^^ Model number, plz?

1/20/2010 2:47:33 PM

^ are you looking to buy for a home theater? How often do you watch tv/movies (hrs/wk) what times of day?

I'm wondering if maybe a projector would be a good option for you (since it seems like you're pretty open on price).

1/20/2010 3:02:57 PM

TC-54PS14

http://shop.bjs.com/-1599-99-less--200-Online-Instant-Coupon-on-Panasonic-S14-Series-54--34--Full-HD-1080p-Plasma-HDTV-BJs-com-Instant-Savings_stcVVproductId73071547VVcatId482007VVviewprod.htm


Still listed in the store at $1099 as of last week. (brier creek BJ's)

1/20/2010 3:11:09 PM

^^ Yes, it will be for the theater room. We watch movies and TV quite regularly. Almost always in the evening. This will be a high duty display.

A projector is out of the question. The only projector I have ever seen that has come even remotely close to adequate quality was $25,000. And it was still subpar. (It was a Vidikron)

^ Thanks, but I've actually auditioned that one before (and others in its series) and while the contrast was very good, the color vibrancy was very much not.

---

To augment my initial post: I've done some auditioning (of all types: LCD, Plasma, LED, etc.), and the conclusion is that I've seen nothing under the $3500 price point which could be considered satisfactory. I'm certainly open to suggestions, but the tier that impressed me was along the lines of the Pioneer KURO (one of my current frontrunners). I'm seeking reviews of displays from that echelon.

1/20/2010 5:05:58 PM

my suggestion is to get over yourself.

1/20/2010 6:51:36 PM

http://www.bradsdeals.com/42-sharp-1080p-lcd-hdtv-499-pid-40859.html

Through 2/4, Dell Home has the 42" Sharp LCD HDTV (model LC-42SB45UT) on sale for only $499 after a $400 price cut, making it the new all-time low. This features full 1080p HD resolution, three HDMI ports, 6ms response time, internal HD tuning, and more. Shipping is free with sales tax is charged in most states.

2/2/2010 4:18:07 PM

Sweet deal, but I see its not an Aquos. Whats the difference?

2/2/2010 4:21:15 PM

Wyloch

Pick up a G90/G70 EH-9500LC.

CRT baby

2/3/2010 3:48:24 PM

^ Who carries it?

2/4/2010 7:55:45 AM

good fucking lord. your eyes are not that fucking great. just go buy yourself a fucking tv

2/4/2010 9:04:58 AM

bttt
i need a tv

scenario

1) budget: ~$1000
2) 32" - 40" (bigger the better i guess)
3) i have no fucking clue about plasma vs lcd vs led
or refresh rates or any of the tech specs!

plz 2 halp

kthxbai

2/24/2010 6:26:17 PM

for a grand you could easily pickup a 50 inch panasonic plasma

2/24/2010 6:45:09 PM

led is lcd, and a good one is not in your budget.


Plasmas generally have a better picture. They're a little thicker. Generally speaking, they are less expensive when compared to the same size LCD. they use a little more power than a standard lcd (led-lcd uses less). For some unknown reason to me (marketing maybe), LCDs seem to be more popular than plasmas right now. --- So, i suggest you get a plasma

2/24/2010 6:48:34 PM

i bought my 50" panasonic plasma for $620.

2/28/2010 10:03:39 PM

rofl, wasn't wyloch the same guy who is an 'audiophile' too?

Amazing, this guy has golden ears and golden eyes?

Come on dawg, you've fooled yourself into think you can tell he difference in consumer class and pro class stuff.

2/28/2010 10:17:42 PM

Quote :

"Wyloch: the conclusion is that I've seen nothing under the $3500 price point which could be considered satisfactory."

Hah, this is one of the most absurd statements I've seen. You know, if your desire to spend your pocket-burning money is that great, then by all means, go and get your money's worth of something expensive

Satisfactory can be found for less than $500. Good to great is anything from $1-3,000 ... and by the time you reach anything that is approaching $3,500 then it better be offering to pour my beer.

[Edited on February 28, 2010 at 11:05 PM. Reason : .]

2/28/2010 11:04:46 PM

but then you don't get to be that insufferable audio/videophile douche. Ironically, for all of the claims of heightened senses the audio/videophile is completely oblivious to all of the eye rolling and muttered "here we go agains" from everyone that has to suffer through the diatribes of why that four figure investment in cabling made such a huge difference in how enjoyable his home theater setup is.

3/1/2010 11:58:39 AM

Quote :

"Ironically, for all of the claims of heightened senses the audio/videophile is completely oblivious to all of the eye rolling and muttered "here we go agains" from everyone that has to suffer through the diatribes of why that four figure investment in cabling made such a huge difference in how enjoyable his home theater setup is."

This has to be one of the top 10 greatest things ever posted on TWW.

3/1/2010 7:36:42 PM

Anyone owns a samsung LN32B650?
Comments about this model or 6 series in general

3/3/2010 11:25:27 AM

I dunno.

I've successfully passed any double blind test I've ever been in on the audio front. I have a passion for music and sound and I guess have developed an ear for it such that my standards are different than most of you folks. The one thing I do not believe in is mondo cabling. In fact I prefer to build my own. But I'm pretty sure.....yeah, my entire rig has less than $300 in cabling.

As for video, never been in a blind test. So unlike in the audio realm, I don't have credibility. My opinions with displays are based solely on side-by-side comparisons, and to me they're night and day. My frontrunner is the Kuro, but all it would take is one drunk buddy's misstep to wipe out a sizeable purchase. And so, being that my true passion is and always has been audio, I'm pretty sure I'll be stepping back on the display.

Quote :

"Satisfactory can be found for less than $500."

This is nothing more than a difference in standards. I believe that you'd be satisfied with a $500 display. Cool. I know for a fact that any display I've ever seen at that price point could serve as a noisemaker for the kitchen while cooking, at best.

Quote :

"Ironically, for all of the claims of heightened senses the audio/videophile is completely oblivious to all of the eye rolling and muttered "here we go agains" from everyone that has to suffer through the diatribes of why that four figure investment in cabling made such a huge difference in how enjoyable his home theater setup is."

Yes, those cabling soap boxes annoy me as well, but I'm pretty sure you were referring to the hobby in general, not just the issue of cabling. Think of one of your hobbies for which you consider yourself an expert (or better yet, proved yourself to be an expert, as I did in the first paragraph above) and then imagine someone who is clearly out of their element telling you you're wrong. Will you yield your stance after thousands of hours of devotion to that hobby, with known and indisputable technical rigor behind you, just because that person has little to no clue what they're talking about?

I'm not gonna go over The Garage and tell those guys that a civic and a 3-series are the same thing because they both get you from one location to another, so why the hell pay thousands of dollars more? (fyi I don't believe this but you know there are people out there who do)

Hopefully you don't consider this post a "diatribe." I'm actually intending the opposite. What I'm intending to say is that we agree to disagree, I'm not going to try and convince anyone of anything, and I just posted in here originally to get advice on the off chance that anyone on here was looking for the same thing as me.

[Edited on March 3, 2010 at 7:12 PM. Reason : ]

3/3/2010 7:05:24 PM

I've got to say...I didnt expect a response like this.


The KURO is a great set. I dont think you need to worry about anyone "brandon marshall-ing" your television set. Assuming you can keep mcdonalds bags off the floor.

3/4/2010 12:09:46 PM

Quote :

"I've successfully passed any double blind test I've ever been in on the audio front."

Well, that's the problem... you're supposed to hear with your ears

3/4/2010 1:16:31 PM

^ I really did chuckle a little.

3/4/2010 4:41:53 PM

Here's the deal, I just bought a new house and currently have $900 in gift cards to Best Buy. Any recommendations for someone trying to conserve any money possible after the $900?

I just want to get the best possible TV for the money - I'd say no more than $1200 or so.

I'm looking in the range of 46 to 52 inches.

P.S. I already have a mount set up on the wall - so it needs to be able to be mounted.



Thanks folks.

3/30/2010 11:55:19 AM

You just missed the Mitsubishi sale at dell.

60" was $799 and 73" was $1299. I almost went for one, but fortunately it sold out before I could go through with it.

3/30/2010 12:07:07 PM

lol damn that's a crazy deal - can someone also explain to me why I would want to get 1080 over 720?

3/30/2010 12:08:08 PM

^^ Weren't those DLPs? They can't be wall mounted.

3/30/2010 12:29:46 PM

^^ you might not want to.

Do you have or plan on buying anything that can play back 1080p content, such as a blu ray player?
Do you plan on connecting your PC to the TV? If so, this is probably going to be the most obvious advantage for 1080p.

Also, with smaller screens, you won't be able to tell the difference between 720p and 1080p for movies/tv. With larger screens it becomes more obvious. And the threshold varies from person to person.

For me, I can start to notice the difference with screens 46" and larger. For you it may be larger or smaller. For a seasoned audio/videophile like Wyloch his ultra sensitive eyes can tell the difference with a 1" screen.

3/30/2010 12:39:32 PM

^ Hell, with a 0.25" screen, son.

3/30/2010 12:58:04 PM

as for right now i don't have a blu ray but as they continue to come down in price, i could see myself having one.

any idea if/when TWC will go to 1080p? never?

3/30/2010 1:02:37 PM

first results on google shows it looks like they might be trying it out in some parts of the country

but i wouldn't count on or expect it to be common in areas where they have no real competition for quite some time. what size are you looking for? nvm, i didn't read.


i'd look for 1080p for that size.. if you happen to find a 720p that you're happy with after comparing it to a 1080p set then go for it.. but personally i'd be looking for 1080p and most of them are going to be that anyways

[Edited on March 30, 2010 at 1:25 PM. Reason : asf]

3/30/2010 1:23:33 PM

im also looking for a TV...1080p because I have an HTPC...42"-46".....really dont want to pay for that 120hz crap because I will never use it. Around $700-800 is all I want to spend...I dont watch much tv..mostly video games and movies. Any recommendations are helpful along with any deals you guys come across in case I miss it on slickdeals.

3/30/2010 2:45:30 PM

Quote :

"really dont want to pay for that 120hz crap because I will never use it."

clearly you don't understand what it is

3/30/2010 2:47:40 PM

^ Maybe he does.

Some people actually prefer the jitter associated with normal pulldown. The 120Hz effect is actually too smooth for them, and detracts from the cinematic feel. I can sympathize with that, and actually somewhat agree, but my opinion on the matter is that it's time to learn to adjust.

3/30/2010 3:08:04 PM

yeah i know what it is and i know i dont want it. thanks for checking though

if i dont have a choice in buying it then ill just turn it off....the smoothness is unnatural to me...like a soap opera effect as they call it.

[Edited on March 30, 2010 at 3:24 PM. Reason : a]

3/30/2010 3:20:58 PM

okay so i think i'm down to these 2:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+50%22+Class+/+1080p+/+600Hz+/+Plasma+HDTV/9789343.p?id=1218175322173&skuId=9789343

vs.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Panasonic+-+VIERA+/+50%22+Class+/+1080p+/+600Hz+/+Plasma+HDTV/9786054.p?id=1218174065119&skuId=9786054

they are the same price...what's the call tww techies?

3/31/2010 8:35:40 AM

I need to buy a tv for my grandparents. I haven't kept up with any of this new tv technology nonsense so I need help. They want no bigger than 32", it will be in a small room (going to be pretty close to the tv), will be using directv, don't need anything fancy, price is a factor. I believe they currently still have a tube tv, so anything will be an upgrade.

4/9/2010 6:56:33 PM

vizio 32" LCD

4/9/2010 7:34:48 PM

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11530532&whse=BC&Ne=5000001+4000000&eCat=BC|79|2341&N=4041015%204294967156&Mo=2&No=2&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=

what say tdub gurus?

4/11/2010 11:59:20 PM

i think too much to decide on anyone tv

4/14/2010 2:00:30 PM

picked up the Panasonic TC-P50S2 Plasma from best buy today. Looks great so far.

4/17/2010 7:04:33 PM

does anyone have an opinion on this TV versus any other in the 52"-55" range? Will be wall mounted and I am mainly looking for LED/LCD due to the power consumption/weight/thinner profile/longer life/does not run as hot as plasma. This is from costco, and includes a 3 yr warranty (+1 add'l year by purchasing with AMEX). Can anyone recommend anything better including a similar warranty under $2K?

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11531157&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|79|2341|87250&N=4041015&Mo=18&pos=4&No=2&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=87250&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&ec=BC-EC34411-Cat2341&topnav=

4/18/2010 1:34:21 AM

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+46%22+Class+/+1080p+/+240Hz+/+LED-LCD+HDTV/9293579.p?id=1218076082869&skuId=9293579

parents have this tv. it's fucking amazing. It's last year's model i think, but this years model is ~3K

4/18/2010 2:44:25 AM

Looking to buy a LED tv for under 2k$.. looking for Netflix, Youtube and preferably expandable to more apps or something... any ideas on which would be the best buy? size range would be 47-55 inch..

4/25/2010 10:23:30 AM

Sony, Samsung, and LG all of models in that range

There's a sony bravia 52" ex700 for just under 2k right now. I'd take a look at that, pretty sure it has both netflix and youtube included. keep in mind, in that price range they're all going to be edge-lit.

4/25/2010 1:05:59 PM

^ that's the same one that I mentioned in my costco link above....anybody have an opinion on this tv?

4/25/2010 11:27:42 PM

well, it's a good tv.

But what do you want out of it?

The big jump with LED LCDs in regard to picture quality is really only significant if you get a full-array/direct back-lit tv. You're not going to get that in the price range you're talking about here. You're going to get an edge-lit LED LCD. The big benefits there are how thin the display is and power consumption. You can get local dimming with edge-lit, but it's not as impressive as what you hear about when people talk about LED LCD competing with plasmas.

Personally, I wouldn't pay much more for an edge-lit LED LCD than a traditional LCD. I'd rather save the money than have the thinnest tvs on the market (although, OLEDs will blow these away soon enough in regard to thickness). But I realize some people like that. And if you want a tv that's 2.5" deep instead of 4", then mark that down in the pros column.

Best thing to do is just go look at the tv. You'll either be happy with it, or you won't. There are plenty of sites that review TVs. Narrow it down by price, features, reviews... then go look at the few you're left with.

Again, it's a good tv. If you have a few that you wanted to compare, I think people here could help a little more. But what can they say other than... yeah, it's a good tv.




Then again, I'm gonna go plasma 9/10 times. Better picture quality and screen size for the buck.

I'm willing to bet that if you were to buy that tv, you'd really enjoy it. My roommate has a 52" bravia LCD. And he loves it, he'd prefer to go with the LED LCD, but they weren't in that price range when he got his. None the less, I watch that tv just about every day, and it's plenty good enough.


EDIT:
OK, just read what you said originally. Yup, that tv will be thinner and consume less power than a plasma or a regular LCD.

Quote :

"longer life/does not run as hot as plasma"

By the time a plasma or lcd's lifespan is "up", you'll be well beyond wanting/already buying a new tv. The lifespan argument against plasmas is about as silly as the viewing angle con of LCDs for the average person. LCDs nowadays have a viewing angle that is just fine for the average home.

Let's say a plasma lasts 30k hrs until half-life. And let's say you watch, on average, 4hrs of tv a day. That's 20+ years. Lifespan is not relevant at that point. Even if you watched 8hrs a day, or wanted to replace it before that point, 10 years is still a pretty damn long time. I mean, LED LCDs wasn't even most people's vocab a couple of years ago. Now there are 3D tvs. There may soon be laser tvs. and there are OLED tvs. In 10 years, your LED LCD may be way outdated. Not that I'm saying you should not consider that at all. But the difference between the two in regard to lifespan isn't even worth discussing imo.

I've been around 50"+ plasmas and lcds, the heat difference isn't that noticeable. Actually, my roommate's 52" bravia lcd gets pretty damn warm. My dad has a 52" panasonic plasma hanging on his wall... the heat isn't an issue.

[Edited on April 26, 2010 at 12:45 AM. Reason : .]

4/26/2010 12:24:31 AM

if anyone is buying from best buy, let me know. I have $350 in bestbuy gc's coming to me from directv that I'd like to offload. would sell for a little under face value pm me

4/26/2010 11:12:36 AM

Quote :

"A projector is out of the question. The only projector I have ever seen that has come even remotely close to adequate quality was $25,000. And it was still subpar. (It was a Vidikron)"

Just out of curiosity since I own a projector, what do you feel is subpar about them (brightness, color accuracy, black level)?

I really like my Epson but sometimes I'll see an lcd and admire the brightness. I really wish I had a dedicated room.

4/26/2010 12:36:55 PM

sorry double post

does anyone have a plasma that does 24p

i went to best buy to see what it looked like but i don't think they had anything set up

is it worth it?

5/1/2010 5:33:16 PM