I'm looking to get a 37"+ flat screen TV and spend <$1300. I'm trying to get as big of a TV as possible without sacrificing much quality.

LCD or Plasma? - I'm leaning towards LCD because I think I can get a bigger TV for cheaper

What are some good brands? What is the downfall of getting a cheaper brand TV?

Anything in particular I should know before purchasing a new TV?

5/13/2007 6:56:23 PM

Projection LCD is my latest fav thing.

5/13/2007 7:00:26 PM

what's the quality like?

[Edited on May 13, 2007 at 7:02 PM. Reason : yo]

5/13/2007 7:01:32 PM

As good as LCD/Plasma, and available for cheap.

5/13/2007 7:09:11 PM

Quote :

"I'm trying to get as big of a TV as possible without sacrificing much quality. "

= DLP.

QED BITCHES

oh, and i hear this is cool:
message_search.aspx?section=3

5/13/2007 7:22:10 PM

lcd:

lasts longer
higher resolutions for cheaper

plasma:
color is more true/ better contrast ratio
risk of burn-in (much smaller risk than it used to be)
hard to see if sun/bright light hits the screen


there is no correct answer, you just need to decide what you think is important. Go look at them.

5/13/2007 7:22:37 PM

Quote :

"As good as LCD/Plasma, and available for cheap."

Not even close.

The biggest TV for cheapest with the best image quality is going to be a DLP if you don't see rainbows. Large plasmas and LCDs (50+) are both expensive, but one isn't really much cheaper than the other.

Go look at them or at one of the 700 other threads like this in Tech Talk.

[Edited on May 13, 2007 at 8:05 PM. Reason : .]

5/13/2007 8:02:13 PM

Quote :

"I'm looking to get a 37"+ flat screen TV and spend <$1300. I'm trying to get as big of a TV as possible without sacrificing much quality. "

For the parameters of flat panel, greater than 37 inches, and less than 1300, you should be able to get a 42 inch LG or Philips LCD.

You can get a 50-something inch rear projection if you wanted.

5/13/2007 8:39:33 PM

I used the search and found many different issues

I wanted a make a thread specifically for a 37"+ TV for less than $1300

If I go with a cheaper brand, would I be sacrificing much?

What are some other reliable brands?

I would think I could get a 44" cheaper brand TV for the price of a 37" panasonic or sony

[Edited on May 13, 2007 at 9:01 PM. Reason : DLP looks pretty badass for the price. Would I be sacrificing much quality?]

5/13/2007 8:51:18 PM

I meant DLP...misplaced the LCD

5/13/2007 8:53:21 PM

i got a hundai 37" online for 800 shipped (normally was 1k+ship) and it has worked well for me. im sure there might be slight differences, but it wasnt worth an extra 50%. it has been very reliable despite a lack of reviews (unlike some other cheap brands).

5/13/2007 8:58:07 PM

is there a problem watching a DLP TV from different angles?

and what the hell is 1080p? Is it worth he extra $500?

5/13/2007 9:16:57 PM

Just bought a Syntax Olevia 37" LCD for my pop's. $565 shipped, its a 720p monitor and I am extremely happy with it. Good sound from the built in speakers, all the necessary inputs (vga/hdmi/component/svideo/composite) and damn good color accuracy and response time.

5/13/2007 9:19:16 PM

^^yes, DLP's dont have a near 180 degree viewable like most LCD's.

1080p is the resolution. 720p/1080i are basically the same, 1080p is basically double that. And yes it's worth the extra 500 bucks.

5/13/2007 9:20:57 PM

The only angle problem (at least noticeable) is when you change the viewer height. Sideways angles are as good/better as LCDs.

Also, 1080 anything is going to be better than 720 anything, unless you have a picture with lots of motion. 1080i has bandwidth equal to 720p.

5/13/2007 9:24:26 PM

it says that DLP doesn't work as well with computers

I'm looking to use this TV to watch cable/movies, play xbox 360, and use it as another computer monitor (i got a badass computer)

I like this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Olevia-42%2522-LCD-HDTV-542I/dp/B000H2TPDE
and this one:
http://tinyurl.com/2vxsp6

[Edited on May 13, 2007 at 9:46 PM. Reason : yo]

5/13/2007 9:31:12 PM

why dont you just go with lcd and /thread this thread already

5/13/2007 9:33:55 PM

im interested to hear why

5/13/2007 9:38:11 PM

I'll probably go with the LCD simply because the angle of viewing and the space I have available for the TV

Plus LCDs are better suited for using as a 2nd monitor

I'm just trying to figure out which TV I should buy and what to look for when buying a TV

5/13/2007 9:44:23 PM

when buying a thousand dollar tv, just get something with the right amount of inputs/outpus and a barnd you feel comfortable with based on reviews. you'd have to fuck up bad to get a really bad tv in that range.

5/13/2007 9:57:32 PM

here's some more info on the TV I posted above

lots a great reviews

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889234002

5/13/2007 10:10:56 PM

^ That TV is only a monitor you know, it has no tuner built in at all (it shouldn't even be called a TV really).

5/13/2007 10:12:32 PM

yeah thats the only way to semi-fuck up. that or if you wanted one particular resolution and you got a diff one.

5/13/2007 10:28:27 PM

damn

^^that is exactly why I started this thread so you guys can see where I fucked up

I'm not going to buy this TV until after Memorial Day Weekend so I have lots of time to look

What about a refurbished TV? My dad got a few refurbished computers and we never had a problem with them.

[Edited on May 13, 2007 at 10:46 PM. Reason : it was under the TV section of NewEgg. I was wondering why they kept refering to it as a monitor]

5/13/2007 10:42:20 PM

i dont mind refurb for cheaper items, but tv's seem to push it. only place ive seen a ton of reviews about refub items is phillips which has a very BAD rep for DOA items.

5/13/2007 11:25:48 PM

Quote :

"That TV is only a monitor you know, it has no tuner built in at all (it shouldn't even be called a TV really)."

i don't really see why this is a problem. you're presumably going to use a sat/cable box. & if you are spending a ton of money on a tv, doesn't it make sense to have a decent stereo?

5/13/2007 11:39:30 PM

This is harder than I thought it would be

Any ideas?




[Edited on May 15, 2007 at 10:25 PM. Reason : Neon's Olevia idea is the leader so far. $1100 for a 42" 1080i LCD is money.]

5/15/2007 10:24:24 PM

i have a 1080p tv and i think i've decided that unless your tv is 45" or bigger there is no need for it.

5/16/2007 7:20:20 AM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889022021

Is that the same Olevia noen recommended?

5/16/2007 7:37:48 AM

^i don't believe so but that TV is $300 less than the same size Olevia that I was looking at
That TV isn't 1080i but according to ^^sumfoo it doesn't really matter much at 42"

If 1080i doesn't really make that big of a difference, should I save the extra $300-$500 to not get a 1080i TV?

Is it worth the extra $200 to get:
http://www.amazon.com/Olevia-42%2522-LCD-HDTV-542I/dp/B000H2TPDE
instead of:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889022021

[Edited on May 16, 2007 at 10:47 PM. Reason : yo]

5/16/2007 10:42:45 PM

anyone?

5/18/2007 10:59:11 AM

you need 1080i people broadcast in that.
but 1080p no one broadcasts in and you need a pc, blueray or hd-dvd player to get 1080p content.

I can tell a difference but only in extremly high action scenes sitting 5' from my tv.

Also keep in mind most LCDs have HORRIBLE speakers so you'll need a stereo or something too.
i know samsung does i think sony does and some don't even come with speakers.

5/18/2007 11:11:25 AM

Sony speakers on their LCD projection are amazing.

5/18/2007 4:40:06 PM

can i use like a 50' hdmi cable to go across the room (through attic space) and have hdmi -> dvi connectors on both ends for an lcd tv?

5/19/2007 5:53:26 PM

i suppose you could, but plenty of lcd's come with hdmi, so i dont know why you'd bother. that and it seems like asking for problems, but i could be wrong.

5/19/2007 6:05:24 PM

i'd use dvi b/c my other devices would use up the hdmi.

5/19/2007 6:11:29 PM

http://tinyurl.com/2vxsp6

I posted this TV before and you guys said it was only a monitor

It's actually made to be a TV but only works if you have a cable box

I have a Time Warner cable box so it wouldn't be a problem

plus it's on sale at best buy for $950 and if I buy the HD channel package for a year ($14 a month) through best buy (and time warner) I get $100 off that price.

So I'm getting a year of the HD channel package a a new 42" LCD for less than a $1000

5/19/2007 6:17:41 PM

Quote :

"I posted this TV before and you guys said it was only a monitor It's actually made to be a TV but only works if you have a cable box"

methinks you dont understand the usage of the word TV and Monitor

[Edited on May 19, 2007 at 6:40 PM. Reason : though it isnt that huge of a deal and the price is nice]

5/19/2007 6:39:31 PM

^sorry it was a mistype

Quote :

"It's actually made to be a TV monitor but only works (as a TV) if you have a cable box"

how is $950 (or $850 for the TV and $160 for HD package) for that TV not a good deal?

I have a couple other TV's in mind so I'm looking for input and advice

[Edited on May 19, 2007 at 6:55 PM. Reason : yo]

5/19/2007 6:52:51 PM

i meant to say not having a tuner isnt that big of a deal cuz the price is nice.

it'll still work as a TV for shitty old cable (even without the box), but it just wont decode HD channels on its own (via antennae or straight coax).

[Edited on May 19, 2007 at 7:11 PM. Reason : .]

5/19/2007 7:10:49 PM

^yeah that part sucks, you have to have another box for that

here are another couple TV's:
Olevia Model 541i
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16889022030&ATT=89-022-030&CMP=OTC-C173T
Vizio GV42L
http://shopper.cnet.com/flat-panel-and-plasma/vizio-gv42l-hdtv/4014-6482_9-31987134.html?tag=pdtl-list
LG 32LC7D
http://shopper.cnet.com/flat-panel-and-plasma/lg-32lc7d-42-lcd/4014-6482_9-32385735.html?tag=pdtl-list

5/20/2007 10:44:47 AM

107lbs seems a shade on the heavy side for that first one. not that it matters, just kinda struck me as odd. if you are fine with 2 composite, 1 hdmi then it should be alright (thats all i have, but it is too few inputs for some ppl).

#2 sounds better to me and detachable speakers are always nice if you already have a sound system.

#3's dimensions don't sound right for a 42" tv (nor does the low weight specified). my tv is only 37" and is either close to or larger than those specs. pretty nice if true.

5/20/2007 11:53:31 AM

the weight issue doesn't really matter. i've got a solid TV stand for it

I liked #2 the best myself

A ton of input isn't a huge deal for me

#3 was at the bottom for me because of that same reason even though it's made by a better company

more TV's to be posted....thanks for the input...I know a little about what I'm looking for but I don't to spend $1000 without other people's input on the product

5/20/2007 12:30:30 PM

solid stand or not, having a lighter tv is generally nicer, particularly if you want to ever hang it on the wall.

5/20/2007 12:39:01 PM

We have the 32" Syntax-Olevia 720p LCD, it looks pretty sweet. I'd recommend their brand.

5/20/2007 4:24:50 PM

Does anyone know where you could possibly rent an HDtv? if you wanted tot ry them out before purchasing?

5/20/2007 6:05:27 PM

^^^i probably won't try to ever hang it on the wall so that's not a problem

^^i also have a friend with a 37" Olevia that pretty nice. I've been impressed with Olevia because of the quality and price of their TVs

5/20/2007 6:16:08 PM

why are you so set on LCD then? you coudl easily get a lcd projo or dlp that is bigger.

5/20/2007 6:28:24 PM

because DLP viewing angle sucks

5/20/2007 6:31:35 PM

how often do you not sit in front of your tv? how bout lcd projo view angle?

5/20/2007 6:32:35 PM