108 replies to this topic

[Daisy]

I realize, as my TV is giving up the ghost, that I have never purchased a television. I have been informed by my sister who just had to buy twelve for a promotion she is doing that I want HDTV with an LCD screen. She claims plasma is an unnecessary expense. She also suggests Toshiba, Sony or Sharp as brands with Toshiba the first choice because she claims Sony not worth the price differential it carries.

Anyone have any advice based on experience? Thanks.

I have done a little looking on Best Buy and Amazon and I am a bit taken aback by how expensive these things are.

[flyfish]

I realize, as my TV is giving up the ghost, that I have never purchased a television.

I am in precisely the same position, and have the same questions. I couldn't believe the size and price of these puppies the few times I've looked them over at Best Buy or Future Shop. We don't watch much TV and have no need for a mega-screen. We'd like to get one that is reliable, has a good picture, doesn't make an annoying hum (problem with current hand-me-down TV), doesn't take over half the real estate in our tiny living room and doesn't have an enormo price tag. Too much to ask?

Fly

[TheMatt]

Well, amongst the fellas I know, the Samsung LCDs are usually considered best (--at the low-mid end. Sony's Bravia sets can be amazing, but they hate your wallet). However, one thing you must ask yourself is whether you watch a lot of TV that will be SD rather than HD. Many LCDs (and other HDTVs) show SD signals quite badly. If you look at reviews, that can be a key area to focus on if you need to.

ETA: Just an aside, one Sammie people seem to like is the LN-S3251D. You can probably pick it up "cheap" now since Samsung seems to be phasing it out slowly but surely. They are more aggressively touting their newer 1080p panels and the 768p 32" sets that are cousins (the 95s and 96s). Note, though, that if you intend to go whole-hog HD, this set has HDMI 1.0 ports, and some new Blu-ray and HD-DVD players demand 1.1+.

[lovelynugget]

Were you looking for a specific screen size and what is your budget? Luckily, there is a glut in the market and prices are coming down very quickly.

[Abbylovi]

I purchased a new television a couple of years ago. I went to J&R and made the mistake of bringing along my friend who owns an enourmous TV. Somehow he convinced me that I needed a 32 incher. It's huge!

If you are looking at the fancier kinds like HDTV, plasma or LCD then yes it is going to be expensive. But if you are like me and don't care about that then you can get a very inexpensive one. I think mine was in the $300 range.

Another tip: when my mother got her TV, we ordered it online from Circuit City and they delivered it *and* set it up FOR FREE. One more reason why my mother thinks the internet is magic. I'm not sure if the CC here does that but man is it a reason to go with them.

[Wilfrid1]

Circuit City. Not so expensive.

[Daisy]

I have been told that the reason to go HD is that by 2007 almost everything will be broadcast in HD. Is that true?

I don't want anything enormous. Say 20 inches or a bit larger (but not much).

Circuit City here I come.

[Ron Johnson]

I bought this Panasonic a couple years ago, and I have been very pleased.

[Wilfrid1]

I have been told that the reason to go HD is that by 2007 almost everything will be broadcast in HD. Is that true?

I would be surprised if it changes that fast. I do have HD, but I really, my eyes aren't so good that I really care very much.

[Daisy]

I bought this Panasonic a couple years ago, and I have been very pleased.

That is exactly what I want. But I was hoping to get it for less than $700.

[lovelynugget]

I have been told that the reason to go HD is that by 2007 almost everything will be broadcast in HD. Is that true?

I would be surprised if it changes that fast. I do have HD, but I really, my eyes aren't so good that I really care very much.

I think it would only really really matter if you had a larger size TV.

As for Daisy and flyfish, you may want to visit one of my favorite websites techbargains.com. It lists a lot of current bargains on LCDs and other tech items. At the very least there is a Circuit City coupon on the righthand column which will save you 10% on whatever you buy. Check out Best Buy as well.

Of course, if you know what you want going to an internet store like Buy.com will save you a few bucks in tax.

[TheMatt]

I have been told that the reason to go HD is that by 2007 almost everything will be broadcast in HD. Is that true?

No, what you're thinking about is the analog->digital transition. By Feb. 17, 2009, Congress has mandated the switch of the over-the-air broadcasts from analog signals to digital so they can sell off the radio bands TV uses. So, if you still use OTA signals, in 2008 or so you'll either need a new TV which can take the digital signals or get a set-top box that will probably be subsidized.

That said, DTV != HDTV. The station could choose to broadcast several SD signals rather than an HDTV signal.

[mongo_jones]

i realize you don't want to spend $700 and you don't want anything larger than 20". this is why i believe strongly that you should get the 42" panasonic th-42pwd8uk for as little as $1150.

[mongo_jones]

or see this

[mongo_jones]

I have been told that the reason to go HD is that by 2007 almost everything will be broadcast in HD. Is that true?

I would be surprised if it changes that fast. I do have HD, but I really, my eyes aren't so good that I really care very much.

if you can't tell the difference between sdtv and hdtv either your eyes are in really, really bad shape or you haven't actually set your cable box to output an hd signal. strangely, most hd cable boxes arrive with the default output signal set to standard definition and installers don't re-set it for you. we have an edtv (less resolution than true hd) and the difference on that when we first turned it on was jaw-droppingly startling.