Lcd Tv

[ICON]

I am looking to buy an LCD TV . I want to spend around $500.

any input?

I will be useing it to watch tv and surf the net.

thanks
__________________

[RhymesayersDU]

Good thread. I'm not quite ready to purchase one, but I want one badly, and there are a TON of choices.

I need input as well.

[spdirty]

got a 26" Vizio LCD and absolutely love it.

[MileHighMagic]

I just bought a 52" Sony Bravia XBR4 and it came in a couple hours ago.

OUT FKN STANDING!!!!

[Los Broncos]

Westinghouse isn't a bad choice, Viso is ok i guess for the price.

[wolf754life]

one word SAMSUNG, they make the screens for sony another manufacturers, you get what you pay for, LN-t3253 h, i work for directv and they are the preferred model for our national operations center.........

will run you around 750 bucks, but well worth it................

[TDmvp]

vizio is fine .... or olevia .... i have a 32 vizio a 32 olevia and a 30 olevia , vizios speakers are weak but most people run their tv to a real set with a sub anyway ..... the older olevia's are nicer then the new ones ... " i have one 30 olevia that looks like the gray/silver like the one on mecks bus .... not sure the inchs of one on the bus " ..... and it is real nice ,KILLER speakers .... then i have a newer olevia 32 in a black case "looks just like vizio" and it speakers are so so ..... but now you about cant go wrong for the price .... and sometimes the cheaper is better ..... my 30 stomped sony stat for stat when i got it with a faster refresh time which is a biggy for like 600 less... sometimes it dont ....

[ICON]

Thanks for the input people, Is anyone useing there TV as a Monitor as well?

[55CrushEm]

one word SAMSUNG, they make the screens for sony another manufacturers, you get what you pay for, LN-t3253 h, i work for directv and they are the preferred model for our national operations center.........

will run you around 750 bucks, but well worth it................

Yup.....I've always been a Sony fan, and they do make great TV's across every type.....but Sony's are pricey.

Samsung makes a phenomenal LCD television.....and at a lower price than Sony. I just bought the Samsung 46" LNT-4661F (1080P). 2nd highest rated 46" LCD by Consumer Reports....second only to a 46" Sony XBR.....but the Sony retails for $3600, and the Samsung retailed at $2200.

I got it at Circuit City for $1899, with 36 months no interest financing.....!Booya!

Oh yeah, and when looking at all the 46" TV's in the store....the Samsung was CLEARLY the sharpest, brightest picture. Now that I have it home, even the standard-def channels are impressive. Couldn't be happier with the television.

[Hotrod]

one word SAMSUNG, they make the screens for sony another manufacturers, you get what you pay for, LN-t3253 h, i work for directv and they are the preferred model for our national operations center.........

will run you around 750 bucks, but well worth it................

I just got the Samsung 4665 and freaking love it. I think I spent 1900 and then threw in a PS3 for 400. The picture quality is awesome. The only problem now is if I go to a friends house that has a regular old television it looks small and dull. I catch myself not even wanting to look at old televisions anymore.

[Spider]

I am going Vizio , buy american type of stuff

[Hotrod]

I am going Vizio , buy american type of stuff

Actually Vizio is made in some strange country called California. :)

[Spider]

Actually Vizio is made in some strange country called California. :)

hmmmm ..... California ? where in the hell is that ? ;D

[cmhargrove]

I am looking to buy an LCD TV . I want to spend around $500.

any input?

I will be useing it to watch tv and surf the net.

thanks
__________________

Spend more than $500.



BTW - there are a lot of Comp USA's going out of business with really good sales right now. If you have one locally, you might check out their LCD TV's.

[MileHighMagic]

The message was deleted by this poster.

[Goobzilla]

I got a 32" Vizio at Costco for right around $500 last month. It's in the bedroom and it's a really nice TV.

[montrose]

There are a lot of things you need to consider, mostly what you'll be using it for and size. Vizio, Sanyo and Westinghouse are all very good HDTV's for their price. At your budget, you're probably looking at a 720p HDTV between 26-32" from one of the previously mentioned manufacturers. Samsung and Sony will be more pricey for the same sizes.

What is the difference you ask? The biggest difference is the contrast ratio. For a Samsung 32" HDTV (approx $800), you're looking at a contrast ratio of about 5,000:1 whereas with a Vizio 32" (approx. $500-600), it's about 700:1. The higher the contrast ratio, the blacker your blacks, the redder your reds, and the greater difference in your shades.

This comes back to the use of TV, unless your a hardcore gamer - you probably won't be too effected by a drastic change in contrast, especially if this is your first HDTV. If you placed the Vizio and Samsung 32" HDTV's next to each other with the same signal coming in, the difference you'll notice is likely minimal. This is due in large part to size of the screen. When you start talking about screen sizes 40" and up, you're going to want the higher contrast ratio and 1080p picture because the difference will be noticeable. But if you're looking for a solid HDTV at the 32" size without breaking the bank, one of the less expensive HDTV's should more than fit the bill.

Just be sure you pay the money to get your channels in HD because it makes all the difference. Before I moved back to CO, I had Directv and the HD was great with a bunch of HD channels. If you live in an apartment where you can't have satellite, you're probably stuck with whatever your cable company offers - that differs a lot by area but within the next year or so they should all have the same HD channels.

Hopefully that helped out, let me know if you have any other questions.

[ICON]

There are a lot of things you need to consider, mostly what you'll be using it for and size. Vizio, Sanyo and Westinghouse are all very good HDTV's for their price. At your budget, you're probably looking at a 720p HDTV between 26-32" from one of the previously mentioned manufacturers. Samsung and Sony will be more pricey for the same sizes.

What is the difference you ask? The biggest difference is the contrast ratio. For a Samsung 32" HDTV (approx $800), you're looking at a contrast ratio of about 5,000:1 whereas with a Vizio 32" (approx. $500-600), it's about 700:1. The higher the contrast ratio, the blacker your blacks, the redder your reds, and the greater difference in your shades.

This comes back to the use of TV, unless your a hardcore gamer - you probably won't be too effected by a drastic change in contrast, especially if this is your first HDTV. If you placed the Vizio and Samsung 32" HDTV's next to each other with the same signal coming in, the difference you'll notice is likely minimal. This is due in large part to size of the screen. When you start talking about screen sizes 40" and up, you're going to want the higher contrast ratio and 1080p picture because the difference will be noticeable. But if you're looking for a solid HDTV at the 32" size without breaking the bank, one of the less expensive HDTV's should more than fit the bill.

Just be sure you pay the money to get your channels in HD because it makes all the difference. Before I moved back to CO, I had Directv and the HD was great with a bunch of HD channels. If you live in an apartment where you can't have satellite, you're probably stuck with whatever your cable company offers - that differs a lot by area but within the next year or so they should all have the same HD channels.

Hopefully that helped out, let me know if you have any other questions.REP 4 you!

[maher_tyler]

got a 26" Vizio LCD and absolutely love it.

Yep..i got a 42" Vizio and it's awesome..no problems and there priced really well compared to other TV's of the same size...a good thing to do and what i did was look at customer reviews on walmart.com or bestbuy.com etc...i was gonna by a 42" LG Plasma for the same price as the Vizio but i've heard bad things about Plasma TV's like images getting burned into the picture and then read the samethings in the reviews of the TV so i didnt buy it..i HIGHLY recommend getting a LCD. Mine was a total of $1058 with the 2 year extended service plan.

[maher_tyler]

vizio is fine .... or olevia .... i have a 32 vizio a 32 olevia and a 30 olevia , vizios speakers are weak but most people run their tv to a real set with a sub anyway ..... the older olevia's are nicer then the new ones ... " i have one 30 olevia that looks like the gray/silver like the one on mecks bus .... not sure the inchs of one on the bus " ..... and it is real nice ,KILLER speakers .... then i have a newer olevia 32 in a black case "looks just like vizio" and it speakers are so so ..... but now you about cant go wrong for the price .... and sometimes the cheaper is better ..... my 30 stomped sony stat for stat when i got it with a faster refresh time which is a biggy for like 600 less... sometimes it dont ....

Not sure what your talking about with the speakers on the vizio..their fine on mine..if you turn the surround off its louder..not sure what you mean..most people that have a decent sized TV have a sound system like myself anyway.

[Hotrod]

I got alot of good info from here

http://www.highdefforum.com/showthread.php?t=57224

and

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=166

[TDmvp]

Spend more than $500.



BTW - there are a lot of Comp USA's going out of business with really good sales right now. If you have one locally, you might check out their LCD TV's.

CMH 500-600 is fine if that is what he has to spend ..I love how people always tell you spend more of money that aint theirs ... when what you want to spend will do fine...... 500 is fine if that is what he has to spend , shoot for a 26 /32..... and Icon the reason i have 3 in one room .... one monitor .... one to play consoles on one to watch ..... 500$ is fine if thats all you got ..... get a vizio and you will be very happy ...

[TDmvp]

Not sure what your talking about with the speakers on the vizio..their fine on mine..if you turn the surround off its louder..not sure what you mean..most people that have a decent sized TV have a sound system like myself anyway.

all vizios have poor speakers ... if you turn the volume way up .. and mute sound listen to how bad they hiss a little ... it is a small thing that matters little ... and they have almost 0 low end .... compaired to my other lcds ... they have poor speakers ... they will be just fine for everyday stuff .... and like i said and you did as well maher hook it up to a real set of speakers like most people ...

[want2bAbronco2]

i hear vizo is really good. friend has a polarid (sp?) and loves it.

I bought a 61" DLP Slim Samsung 1080p. LOVE it....3 hdmi, fantastic picture....... its the best tv I could find for the price. I got it for 2k. would recomend it to everyone!

[cmhargrove]

CMH 500-600 is fine if that is what he has to spend ..I love how people always tell you spend more of money that aint theirs ... when what you want to spend will do fine...... 500 is fine if that is what he has to spend , shoot for a 26 /32..... and Icon the reason i have 3 in one room .... one monitor .... one to play consoles on one to watch ..... 500$ is fine if thats all you got ..... get a vizio and you will be very happy ...

No insult intended TDmvp, it's just the advice I would give a friend. A little more money and you could get a bigger set you would be happy with for a longer period of time. IMO, you don't want to buy a TV you will be unhappy with in the next 6 months. I just think in the $800+ range, there are significantly more options, and more bargains to be had. It wasn't pessimistic advice, I was just trying to be helpful.

[TDmvp]

No insult intended TDmvp, it's just the advice I would give a friend. A little more money and you could get a bigger set you would be happy with for a longer period of time. IMO, you don't want to buy a TV you will be unhappy with in the next 6 months. I just think in the $800+ range, there are significantly more options, and more bargains to be had. It wasn't pessimistic advice, I was just trying to be helpful.

none taken man .... i would spend more then 500 as well , just cuz the 32 is much more tv then the 26 .... thats is about the diff , i think32 vizio was like 650 + tax ... you can catch them on sale for like 599 .... but that what you need to work on icon ... go look at a 26 and a 32 and see which you have to have ....

[Drek]

I got a 32" MAG (they manufacture monitors, and lead the way with sub-$200 LCD monitors back in the day) on a Staples clearance for $400 not long ago, its been great, but I haven't used it to dual purpose as a monitor.

My recommendations:
If you aren't buying a premium brand, and $500 is a lot of money to you (I'd guess both answers are yes since you can't get a premium brand monitor of any good size for $500, and if thats your limit you obviously aren't looking to throw down another $500 in a year) buy from a B&M store and get a warranty. Off brand can have a wide array of defects, especially if you dual purpose as a monitor.

Also, what do you want to use your TV for?

If you just want a big screen to watch TV and movies on consider DLP, good size to cost ratio and the quality is much better than rear projections used to be. You can go with a wide array of brand for these, but compare them yourself, size v. cost v. features to find your best fit.

If you want a real home theatre centerpiece that will see some video game use but primarily function as a tv/movie device and money isn't a big issue go plasma. If this is your choice I'd personally recommend Pioneer (pricey) or Panasonic (cheaper), Panasonic typically sells sets that are nearly identical (same parts and assembly processes) to Pioneer's top of the line sets from 6 months to 1 year prior.

If you want a quality LCD brand I'd recommend Samsung going away. LCDs are best for heavy video game use and monitor dual purposing, but black levels often don't deliver as well as the other two types of HD sets.

From the sounds of it you'd be best off with a fairly low cost 32" LCD from a B&M store with a warranty on it to CYA. Be very discerning when you first pull your set out of the box and set it up, give a quick check for stuck or dead pixels (pixels that don't change color or are just black all the time), you'll need to be very close to the viewing screen to pick them out accurately, but do so and if you have any that are very obstructing get it back ASAP, most protection plans and manufacturer warranties require a rather high number of stuck pixels before they'll come good, so use your first couple days of unquestioned returns that most B&M electronics dealers give to be super picky.

Then get yourself AVIA to calibrate it and get it off the default contrast levels which are always grossly high. Then sit back and enjoy.

[MileHighMagic]

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=166

This site is the best!

People post their professionally calibrated settings for free and many different, personal settings.

avsforum.com

[TDmvp]

This site is the best!

People post their professionally calibrated settings for free and many different, personal settings.

avsforum.com

yea i used that site as well along with this one which is the bomb for just info ... it is forums broken down into brand very nice ...

http://www.lcd-tv-reviews.com/modules/newbb/index.php

[broncos loveI]

I bought a 37" dynex a "best buy brand" for under $700 dollars , and took it back the next day. Spent a couple hundred more and got a Phillips 37'' and love it , even though its 720pi. The point is, I would spend a little bit more for a quality product , instead of worrying if your TV will screw up in a couple months. Just my thoughts

[TDmvp]

AND ALWAYS BUY EXTRA WARRANTY ..... check this out .... just for the normal reasons of corse .... but like 2 months ago i hit bingo ... my 30 olevia had a issue .. that only reason i noticed is i had 2 lcds stacked playing same show , and could watch one and compair ... had a 32 vizio and a 30 olevia at that point ... but the 30 , when first turned on would have one spot about the size of a golf ball a tiny bit lighter then rest of the screen ... and longer it was on it was get less and less and go away after 30 mins or so ... BUT STILL this tv was like 1400 when bought and under warranty ,and built way nicer then new olevia and i wanted it fixxed "this 30 looks like mecks in OF1" if you have seen it or pics ..... so i had had it like 3 years and warranty was about out ... i call hhgregg ... they send GE to get it .... GE says ... well 2 options ... i fix this by putting new screen in it .... or for same money i can buy you a new 32 !!! and he would keep my 30 and sell as used .... "i hear this scam gets run alot" ..... so i told him ok , but im buying the 30 back ... only way ill do it .... so i got MY origianl 30 and a new 32 in the box with 3 more years warranty for 450 $ LOL .... beat that :O) 300 to him for buying my tv back ... then i spent 150 on factory Exwarranty so i ended up with 3 LOL

[maher_tyler]

i hear vizo is really good. friend has a polarid (sp?) and loves it.

I bought a 61" DLP Slim Samsung 1080p. LOVE it....3 hdmi, fantastic picture....... its the best tv I could find for the price. I got it for 2k. would recomend it to everyone!

Damn..to bad i live in South Dakota and it's almost imposible to find deals like that..they have 42" TVs for the same price at the Best buy here..maybe not quite that much but with all the taxes it's prolly pretty close to that

[maher_tyler]

AND ALWAYS BUY EXTRA WARRANTY ..... check this out .... just for the normal reasons of corse .... but like 2 months ago i hit bingo ... my 30 olevia had a issue .. that only reason i noticed is i had 2 lcds stacked playing same show , and could watch one and compair ... had a 32 vizio and a 30 olevia at that point ... but the 30 , when first turned on would have one spot about the size of a golf ball a tiny bit lighter then rest of the screen ... and longer it was on it was get less and less and go away after 30 mins or so ... BUT STILL this tv was like 1400 when bought and under warranty ,and built way nicer then new olevia and i wanted it fixxed "this 30 looks like mecks in OF1" if you have seen it or pics ..... so i had had it like 3 years and warranty was about out ... i call hhgregg ... they send GE to get it .... GE says ... well 2 options ... i fix this by putting new screen in it .... or for same money i can buy you a new 32 !!! and he would keep my 30 and sell as used .... "i hear this scam gets run alot" ..... so i told him ok , but im buying the 30 back ... only way ill do it .... so i got MY origianl 30 and a new 32 in the box with 3 more years warranty for 450 $ LOL .... beat that :O) 300 to him for buying my tv back ... then i spent 150 on factory Exwarranty so i ended up with 3 LOL

I agree...when spending that much money it's always a good idea..mine was like an extra $58 if i remember correctly..if your gonna spend $500, minds well spend a little extra just incase something jacks up somewhere down the road.