YATT - TV Sugession please

[DesiPower]

I will be buying a 70" (maybe 65") TV relatively soon, budget is 2k ± 10%. Only thing I am sure about is I DO NOT want 4K. 120/240hz doesn't matter to me. Have a few question...

1. Makes to consider
a. Samsung - not a big fan but seems to be most popular one, are they really the best?
b. Sony - Personally I am a Sony Fan, but their last TV developed vertical line after 6 years, have read similar complaints about their new TVs too, so not sure if its a good idea...
c. Vizio - They are are cheap! but reading the reviews, it seems that they are poor quality overall and even poorer quality control, So that sort of forces me to buy from Costco only if I choose Vizio.
d. Sharp - Super Super cheap and is know for its superior image quality at the price range. Could not find too many complaints about their quality, are the good? is it safe to buy?
Any other makes to consider and why?

2. Places to buy from -
Since BB and Costco both sell for the same price as Amazon, I don't see the point of buying from Amazon. Place like Newegg still have their appeal as you can get Uncle Sam out of the way for the time being. Anyone has experience with buying 2k+ consumer electronics from online stores besides Amazon? is it safe? Of course the online places have more models to choose from, that is a big plus as I can get a bit older but better model for cheap.

3. 3D TV -
I know they do not make sense but I have heard that they are built with overall higher quality stuff, is it true?

4. Picture Quality -
I looked at these TVs in Best Buy and Costco, at my price range, didn't really see much difference in image quality between Samsung, Visio and Sharp, Sony seemed to be a bit dull. However, I have heard that the shops do that on purpose so I am not concerned, but is there a brand that is know for better image quality taking my price point into consideration?

Couple of the question - We watch a lot of Amazon Prime and it seems its standard on Vizio, do any other makes offer it? Does any of them offer Plex?

 

[DesiPower]

Here are a few I am looking at -
Vizio 70" ($1400)
Sony 70" 3D ($2000)
Samsung 65" ($1260)
Samsung 65" 3D ($2000)
Sharp 70" ($1650)

 

[poofyhairguy]

Do you game a lot? If so I lean to the Sony. If not I lean to the Vizio, or wait until you can swing your budget up to the last great non-4K tv (the PN64F8500).

 

[DesiPower]

Do you game a lot? If so I lean to the Sony. If not I lean to the Vizio, or wait until you can swing your budget up to the last great non-4K tv (the PN64F8500).

No gaming, its purely to watch Cable/OTA channels and occasional BRD. I can wait till end of the year... no hurry, but sot sure about 4K, don't see the point of getting it until they come out with HDMI 2.0 and movies start coming out on 4k disks.

So Vizio you say, hmm... I am also leaning towards it just because of the price point... thanks

 

[poofyhairguy]

No gaming, its purely to watch Cable/OTA channels and occasional BRD. I can wait till end of the year... no hurry, but sot sure about 4K, don't see the point of getting it until they come out with HDMI 2.0 and movies start coming out on 4k disks.

So Vizio you say, hmm... I am also leaning towards it just because of the price point... thanks

Yup, Vizio at the top of the best TV list this year:

http://www.cnet.com/topics/tvs/best-tvs/

 

[s44]

I know you don't *want* 4K, but the about-to-be-released Vizio P series will provide it for no additional cost (*and* HDMI 2.0 *and* HDCP 2.2) along with 72 local dimming zones. About $2500 for the 70".

The 2014 M series (32 zones) is already out (it's the -B3 one) for $1900 at Amazon, as well as the E series (18 zones) that you linked. The E is a great deal, but oh that P...

 

[poofyhairguy]

I know you don't *want* 4K, but the about-to-be-released Vizio P series will provide it for no additional cost (*and* HDMI 2.0 *and* HDCP 2.2) along with 72 local dimming zones. About $2500 for the 70".

The 2014 M series (32 zones) is already out (it's the -B3 one) for $1900 at Amazon, as well as the E series (18 zones) that you linked. The E is a great deal, but oh that P...

Nice, that is getting closer to the Sharp Elite with its 240 dimming zones.