OT - buying a new TV

[Irondawg]

T
technology has clearly passed me by so I need to know what bells and whistles are really important.

I'm upgrading from a 42' Plasma and had good luck with it so probably looking at doing another plasma around 50'. Had good luck with the Panasonics in the past so thinking of using themagain and the lower models seem pretty well priced.

Where I'm getting lost is all this "smart" tv stuff versus "media boxes", etc. Right now I just have a basic Comcast DVR to AVR to TV setup. I don't really care about 3D unless some of you guys really talk me into it.

 

[tenureplan]

Samsung/Sony are the top 2.

I agree about the 3d stuff, not worth the money to me and it gives me a headache.

 

[dawgs.sixpack]

i have a 50" samsung plasma i love. when i bought it the plasma technology was well ahead of the lcd technology and led wasn't even out. but they are being phased out now that lcd tvs have caught up in technology and price, and with the introduction of leds. if i was buying new now, i would buy a led.

don't worry about 3D, not much is offered in 3D anyway, it hurts my eyes after about 30 minutes, you have to worry about the glasses, etc., and it makes 2D programming look weird, almost like a home video. when 3D screens are being placed on the tv and i don't have to worry about the glasses, then you'll see 3D become more mainstream, until then don't worry about it.

samsung and sony are the best without dropping way too much cash, samsung is a little cheaper though and definitely the best bang for your buck.

 

[sardis]

Their plasma technology is the best and the colors are true to life.

 

[DirtyLopez]

The LED is really good in a room that has a lot of light. The LCD I guess is good for an avg. room. The Pan. plasma is is in the TV room and it is the best for movies/sports etc. in my opinion. The key is not to have a ton of light in the room with the plasma. Panasonic is supposed to be coming out with new plasma tv's soon that have even darker blacks and brighter colors. A lot of anticipation for these new sets. 3D is pretty cool I think (although there isn't tons of programming for it yet). The LED and LCD's that I have are samsung by the way. I think that you get a lot more TV for the money if you buy a plasma.

 

[aTotal360]

Don't buy a display. They've had the brightness maxed out on them for God knows how long.<div>Don't buy something from Walmart. Aside from being a cheaper model, the brightly lit store won't give you a true sense of what the picture looks like.</div><div>I'd look really hard at LED tvs. Regionalilluminationreally helps black levels.</div><div>Personally, I'm sold on the Sharp Quattron with the 4th color (yellow).</div><div>Contrast ratios are for suckers. That number means nothing. There is no standard in measuring them and all manufacturers measure it differently.</div><div>I know most people shun the big box stores, but Best Buy and Fry's are great places to look at tvs (and eventually buy).</div><div>Trust your own eye and buy the one YOU think looks the best.</div><div>I'm not biting on any of the built-in apps yet. My DVR and PS3 do all of the rest of that stuff flawlessly.</div><div>If you have a PS3 you may want to look harder at a Sony for the DNLA streaming.</div><div>
</div><div>Rumor is Apple will be releasing a 42'' tv with the ability to play apps and such on it and stream from your iTunes. And you will be able to control the tv with your iPhone or iPad.</div>

 

[NashvilleBulldawg]

The 7000 or 8000 series are great, have great reviews, and you can be prepped for 3D when it becomes more mainstream. I've enjoyed my 3D but must admit I don't use it a lot. The sports are amazing though. I love watching the MSU v LSU game on ESPN3D when they replay it, which is quite often. Even my old lady loves to watch sports in 3D.
There are tons of kids' movies out there in 3D so if you have any like me, they'll have plenty to sort thru. If you have Comcast, you should have access to their free 3D movies. Or that may be only if you're an HBO subscriber. Either way...

 

[ColMuldrow]

It makes me wonder if they have actually compared them. I bought a new Panasonic plasma in November and it is incredible. Upgraded from a previous plasma that was a few years old and its amazing how much better the technology is now. The picture is just much more realistic than an LED/LCD. <div>
</div><div>The usual knock on plasmas is that they have problems with glare. This isn't the problem with mine. The room where my new plasma is has a lot of natural light but, surprisingly, it has not been a problem. This was something I worried way too much about before purchasing. </div>

 

[gdogg]

Nm

 

[was21]

nm

 

[aTotal360]

Which really isn't a problem anymore.

 

[Irondawg]

CR likes the plasmas better on ratings but I'd also like to know what these "media boxes" are

 

[gabbyjohnson.sixpack]

I bought a 50" panasonic plasma from Best Buy last year after the Uverse installation guy fried my 50" LG plasma. The Panasonic is heads and shoulders above the LG.

Panasonic TV's are just in another league.

 

[LBCJ5]

Went from a 27" tv to 60" plasma. Walmart just happened to get 4 of these and were on sale. Hell of a picture.

 

[lawdawg02]

both Panasonic plasmas. Had them for2.5-3 years now. Awesome TVs, and they were by far the cheapest, at 699 and 599, when I bought them. Plasma will get you a better picture than LCD/LED, with a MUCH higher refresh rate, at a lower cost.

If there is light directly behind where you'll be sitting while watching, you will want to consider whether it a reflectionwill bother you. Neither of mine do. And it's heavier, which I guess could be a drawback.

 

[Notch Johnson dawg]

in dollars did it cost ya

 

[LBCJ5]

Got lucky and stumbled upon this. I was looking at tv's and asked the lady at the counter about the 12 months no interest plan and happened to see these.
They had 4 of these. Just got them in the night before. They were not on the wall display. Supposedly a one time deal.

 

[boomboommsu]

If you have to move, plasmas are more difficult, as they need to stay upright. most moving companies charge ~$100 extra to move one.
If you've ever looked at a HD tv and thought it looked 'choppy', like the movement wasn't quite right, that's the refresh rate. Plasmas have the best refresh rate. Though it was likely a 60Hz LCD, and you can get 120Hz.
Once you get around >40", plasmas are just better than LCDs. The technology just scales better. At 50" and above, it's a no-brainer. Unless you've ever thought a TV wasn't nearly bright enough for you, in which case you might want a LED.
Mounting/stands for >50" can be problematic. and price goes up pretty drastically for small size increases over 50". i think a 50" plasma is indeed the best for you. i have a 58" Samsung, and love it.

 

[dawgs.sixpack]

yeah, i have a 50" and 42" samsung plasma. no issues at all. they are 4 and 3 years old respectively. burn in was pretty much solved by the time i got them. just seems nowadays there are next to no plasmas on the market. is panasonic the only one still making plasma?

 

[xxxWalkTheDawg]

I have a Plasma and an LCD. The shades of black on the plasma are solid black while the LCD doesn't seem to do it quite as well. Both have the same contrast ratio too. But both are great.<div>
</div><div>Now an outside discussion.</div><div>
</div><div>I am building within the next two years and may put in a media room. Has anyone dropped the money on a front projection unit and put in a sound system? Thinking about a 3D unit.</div>