In the market for a new TV, WTF am I doing?

rabbmasterflashSeptember 16, 2006

What to do, what to do.

I have read countless threads and I am still clueless. The old TV has had it and this week I will go get a new one. I am not looking for anything huge (which is good considering my budget), maybe 32” – 40” or so. I am thinking LCD and will use it for my 360 for sure but for Cable and movies also. From what I can tell, I think I can get by with 720 versus 1080 at this point, I certainly don’t mind getting something better and larger in a year or two then move this one somewhere else but I want to make sure I get the bang for my buck. My budget is roughly $1600.00 or less.

Here is what I am not sure of, should I go to a place like Best Buy (I generally hate that place) and hope they don’t rape me on price and recommendation or do I do some homework and go with a the non-name brand at Wal Mart? I know that sounds a little cheesy but if the technology is all the same and I am not shooting for 100% top of the line (I have kids mind you, so I always buy something with it in mind that it could break soon so minimizing my loss is always a factor) but I do want something that is worth the money.

I also am not sure what to look for as far as inputs on the TV, outputs on my cable box and cables for the 360 to make it all worth it. How about resolution, refresh rate and all that shit I have no clue about? What are the minimums I should be after? I hate to sound so lame and clueless, but I need the help.

Comments (7)

Codemunkee·Sep 16, 2006, 5:15 PM

Overall I would wait til after the holiday season. Prices are projected to drop anywhere from 15 - 30%.\r \r That being said, if you dont want to wait, get an LCD -\r \r - dont settle for anything less than 8ms as a refresh rate. Low refresh = no ghosting.\r \r - You want a TV with high contrast ratio. Get the highest you can afford. The higher the contrast ratio, the more true you blacks, whites, and greys are.\r \r - Get one, preferably 2, HDMI outputs.\r \r - LCD flat panels may be out of your price range. But a rear projection is in your range. You wont have the nice slim fit, though.\r \r - If it were me I would not settle for anything less than 1080i. Again, this may not be in your price range right now, 720 will work fine too.\r \r That being said, there is a Costco HDTV, 40 inches, with 1080p, 2 HDMI outputs, 8ms refresh, but horrible contrast ratio... \r \r In the end look at it in the store and see what you like. That is admittedly a tough price range to work in for a TV with those features.

codemonkey·Sep 16, 2006, 5:23 PM

Go to http://dl.tv and watch all the episodes on HDTV's. That should solve all your problems or at least get you up to speed on the tech before making an uninformed decision.\r \r CodeMonkey

DreadPirate75·Sep 16, 2006, 9:51 PM

It's all aboput the HD DLP. I LOVE mine.

OneEvilBtch·Sep 17, 2006, 12:24 AM

We got our new TV for a great deal. It is killer. We were going to do the LCD, but seeing next to the plasma, there was no question.

rabbmasterflash·Sep 17, 2006, 4:03 PM

Thanks for all the replies folks, I think I am down to ao couple different ones but need to go see them in action...\r \r This one looks great for the price, reading the reviews it looks like the speakers are the largest complaint but I have a 5.1 setup already so I am not worried about that, other than it not being a typical TV name brand and only having one HDMI input, it looks great\r \r This one also looks great based on reviews, it looks like avery nice set for the price, the only downside I can see is no inputs for my laptop and it is only 32\" but I must admit, my current TV is 60\" and I am spoiled. From what I hear, the smaller (32\" - 40\") sets actually look good because of the quality so yes you sacrifice screen size but they still look fine, again only going to see them in person will decide it for me.\r \r I should be getting it (whichever one \"it\" will be) this week, I will post some pics...wish me luck.

rabbmasterflash·Sep 17, 2006, 4:04 PM

sigh, obviously HTML is not enabled in here..\r Here is the first one I referred to: http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Polaroid-37-LCD-HDTV-FLM3732/sem/rpsm/oid/143694/catOid/-12867/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do\r \r Here is the second one I referred to: http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Sharp-32-AQUOS-LCD-HDTV-LC-32D40U/sem/rpsm/oid/147400/catOid/-12867/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Whamolla·Sep 18, 2006, 12:03 PM

I went through Circuit City to get mine. For around $1600 I got a 50\" DLP, by Samsung. My wife and I can view it without seeing the rainbow effect, so we opted out of LCD. I heard you may see some trails with video games on the LCD, but that may have something to do with the refresh rate, not sure. \r \r Our screen has 2 HDMI inputs, one computer input, 720p 1080i. It's about two or three weeks old and I love it.