Wanting to buy an HDTV, input please.

[OHPM-Inc]

Cheapest Projection 51"
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Hitac...oductDetail.do

Cheapest LCD 42"
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Polar...oductDetail.do

Cheapest DLP 50"
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Samsu...oductDetail.do

-Moderator note- User is looking to purchase a TV and would like some input on which is the best one to buy.

[HAL9000]

Any particular reason for the posting of these particular items? It's coming across as spam.

[EzyStvy]

Maybe it's a pre Going out of Business sale

[HAL9000]

OK, going by a reply about this thread, the user is looking at purchasing a TV and would like input on what to buy. I have edited your title so it can make a bit more sense to those that see the thread.

[XenaWP]

In order, I would select LCD, DLP, and I just wouldn't buy a RP-CRT. The chance of burn-in, even when properly calibrated, is too great. I have had it happen, and mine was calibrated.

LCDs are bright and sharp and have great viewing angles. DLPs are too, but my experience with bulb-based units hasn't been so great. Luck of the draw, you can get a bad bulb and have to replace it after 14 months, there's $200-$300 out the door. Their nominal life is 8-10k hours, so if you're a heavy user, count on that expense every couple of years.

[HAL9000]

Personally, I think the DLP's have a better pic than the LCD or Plasmas... I can see the pixels on the latter two, but not on the DLP without getting ridiculously close. It may be luck of the draw, but my DLP is on constantly and it's been over two years so far... still on the original lamp. The DLP has of course, the drawback of room, they're a much deeper set. I would never buy one of the regular sets as it sits so far out from the wall, I went for the Samsung pedestal design... makes it more a piece of furniture than a TV.

[OHPM-Inc]

Anyone know of a better deal for a DLP? I was looking at a few at Costco and I might consider those too but I just don't know who the better companies are.

[David M]

I think Samsung makes the best overall. Sony is good but I think overpriced for what you get.

I was in Costco last evening looking at the TV's on display. I think the DLP's and the LCD's in the 1080i or 1080p have very similar images.

I also happened to notice Costco selling Ipods up to 60Gb at very competitive prices along with PS3's

[HAL9000]

I have to agree with David (that's rare ) I was actually looking at a Sony at the same time, but it was considerably more to the tune of $1000CDN at the time... Picture qualities were similar, but the Samsung won by being a nicer looking unit.

[David M]

Don't worry HAL...it probably won't happen again.

[OHPM-Inc]

So the Samsung at Circuit City for $1499 is probably the best deal then?

I'm always nervous about making the final purchase because I know tomorrow I'll wake up and see something better. At the same time though, if I don't buy, I lose the deal and won't buy one for several months or maybe a year.

[HAL9000]

Well that can be a matter of opinion... if you can actually view the pic on these sets and see for yourself.. My opinion is the Samsungs always have the brightest and clearest picture... but you may see differently. Secondly, look at size... do you have the room for a DLP.. they're much deeper than an LCD or Plasma set.

[OHPM-Inc]

I have projections right now in my house so the room isn't a problem. I even like the stands that come with or purchased separate for the DLP's compared to the normal projections.

I find that alot of these places don't actually have the HDMI or 1080p running when you're viewing their televisions. Most of the stores only have 480 running on HD or at the MOST it's 1080i that are ran on all the TV's.

I'm actually heading to Costco right now so we'll see what I find there. Thanks, I'll keep ya informed.

[HAL9000]

Looking at those links, 720p is the best pic on all of them, two of them have 1080i, but realistically, the 720p should be able to do 1080i as well... not that it matters, my cable box is only capable of 720p anyway... so that's another consideration as well when making the decision.

[pally01]

Myself and two others I know all have Samsung L.C.D.'s. None of us have any complaints, issues etc at all. Picture is excellent, quality of the unit (thus far) has been top notch.

We'd all buy Samsung again...

[OHPM-Inc]

720p handles 1080i

720p is better than 1080i but not as good as 1080p. It's all confusing.



Here is what I found at Costco

50" 720p Plasma by Vizio ($1,399.99)

47" 1080p LCD by Vizio ($1,699.99)

42" 720p Plasma by Vizio ($999.99)

They didn't have any DLP's under 60" and I can't spend $2K on the TV

[sgtspector]

If you do decide on the Vizio be forewarned. My daughter works at Sam's Club and they sell them there as well and they get a lot of them returned. The price is very reasonable and the picture is certainly good enough to me but just be prepared. Even when they are returned the buyer usually gets another one anyway. HTH

[OHPM-Inc]

I know Costco has GREAT return policy but thanks for the notice. What problems are they having?

[TallTravel]

Not sure where you are, or where the TV will be living, but plasma screens supposedly have a very short life at high altitude. Some say they last only 1/4 the time an LCD or DLP. Denver, Tahoe, Whistler, and Salt Lake, watch out....

[Floppyman]

Originally Posted by HAL9000 Personally, I think the DLP's have a better pic than the LCD or Plasmas... I can see the pixels on the latter two, but not on the DLP without getting ridiculously close. It may be luck of the draw, but my DLP is on constantly and it's been over two years so far... still on the original lamp. The DLP has of course, the drawback of room, they're a much deeper set. I would never buy one of the regular sets as it sits so far out from the wall, I went for the Samsung pedestal design... makes it more a piece of furniture than a TV.

I recently went HDTV shopping wit my folks and they decided on a Samsung LCD model (32") -- very nice TV. With the DLP models I saw I wan't very impressed. When watching an animated movie there was noticeable lag before the picture came into focus -- that's simply not acceptable. Hopefully it was just the particular model I was looking at or an incorrect steting.

[OHPM-Inc]

Live in Florida, no altitude problems here.

Another thing, what the hell is a LCD Projection? I saw those at Costco. Why would they make a LCD projection?

Also, I'm finding plasma TV's are extremely cheaper in price when it comes to the HD category.

[HAL9000]

Hey Flop, I Think there was something screwy on the display, I don't have any such issues.

LCD Projection uses a very small LCD diplay internally and projects it to the larger screen

[OHPM-Inc]

Any good? or shall I say worth considering?

[Hi Ho]

I'm not a fan of LCD rear projection. They aren't up to par with DLP projection units. They tend to have pronounced screen door effect and poor blacks that are more like dark blue. They have improved but there are better deals out there. See THIS article at Audioholics for a complete explanation of all the display technologies.

With that said, I can't recommend a Samsung DLP. I used to be under the impression that Samsung made great quality stuff but now that I work as an A/V installer for a store that is also a service center for just about all brands my opinion has changed. Samsung is by far the most repair-prone brand for DLP TVs. The repair rate is nearly 50%. That is rediculously high. That is the reason we have not sold Samsung DLP sets for two years and we still bring in many of them from customers who bought them elsewhere. They have great picture quality but I can't recommend them. Samsung is not very easy to deal with from a dealer/service center standpoint either. I am not impressed with them.

My pick for DLP would be Mitsubishi. They have excellent picture quality and they are built like tanks. They are the most reliable rear projection TV we sell and service.

Sony SXRD sets produce very nice pictures and have been fairly reliable but the green blob issue is still a concern.

If you're looking at plasma displays I would look at Panasonic. They make some of the best lower cost plasmas out there and they are very well built. We have never taken a single Panasonic plasma in for repair. Again, Samsung is one to avoid. Samsung is the only brand of plasma that we have ever had problems with. I can't comment on Vizio reliability but I have heard complaints about their customer service.

In the LCD arena I would have to say that Sharp tops my list. They make some of the nicest looking LCD displays I have ever seen. Their new D92U line is particularly impressive. It is definetely the best looking LCD I have seen to date.

[OHPM-Inc]

Sharp LCD I would say is one that I'm most impressed with. My parents own a 20-something inch Sharp and it looks AMAZING! However, I can't spend the money to afford one of those. I'm not very impressed with Sony with TV's though.

As for the Panasonic Plasma vs. Mitsubishi DLP, what would you recommend if the price were the same? I have space for either one, would just have to buy a stand for them.

Also, know of any good deals? I haven't considered Mitsubishi DLP's yet but I've seen a few Panasonic Plasma's and the 42" I believe was going for around $1300.

Also, what about LG's? I've seen a few of those pictures and I think they look Great. But VERY pricey!

[sgtspector]

I know Costco has GREAT return policy but thanks for the notice. What problems are they having?

Not sure what specific problems are just that the return rate is high. It's possible that the defects that they do have are early on in the ownership process and they get returned ot the store before they are in the home too long.

[XenaWP]

Originally Posted by OHPM-Inc Sharp LCD I would say is one that I'm most impressed with. My parents own a 20-something inch Sharp and it looks AMAZING! However, I can't spend the money to afford one of those. I'm not very impressed with Sony with TV's though. As for the Panasonic Plasma vs. Mitsubishi DLP, what would you recommend if the price were the same? I have space for either one, would just have to buy a stand for them. Also, know of any good deals? I haven't considered Mitsubishi DLP's yet but I've seen a few Panasonic Plasma's and the 42" I believe was going for around $1300. Also, what about LG's? I've seen a few of those pictures and I think they look Great. But VERY pricey!

Cheap plasmas are cheap because they're compromising on something: resolution, image processing engine, whatever. I'd take a Mits DLP any day over a cheap plasma. Plus, a DLP will never burn in.

However, there is that whole "bulb" issue ... I'd recommend an ext. warranty IFF it covers bulb replacement, but otherwise, probably not.

[HAL9000]

Originally Posted by Hi Ho With that said, I can't recommend a Samsung DLP. I used to be under the impression that Samsung made great quality stuff but now that I work as an A/V installer for a store that is also a service center for just about all brands my opinion has changed. Samsung is by far the most repair-prone brand for DLP TVs. The repair rate is nearly 50%. That is rediculously high. That is the reason we have not sold Samsung DLP sets for two years and we still bring in many of them from customers who bought them elsewhere. They have great picture quality but I can't recommend them. Samsung is not very easy to deal with from a dealer/service center standpoint either. I am not impressed with them. .

Hmm... mebbe either my friends and myself got lucky, or Samsung has dropped the ball in the past couple of years... as none of us have had any issues. I totally love my Samsung Pedestal, but then again, when I purchased it I heard nothing but rave reviews on it. 2+ years now and going strong, still on the original bulb which is cool since the thing is always on... a good 4+ hour average on weekdays and pretty much all day on weekends, so call that 12+ hours a day for two days... I must be in the area of 7000+ hours easily.

As for service, maybe that's something differing US service centers, but when I needed service on computer related equipment though Samsung, they were always a pleasure to deal with.

[Panama Red]

When I bought the HDTV for my Home theater room last summer I did a lot of reading. Compared brands, checked magazine reviews, checked online user reviews after their purchase and spent many hours walking thru any store that had muliple sets for viewing. 46" seemed to be the right size for the space I had available and the room size. Everytime I checked differing technologies I'd end up picking the LCD units over Plasma, DLP and projection. They just looked better to me in side by side comparisons. Two units in particular stood out - Sharp and Samsung. Both had very high ratings in all my reading and I had a tough time chosing between the two. I finally ended up with a Samsung from Best Buy when the store manager opted to match the online pricing I had found. Mine has worked flawlessly since the day I installed it. It comes with a replacement warranty if even one pixel fails and I added a 4 year extended warranty. I hope I never have to use the warranty but the extra is like buying term insurance.

[Litespeed]

And I don't know if when you buy an HD TV it is an area you want to penny pinch. Looking at these cheaper models that you have shown you might run into quality issues. You are still spending a large chunk of change. I would advise to save just a little more and purchase a quality TV from a place that has a nice warranty. The old “you get what you pay for.” I would have to agree with others that Samsung puts out a quality TV. The one Panama spoke of is great, I have enjoyed it very much. Very bright, crisp picture, and even the sound from the TV itself is nice.

We are moving in a few weeks to a new house and we are going to get another TV. I have done alot of research and have a good friend that works at Starpower here in Dallas. This is a place where the sales associates have to be very knowledgeable and take lots of continuing education classes. He has been doing this for 12 years; therefore I would take his professional opinion over most.

Two things to think about when you want to buy an HD TV are light and space. DLP have a great picture and are a bit large. LCD's are great for hanging on the wall and work well in brighter rooms. Plasmas have crisp picture but have issues with light. There are tons of discussions about your bulb going out, a dead pixel, and so on. Get a good warranty. I do notice some pixlation on my Smasung LCD while watching sports. Plasmas have come along way. The half life issues are a point that has been addressed in the new models. Most come with a half life of 35,000 hours. That is leaving the TV on for 6 hours every single day for ~18 years. Pioneer have been working with plasma TV's since the early 80's. They have just come out with the new Pioneer Elite plasma. My friend informed me that this gold standard for all other HD TV's. Now it comes with a price tag that really hurts your wallet. But the plasmas just aren't great for bright room. Plasmas are still very good choices for a number of people. Our LCD TV is in a very bright room now and it is wonderful. Now if I wanted to spend less money and get a quality HD TV and space is not an issue I would get a DLP. Plus you can get DLP's in very large sizes too. LCD and Plasma are some what limited on how big you can go.

There are truly a million things to discuss when it comes to buy a quality HD TV, but buying a quality brand is important. You still spend around a grand on a lesser known brand you might get burned down the road.