Need help with flat-panel TV selection -- any experts out there?

[gitarzilla]

Finally going to upgrade the family TV this Christmas. We want a 40"- 42" flat panel, HD-ready, can be viewed from angles and will only be for viewing TV and movies, but no gaming.

LCD vs Plasma?

Any brands to recommend or recommend against?

Anything else I should know or consider?

Many thanks.

[chrisgraff]

Sony, Sharp, or Samsung. When shopping, watch the TV in standard/HD/Blue Ray. Much of what is on TV is not HD; some of the HD shows are only upsampled to HD. It isn't the same.

Thus, how the set displays the "bad" shows is worth considering.

[gitarzilla]

Cool. THanks.

[Luke]

We have a 52" Bravia in the family room, 120hz. Bought it last Christmas for $2500. During the summer we decided to upgrade our tube non HDTV in our bedroom, got one at Costco, a 240hz Vizio 47" for $1100. Honestly the Vizio looks better.

[Bryan316]

LCD screens perform well in bright rooms. If you're gonna be upstairs in the living room, sunshine outside or car's headlights as they pass by, or other lamps or appliances nearby, then stick with LCD.

If you're in the basement, all the lights out, pitch black room for serious moviewatching, then plasma is the way to go.

It's the contrast levels and depth of blackness, which dictates whether you want LCD or plasma in certain rooms. LCD doesn't get washed out or blinded by ambient light in the room. Plasma will have its picture disappear to the glow of a room in daytime. But, plasma gives the best bright-against-dark image quality if you set it up in a dark room.

Serious moviewatching, plasma. Daily watching with ambient light around, LCD.

After that, I'd say Samsung, or get a DLP rear projection system if you have room and want the very best you can get.

[Boobala]

What about LED televisions?

[hackenfort]

The new debate is LCD or LED, as Plasma's seem to have run the course already. But don't rule them out yet, they offer a great picture and are priced much lower per sq in than most LCDs, but plasma's are power hungry, but a few are now energy star compliant.

I have Sony/Samsung/Toshiba/LG/Vizio - all are LCD's, I am pretty happy with them all, but still favor the Sony the most when watching movies.

The Vizio had some issues when it was new, and I wasn't able to get it serviced, but the corp. came thru with a refurbished one in the end.

If shopping for a Sony be careful as these days they offer many "lesser" models that are no better than generic store brands, so your just paying a premium for the Sony name. I opted for the XBR which at the time which was the better line, I am not sure that is still true, as it's been a year and technology is changing fast.

The unit's I have range from 24" to 60" and most of them do a decent job with standard def stuff, but really shine with an HD signal.

[gwr]

Can't say I'm an expert but I did some research before I bought my 42",if you watch alot of sports,movies,Nascar,etc.,i.e. anything fast, also you mentioned from any angle, then plasma is the way to go,if you watch Weather Channel,play video games,etc., then lcd would be a better choice. I ended up with a Panasonic and everyone that see's it always comment's on the picture quality also no matter which one you choose,make sure that you get it calibrated after you get it home and set up,that's makes a big difference in picture quality and saves some years on the screen,they usually leave the factory with the brightness and color WAY too hot to attract your attention on the shelves,good luck.....

[FlyingDutchman]

I love my Panasonics.. I have a 37" Plasma and a 26" in the bedroom. Love em both but if I were to replace the one in the living room it would be a big ass Vizio. They are by far the best bang for the buck out there.

[Zelmo]

^^ I agree. I've had my Panasonic plasma for ~1 year now and would buy a plasma again if I had it to do again today. Great realistic, natural image. This business about screen burn-in is a red herring, IMO.

[Rockin J]

Get the extended warranty. I've already had trouble with my 52" Sony LCD. These things seem to have reliability issues and are very expensive to repair. Guy at repair center said all brands have their issues.

[bilbal]

like Rockin J said, get all the warranty you can at any expense. I have had two fail on me right after regular warranty.

I now own a 46" Panasonic Viera Plasma and it just simply rocks!!!!.

As others have mentioned, the room and light is a huge factor when selecting your set. Be sure to get help from staff at store and GET THE EXTENDED WARRANTY!!!!

[patpark]

best buy had a killer deal on a samsung 50" Plasma with home theatre system (1000w, 5.1 surround sound, 5 speakers, subwoofer) all for $799
(i just searched and can't find the deal anymore)

I bought it this weekend and it is a great tv. I'm not a sports guy, mostly like to watch movies.

i went w/ plasma as the prices are very good now and the picture quality is still very good.

[Zelmo]

A red herring? It's a legitimate issue and one that people who buy Plasma TVs need to know about so that they don't ruin them.
Nah - no issue among anyone I've talked to - either consumers or retail people - in the last several years. It's just not a big deal anymore.

[Doug H]

Saw a 52" 120hz LCD Sony yesterday with the prettiest TV picture I've ever seen. Looking to upgrade from our 32" in the next year or so. I'll be looking close at that model.

[HEY!YOU!]

I like plasma.

No burn in issues anymore.
Great from angles.
Color is awesome.
All tv's suck with too much light
Haven't noticed an increase in energy costs.

I asked an expert from sony/panasonic before my purchase.

[bennintexas]

LCD screens perform well in bright rooms. If you're gonna be upstairs in the living room, sunshine outside or car's headlights as they pass by, or other lamps or appliances nearby, then stick with LCD.

If you're in the basement, all the lights out, pitch black room for serious moviewatching, then plasma is the way to go.

It's the contrast levels and depth of blackness, which dictates whether you want LCD or plasma in certain rooms. LCD doesn't get washed out or blinded by ambient light in the room. Plasma will have its picture disappear to the glow of a room in daytime. But, plasma gives the best bright-against-dark image quality if you set it up in a dark room.

Serious moviewatching, plasma. Daily watching with ambient light around, LCD.

After that, I'd say Samsung, or get a DLP rear projection system if you have room and want the very best you can get.

bryan nails it, id follow this. personally, i love the sony bravia series, have a 46 inch and its fantastic. in a brightly lit living room with alot of natural light, and performs well. another thing to consider are the onboard speakers. one of the reasons i went with the sony is the sound projection, gets loud enough to be heard anywhere in the house (two story 5 bedroom)

ive heard the samsungs have crummy speakers. take volume into consideration unless you want surround sound etc

[Guitar55]

I have a Samsung 46" LCD 120Hz in a small family room. The picture is amazing from all angles. There are no issues whether I have all the lights off or the lights on with the blinds from the sliding glass door open.

Don't LCD units use less power than Plasma? (and LCD LED uses even less)

The built-in speakers are passable for regular shows (sitcom, news), but I use my surround system for dramas. movies and sports.

[dangerine49]

bryan nails it, id follow this. personally, i love the sony bravia series, have a 46 inch and its fantastic. in a brightly lit living room with alot of natural light, and performs well. another thing to consider are the onboard speakers. one of the reasons i went with the sony is the sound projection, gets loud enough to be heard anywhere in the house (two story 5 bedroom)

ive heard the samsungs have crummy speakers. take volume into consideration unless you want surround sound etc

We have 3 Samsung LCD's (two 40", and a 26") and thinking about a 4th (32") for our bedroom. Great pictures and very good speakers with simulated surround sound. We do have a real surround sound system on the two 40" for movies and music.

[egnar]

Finally going to upgrade the family TV this Christmas. We want a 40"- 42" flat panel, HD-ready, can be viewed from angles and will only be for viewing TV and movies, but no gaming.

LCD vs Plasma?

Any brands to recommend or recommend against?

Anything else I should know or consider?

Many thanks.

I suggest that you take a look at these two items.

1. Panasonic VIERA TC-P42X1 42" Plasma TV - $589.99

2. Sharp AQUOS LC42SB45U 42" LCD TV - $740.00

Those are the best LCD TV (http://www.smartratings.com/electronics/plasma_and_lcds/472) that your money can buy in my opinion. Both have expert ratings of 86(Panasonic) and 80(Sharp) respectively. Hope this helps.

[zekmoe]

I have a Panasonic Plasma, after many years of Sony XBR and Mitusbishi Diamond, and the Pana Plasma is the most artifact free, natural tv we've ever owned. The issues are usually provider related, like cable freeze up or blocking. But with DVD, wow all the time. Plus after living with it, and many other high end tv's for years, I'd say they have the best remote and display controls for regular viewing. The remote becomes natural and easy. My whole family and turn it on, turn the cable on, select inputs etc, and that includes my 8 AND 4 year old son and a very non technical STB-Ex wife.