please suggest a new hdtv for me

[emdkay]

i'm looking to purchase a 27-30" flat panel hdtv.  i'm phasing CRTs out of my life except for arcade cabinet projects, so please only suggest LCDs or plasmas.  i need the extra space and am not willing to carry/move enormous televisions anymore.  the tv should be priced no more than $900 (not afraid of rebates). 

i'm a little overwhelmed by all of the tv terms, but basically i just want a good picture that i can hook several gaming systems up to, and be able to watch hdtv content, and dvds.  i don't need to be able to hook a pc up to it.  retail stores are a joke as far as finding a good deal, so online seems the way to go - but obviously i can't check out the picture.  if anybody has first hand experience with a nice model - please let me know!

a couple of notes, i have some coupons that i could take advantage of:

buy.com:
$20 off $100 using your Buy.com Visa Card*               
$30 off $250 using your Buy.com Visa Card*     
$60 off $500 using your Buy.com Visa Card*     
$90 off $750 using your Buy.com Visa Card*     
$125 off $1000 using your Buy.com Visa Card*     

circuitcity:
10% off televisions

[Harry Potter]

Definitely go LCD. Plasma is way too fragile and for the price of a standard definition plasma, you can get a high-def LCD.

ALso stay away from no-name or unknow brands. (a friend found out the hard way)

Brands: Samsung makes a good LCD telly.

[ChadTower]

I have a 60" flat screen, hi def panel in my living room.  Everything is crystal clear, it always gives a perfect image, and it will never fail.

It's the picture window.

[missioncontrol]

only the best, but just have it delivered to my address.

 

[Harry Potter]

I suppose you'll also say it's windows compatible.

Har har har

[missioncontrol]

I suppose you'll also say it's windows compatible.

Har har har

uh oh bosss7 looks like you opened a can of worms........


missioncontrol sits back and watches this turn into a windows bashing thread

[ChadTower]

Anyone bashes my picture window is going to eat it.

[clanggedin]

I have a SONY WEGA and I love it. SONY has developed some of the best HD LCD tvs out on the market right now.

If you have the $$ I suggest getting the 105" Plasma that Samsung has. I saw that baby at CES and WOW!!

When I have millions of dollars I'm getting me one of those.

[Harry Potter]

Anyone bashes my picture window is going to eat it.

mmmmm. glassy.

[emdkay]

any specific model suggestions?

my coupon would bring this one down to $780 shipped:

http://www.buy.com/prod/SVA_VR_30_30_Widescreen_LCD_TV_HDTV_Display_Capability_1280_x_768/q/loc/111/90133085.html

..but i've never heard of the brand, and it seems to have a low contrast ratio, 350:1. 

of if i pad this order up to $1,000, i could bring it down to $875 shipped:

http://www.buy.com/prod/Astar_LTV_3001_30_Flat_Panel_LCD_TV/q/loc/111/201997772.html

..again, never heard of the brand, but 600:1 contrast ratio.


i really don't want to spend over $900 or so 

[Harry Potter]

Just so you know, the quality of the LCD wafer is not really an issue (since the technology doesn't vary that much). It's the video processing hardware plugged into it that makes most of the difference. And the no-name brands will give you crappier image quality in that respect.

Samsung, Panasonic, LG. all those brands I'd trust for LCD tellys. Spend the small extra amount on something trusted and you won't regret it.

[ChadTower]

Man, it wasn't that long ago that Samsung was known for crappy VCRs and disposable boomboxes.

[Harry Potter]

Man, it wasn't that long ago that Samsung was known for crappy VCRs and disposable boomboxes.

Yeah, they surprised me too a while back. I got myself their DVI capable DVD player and I have to say, it was worth the cash. Combine that with an Infocus projector and happy viewing. Much better than some shonky picture window. 

[ChadTower]

Pssst... the point is that the real world, where life is, is outside that picture window.

[Harry Potter]

I prefer to use the as-yet un ^tmd door to go out into that real world.

Unfortunately it's dark and scary out there at the moment.