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01-08-2008
OK, I'm looking for a flat panel TV to go over my fireplace. Must meet these specifications:
• min 42", max 46"
• 1080p
• black bezel (no stainless steel/chrome)
• ~$1600 (though the cheaper, the better, obviously.)
What brands do you guys have? I know BestBuy has a deal on an Aquos for $1600 w/a free Blu-Ray player this week.
01-08-2008
Aquos is good, (Sharp builds all the Sony lcd's) if going over a fireplace, go cheap for the simple fact that will cause a shorter life span (heat and electronics= bad) also note the height, most fireplaces are too high to watch anything (I have relocated about 40 of them in the last 2 years at a substantial cost to the homeowner who had to have holes patched) Philips also makes a nice set, Toshiba and Panasonic are always among the best, and the reviews on the Samsungs have been fantastic. LG is a rebadged Philips, so if you get a deal they are ok, but don't spend extra on it
01-08-2008
Are you sure about the LG. A good friend retired from owning a TV store and was a Zenith shop. He said that LG bought Zenith and they were a good choice.
01-08-2008
LG bought zenith about 30 years ago (back then they were goldstar) on tube sets they are now the lowest of the low for quality. They built a plant with philips on the lcd side as philips holds many patents so it was cheaper for them (I was a zenith service center until I dropped them for high failure a few years ago it hit 90%)
01-08-2008
Oh, and just so I'm totally clear on this, LCD > Plasma, right?
01-08-2008
Samsung ftw. for the simple fact that fact that they have nice price points, great customer service, and awesome picture.
01-08-2008
lcd>older plasma.
On most of the old plasma's there was no way to get ghosting off of it, most new ones have a feature like the degaus on your computer to reflash the screen. So there is no worries there.
Also older plasmas have a tendency to lag, as far as fast moving objects across the screen they show a few frames behind the original image.
I have heard some of the cheaper lcd's have this problem also though.
01-08-2008
lcd is considered inferior to plasma in the good sets, but the average consumer will never notice (even some reviewers are having to look for the issues) most are the black level on lcd still is bad, but definatly better. Most lcd's have the issue of ghosting until you get into the higher end sets (it's a problem with all true digital formats) see this from one of my old sites Difference between Plasma and LCD tv's ~ at Runboard.com
also see Before you buy and LCD tv ~ at Runboard.com
01-08-2008
It depends a lot on what you are going to be watching mostly too right? For example, watching football games with lots of quick moving action and such is different than watching movies with lots of dark colors/shadows etc. Something else to keep in mind when buying.
01-08-2008
I do watch some football, and I notice that's what always seems to be playing on the demos at CC/BB, etc., It's obvious when the screen is trying to play catch up on the less expensive ones.
So what do you guys have in your houses?
01-09-2008
not really an option for over the fire place, but i certainly am thinking about getting an RPTV while i can. samsung has some very good models there, too. unfortunately sony has pulled the plug on their's
01-09-2008
is this going to be a T.V. that will be used alot? LG=lucky goldstar and is zenith and they out source thier back panels to Magnavox, philips, but they also out source to Circuit city and best buy "The Store Brands"<-- witch you want to stay away from cuz they are Cheap the AV panels are cheap and break.. Now Lcd Vs Plasma you can go on for ever witch on is better... as customer you really couldnt tell unless you had them sitting right next to each other.. Lcd show Vivid bright colors and shape images.. but must the time the colors are wrong.. it cant create all the pinks in a face or black shades... lcd its either black crush or gray crush depending on the brand But you will never notice it really.. Plasma's Rape LCD's if your a tv guy and you know what your looking for...Way more and accurate colors better shades of black and etc... Just remember your t.v. is only as good as your signal or weakest link =)
01-09-2008
I have a Philips Plasma in my living room. love the picture on it. I have it with the Verizon FiOS service. I have a 32" Olevia in the bedroom which isn't too bad either.
01-09-2008
I still have crt, right now no thin panel can get the picture quality of a good tube (it is getting close but not there yet) I am picky though. I do have an lcd in the bedroom, and as my computer monitor, just can't watch alot of hockey it gives me a headache
01-09-2008
I really like the DLP TVs that I've seen, but my wife wants one "that hangs on the wall." Do the plasmas still have a shorter lifespan?
01-09-2008
never have really, average life with watching 6 hours a day (national average) comes out to 15-20 years a tube set was 10 years (don't you love when the uneducated do comparisons)
01-09-2008
That's why I'm asking. Trying to get some research done. I don't wanna buy another one for a looooong time.
01-09-2008
you should be fine if you go with a name brand (Panasonic has the best reliability I have seen)
01-09-2008
thanks guys, I appreciate all the input. I'll let you know what I end up with!
01-09-2008
Im in the market for another flat pannel as well, and here is some info I found out.
LCD:
Cant hang with High Action films (has a sort of studder in the video)
Cant reproduce black colors very well
Virtually no burn in of the screen (ghost images like logos from your favorite station showing up in the bottom of the screen even when your not watching it)
Plasma
Most like the "Look" of a tube TV
Lots of glare
Burn in can happen if not careful
Bulb life is better than the older units
One thing that is crutial for me is this......There is a new standard for HDMI. Old HDMI is 1.6 I believe and the new is 2.0 (much like USB 1.0 and 2.0).
Most blue-ray and HD DVD players have been upgraded to the HDMI 2.0 (which delivers superior sound over the 1.6) A few of the TV's are now coming out with HDMI 2.0, and the High end Receivers are now coming out with HDMI 2.0. If you are planning on upgrading your sound system as well as your TV in the next few years, HDMI 2.0 is the way to go.
webracin
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