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Main => Everything Else => Topic started by: emdkay on November 02, 2005, 11:26:24 am

Title: please suggest a new hdtv for me
Post by: emdkay on November 02, 2005, 11:26:24 am
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
Title: Re: please suggest a new hdtv for me
Post by: Harry Potter on November 02, 2005, 11:31:44 am
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.
Title: Re: please suggest a new hdtv for me
Post by: ChadTower on November 02, 2005, 11:33:48 am

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.
Title: Re: please suggest a new hdtv for me
Post by: missioncontrol on November 02, 2005, 11:35:31 am
only the best, but just have it delivered to my address.

 ;D
Title: Re: please suggest a new hdtv for me
Post by: Harry Potter on November 02, 2005, 11:35:38 am
I suppose you'll also say it's windows compatible.

Har har har
Title: Re: please suggest a new hdtv for me
Post by: missioncontrol on November 02, 2005, 11:37:05 am
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
Title: Re: please suggest a new hdtv for me
Post by: ChadTower on November 02, 2005, 11:37:40 am

Anyone bashes my picture window is going to eat it.
Title: Re: please suggest a new hdtv for me
Post by: clanggedin on November 02, 2005, 11:57:13 am
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.
Title: Re: please suggest a new hdtv for me
Post by: Harry Potter on November 02, 2005, 11:59:58 am

Anyone bashes my picture window is going to eat it.
mmmmm. glassy.
Title: Re: please suggest a new hdtv for me
Post by: emdkay on November 02, 2005, 12:10:58 pm
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  ???
Title: Re: please suggest a new hdtv for me
Post by: Harry Potter on November 02, 2005, 12:14:18 pm
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.
Title: Re: please suggest a new hdtv for me
Post by: ChadTower on November 02, 2005, 12:15:46 pm

Man, it wasn't that long ago that Samsung was known for crappy VCRs and disposable boomboxes.
Title: Re: please suggest a new hdtv for me
Post by: Harry Potter on November 02, 2005, 12:17:23 pm

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.  ;)
Title: Re: please suggest a new hdtv for me
Post by: ChadTower on November 02, 2005, 12:19:45 pm

Pssst... the point is that the real world, where life is, is outside that picture window.
Title: Re: please suggest a new hdtv for me
Post by: Harry Potter on November 02, 2005, 12:21:19 pm
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.