2006 HDTVs Sale at Costco

[JatMan]

I received coupons in my mail today. Here are some TVs that would go on sale in 2006. The sale is kinda scattered in the first half of 2006!

* Panasonic 50" Plasma 1366x768 3000:1 HDMI HDTV-Ready for $2,999.99 after $300 off (Jan 9 to Jan 15) Model # TH-50PM50U
* Philips 50" Plasma HDTV 2HDMIs, Tuner, 1366x768, $$2599.99 ( Jan 23 to Jan 29)
* Sony 32" LCD HDTV-Ready BRAVIA Feb 27 to Mar 5
* Sceptre 42" 1920x1080 LCD HDTV - $500 off the price... (True 1080p!!!!!!!!!!) Mar 6 to Mar 12
* Vizio 42" Plasma HDTV for $1500 (drooooool)

 

[IGBT]

..next gen LCD's are supposed to have LED backlight instead of CCFL so present stock of LCD HDTV's may go real cheap in 2006.

 

[lzpoof]

Originally posted by: IGBT
..next gen LCD's are supposed to have LED backlight instead of CCFL so present stock of LCD HDTV's may go real cheap in 2006.

yeah LED backlights would have more practical use in LCD Tvs than computer monitors even.... althoughi havne't seen anything that would say it will make it easier to manufacture bigger LCDs. So they would probably make older LCDs cheaper but the newer models will prob come at similar pricepoints.

 

[IGBT]

Originally posted by: lzpoof

Originally posted by: IGBT
..next gen LCD's are supposed to have LED backlight instead of CCFL so present stock of LCD HDTV's may go real cheap in 2006.

yeah LED backlights would have more practical use in LCD Tvs than computer monitors even.... althoughi havne't seen anything that would say it will make it easier to manufacture bigger LCDs. So they would probably make older LCDs cheaper but the newer models will prob come at similar pricepoints.

..will the LED backlight LCD's have better contrast ratio? As good as plasma??

 

[deeznuts]

Does anyone know what the sceptre price will be before the $500? I don't even see the lcd on costco or sceptre website. Aw man, if it's near $2000 or less I'm all over it! Especially from costco.

 

[SuperSilicon]

wow that would be cool to have 2 of those Vizio 42" Plasma HDTV's on the wall. $1500 is a good price, wonder if they are pure crap or not.

 

[lzpoof]

Originally posted by: IGBT

Originally posted by: lzpoof

Originally posted by: IGBT
..next gen LCD's are supposed to have LED backlight instead of CCFL so present stock of LCD HDTV's may go real cheap in 2006.

yeah LED backlights would have more practical use in LCD Tvs than computer monitors even.... although i haven't seen anything that would say it will make it easier to manufacture bigger LCDs. So they would probably make older LCDs cheaper but the newer models will prob come at similar pricepoints.

..will the LED backlight LCD's have better contrast ratio? As good as plasma??

could be slightly better but not really.. only way they could improve that is by using some sort of 'zone' brightness settings where it can actually turn down the LEDs in darker parts of the screen instead of just blacking out more of the crystal. LED backlight is basically to reduce power consumption even more, give a more uniform brightness (if you've ever had a black screen up on an LCD and seen light fringes near edge you know what I mean), and give you truer colors (because the LEDs will be pure white and not bluish or yellowish).


rethinking I'm wondering if LED backlights will enable larger LCD screens.... I don't think the industry would move towards bigger LCDs due to the much higher contrast ratio on plasma for tv use... however.. I'm not sure if the biggest problem with alrge LCDs is manufacturing a panel and backlight that big.. or rather just that the lighting on a huge LCD would be way too uneven. If it's the latter then LED backlights would enable you to do a much bigger screen.

 

[shaoyeh]

does the sale say anything about projectors?

 

[DBL]

Is the Panasonic even in stock? It's pretty much impossible to find that TV anywhere.

 

[Devistater]

1366x768 isn't all taht great of resolution.

But that sceptre is true 1080p. Here's a thread on the 37" sceptre that has some details:
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=40&threadid=1732959

 

[ntdz]

The vizio for $1500 is great, I've had one for a year and I love it, it's a great TV.

 

[DBL]

Originally posted by: Devistater
1366x768 isn't all taht great of resolution.

But that sceptre is true 1080p. Here's a thread on the 37" sceptre that has some details:
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=40&threadid=1732959

There is more to picture quality than resolution.

 

[Devistater]

Originally posted by: DBL

Originally posted by: Devistater
1366x768 isn't all taht great of resolution.

But that sceptre is true 1080p. Here's a thread on the 37" sceptre that has some details:
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=40&threadid=1732959

There is more to picture quality than resolution.

True, but resolution (if its high enough) can make up for a lot.
For instance, 1366x768 is about 1 megapixel. 1920x1080 is over 2 megapixels. About twice the pixels. Normal dvd resolution is around 700x500 which is barely 1/3 of a megapixel.

If you were looking at 2 digital cameras, one is 3 megapixel and one is 6 megapixel (twice the pixels) which would you be more likely to buy if they were around the same price, or if the 6 megapixel was cheaper?

Besides that, people who have bought the sceptre ones have said its pretty good. Apparently its sometimes a bit picky about refresh on some resolutions if you are using a computer, but there's fairly easy workarounds for that that tweak the resolution just a tiny bit. Other than that, I dont know if any picture quality issues with it.

If I was looking at a LCD screen for computer, I would NOT purchase one with a resolution of only 1366x768. Thats pretty dang small. If that would make you happy, well there's plenty of those 19" for less than $200 after rebate LCD's that are low resolution, feel free to go for it.

(Note that none of this addresses the availibility of 1080p content.
And you can't "add" detail to a lower res stream, although you can run it through filters to try and sharpen it a bit. Native 720p is always going to look better than native 480p tv or dvd content, even if the 480p stuff is upscaled to 720p.)

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: Devistater
If you were looking at 2 digital cameras, one is 3 megapixel and one is 6 megapixel (twice the pixels) which would you be more likely to buy if they were around the same price, or if the 6 megapixel was cheaper?

I certainly wouldn't just assume (or even predict) the 6 megapixel is any better. Especially if they were the same price...there's probably a really good feature the 3 megapixel has the 6 one doesn't unless it was just blatantly overpriced.

 

[HomeAppraiser]

* Sony 32" LCD HDTV-Ready BRAVIA Feb 27 to Mar 5

What is the price?

 

[gaucho20]

Is the Sceptre a 42 inch? I only see 37 inch on their website.

 

[mplutodh1]

Sceptre shows 42" in the coupon book. Item # 964244 but not on their website.

Sony 32" price isnt listed, just a $200 coupon. Item 903210 - Online for $1699.99 - $200 = $1499.99

Also in the book (Costco Home Store):

Viewsonic 32" Model #N3250W LCD HDTV $999.99-200 Coupon = $799.99
16:9, 1366x768, 800:1, HDMI Inputs, 12ms

 

[jmunjr]

Ok are there LEDs that can display a full spectrum of white light similar to natural light? Would this be a problem with backlights? I do know LEDs make HORRIBLE flashlights aside from their longevity..

 

[alimoalem]

i wish i had $3300 to spend

 

[DBL]

Originally posted by: xtknight

Originally posted by: Devistater
If you were looking at 2 digital cameras, one is 3 megapixel and one is 6 megapixel (twice the pixels) which would you be more likely to buy if they were around the same price, or if the 6 megapixel was cheaper?

I certainly wouldn't just assume (or even predict) the 6 megapixel is any better. Especially if they were the same price...there's probably a really good feature the 3 megapixel has the 6 one doesn't unless it was just blatantly overpriced.

...like perhaps one is a 6mp P&S while the other is a 3mp DSLR. I'd take a Canon D30 over any 6mp P&S any day. All pixels are not created equal and I think that is the point. However, it really comes down to your intent with these displays. The LCD is most likely the best choice as a desktop monitor replacement and for those sitting less than 6 feet from the screen. For a home theater, I'd rather have the 50" Plasma.

 

[generalnewbie]

do you have the model for that phillips Plasma.. BTW that TH-50PX50U PRICE IS GREAT!!!
WISH they had the TH-50PX500U in stock there as well!

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: lzpoof

Originally posted by: IGBT

Originally posted by: lzpoof

Originally posted by: IGBT
..next gen LCD's are supposed to have LED backlight instead of CCFL so present stock of LCD HDTV's may go real cheap in 2006.

yeah LED backlights would have more practical use in LCD Tvs than computer monitors even.... although i haven't seen anything that would say it will make it easier to manufacture bigger LCDs. So they would probably make older LCDs cheaper but the newer models will prob come at similar pricepoints.

..will the LED backlight LCD's have better contrast ratio? As good as plasma??

could be slightly better but not really.. only way they could improve that is by using some sort of 'zone' brightness settings where it can actually turn down the LEDs in darker parts of the screen instead of just blacking out more of the crystal. LED backlight is basically to reduce power consumption even more, give a more uniform brightness (if you've ever had a black screen up on an LCD and seen light fringes near edge you know what I mean), and give you truer colors (because the LEDs will be pure white and not bluish or yellowish).


rethinking I'm wondering if LED backlights will enable larger LCD screens.... I don't think the industry would move towards bigger LCDs due to the much higher contrast ratio on plasma for tv use... however.. I'm not sure if the biggest problem with alrge LCDs is manufacturing a panel and backlight that big.. or rather just that the lighting on a huge LCD would be way too uneven. If it's the latter then LED backlights would enable you to do a much bigger screen.

http://www.brightsidetech.com/

 

[JatMan]

No, I didn't see a model number to the Phillips.

 

[JatMan]

Vizio 42" looks pretty good deal. My local Costco has lots of Vizio 50" sitting in the warehouse for sometime now. I wonder if Costco can have some kinda local sale where if they don't sell these TVs within certain time, they would put them on sale.

 

[wicktron]

The 37" Sceptre was rated the best HDTV by Hometheaterhifi.com for 2005.
So I think the 42" will be just as good and be a great bargain. Plus, it's Costco, you can't really go wrong.

Hometheaterhifi Review