Seeking Television Advice

[Guyon]

Plasma or LCD?

720 or 1080 pixels?

Also, how do I connect my rabbit ears to an HDTV?





The first two questions are serious.

 

[Varg Lobos]

I prefer LCD, and depending on how big of screen you are getting, 1080p capable.

A smaller size screen you probably won't need the 1080.

What size are you thinking about?

 

[Guyon]

Nothing huge.

Our old tube (traditional style) is a 27" set, so using a conversion table, I see that's about the same as a 33" HDTV.

I'm thinking of going a little bigger though--something in the 40" to 42" range.

 

[Sid Post]

Plasma or LCD?

720 or 1080 pixels?

Also, how do I connect my rabbit ears to an HDTV?

The first two questions are serious.

Definitely get 1080P unless your budget is extremely tight. The larger the screen, the more important 1080P becomes. Higher refresh rates will also make the picture look a lot better (look for 120Hz or faster minimum).

Over the air reception is not a whole lot different then what you were using under NTSC analog broadcasts. You will probably find you want an antenna that is optimized for the HD signal but, older antennas will work if you are in a strong signal region. Whether you need a new antenna or not really depends on how strong the signal is at your house.

Sam's Club has a Vizio 26" LCD 1080P 120Hz refresh for under $400 FWIW.

Plasma versus LCD? Plasma's have better blacks (subtle but real a difference) and work better in high glare environments. The glass screen is also easier to keep clean then an LCD screen. LCD's have gotten a lot better recently, are lighter weight, and aren't sensitive to being tipped (Plasma's, at least older ones, lost the gas that made them work if you tipped them too much).

 

[MutedRaccoon]

Plasma or LCD?

720 or 1080 pixels?

Also, how do I connect my rabbit ears to an HDTV?

The first two questions are serious.

LCD over plasma, LED over LCD, but LED costs far more then LCD. I'd just opt for a nice LCD tv for you.

720 - 1080....Well it depends on what your going to be using it for, do you have a device that is HD (tunerbox, xbox360 or ps3, etc)?

If not well I'd opt for a 720, though 1080p is what you should shoot for I can tell you my first HDTV (a low cost dynex [best buys store brand]) was "720p" but I soon found out it supported 1080i&p which made me happy. Boils down to budget, 720 if limited 1080 if not. Also check the refresh rate, higher is better as said above 120 or better would be best.

As for your rabbit ears....Toss em out and pickup a new pair of rabbit ears with HD support, walmart sells them for around 20-30$ and its a worthy investment, if you plan on having cable and a antenna a simple 2-1 piece will be needed ($8 at walmart if you get yourself a snack with it). It would connect via co-ax [I understand you were joking but a antenna is a good thing to have]

Let me just tell you this, when I hooked up my HDTV for the first time (to the antenna) and it pulled 15 HD channels [ABC, CBS, NBC, NBCWX, PBS 1-2-3, and some other basic channels] I was beyond happy...I mean it looked so good...and as it just so happend the Victoria Secret fashion show was on that weekend...and in HD...er...well...its nice.

Local cable companies usually give you a few basic HD channels [CBS/NBC/ABC] and then will charge for the others, some are dicks about it and charge for those basic ones, thats where the HDRabbit ears come in...No charge!

Oh and as a bonus with a HDTV it has a digital tuner so for some cable companies they broadcast certain channels with your basic cable that you wouldn't be able to recieve unless you had a digital tuner box...or a TV that has a digital tuner...

So with my cable I not only get my normal 70 channels, but on top of that I get [for free thanks to the TV's digital tuner] 20 of those channels in HD, and get ready for this....94 Music channels that they charge $19 a month for...

Can you get out on Friday? Get up at 5am and get in on the black friday deals, Walmart has a $250 32inch LCD that would be a good starter for you. Its not the best, but if your not going to be using it for much HD support it would work out for you, if your going to be HD crazy with it then shop around and get something a bit more robust.

http://www.blackfriday.info/

Best tip for you if you do go in is to get to walmart or Target at 4:45-4:50 and as most walmarts are open all night (so no tramplings happen this year) get to the electronics depo and at 5 when they allow you to buy you should be one of the first people to cash in on the deal.

 

[jdm61]

Sony LCD.

 

[Guyon]

Fellas, I was joking about the rabbit ears. We get satellite signals here in Tennessee.

Thanks for all the advice so far. :thumbup:

 

[Guyon]

I see Wally World has a Samsung 40" LCD 1080p for $598. No idea about refresh rate.
I can't find the refresh rate numbers on the Wal-Mart page, and the Samsung page doesn't have a model that matches up exactly.

 

[MutedRaccoon]

I see Wally World has a Samsung 40" LCD 1080p for $598. No idea about refresh rate.
I can't find the refresh rate numbers on the Wal-Mart page, and the Samsung page doesn't have a model that matches up exactly.

$598.00

Samsung 40'' Class 60Hz 1080p LCD HDTV, LN40B500



If your going with sat signal, I'd opt for a 120hz refresh rate. If your not scared of shopping online try tigerdirect or newegg for a better deal on a TV then many stores offer.

On newegg check out the 32LF11 as its a good refresh rate and 1080p and a decent price (and a TV I own and highly recommend) best part is no need to run out to a store. Newegg is a very highly trusted site as is TigerDirect.

http://www.blackfriday.info/sales/newegg.com-black-friday-ad.html

 

[din]

amazon has a nice toshiba 46" LCD with LED backlighting and a 240 mHz refresh rate for, um, about 1500. might be a leetle bit more than you wanna spend, but it's very nice for what you pay.

 

[MutedRaccoon]

amazon has a nice toshiba 46" LCD with LED backlighting and a 240 mHz refresh rate for, um, about 1500. might be a leetle bit more than you wanna spend, but it's very nice for what you pay.

Not bad but for a budget of 1500 I can find a even better LED TV

I have no clue what his budget or size needed is so I went with a low end budget with a medium sized TV. I find 32 to be the "sweet spot" for size/price for most people, and with someone getting their first HDTV a 32 is very versatile as you can get a lower end model now and then when you upgrade toss it in a guest room or a bedroom and enjoy it in there.

I should also point out with a 32inch TV 720 vs 1080 isn't really needed as the differences aren't super noticeable to the average person.

A good thing to note is how far back you sit from the TV (for finding best size for you):

TV size Min/Max viewing distance
26" - 3.25 /5.5 feet
32" - 4.0 / 6.66 feet
37" - 4.63 / 7.71 feet
40" - 5.0 / 8.33 feet
46" - 5.75 / 9.5 feet
52" - 6.5 / 10.8 feet
58" - 7.25 / 12 feet
65" - 8.13 / 13.5 feet
70" - 8.75 / 14.75 feet

Now those figures can be tweaked some and say round up (to the foot) on maximum.

On average I sit 4-7 feet away from my TV so a 32 inch is best for me, at times I watch from 10 feet away (across the room) and while its not the same as having a 50inch it still gets the job done.

 

[dawsonbob]

Mine is a Sony right now, but my next one will be a Samsung: better set (IMHO) for less money. I'm using two 22" Samsung monitors for work (graphics), and they are outstanding.

 

[Sid Post]

I should also point out with a 32inch TV 720 vs 1080 isn't really needed as the differences aren't super noticeable to the average person.

Even with the poor quality signal at Sam's Club, the 26" 720P vs 1080P differences where obvious if you had a 120Hz refresh rate. If you are talking only about the cheapest models I could agree with you but, at ~$400 you can get a 1080P 120Hz refresh rate which is obviously better to most people.

 

[MutedRaccoon]

Even with the poor quality signal at Sam's Club, the 26" 720P vs 1080P differences where obvious if you had a 120Hz refresh rate. If you are talking only about the cheapest models I could agree with you but, at ~$400 you can get a 1080P 120Hz refresh rate which is obviously better to most people.

Key words "Sams Club" and "if you had a 120hz refresh rate"

Though I do agree, but what you can find locally is somewhat limited by price, online though its a totally different story.

Now if you'll excuse me I've got a turkey that needs some loving.

Gobble Gobble!

 

[Sid Post]

Mine is a Sony right now, but my next one will be a Samsung: better set (IMHO) for less money. I'm using two 22" Samsung monitors for work (graphics), and they are outstanding.

Samsung is one of two manufacturers of LCD panels. Samsung keeps the best panels they make for their products. I have the privilege of using the best "business class" monitors and they are outstanding. Consumer LCD flat panels are pretty much all the same with a few minor differences.

Of course, the consumer grade panels are very cheap and get better each year so, you can afford to upgrade them a lot more often then an expensive business class panel.

For Plasma's, I'm a Panasonic fan. They aren't the very best but, they are 10% the price of the very best and give you ~90% of what the best panel does.

For LCD's, the there are a lot of good choices. Being brand loyal is a little deceiving though because they all make entry level "cheap" TV's and very good models that compete with each other. In general I like the Samsung and Sony LCD TV's but, there are a lot of good name brands out there with specific TV models that are every bit as good as a comparable Samsung or Sony.

 

[Sid Post]

Key words "Sams Club" and "if you had a 120hz refresh rate"

Though I do agree, but what you can find locally is somewhat limited by price, online though its a totally different story.

Most larger cities are not that far a drive away out on the East coast area if you don't have a Sam's Club or some other big box store locally. If you are in a smaller town, you are pretty limited with only Internet based purchases. With a TV I think it is good to play with the remote and listen to the sound at a minimum. Picture and sound quality will suffer at the big box stores because the have such low quality signals but, you get an idea of what picture will looks like.

 

[65535]

Get yourself a nice Samsung LCD TV, the 240Hz is almost surreal, and you may just turn it off most of the time as it's for lack of a better word trippy.
I trust Samsung for good stuff.

 

[Jason B.]

I've installed a lot of TV's and hooked up a lot of TV's, Samsung is very good they pre plan, meaning they usually have features built into the TV that can't even be used yet because the technology is not out. Personally I like the Sharp Aquous with a HDMI connection, the warmth of the picture makes it look alive. Sony is another good one but you end up paying more for the name.

TV's are nice but if you can shut off the light and close the blinds you might want to look into projectors.

 

[dull yet deadly]

I sell TVs in Michigan currently (yes, I'm a Real Estate Appraiser with no work. Went back to a store that I managed until 1994). I don't understand why someone wants to spend more on LCD/LED to try to obtain something getting close to plasma quality. There is no advantage to LCD. LED is getting close, but cost vs. performance is years away. Plasma got a bad rap when it came out 10-13 years ago for burn in, energy consumption and heat generated. Now the burn in is non existant, most are energy star rated and the heat problems are no longer a problem.

LCDs and LEDs can be stuck in the off position, causing dead spots. Can also happen if your kid hits the screen. LEDs are a backlit LCD. The technology is that the LED/LCD is always on, meaning leaking a small amount of light. That's why you get dark gray instead of true black. And motion blur is still pretty noticeable, even at 120hz. If you're a gamer, check the forums - you'll live longer on a plasma set because you see whats happening quicker and can respond faster.

Look for the Panasonic TCP42G15. THX rated, 600hz refresh, 3 HDMI, RS-232 port (for your computer) and Lan port for constant internet updates and entertainment over the net. That is going to be huge over the next couple years. The 42 in the number is the size. Comes in 50 and 55 inch as well. AWESOME set, and made by Matsushita of Japan. They make ALL their own components, meaning quality control is second to none. Look at Consumers Reports.

Samsung is a fine choice as well. Stay away from the off brands - you don't know where the parts were actually made, Visio included.

I'll sell the "experts" that come in whatever they want. Why fight with them? I make the same amount of money regardless. But you want my opinion, there is no argument - save money and get a better picture with plasma. Wish you lived closer - I'd hook you up! And now I have to go to bed and get some rest for Black Friday! Ugggghhhh! Someone kill me!

 

[jdm61]

From my experience, the 3 chip rear projection Sony LCD sets are still the best, but I think they still cost a bit more and some folks don't want to deal with a TV that is still maybe 15 inches deep at the base. I must confess that I still have one of the last of the rather pricey 34 inch Sony XBR tube HDTV sets. Yeah, quaint and archaic, but it STILL has a great picture even at 1080i, no motion artifacts (why you need a 120-240 hz refresh rate and I don't) no "screen door" effect. So it will serve my just fine until the organic LCD sets get large enough in size and low enough in price for me to buy one.