- Nov 29, 1999
- 16,408
- 57
- 91
Once again, I've decided to upgrade this 27" CRT in the living room.
My main factors for this upgrade are
1) Size - I have a hard time reading the Tivo menu and descriptions on our current TV. It is much too small for the LR size and viewing distance. I'm thinking 42" at a minimum, but would prefer something 50" and larger.
2) Price - I can't see spending more than $2000 on a TV. It's not something I spend a whole lot of time in front of, but I do have a wife and 2 kids, so the TV does get some regular use, but nothing excessive. I would *really* like to spend as little as possibly, with a ideal price of $1000-$1400, if that's possible. I'll also be paying in cash, so financing options is not an issue. I'll be looking to purchase in the next week, so any Hot Deals will be taken into account.
3) Low-Maintenance - I want something I can buy, set-up, and then basically forget about it. I don't want to worry with changing bulbs every 6 months @ $300 a pop. I don't want to worry about the kids leaving the Gamecube on for a few hours and ruining the screen. I just want a plug-n-play TV that will last 5-10 years without any problems.
4) Technology - Lastly, since I want something that will last 5+ years, I guess it would be nice to get something that is not already behind the times. I don't have or plan to get a 360 or other HD-console. I also have DishNetwork with no HD channels. I mainly watch broadcast satellite TV and wide-screen DVDs. Although it would be nice to be able to hook my PC up to the TV for WoW and other games, so a 1280x720+ res and VGA connection would be nice, but not mandatory. Also, viewing angle is an issue, as our LR is large and square, so some funiture is at ~30-45° to the TV. Also, I still enjoy lying on the floor and watching TV and I know that on my neighbor's RP, the picture practically disappears at anything greater than 15°.
Anyway, those are my basic preferences and I've just starting comparison shopping. The things that kinda stood out to me so far are:
a) Sony KDF-E42A10 - LCD - 42" - This looks like a nice TV - being LCD and having all the nice inputs and 720p res -but at 42", it is on the very small end of my list, while sitting near the upper limit of my price range ($1800).
b) Samsung HL-P5663W - projection TV - 56" - Nice, very large TV for a decent price ($1400.) Has all the things I want, but is also a RP TV, as well as DLP. I assume that means limited viewing angles and (yearly?) bulb purchases.
I'm looking for recommendations, user experiences, and any info I may be overlooking. (Also - projectors are basically out of the question, due to both the lighting, price, and upkeep.)
Thanks.
------------------------
Update:
Well, here's what I've tentatively decided to get next week.
Vanns.com has the Sony 50" Grand WEGA KDF-E50A10 with your choice of a free Sony DVP-NS75H DVD player or the Harmony H659BLK Universal Remote for a total shipped price of $2,099.99.
Unless something changes in the next 3 days, this looks like my option (probably with the programmable universal remove.)
Any thoughts?
edit: ( Oops - looks like I can get it a bit cheaper from Amazon.com. No remote, but added a Philips DVP642 DivX-Certified Progressive-Scan DVD Player for a total of $1,958.97. Then I can pick up the remote for ~$90, and still come out cheaper, with a DVD player to boot!
)
My main factors for this upgrade are
1) Size - I have a hard time reading the Tivo menu and descriptions on our current TV. It is much too small for the LR size and viewing distance. I'm thinking 42" at a minimum, but would prefer something 50" and larger.
2) Price - I can't see spending more than $2000 on a TV. It's not something I spend a whole lot of time in front of, but I do have a wife and 2 kids, so the TV does get some regular use, but nothing excessive. I would *really* like to spend as little as possibly, with a ideal price of $1000-$1400, if that's possible. I'll also be paying in cash, so financing options is not an issue. I'll be looking to purchase in the next week, so any Hot Deals will be taken into account.
3) Low-Maintenance - I want something I can buy, set-up, and then basically forget about it. I don't want to worry with changing bulbs every 6 months @ $300 a pop. I don't want to worry about the kids leaving the Gamecube on for a few hours and ruining the screen. I just want a plug-n-play TV that will last 5-10 years without any problems.
4) Technology - Lastly, since I want something that will last 5+ years, I guess it would be nice to get something that is not already behind the times. I don't have or plan to get a 360 or other HD-console. I also have DishNetwork with no HD channels. I mainly watch broadcast satellite TV and wide-screen DVDs. Although it would be nice to be able to hook my PC up to the TV for WoW and other games, so a 1280x720+ res and VGA connection would be nice, but not mandatory. Also, viewing angle is an issue, as our LR is large and square, so some funiture is at ~30-45° to the TV. Also, I still enjoy lying on the floor and watching TV and I know that on my neighbor's RP, the picture practically disappears at anything greater than 15°.
Anyway, those are my basic preferences and I've just starting comparison shopping. The things that kinda stood out to me so far are:
a) Sony KDF-E42A10 - LCD - 42" - This looks like a nice TV - being LCD and having all the nice inputs and 720p res -but at 42", it is on the very small end of my list, while sitting near the upper limit of my price range ($1800).
b) Samsung HL-P5663W - projection TV - 56" - Nice, very large TV for a decent price ($1400.) Has all the things I want, but is also a RP TV, as well as DLP. I assume that means limited viewing angles and (yearly?) bulb purchases.
I'm looking for recommendations, user experiences, and any info I may be overlooking. (Also - projectors are basically out of the question, due to both the lighting, price, and upkeep.)
Thanks.
------------------------
Update:
Well, here's what I've tentatively decided to get next week.
Vanns.com has the Sony 50" Grand WEGA KDF-E50A10 with your choice of a free Sony DVP-NS75H DVD player or the Harmony H659BLK Universal Remote for a total shipped price of $2,099.99.
Unless something changes in the next 3 days, this looks like my option (probably with the programmable universal remove.)
Any thoughts?
edit: ( Oops - looks like I can get it a bit cheaper from Amazon.com. No remote, but added a Philips DVP642 DivX-Certified Progressive-Scan DVD Player for a total of $1,958.97. Then I can pick up the remote for ~$90, and still come out cheaper, with a DVD player to boot!
)
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