Ot--new Tv Advice

wannabewhale · Dec 11, 2006

...I know this has been asked 850 times here already--but let me ask it in another way...if you were given $2500 to buy yourself a TV in today's market what kind would it be???
I went to Best Buy and their new "wall" of TV's looked good-but gave me a headache. I am going next weekend and need your help.

Established criteria
--Between 37 and 50 inches
--TV is on from 8am with the kids to 10pm at night(approx)
--don't need it to last forever-but not obsolete in 3 years
--looking to spend $3000 with everything--TV-cords-stand-service plan
--any suggestions for a smaller surround sound system would help.

Sorry for the same question--thanks and Happy Holidays:monsters-

TheFalls · Dec 11, 2006

Same here.

Help out.

X-Files · Dec 11, 2006

Bump.

I need a new TV too. It's fine on most stations & shows,
but many times it's so dark i can see little if anything.

WCJW · Dec 11, 2006

Since the TV will be on all day, you definitely want to go with an LCD over plasma so you don't have to worry about burn-in on the plasma. I'd take a look at a 42 or 46 incs LCD flat panels. Circuit City has great deals on TVs right now and also has 18 months no interest no payments if you finance through them.
Personally, I really like the 46 inch Mitsubishi LCD, which is 1080p, but maybe a bit more than you want to pay (about $2900).
My local Circuit City also had alot of assembled tv stands for sale at good prices.
Hope this helps.

harrington · Dec 11, 2006

www.buydig.com

Great place, free shipping no tax. Have bought several from them. I bought a Samsung 32" LCD. It was on "sale" at Best Buy for $1399. Online it was $1079 no tax and free shipping. Brick and Mortar stores rip you off big time.

gbogo · Dec 11, 2006

visual apex

Panasonic TH-50PH9UK
50-inch Plasma Display

$1748

its professional monitor which means doesnt have a tuner
but if you have cable box just plug it in

the stand for it is $160

also has $100 mail in rebate right now

50 inches 1366*768 10,000/1 contrast ratio

cant beat that deal imo

gbogo · Dec 11, 2006

as for home theatre system

buy a denon or marantz or onkyo receiver $500-$1000

and buy some cheaper speakers on sale $200 jbl infinity something bookshelf.

then later upgrade the speakers.

bit of a waste to buy an inexpensive home theatre package system - as its hard to upgrade.

gbogo · Dec 11, 2006

just on the plasma they are offering a 5 year warranty on it included in price until dec 31.

HellonWheels · Dec 11, 2006

Anyone buy those Plasma /LCD's that costco has? They are an off brand, but I too am looking to purchase my first wall mount tv's. and know nothing about them.....

Journeyman · Dec 11, 2006

I couldn't agree more , it's really confusing, I was looking in Circuit City earlier and walked out feeling unsure and out of the loop.

Bennyshoe · Dec 11, 2006

I just bought a home theater in a box. It's a Onkyo S790. It cost around $400 for the receiver and the speakers (no DVD player). It got great reviews and for the price you can't beat it. I have it setup and it sounds great.

Look into DLP TV's. I've had a Samsung DLP for a few years and never had problems with it. It's not flat so you can't hang it on the wall but it's SO light that two people can carry a 50 inch TV. It reflects lights off mirrors to display the image. The only thing is that the bulb will burn out eventually but a long way away. It costs only a few hundred bucks to replace it and the picture will look as good as new. I have yet to have to do that to mine.

You might see that a TV is 1080p, 1080i, or 720p. That just talks about the resolution. 1080p is the best out there BUT no stations broadcast in 1080p. The only sources for 1080p are the newests HD-DVD or Blu Ray DVD players. So unless you want the newest and best TV and are thinking about getting one of those DVD players (cost around $900), you don't need a 1080p TV.

Otherwise you might just want to get a TV that has at least 720p resolution. Most of those sets will also show in 1080i. Most HD programming right now show in 720p and some in 1080i. Great looking picture in HD.

Hope some of that helps.