one of the best non HD tv sets out there. I looked around for 6 months before plunking down the cash for this sucker.

 

[sohcrates]

another vote for the sony wega. (XBR if you can afford it)

trust me, sony's "unreliability" is mostly hype generated by, ImHO, UPS and bad delivery practices!

 

[DanJ]

I'd go with Toshiba, as I did. I have a 32A60, very nice.

 

[Logix]

Toshiba, Panasonic, and Sony are all great IMO, but I'd choose Sony any day if you've got the $$$$$.

 

[MattStone]

I'm a huge Sony Wega fan...I've got a couple...but regardless of the brand, you will never find a 32" TV capable of displaying 480p...hell, it's hard to find a good 32" 480i TV for under 600. First let me ask what you plan on using the progressive signal for...an HD source? or just a DVD? Because if it is just from a DVD I'd suggest going with a Wega, because of their Anamorphic Squeeze. The picture is much closer to progressive scan than normal interlaced with anamorphic squeeze on.

Some say that this is just a "brand name" obsession, but Wega's have a pretty good service record compared to that of Toshiba. I'm not talking about all Sonys mind you...just Wegas.

Keep us posted...and I also suggest stopping by The Home Theater Forum and posting questions/looking for info. One hell of a repository of info...

 

[RanDum72]

According to a lot of reviews, the Panasonic flat screen "Tau" models are better than the Sony Wegas and are also a bit less expensive.

 

[Davegod75]

get a wega HS or XBR. those things are sweet

 

[Shack70]

I've got on eof those Panasonic TAU models and yes they are better than the WEGAs. When buying it, we looked at the WEGA and TAU side by side...no comparision. The problem is this guys wants to spend $600 or less....Look at JVC! They make some great products that last forever!

 

[ErikS]

Go to the store & look at everything, but what appeals to you. Personally, I dis-like Sony, the colors just don't look right to me, same with RCA. I had a Panasonic that I liked & it crapped out after 5 years - that sucked! Consumer reports consistently rates Toshiba & Hitachi as having the best picture, but you are the one who has to look at it - buy what you like!

 

[RossMAN]

Your best bet is to visit a local A/V Dealer and see their selection and ask questions. If you can't afford a Sony WEGA, the next best thing is the highly rated Toshiba Cinema Series, beautiful tube, 2 tuner PIP, great remote, lots of goodies.

JVC and Panasonic are also worth a look, JVC has great sound but overall the Toshiba rules.

 

[Pariah]

If your budget is $600, you should probably look at 27" TV's as 32" progressive capable TV's run about $1000 over your budget. I would rule out Sony from the start with your budget as they charge too much for what you get. Not to say Sony isn't top notch, they just charge too much. I bought a Panasonic Tau as well after comparing it with the XBR. Standard broadcast picture quality was much better, and it was physically smaller and lighter which is a concern with TV's that large.

 

[Raspewtin]

I do not like Sony WEGAs personally. I have found they have much more geometric distortion than much cheaper TVs (especially in the corners) The color saturation is also very poor. Most of them are set to a higher brightness than all the other TVs on the floor, so that people who know nothing about TVs will say "Hey Sony is brighter, must be better" Another disappointment is that after a few years of use with a WEGA there is A LOT of burn in. Compare a 2 year old WEGA to a 2 year JVC with similar usage, you will be surprised at the difference in burn-in. JVC Flatscreens are excellent, are much better TVs, and cheaper as well. I wish I had bought 2 of them instead of 1 WEGA, and 1 of them. Panaflats are not bad I guess, but have never owned one, so cannot comment on them. The sound on all these TVs suck, for decent sound you need an external system. I don't think you'll find a very good TV with 480p at 32" under $600, but I haven't priced them recently.

 

[zixxer]

You cannot say "I compared X Brand with Y Brand side by side at the store" because every single tv will be different. I worked at Sears for 3 years selling TV's, stereos, and computers. Now before I buy I ALWAYS make them take the TV/Monitor out of the box and hook it up before I leave so I can see the picture there. Also, whoever said the comment about some TV's wieghing as much as 200lbs... thats underestimating bigtime. We had 52+ inch models that were over 600lbs.

 

[Dug]

If you look at Samsung's Dynaflat line I think you will be impressed.
32" version

You have to go to Costco to pick up one of these cheap. Everywhere else sells them for about $1500, and Costco has had them for about $899.

This will display 480p and 1080i. Although I personally don't think it's necessary on a 32" TV unless your sitting too close.

I believe the Samsung was much better than the Sony for picture quality, but everyone has their own preference. The cost of this hdtv is as much as a Sony without hdtv capabilities. And it's flat.

 

[Snoop]

While were on this topic, , anyone have any comments on the 43H70 Toshiba?
I was going to get a 32-36" HDTV Wega or something competative, but as it turns out, this 43" projection is about the same price. Which one should i get?

 

[DuffmanOhYeah]

Everyone seems to be on the Sony deacon, but I am a true believer in Samsung. I think that they really prodecu superior products at a reasonable price.