Best LCD over 30" and under 40"?

[ManBearPig]

For watching Blu-ray movies and playing PS3. I would like to spend less than $1000 (around $700-900). Also, feedback would be nice from people who have this size TV for similar functions....i hope this isnt too small.

Bonus question...is there any reason not to go with plasma for video games?

Thanks!

Btw, I decided to post this in a separate thread from my other one because that one was getting confusing and i had too many conflicting ideas then.

 

[krotchy]

Does it have to be under 40 inches because of a size constraint specifically?

If that is the case the Toshiba 40XF550 is going to be the biggest screen with the smallest bezel in the group, and the panel/processing on that TV are fantastic.

 

[ManBearPig]

oh nope, not because of the size constraint, just because i noticed that most good TVs that were recommended to me 40 or ABOVE were about $1500. So i figured those sizes would be under $1000.

 

[tfinch2]

Sam's Club carries a 37" 1080p JVC set for about $1000. I haven't read any reviews about it, but I watched Blu-Ray on it in the store and it looked fabulous.

 

[krotchy]

Ahh, well then the 40XF550 is gonna be a bit much.

Have you looked at the 42" Philips 1080p TV that Costco has right now. Its 999 and I doubt you will find a better bang for the buck right now. Not sure how much longer the deal is gonna run though.

 

[ManBearPig]

After looking around at Fry's today (again), I think that i could manage to find a nice 32" or 37" LCD HDTV for about $700-900. Thats what i would like to aim for. I saw that TV at costco, pretty nice....still a bit expensive; good size for the price. I would feel guilty with such a big TV for just myself

 

[krotchy]

Originally posted by: Kazaam
After looking around at Fry's today (again), I think that i could manage to find a nice 32" or 37" LCD HDTV for about $700-900. Thats what i would like to aim for. I saw that TV at costco, pretty nice....still a bit expensive; good size for the price. I would feel guilty with such a big TV for just myself

No you wouldn't, 42" is perfect. Heck when I upgrade my 47" TV in the future to something bigger, the old 47"is going to end up in my bedroom, now that is a bit much, lol.

the problem I find is Under 40" 1080p TV's cost almost the same or more than 40-42" ones sometimes, its kind of weird how it works out, but 40 or 42" is typically the sweet spot for price/features.

 

[ManBearPig]

Don't get me wrong, i would love a TV that size, and wouldn't mind buying one if it was a bit closer to $800. I feel like 37" seems pretty close to the right size for me...i just dont know where to look to find one for the price i want.

This is the closest i have gotten, and thats not 37" and its still a bit too expensive.

 

[krotchy]

The A550 is going to be a great choice as well. I doubt you will find a better image in your price range than that and 32" is a good size for a bedroom.

I find the problem is under 1000 bucks TV's hit a crunching point where they become more and more difficult to find a good set of features and still come out with a quality panel. Heck even Sceptres garbage TV's dont cross under 1000 bucks for 1080p and they are like the lowest low end IMO.

 

[ManBearPig]

Ah, doesn't sound good for me if i want a 37".

The best i can find for a 37" is this: this.

For a 32" i would do this.

Tough decisions. You were definitely right about the 40" being the sweet spot.

 

[krotchy]

I would take the 1080p 32 over the 720p 37 if you ever intend to hook up a PC to it. A 1080p 32" TV makes a sweet monitor, because its got almost as many pixels as a 24" PC LCD but its alot more versatile. If its TV usage only and you wont be too close to it, 720p 37" might be the better choice, however you won't really get the full advantage of Blu-Ray with a 720p TV. Personally I love the versatility of 1080p for PC usage and whatnot so thats where I would go, but you need to prioritize what you want to make the decision that fits you.

 

[ManBearPig]

Originally posted by: krotchy
Ahh, well then the 40XF550 is gonna be a bit much.

Have you looked at the 42" Philips 1080p TV that Costco has right now. Its 999 and I doubt you will find a better bang for the buck right now. Not sure how much longer the deal is gonna run though.

Err, i know i said otherwise earlier, but my mom actually ok'd this...so i guess my budget is up to $1000. Theres no way i would find a 40" tv at that price besides this, though, would i? Yayayayay!

 

[krotchy]

Originally posted by: Kazaam

Originally posted by: krotchy
Ahh, well then the 40XF550 is gonna be a bit much.

Have you looked at the 42" Philips 1080p TV that Costco has right now. Its 999 and I doubt you will find a better bang for the buck right now. Not sure how much longer the deal is gonna run though.

Err, i know i said otherwise earlier, but my mom actually ok'd this...so i guess my budget is up to $1000. Theres no way i would find a 40" tv at that price besides this, though, would i? Yayayayay!

All I have to say to this is Kazaaammmmm, lol

 

[ManBearPig]

you are the shit krotchy. I suppose it also has to do with the fact that ive been working 10 hours a day for the last couple weeks and will have to the rest of the summer, and that the store is actually doing good under my command. very nice...i like.

 

[ManBearPig]

my increased budget is affording me a much sweeter TV. And 37" LCD HDTVs are actually pretty large...seems like they are bigger than i thought i would; 40" are smaller than i thought they would be.

 

[ManBearPig]

i saw this tv and it seemed alright...

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-...LCD-HDTV/dp/B0017PAMN2

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: Kazaam
i saw this tv and it seemed alright...

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-...LCD-HDTV/dp/B0017PAMN2

That TV is actually really good. Samsung is one of the best quality LCDs on the market currently IMO. Unless you want to spend more and go with a Sony (which really is just a Samsung panel around Sony's own electronic package).

 

[ManBearPig]

hear this is pretty awesome and its only like $700-800 at BB.

Insignia NS-LCD42HD

 

[krotchy]

Originally posted by: Kazaam
hear this is pretty awesome and its only like $700-800 at BB.

Insignia NS-LCD42HD

Im curious who said the insignias are pretty good? Everything I have seen says that insignias fall well behind vizio in PQ and processing, and Vizio is mediocre at best in both those areas.

Cnet isnt a good source on something since everything from them has between a 7 and a 9 pretty much when they review things, but Insignia Tv's getting ~4s consistently would worry me.

 

[ManBearPig]

Originally posted by: krotchy

Originally posted by: Kazaam
hear this is pretty awesome and its only like $700-800 at BB.

Insignia NS-LCD42HD

Im curious who said the insignias are pretty good? Everything I have seen says that insignias fall well behind vizio in PQ and processing, and Vizio is mediocre at best in both those areas.

Cnet isnt a good source on something since everything from them has between a 7 and a 9 pretty much when they review things, but Insignia Tv's getting ~4s consistently would worry me.

Here's where i read it:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=953059

 

[krotchy]

Originally posted by: Kazaam
Here's where i read it:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=953059

Hmm someone wrote:

PC Buyer Beware

This set doesn't support 1080p through all inputs. Do a little more research before you purchase.
.....

I wonder what else that set is skimping out on if the processor cant even display its native resolution on its HD inputs.

Also no one in that thread is really raving about anything more than the price. As someone whose first TV was a Sceptre (that I returned to Costco and I never really fully liked) I would say make sure that the TV has everthing you want it to have, because if you skimp out on a feature, everytime you want to use it it will annoy you. Also the Sceptre thread at AVS made that TV sound better than the Insignia, which isnt the best sign.

Personally I would still take the Philips from Costco in a heartbeat over the insignia, or go back to the Samsung 32incher over it, but goto Best Buy and play with it for a while to see for yourself. I think both TV's would have much less of the long run "regret factor" for the long run, especially considering the "disposable TV" article thats linked around here all the time.

 

[ManBearPig]

ah, thanks for the clarification once again krotchy. i still have a while longer (till ~June 12th) to decide what i want. I feel like i am leaning towards the superior 37"ers over the 40"ers that aren't so great. Hopefully there is a great deal somewhere for a larger tv in the future though.

 

[ManBearPig]

thoughts on this krotchy?: http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-...qid=1212281439&sr=1-12

I haven't heard the greatest things about the phillips, costco has no financing options, and the deal will be over before i actually want to buy a tv, so thats not really an option.

 

[krotchy]

Toshiba is my #2 Brand for 2008 behind Samsung. They impressed me quite a bit when I went to CES back in January with their whole line. The RV530 is a solid choice for sure.

 

[eflat]

Originally posted by: Kazaam
thoughts on this krotchy?: http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-...qid=1212281439&sr=1-12

I haven't heard the greatest things about the phillips, costco has no financing options, and the deal will be over before i actually want to buy a tv, so thats not really an option.

That is a really good deal. Well, haven't used it but saw the 720p variant for $100 less on the Costco floor.

Amazing there is now only a price difference of $100 between 720p and 1080p. Six months ago it was more like $600.