HDTV LCD help

[BG4533]

I am looking to pick up a 32"-40" LCD HDTV sometime soon.

I need to be able to hook up an antenna (for OTA HDTV) and coax cable (for SD cable) at the same time. I also need to be be able to hook the tv up to my computer to watch recorded content.

I am willing to spend somewhere around $1000.

Any suggestions?

 

[MustISO]

Do some research:
AVS

If you get a TV with a QAM tuner, you should be able to get the locals and any unencrypted HD through your cable co.


Word of warning:
Not all LCDs are created equal. SD content can look really bad.

 

[ballmode]

Sony Bravia

Sharp Aquos

Samsungs

 

[SLCentral]

Don't like the Sony, overpriced, and doesn't look as good as the Samsungs. Sharp's are nice, but not a big fan of the design, and I love the look of the Samsung, and IMO, their quality are unmatched.

 

[TheAdvocate]

The best LCD in that range is the Toshiba 32HL66. Check AVSForum for confirmation. Completely affordable and especially well featured with fantastic picture quality.

 

[iliopsoas]

I've been debating which of the following to get:
Sharp Aquos LC-37D90U 37" LCD HDTV
Sony KDL-40V2500 40" Bravia V-Series 1080p LCD HDTV
Samsung LNS4096D 40" 1080p LCD HDTV

They're all 1080p. I heard this particular Sharp Aquos model isn't all that great. I'm not sure how true that is though.
I like the Samsung but I hate that shiny black finish

Of course, these are all above your budget. But perhaps smaller TVs of these brands would work.

 

[SLCentral]

Originally posted by: iliopsoas
I've been debating which of the following to get:
Sharp Aquos LC-37D90U 37" LCD HDTV
Sony KDL-40V2500 40" Bravia V-Series 1080p LCD HDTV
Samsung LNS4096D 40" 1080p LCD HDTV

They're all 1080p. I heard this particular Sharp Aquos model isn't all that great. I'm not sure how true that is though.
I like the Samsung but I hate that shiny black finish

Of course, these are all above your budget. But perhaps smaller TVs of these brands would work.

1080p for TV's under 50" FTL. Unless you're sitting three feet away from the TV, you WON'T notice the difference, not to mention the lack of 1080p content other then PS3/Blu-Ray/HD-DVD. Don't waste your money. Samsung 40" 4092 model has better blacks, more vivid colors, even though it's 720p. Not to mention it's cheaper. I've compared the 4096 playing a Blu-Ray disk off the Samsung BD-P1000 vs. the 4092 playing a compressed HD Satellite stream, and honestly the 4092 looks better, hands down.

 

[iliopsoas]

Originally posted by: SLCentral

Originally posted by: iliopsoas
I've been debating which of the following to get:
Sharp Aquos LC-37D90U 37" LCD HDTV
Sony KDL-40V2500 40" Bravia V-Series 1080p LCD HDTV
Samsung LNS4096D 40" 1080p LCD HDTV

They're all 1080p. I heard this particular Sharp Aquos model isn't all that great. I'm not sure how true that is though.
I like the Samsung but I hate that shiny black finish

Of course, these are all above your budget. But perhaps smaller TVs of these brands would work.

1080p for TV's under 50" FTL. Unless you're sitting three feet away from the TV, you WON'T notice the difference, not to mention the lack of 1080p content other then PS3/Blu-Ray/HD-DVD. Don't waste your money. Samsung 40" 4092 model has better blacks, more vivid colors, even though it's 720p. Not to mention it's cheaper. I've compared the 4096 playing a Blu-Ray disk off the Samsung BD-P1000 vs. the 4092 playing a compressed HD Satellite stream, and honestly the 4092 looks better, hands down.

The TV will be sitting 6 feet away and I was hoping to hook up my computer to the TV from time to time. That's why I wanted the 1080p....and also for the PS3 games

 

[Insane3D]

I just picked up the a Olevia 537H 37" LCD HDTV for $999, and I love it. It was a great replacement for my 27" CRT, and it's highly regarded over at the AVS forums...

 

[potato28]

Originally posted by: iliopsoas

Originally posted by: SLCentral

Originally posted by: iliopsoas
I've been debating which of the following to get:
Sharp Aquos LC-37D90U 37" LCD HDTV
Sony KDL-40V2500 40" Bravia V-Series 1080p LCD HDTV
Samsung LNS4096D 40" 1080p LCD HDTV

They're all 1080p. I heard this particular Sharp Aquos model isn't all that great. I'm not sure how true that is though.
I like the Samsung but I hate that shiny black finish

Of course, these are all above your budget. But perhaps smaller TVs of these brands would work.

1080p for TV's under 50" FTL. Unless you're sitting three feet away from the TV, you WON'T notice the difference, not to mention the lack of 1080p content other then PS3/Blu-Ray/HD-DVD. Don't waste your money. Samsung 40" 4092 model has better blacks, more vivid colors, even though it's 720p. Not to mention it's cheaper. I've compared the 4096 playing a Blu-Ray disk off the Samsung BD-P1000 vs. the 4092 playing a compressed HD Satellite stream, and honestly the 4092 looks better, hands down.

The TV will be sitting 6 feet away and I was hoping to hook up my computer to the TV from time to time. That's why I wanted the 1080p....and also for the PS3 games

Get the 40" Sharp Aquos then. I've seen the Bravia and the Aquos running from the same signal and such, and the Aquos has a much better picture. Plus at 40"(or is it 42"), it's 1080p.

 

[SLCentral]

Originally posted by: potato28

Originally posted by: iliopsoas

Originally posted by: SLCentral

Originally posted by: iliopsoas
I've been debating which of the following to get:
Sharp Aquos LC-37D90U 37" LCD HDTV
Sony KDL-40V2500 40" Bravia V-Series 1080p LCD HDTV
Samsung LNS4096D 40" 1080p LCD HDTV

They're all 1080p. I heard this particular Sharp Aquos model isn't all that great. I'm not sure how true that is though.
I like the Samsung but I hate that shiny black finish

Of course, these are all above your budget. But perhaps smaller TVs of these brands would work.

1080p for TV's under 50" FTL. Unless you're sitting three feet away from the TV, you WON'T notice the difference, not to mention the lack of 1080p content other then PS3/Blu-Ray/HD-DVD. Don't waste your money. Samsung 40" 4092 model has better blacks, more vivid colors, even though it's 720p. Not to mention it's cheaper. I've compared the 4096 playing a Blu-Ray disk off the Samsung BD-P1000 vs. the 4092 playing a compressed HD Satellite stream, and honestly the 4092 looks better, hands down.

The TV will be sitting 6 feet away and I was hoping to hook up my computer to the TV from time to time. That's why I wanted the 1080p....and also for the PS3 games

Get the 40" Sharp Aquos then. I've seen the Bravia and the Aquos running from the same signal and such, and the Aquos has a much better picture. Plus at 40"(or is it 42"), it's 1080p.

If you're using it with a computer, then nevermind . That's the ONE use of 1080p that I can justify . The Sharp Aquos is 42", not 40", and the Sony XBR2 comes in 40" as well, and honestly, I think it comes out on top. I'm not sure about price, though.

 

[potato28]

Originally posted by: SLCentral

Originally posted by: potato28

Originally posted by: iliopsoas

Originally posted by: SLCentral

Originally posted by: iliopsoas
I've been debating which of the following to get:
Sharp Aquos LC-37D90U 37" LCD HDTV
Sony KDL-40V2500 40" Bravia V-Series 1080p LCD HDTV
Samsung LNS4096D 40" 1080p LCD HDTV

They're all 1080p. I heard this particular Sharp Aquos model isn't all that great. I'm not sure how true that is though.
I like the Samsung but I hate that shiny black finish

Of course, these are all above your budget. But perhaps smaller TVs of these brands would work.

1080p for TV's under 50" FTL. Unless you're sitting three feet away from the TV, you WON'T notice the difference, not to mention the lack of 1080p content other then PS3/Blu-Ray/HD-DVD. Don't waste your money. Samsung 40" 4092 model has better blacks, more vivid colors, even though it's 720p. Not to mention it's cheaper. I've compared the 4096 playing a Blu-Ray disk off the Samsung BD-P1000 vs. the 4092 playing a compressed HD Satellite stream, and honestly the 4092 looks better, hands down.

The TV will be sitting 6 feet away and I was hoping to hook up my computer to the TV from time to time. That's why I wanted the 1080p....and also for the PS3 games

Get the 40" Sharp Aquos then. I've seen the Bravia and the Aquos running from the same signal and such, and the Aquos has a much better picture. Plus at 40"(or is it 42"), it's 1080p.

If you're using it with a computer, then nevermind . That's the ONE use of 1080p that I can justify . The Sharp Aquos is 42", not 40", and the Sony XBR2 comes in 40" as well, and honestly, I think it comes out on top. I'm not sure about price, though.

All I remember is the local store I bought my 26" Sharp Aquos from gave me the info that the 42" was one of the best for how cheap it is. But, if you can get the Sony for about the same price, compare them side-to-side.

 

[SLCentral]

Originally posted by: potato28

Originally posted by: SLCentral

Originally posted by: potato28

Originally posted by: iliopsoas

Originally posted by: SLCentral

Originally posted by: iliopsoas
I've been debating which of the following to get:
Sharp Aquos LC-37D90U 37" LCD HDTV
Sony KDL-40V2500 40" Bravia V-Series 1080p LCD HDTV
Samsung LNS4096D 40" 1080p LCD HDTV

They're all 1080p. I heard this particular Sharp Aquos model isn't all that great. I'm not sure how true that is though.
I like the Samsung but I hate that shiny black finish

Of course, these are all above your budget. But perhaps smaller TVs of these brands would work.

1080p for TV's under 50" FTL. Unless you're sitting three feet away from the TV, you WON'T notice the difference, not to mention the lack of 1080p content other then PS3/Blu-Ray/HD-DVD. Don't waste your money. Samsung 40" 4092 model has better blacks, more vivid colors, even though it's 720p. Not to mention it's cheaper. I've compared the 4096 playing a Blu-Ray disk off the Samsung BD-P1000 vs. the 4092 playing a compressed HD Satellite stream, and honestly the 4092 looks better, hands down.

The TV will be sitting 6 feet away and I was hoping to hook up my computer to the TV from time to time. That's why I wanted the 1080p....and also for the PS3 games

Get the 40" Sharp Aquos then. I've seen the Bravia and the Aquos running from the same signal and such, and the Aquos has a much better picture. Plus at 40"(or is it 42"), it's 1080p.

If you're using it with a computer, then nevermind . That's the ONE use of 1080p that I can justify . The Sharp Aquos is 42", not 40", and the Sony XBR2 comes in 40" as well, and honestly, I think it comes out on top. I'm not sure about price, though.

All I remember is the local store I bought my 26" Sharp Aquos from gave me the info that the 42" was one of the best for how cheap it is. But, if you can get the Sony for about the same price, compare them side-to-side.

Yeah, off the top of my head the 42" is $1999 but it could be $2299...then again I could just be a crack addict.

 

[Fiat1]

Panasonic

 

[BG4533]

Are there any TVs that fit my needs that will allow me to have normal cable and an HDTV antenna plugged in and have DVI?

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: BG4533
Are there any TVs that fit my needs that will allow me to have normal cable and an HDTV antenna plugged in and have DVI?

Well, I can't speak for the others, but the Olevia I posted about has a QAM tuner, and I don't see why you couldn't use both. Also, it has HDMI instead of DVI...I picked up a HDMI --> DVI cable so I could hook up the PC to it...looks beautiful.

The TV has one coax, two composite, two S-Vid, two component, and one HDMI...

How do you connect your cable?

 

[Indolent]

Originally posted by: Insane3D

Originally posted by: BG4533
Are there any TVs that fit my needs that will allow me to have normal cable and an HDTV antenna plugged in and have DVI?

Well, I can't speak for the others, but the Olevia I posted about has a QAM tuner, and I don't see why you couldn't use both. Also, it has HDMI instead of DVI...I picked up a HDMI --> DVI cable so I could hook up the PC to it...looks beautiful.

The TV has one coax, two composite, two S-Vid, two component, and one HDMI...

How do you connect your cable?

Any retail stores sell the Olevia, or is it just online?

And, is the 42 inch olevia just as good as the 37?

 

[BG4533]

Originally posted by: Insane3D

Originally posted by: BG4533
Are there any TVs that fit my needs that will allow me to have normal cable and an HDTV antenna plugged in and have DVI?

Well, I can't speak for the others, but the Olevia I posted about has a QAM tuner, and I don't see why you couldn't use both. Also, it has HDMI instead of DVI...I picked up a HDMI --> DVI cable so I could hook up the PC to it...looks beautiful.

The TV has one coax, two composite, two S-Vid, two component, and one HDMI...

How do you connect your cable?

The Olevia is towards the top of the list right now.

My cable connects via coax cable. I don't use a box or anything for it. I think most antennas connect via coax as well...

Also, I have heard some TVs impose restrictions when using HDMI to attach to a computer. Do you get the full resolution with the Olevia?

note: My cable provider seems to be one of the few that encrypts the local HD channels, so clear QAM doesnt help right now.

 

[TheAdvocate]

I just purchased a Toshiba 42HL196

42" 1080p LCD, w/ 2xHDMI inputs, and it has a black, non-glossy cabinet. Saw it wall mounted @ HH Gregg next to some of the other sets mentioned here and it had the best picture and feature set.