Television Survey ???

[CrappieLips]

Yall done such a good job helping me find a washer & dryer last year.
I thought i'd ask for some more info on tv's
I'm looking at ( lcd hdtv flat panels) Preferably 46" and 52"

If you would, tell me the type of tv you own, What inch, and how long you've had it.
And would you buy the same again.

Your input is appreciated:::

Mark.

[Barnacle Bill]

I just went thru this a few months ago and Toshiba kept coming out on top. So I got a 42" and so far so good.

[Crappie Reaper]

I searched and shopped, learned about all the 720p/1080p stuff. I basically knew what I was looking at when shopping the units. I shopped them for more than 4 months almost like a religion. I ended up with a 47" Toshiba Regza this last January with all the latest and greatest/updated techno BS. If you like things like surround sound, PC connections, front or side connections, HDMI connections are a must! The more the better for future gizmos you might want to hook up and have digital capability. The Toshiba had it all, and I found it at the lowest price at the time of $1,399, no shipping, no tax. It arrived with no damage. I bought a wall mount from Best Buy and had the thing up and running within an hour.

Now, Picture quality? The 46" Sony Braiva was hanging on the wall at Best Buy right next to the Toshiba I bought. The Sony's picture was hands down a better picture and both units were priced at $2,100. Just because the Sony was clearer on display doesn't mean it's better. The Toshiba could have been on a different loop connection and not receiving as good a signal as the Sony. (marketing trick perhaps) Anyway, I believe the Sony Bravia to be the better unit in the long run. I talked Best Buy management into knocking the Toshiba down to $1,700 + tax. I could only talk him down to $1,900 on the Sony Bravia. The online price of the Toshiba was the selling point for me. I have Dish Network HD programming and it is doing a very good job. I've not had any problems with it. I have heard Horror stories of any Panasonic LCD TV.

I also shopped the 52" Sharp Aquos. I had read many good reviews about them online. I had seen a couple in action and they seemed to fit my dreams of what I wanted in a T.V. They were still too proud of them price wise.

All of the LCD units have been dropping fast in price lately. One can find a good 720p fairly cheap, but, don't expect to get the most out of Blue Ray discs or some of the newer quality digital cameras and such.

Very few people can tell the actual difference when viewing 720p vs. 1080p. I didn't want to invest just a few bucks to buy yesterdays technology.

I have a Denon 7.1 surround sound receiver connected to my Panasonic BD-30 7.1 surround sound Blue Ray player. I have the Blue Ray fed through the Receiver, then off to the T.V. I have the Dish Network receiver connected to the Toshiba T.V., then the T.V. fed back to the Denon. All are connected via HDMI. HDMI cables will cost you from a 1/2 to a full tank of gas each. I have to have 4 of them to make my setup do what I want it to do. All my Movies play through the surround sound. The T.V. can just use the built in speakers, or I can make it come out through the Denon Receiver. This is really nice when you come across a good concert playing on an HD channel and you want to enjoy it to it's fullest.

All I can say, is when shopping, make the price the last thing you look at IF you want to have all the latest and greatest technology. If you only want a big screen TV, then by all means, save some money and shop price/quality of the manufactuer. I did my homework for over 4 months on the subject. It's a whole new world when T.V. shopping vs. what it was 10 years ago.

The Vizio brand wal-mart sells has a very good picture. The Samsung units are very good too. It all depends on what you want. Buying a new T.V. these days is harder then buying a new vehicle.

Here is the link for the site I finally found mine at, and posted below it, is a link that might help you find what you want, at a lower price. Beach camera no longer carries the unit I bought.

BeachCamera.com
DealCatcher: Electronics Online Coupons

I wish you luck. It was a very tough decision on what I went with. I would have bought the Sony if I could have found it around the same price. Remember to pay attention to the number of HDMI inputs. 3 is good! I hope I have been able to save you some time and frustration.

[Crappie Reaper]

I forgot to even go into the different types of big screen. Projection, rear projection (it's in the mirrors), and Plasma. Projection has the worst picture, but can still be very good. Rear Projection can save you ALOT of money, but I never saw the quality I wanted. The bulb they use is very expensive and must be replaced after about 10k hours of use. Plasma is said to be KING. This was due to earlier LCD's could not handle whites very well. A well lit room is good for an LCD as they can and are a bright picture. LCD's will not "Burn in" the screen like older analog TVs did. But beware, Rear Projection AND Plasmas can and will "Burn in" LCD's have been giving Plasmas a run for their money within the last year, which has caused the price of some Plasmas to come down.
Here's a link to the unit I have, the Toshiba Regza, 47HL167. Notice how much the price has dropped since January? From $1,399 to now. I know I like my unit, now go out and find one for you and your family!
http://www.google.com/products/catal...64911418519521

[big "E"]

Bought one last year and have had it for about 9 months now. It is by far the best tv for the money that I found after looking and looking. I am a sony man on all my equipment and have been for years. You cant beat them for quality. I would tell you about how their service and support is great but I have never needed any support in the 12 years I have been using sony stuff. My old sony trinatron is still just as good as the day I bought it 12 years ago. This new lcd tv is the best thing I have ever looked at and to be honest it takes a couple days for your eyes to adjust to the clarity. It gave me headaches for a day or so. Once I set the display to custom and toned down the brightness, it was right on time. Payed @$2000 for it last year, ought to be a little cheaper by now. Deffinately worth the money.

[CastandBlast]

I agree with big e...I have the sony bravia 46" lcd flat panel mounted above my fireplace and love it.

[CrappieLips]

thanks reaper;;; i've been doing the same thing for a month or so, going on line checking out the brands, the models, what components they have. Reading reviews, Going and looking at them side by side for quality. like you said you can by a car easier.
keep the comments coming thanks big E & SS.

[Crappie Reaper]

The guys talking about the Bravia are being straight. I would have gone with one if I could have found one closer to what I wanted to pay. I am very content with the Toshiba, but have wondered about the Braiva and the Aquos a lot. I think both of them have a superior picture. But, if you don't have them side by side to compare, they all look great. All I know is that college football season should be much more enjoyable this fall.

[Downwind]

Panasonic 42" HD plasma. It's hard to beat a plasma tv. Watching programs with a lot of movement (NASCAR) is were they shine. Crisp, clear picture. I've had mine for two 1/2 years and really enjoy it. Only drawback would be the sound. If your using the sound from the tv itself, it's ok but not great. Suggest surround sound with any wall mounted set. Then go rent Top Gun!

[Buzz]

Hey Mark,

I researched my TV for months before I bought. Ended up getting the Samsung 46" LCD 1080P. They had the best reviews and I've been using a Samsung LCD TV for my computer monitor for a few years now with no problems. I bought the 46" from a site called "Onecall.com". They were recommended to me by a good friend. When I checked their price against the other guys around here, you know BB and CC. They were $800 cheaper on the same exact TV. The best part was the shipping was free and there was no tax.


Buzz