LCD TVs

[Bitterwhiteguy]

I've been looking around for a 32-37" 720p LCD TV for the bedroom and thought I'd see what everyone else has bought. There seem to be some pretty good deals out there for LCD TVs.

[burntorange80917]

I just got a 42" Sharp Aquos (1080p, 4m's, 10,000:1 DCR & 3 HDMI ports). I had been looking around for about a month & had decided on either an LG or Philips ...... then I saw the Aquos in action & absolutely fell in love with it. The list on it was around $1200 (which was more than I wanted to pay) but I found one at a local independent TV shop for under $900. The 720p 32" models are going for under $500.

[Procyon]

Last fall, my 46" Samsung DLP crapped out on a Friday night before a UT football game. I didn't have time to get it fixed so I went down to Best Buy and picked up a 32" LCD Samsung 720p. I got the 32" because it was the right size to fit on my wall in the bedroom, and the price was pretty good (it should be even better now). I used it for a week or so in the TV room, until I got the big TV fixed. I finallly got around to mounting it on the bedroom wall a couple of weeks ago, and it really fits nicely in that location.

I have been happy with Samsung. That was the first problem I have had with the DLP, and it came after almost 4 years. Luckily, it was still in warranty, and now I have a new color wheel in it.

[SAhornfan]

BWG
I am posting a link to newegg.com (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2102640411%20138982071&name=720p) The link is to their 720p models. These guys are a great mail order outfit. From the looks of it, there are a lot with free shipping and, since you live in Texas, no tax. A friend of mine and my parents both ordered TVs from them and were very pleased. I use them all the time for all sorts of stuff and have never been disappointed with their service.

[Bitterwhiteguy]

Yea, there's a few on there that have garnered my interest. Newegg is a solid site, I just don't know much about how good different brands of LCDs are. I've got a DLP I love, but want something smaller for the bedroom.

[golfhorn]

I bought a 32" Samsung 720p after Thanksgiving. Really like it.
I bought a 42" Toshiba Regza 1080p, 240Hz, 100,000:1 contrast ratio a month ago for $1100 at Conn's. It is unbelievable. :-D
There may be some better TV's out there, but not for anywhere near that price. At least at the time.

[golfhorn]

but want something smaller for the bedroom.

*Michael Scott* "That's NOT what she said"*Michael Scott*

[Bitterwhiteguy]

*Michael Scott* "That's NOT what she said"*Michael Scott*

Hey, you. Go to the golf thread already. X-(

[SAhornfan]

Yea, there's a few on there that have garnered my interest. Newegg is a solid site, I just don't know much about how good different brands of LCDs are. I've got a DLP I love, but want something smaller for the bedroom.
The other thing I like about newegg is that the reviews are from customers and, 99% of the time, very accurate. Cnet.com (http://reviews.cnet.com/best-32-inch-hdtvs/?tag=rb_content;contentNav) has just about every bit of info you would need to answer your questions regarding the differences between manufacturers.

[mdhorn]

The other thing I like about newegg is that the reviews are from customers and, 99% of the time, very accurate. Cnet.com (http://reviews.cnet.com/best-32-inch-hdtvs/?tag=rb_content;contentNav) has just about every bit of info you would need to answer your questions regarding the differences between manufacturers.

I go to cnet myself. They're pretty good about electronics in general--including cell phones.

[TENHORN]

Samsung or Sony, they are good.

[OldestHorn]

We've been very happy with our Samsungs. Make sure you get one with 1080p resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. You might consider an LED screen. They're just now being rolled out in retail. Supposedly thinner, better contrast and less energy use.

[Bitterwhiteguy]

We've been very happy with our Samsungs. Make sure you get one with 1080p resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. You might consider an LED screen. They're just now being rolled out in retail. Supposedly thinner, better contrast and less energy use.

I've been hearing from multiple sources that 1080p is only really worth it for 40"+ screens, and that on smaller screens it actually looks worse than 720p.

[OldestHorn]

I've been hearing from multiple sources that 1080p is only really worth it for 40"+ screens, and that on smaller screens it actually looks worse than 720p.


It looks great on the 32" we have. I think the key is the 120 refresh, it helps a lot with the blur you sometimes see on old models.

I think it matters more on smaller (20-22) screens. That's why you don't see a 1080 in that size.

[Bitterwhiteguy]

It looks great on the 32" we have. I think the key is the 120 refresh, it helps a lot with the blur you sometimes see on old models.

I think it matters more on smaller (20-22) screens. That's why you don't see a 1080 in that size.

True, I didn't consider the refresh rate. I'll keep that in mind.

[T-Horn]

We have a 47" Philips 1080p LCD w/ Ambilight and it is fantastic. We also have a 32" Westinghouse LCD 720p, for the bedroom, and it gets the job done for the price we paid. Obviously, not a name brand but the picture and sound are great and we haven't had any issues yet.

[KBrown87]

I've been hearing from multiple sources that 1080p is only really worth it for 40"+ screens, and that on smaller screens it actually looks worse than 720p.
Depends on how many lines of resolution a screen has. Due to pixel density limits, it gets really expensive to actually have 1080 lines of resolution on on smaller TVs. If you have 768 vertical lines (as many do), then 720p will definitely look better than 1080p. But if you have 1200 vertical lines as many LCD computer monitors that double as TV monitors have then 1080p far surpasses 720p.

http://reviews.cnet.com/720p-vs-1080p-hdtv/

[chikin23]

BWG, a few things to consider:

Are you going to have high def capabilities in your bedroom or just have it hooked up straight to the coaxial cable? If you are going to have a cable or satellite box you may want to invest in a slightly larger set, 40" maybe, to benefit more from the picture.

If the screen is less than 40" and you are more than about 6 feet away from the screen you won't really see any benefit in going with a 1080.

When you go look, check for high contrast ratios.

Sharp, LG, and Samsung are all pretty good brands.

[mjohn713]

I've been looking around for a 32-37" 720p LCD TV for the bedroom and thought I'd see what everyone else has bought. There seem to be some pretty good deals out there for LCD TVs.


BWG,

Why LCD??? Go with Plasma. What's your budget??? Last year I bought a 50" Panasonic (PZ85u w/ 480hz) on amazon for 1600 (delivery and tax included). If your gonna buy a TV buy it on amazon.com.

-mjohn713-

[SAhornfan]

BWG,

Why LCD??? Go with Plasma. What's your budget??? Last year I bought a 50" Panasonic (PZ85u w/ 480hz) on amazon for 1600 (delivery and tax included). If your gonna buy a TV buy it on amazon.com.

-mjohn713-
He wants a smaller tv and plasma isn't as good as LCD at the size he's looking for.

[Bitterwhiteguy]

He wants a smaller tv and plasma isn't as good as LCD at the size he's looking for.

That, and plasma's market share is dying. I'd rather go with what I know will be heavily supported a few years down the road.

[mjohn713]

I bought a 32" Samsung 720p after Thanksgiving. Really like it.
I bought a 42" Toshiba Regza 1080p, 240Hz, 100,000:1 contrast ratio a month ago for $1100 at Conn's. It is unbelievable. :-D
There may be some better TV's out there, but not for anywhere near that price. At least at the time.


I'm still not a fan of LCD's inspite of the recent 240hz. I think my plasma still owns.

[burntorange80917]

For many reasons, plasma tv's are dying. LCD's quality has pretty much caught up to them & they are less expensive to produce. Sony & Philips stopped producing them a few years ago. Just recently Hitachi, Toshiba & Vizio have stopped as well. Pioneer announced a few months ago that they are done with plasma's (which is a shame because the Kuro may very well have been the best plasma on the market). LG & Samsung are reportedly going to shift their plasma focus to 60 inch and beyond (though rumors suggest that LG may also opt to get out of the plasma business altogether). By this time next year Panasonic may be the only plasma line available in a wide range of sizes.

[Bitterwhiteguy]

Thanks for all the suggestions, I ended up going with the Samsung LN32B460(32" 720p). It was less than $600 and had free shipping.

[SAhornfan]

Thanks for all the suggestions, I ended up going with the Samsung LN32B460(32" 720p). It was less than $600 and had free shipping.
Who'd you buy it from?

[Bitterwhiteguy]

Who'd you buy it from?

Newegg. :-D

[KBrown87]

Interesting read:

http://gizmodo.com/5280355/guess-what-many-of-you-wasted-money-on-your-1080p-tv-but-theres-hope

[chikin23]

It is a good read. Try explaining it to someone and there's a good chance they won't listen. Too many schmucks out there (my brother-in-law for example) who think they have to have the top of the line just because it is "the best" thing available.

[TexasFan]

has their tv's all on sale in the size range that you are wanting. The one in Cedar Park where I live, has 8-10 in the category all on their "run way isle" and priced from $400-$699. Toshiba, RCA, Samsung, LG and Insignia are on special and priced right.