Advice on buying a new HD TV

[andrewz23308]

So I found out that it will cost too much to get my old TV fixed so now I am in the market for a new one. I do have some tech knowledge but could still use some advice anyway. Bascially I am looking to spend between $400-$600. The main use besides obviously watching TV is playing my PS3. What are the basics I need to know? LED,LCD or Plasma? 720
p or 1080p. Any help is definately appreciated!!

[raidersbball20]

Re: Advice on buying a new HD TV

I wouldn't get a plasma, the color fades after awhlie. And for the resolution I would go with 1080p it is the best

[RoyalBoyle78]

Re: Advice on buying a new HD TV

I wouldn't get a plasma, the color fades after awhlie. And for the resolution I would go with 1080p it is the best

educate yourself my friend, plasmas don't fade.

[The Chef]

Re: Advice on buying a new HD TV

400-600 is his price range so out goes LED's and any Plasma really so hes basically looking at an LCD and it wont be in 1080p unless prices have come down drastically since the last time I was TV shopping. In the price range youre probably looking at a 32" LCD, maybe 37" but it might be a budget brand if that doesnt bother you. I prefer Panasonic and Samsung personally but, as with anything, someone else will probably prefer Vizio or Sony so youre better off looking at the stores and reading reviews online more then anything.

[RoyalBoyle78]

Re: Advice on buying a new HD TV

400-600 is his price range so out goes LED's and any Plasma really so hes basically looking at an LCD and it wont be in 1080p unless prices have come down drastically since the last time I was TV shopping. In the price range youre probably looking at a 32" LCD, maybe 37" but it might be a budget brand if that doesnt bother you. I prefer Panasonic and Samsung personally but, as with anything, someone else will probably prefer Vizio or Sony so youre better off looking at the stores and reading reviews online more then anything.

I like LG

[hogfan]

Re: Advice on buying a new HD TV

You can find a 42" plasma in that price range.

[The Chef]

Re: Advice on buying a new HD TV

You can find a 42" plasma in that price range.

What brand exactly and where? Cheapest Ive seen a 42" plasma was a Panasonic C2 and while it can be had for 599.99 at most places I believe, its the bottom of the barrel as far as Panasonic's are concerned so I normally dont recommend them.

[GAMEC0CK2002]

Re: Advice on buying a new HD TV

LEDs are out unless you're content with a 26 inches or less.

Just considering Amazon.com (free shipping and no taxes), there are several 37 inch LCDs (only a few at 1080p) and several 42 inch 720p plasmas(Samsung, Vizio, Panasonic, LG)

It comes down to how much light you have in the room. If you can control the light, I'd go with a plasma. Unless you're really close to the tv, 1080p won't be that important.

A good 720p plasma will easily give you a better picture than a cheap 1080p set.

Good luck.

[elgreazy1]

Re: Advice on buying a new HD TV

Have you tried going to a Best Buy, WalMart or Frys and looking at opened box items? When my lady and I were out looking for TVs we never considered this until we came across at 62" DLP HDTV. The retail was about $3000 but we got it knocked down to $1400 due to the misses's haggling, ie: no remote, no instructional booklet, opened item, no box, etc. It wasn't what exactly we were looking for but it was too good to pass up.

I did a lot of research on CNET.com and such. Really, most tv's are about the same, you can't over do the reasearch or else you'll talk yourself out of ever buying anything. Maybe go with a trusted brand (Samsung, Vizio, LG, etc). One rule of thumb I kept reading was that 1080p is slightly useless for any tv that's 42" and under because the human eye can't really recognize it, while anything larger would recommend having 720p+.

[andrewz23308]

Re: Advice on buying a new HD TV

I appreciate all the help guys! I went to Best Buy, ABC Warehouse, Target, and Walmart. I plan on going to Sam's Club Tomorrow. I found a couple I liked at BB but kind of struck out with the other places. The other problem I have is I'm going to have to finance some of the cost of the TV because I don't really have that kind of cash lying around. I have also been told that since I will be using my PS3 that 1080p and 120hz is the best way to go. Can anyone confirm this?

[GAMEC0CK2002]

Re: Advice on buying a new HD TV

I appreciate all the help guys! I went to Best Buy, ABC Warehouse, Target, and Walmart. I plan on going to Sam's Club Tomorrow. I found a couple I liked at BB but kind of struck out with the other places. The other problem I have is I'm going to have to finance some of the cost of the TV because I don't really have that kind of cash lying around. I have also been told that since I will be using my PS3 that 1080p and 120hz is the best way to go. Can anyone confirm this?

In terms of 1080p content...all there is are blu rays, and HD-DVDs (dead format). Few video games are in 1080p. TV content is either 720p or 1080i. 120 Hz is important for LCDs due to motion blurring...not an issue with plasmas.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: Advice on buying a new HD TV

If you have to use a credit card to buy a tv, then I will just wait until I have cash in hand. Finance fees can get you if you not careful. Far as open box or off the wall, don't ever buy open box or off the wall from Walmart.

1. Their open box tvs be returns and Walmart employees don't really check returns other then checking the serial number on the product itself, on the receipt and on the box. I seen many people buy open box from Walmart and return a month or less later because the tv stopped working.

2. Don't buy off the wall from Walmart because they NEVER turn their tvs off. Those tvs be running 365 days a year 24 hours a day. And ONLY time Walmart sell off the wall is when the tv is a deleted product. And for Walmart, that means that tv be on the wall for at least a year and a half or 3 years sometimes. Combined that with it never being turned off and people kids smacking it everyday with baby bottles or toys or customers spilling their soda or coffee on the tv.

How do I know this ? Because I use to work in Walmart electronics and I seen it with my own eyes how customers will spill their drink right on the screen and just say oh my bag. Or see a spoiled brat throw their drink at the tv because their parents told them it is time for them to go.

[p_rushing]

Re: Advice on buying a new HD TV

Just get one of the no financing deals. Just make sure you make the monthly payments and that it will be paid off before the no financing period ends. As long as you have a budget and it fits that budget, you won't have a problem, but a lot of people can' stick to their budget.

[GAMEC0CK2002]

Re: Advice on buying a new HD TV

Used to work in the electronics at Sears, and I NEVER suggested somebody take the floor model unless I knew it had just been put on the floor. Those TVs run all day in vivid/torch mode.

I wouldn't touch an open box tv as well, IMO (unless it's enough of the discount AFTER you get the extended warranty)

People normally don't return perfectly working tvs.

[raidersbball20]

Re: Advice on buying a new HD TV

educate yourself my friend, plasmas don't fade.

I read this and heard this from a lot of people that have had them