I'm so going broke..

[scoobydoo2u]

Ok heres the story..

I have always said that I'm not much of a gamer, but I guess at heart I knew that was a lie:LoL:

I will be buying a X-box 360 here soon I hope and I have been contemplating the idea of a HDTV.. *head ache here I come*

Nothing major, I'm not in need of some 60" monster just something at least 25" I wouldn't mind it being bigger If they are somewhat near my price range.

I would like the price range around 350-600$ is is possible to get a decent HDTV for this price? Keep in mind I don't need it to be wall hangable or none of that just something that looks nice playing games and tv.

I'm so confused..
LCD? plasma? How dramatic is the motion blur I've been hearing about in LCDs?

Capability to preform well during fast action gaming is a MUST!
I rarely watch tv where I am going to put this one, but will I still be able to hook up to dish network?
Will shows like discovery channel that say "also available in HD" show up in HD or is that provided at extra cost from Dish Network?

Lastly will I notice much of a difference with XBox 360 in HD?

Sorry for all the questions I just wanted to ask some people who wouldn't try misleading me just to make a sale!

 

[SMaxxin]

I have to be honest here...I have no clue! I can tell you that shopping for a new tv is now a PITA! Last time I bought one I just looked at the size I wanted and bought it, now they do so much crap I don't know what to think. From what I have seen $350-400 will get you a cheap brand 30 inch, if you want a good name brand you will need to dig deeper. If you find some crazy deal at a chain store LET ME KNOW!

 

[scoobydoo2u]

shopping for a new tv is now a PITA! If you find some crazy deal at a chain store LET ME KNOW!

Tell me about it! I've never seen so many abbreviations and choices in all my life!

Thanks for you info I will definitely have to look more into the HD world and I will be sure to post if I find any thing!

Any one know what a couple Good brands are for HDTV?

Last time I bought one I just looked at the size I wanted and bought it, now they do so much crap I don't know what to think.

:LoL:And How much of that crap you think is actually something the every day user is going to need..?

When it comes down to it there is a lot of stuff included that most people will never need or want.

 

[frickenjoey]

I have a 50" Panasonic plasma and I love it. It has all the hook-ups to go to my computer just never have tried it. The biggest drawback of plasma over LCD is weight and durability. A LCD is way tougher than plasma which when moved you need to be very gentle with. Motion blur with an LCD?.....not anymore unless you have a super cheap one. Plasma is WAY less money size for size....but is more prone to screen burn in with games than LCD. Either way it is a toss-up that almost come to what do you like as much as anything. Toshiba, Panasonic, LG, Hitachi, Sony all make good LCD and Plasmas. I would spend the few dollars and buy a one month subscription the Consumer Reports and check out the good vs. on all the ones you are looking at just to get the low down before you buy. Oh yeah if you want to buy HDMI cables and don't wanna pay $40 each check out mwave.com I got 2 for $20 and I can't tell any picture difference from a Monster Cable that is $50 or better. Hope that helps.

 

[neobart]

As it is right now I prefer plasma over LCD. LCD's seem to be too sharp, and doesn't have as well defined colours as plasma. Also I watch a lot of sports, and LCD still has some blurring when watching sports.

I got me a 42" Panasonic plasma six months ago, and couldn't be happier.

 

[FastEddy]

Prices will get better as X-Mass grows closer.

 

[sweetdiesel]

Go to www.avsforum.com and read up on the differences between plasma and LCD.

For $600 I would not expect to find a good LCD that is bigger than 22". If space is not an issue, you can pick up a 27" HD Tube TV that will outperform any LCD or plasma in it's price range. I have this one and it is excellent for both HD content and for gaming.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8292796&type=product&id=1172880153821

 

[Plaidfish]

you can find a nice 32" westinghouse LCD HDTV (only 1080i) for about 600 delivered on flea bay.....they are not a big flashy brand but they are great sets for the dough.....you want an LCD with 8ms transition time this is the time it takes to go from grey to grey passing through the full color spectrum of each pixle.......the older LCDs couldn't do that so you got blur on high motion video.....
the resolution is new thing everyone wants 1080p thats the count of res (I think the vertical count) and the
p = progressive
I=interlaced

progressive = entire picture is changing rapidly like a real movie film strip
Interlaced = every other line is changing to the next frame at whatever speed they go...really if you don't have any HD set yet ANY of them will be an improvement......I'm getting a sony 55" rear DLP set delivered for my living room this week and a 37" LCD in my room for gaming/PC monitor/TV.......both will be 1080p......I've been reading about these and looking at tons of sets over the last 6 months because I'm such a friggin techno dork and want to buy good and buy once......the best bang for buck on gaming seems to be the viewsonic and westinghouse brands....the newer sony sets are supposed to be the absolute best in picture adn they have a 5ms response time.......and a hefty price tag to boot

I just looked on Fleabay...looks like everyone rasied prices for early Xmas shoppers....wait a few weeks and they'll be chaeper like Eddy said....

 

[Bryson]

I say hit up the day after thanks giving sale at wallmart. Thats where I'm going to look for a new tv this year lol. Or anywhere for that matter, things are cheap as heck that day.

Bryson

 

[SMaxxin]

Prices will get better as X-Mass grows closer.

That is our plan, we are shopping now and hoping for the price drop.

you want an LCD with 8ms transition time this is the time it takes to go from grey to grey passing through the full color spectrum of each pixle.

Good info Plaid, it will either help me get a better set or make me look more clueless than I already am LOL. So nothing higher than 8ms? I'm guessing the lower the better?

 

[WoodiE]

While plasma has improved in regards to the "burn-in" effect, I'm not one to spend $1000-2000 on a TV that will still burn-in over time. That's why I've always liked the LCD TV's better.

I've heard westinghouse is a cheap TV, but I've heard just as much bad as good about their models. The model I'm pretty well hooked on and will buy more than likely after the X-mas holiday is a 42" LCD 1080 VIZIO TV. Circuit City and Sears both sell the 1080 version, which runs about $1,100 - about $700 cheaper then going with the same TV in a Samsung brand.

Or you can go to SAMS, Wal-Mart and get a VIZIO 720 42" for about $900.00




-Michael

 

[SMaxxin]

While plasma has improved in regards to the "burn-in" effect, I'm not one to spend $1000-2000 on a TV that will still burn-in over time. That's why I've always liked the LCD TV's better.

I've heard westinghouse is a cheap TV, but I've heard just as much bad as good about their models. The model I'm pretty well hooked on and will buy more than likely after the X-mas holiday is a 42" LCD 1080 VIZIO TV. Circuit City and Sears both sell the 1080 version, which runs about $1,100 - about $700 cheaper then going with the same TV in a Samsung brand.

Or you can go to SAMS, Wal-Mart and get a VIZIO 720 42" for about $900.00




-Michael

We have looked at the Vizio 42 and 47 inch, they have an excellent picture but I'm not sure about the quality. I see them every day at work but I don't know anyone that has one.

 

[scoobydoo2u]

Thanks every one for your help!! I have really learned a lot from reading your responses !

Although I have a couple more questions..

Is Emerson a good brand? Here is a link

I am considering that one or the one that SD linked to.

The one I linked to is $60 higher but is 5 inches bigger and thin.

Like I said Fast action gaming is a Must! Thickness isn't a problem but I would like a big screen or the best picture for the money

But I still wont make up my mind until I cruse around best buy or walmart and see them for my self!

 

[sweetdiesel]

I agree with Plaid in that the Sony sets are top notch. A buddy of mine picked up a 42" XBR 1080P set that had a mind boggling picture, but VERY expensive. Personally I wouldn't pick up a Westinghouse, their picture just looks like crap to me. Also keep in mind that unless you have Blueray/PS3, HD DVD player, or Xbox 360, 1080P in not going to be your native resolution. All HD cable and OTA HD content is broadcast in 1080i or 720P.

Instead of getting hung up on whether to pay the premium for 1080p, instead look for low transit time as Plaid said, and also a high contrast ratio and brightness.

Buying from Costco is nice because they have a very liberal return policy and a free two year warranty. They carry Vizio. Personally I would stay away from the smaller Vizio sets, I bought one for the inlaws and the picture was horrible. The bigger sets looked pretty good in store, but also remember that your picture is only as good as your source. If you can pick it up at Costco, do it. They won't hassle you for returning a TV in 2-3 months unlike the other brick and mortars.

I'm also willing to lend out my Avia home theater set-up disc (with a deposit)so you guys can dial in your set's color, contrast, black levels, and a multitude of other adjustments. The disc costs $30 but it's a one time set-up so not that great of an investment unless you set-up TVs very often. I also have an SPL meter so you can dial in your surround sound. It's also a set it and forget chore.

 

[HeartBreak]

I would stay WELL away from Emerson. Back in the day when VCR's were prevelent, I went through 5 Emersons in one year (thanks to an extended warranty). They're pretty much the only brand that I would avoid at any cost.

Above all the information everyones' giving here (which is excellent info, BTW), I would recommend that once you settle on a couple possible candidates, go to the store before the sale, and "test drive" the model. Sit back, and just observe the picture. What looks great to some people, might look like a pixelated test pattern to you. Don't let the floor jockeys' try to force a sale on you; remember, they most likely earn a commission on the sales.

Also, and this one is critical; the installation. Unless you have no clue on how to read an owners manual, do not, under any circumstances, pay for the services offered by the big blue/yellow and red stores. Oft times, a 12 year old nephew can (and will) do a better job in half the time. If you can assemble an R/C car without the manual, you can install a home theater all by yourself.

 

[scoobydoo2u]

I would stay WELL away from Emerson. Back in the day when VCR's were prevelent, I went through 5 Emersons in one year (thanks to an extended warranty). They're pretty much the only brand that I would avoid at any cost.

Above all the information everyones' giving here (which is excellent info, BTW), I would recommend that once you settle on a couple possible candidates, go to the store before the sale, and "test drive" the model. Sit back, and just observe the picture. What looks great to some people, might look like a pixelated test pattern to you. Don't let the floor jockeys' try to force a sale on you; remember, they most likely earn a commission on the sales.

Also, and this one is critical; the installation. Unless you have no clue on how to read an owners manual, do not, under any circumstances, pay for the services offered by the big blue/yellow and red stores. Oft times, a 12 year old nephew can (and will) do a better job in half the time. If you can assemble an R/C car without the manual, you can install a home theater all by yourself.

Wow now I have been reading reviews and they did seem like they either loved Emerson or hated them.
I will steer clear just to be safe! thanks for telling me!

I will definitely Look before I buy, I'm just trying to educate my self on what I'm looking at with out all the sales people dishing out info that makes no sence.(Thanks for helping me under stand all this stuff every one!)

There is a Sanyo for about $100 more then the Emerson in the same size are they any good?
I have seen nothing but positive comments on this model:Sanyo HDTV

As far as paying them to hook it up for me.. there is NO way I would let them over charge me for a junk installation .

I am fairly confident I will be able to hook it up just fine, at least I sure do hope so!

Thanks again for all the Great info!

 

[HeartBreak]

I also didn't mention the Emerson TV that almost caught fire.... While powered off, too. Had I not been in the room at the time, the house would have been gone.

Sanyo's are decent. The TV I have now (a standard "lo-def") is a Sharp, and I enjoy it. Great picture, clear sound, and most importantly, reliable.

I forget what the brand my sister has, but it has one heck of a great picture. It's a wide-screen format, however, which looks horrid with anything that isn't in letter-box format (either a grey area on each side of the picture, or severely distorted).

 

[scoobydoo2u]

I also didn't mention the Emerson TV that almost caught fire.... While powered off, too. Had I not been in the room at the time, the house would have been gone.

Wow!
You have good reason to dislike Emerson!

I am really excited about getting a HDTV and a 360.

Although this will be a few weeks, or a month or 2 down the road I am already like a kid at Christmas time!

I've only sat down and watched one HDTV and I was almost to sickening to watch because it was so life like!

So just to get this strait, If I get any HDTV I will be able to play XBox 360 in HD correct? Or does the 360 only out put certain HD resolutions?

I apologize if some one has already answered this question.
I am still trying to learn about this, and I still don't understand a lot about them.

 

[Rolex]

I agree with HeartBreak. AVOID Emerson. I worked in electronics many years ago, and Emerson was always considered the bottom of the barrel.
Consumer guide ranks Olevia very high. Also, Samsung has added something to the LCD models to stop the high speed blur. It might be common now. A friend just bought the Samsung (37" I think) at Cosco, for $600.
If possible, wait till January or February. All the big electronics stores will be starving for business and will have some kick ass sales.

 

[HeartBreak]

I agree with HeartBreak. AVOID Emerson. I worked in electronics many years ago, and Emerson was always considered the bottom of the barrel.
Consumer guide ranks Olevia very high. Also, Samsung has added something to the LCD models to stop the high speed blur. It might be common now. A friend just bought the Samsung (37" I think) at Cosco, for $600.
If possible, wait till January or February. All the big electronics stores will be starving for business and will have some kick ass sales.

Agreed. I have a Samsung SyncMaster 931B flat panel monitor on my computer; it looks absolutely stunning during games like Doom3, and really sharp during other applications. Seems better than a CRT to me. Any of their TV's are bound to be extremely nice.