Need massive help for purchasing a new TV

[damage424]

Hey guys, first off I would like to thank everyone for clicking on this topic and trying to help me out!

Ok so my birthday is right around the corner and since I haven't really gotten anything from my family the past couple of years on the birthday (I was a bad bad boy), my dad decided it would be nice to get me something this year. So I decided why not get a nice, new, HDTV. Out of the blue yesterday my dad takes me to P.C. Richards (he gets awesome deals here since he knows the boss) and tells me to pick out a TV but I have no idea what I'm trying to look for.

So Pretty much, I have no idea what to look for when it comes to HDTV's. My Price range I would think is right under $1,000 US dollars or right around there. I am not a HUGE gamer; I do not own any consoles systems and have a PC that is pretty good, but I game on an 19' 1440 resolution. I don't play massive pc games. The only game I really play right now is Sims 3 ( I know I'm a nerd).

So once again I thank everyone who read this and I'm hoping someone can shed some light on this subject for me because I don't have a clue on what to look for.

If I left out any details that can help you guys assist me, just let me know and I'll feel you in.

Thanks again!

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Is there a list of what's available at that store?

How do these great deals your dad gets compare to buying online?

EDIT:
Does this represent what they have in the store?
http://www.pcrichard.com/catal...000&parentCategoryId=2

 

[damage424]

Well I can tell you that there are TONS of HDTV's at the store. The whole back of the store is just a giant room of HDTV's. I also have a feeling if the TV is not in stock, the owner of the store won't have a problem in ordering one for me.

Here are two HDTV's the guy showed me and my dad and have us a price on them.
1) Sony V series - $747
2) Samsung LN40B550 - $867

Hope this can help

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Sony V series is just that... a series of TVs... not a specific model.

The LN40B550 is $884 with free shipping from Abe's of Maine right now, $869 at Buyer's Edge. Based on that, it seems like you'll be getting about equivalent to regular internet pricing.

 

[Onita]

Did you look at any of them? Any stick out? Any preference on plasma or lcd or size constraints? Will it be for tv/movies I assume?

 

[damage424]

Thats the thing Onita, I was looking at a huge wall of HDTV's and I could barely tell the differences between them. Yes, some had a little different colors then others and others were slightly sharper perhaps, but nothing that stood out; I had no idea what was good or bad when looking at all those HDTV's.


EDIT

Oh and although I don't have size constraints, my dad has been pointing out the 40' section. So that's what the size of the HDTV should be or slightly higher perhaps.

EDIT 2

The model name of the Sony V Series is Sony KDL40V4100.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Comparing uncalibrated sets in a big store environment might not really tell you anything useful about performance.

' means feet by the way, " is inches.

How far away from it will you be sitting?

 

[krotchy]

Originally posted by: damage424
Thats the thing Onita, I was looking at a huge wall of HDTV's and I could barely tell the differences between them. Yes, some had a little different colors then others and others were slightly sharper perhaps, but nothing that stood out; I had no idea what was good or bad when looking at all those HDTV's.


EDIT

Oh and although I don't have size constraints, my dad has been pointing out the 40' section. So that's what the size of the HDTV should be or slightly higher perhaps.

EDIT 2

The model name of the Sony V Series is Sony KDL40V4100.

The V4100 is last years model. If you get a Sony, make sure it has 5000/5100 in its name for this years model. If you get a Samsung make sure it is a B series as A series TV's are last years.

 

[damage424]

@YOyoYOhowsDAjello

The HDTV will be in my bedroom so I would say relatively close.

Thanks for the information Krotchy

 

[damage424]

Oh and yes the HDTV will mainly be used for watching TV and movies. I didn't buy a console since PS2 and I am not planning on buying a console anytime soon. One question in mind is since my computer LCD only supports 1440 resolution, can I pick out an HDTV that will act as my computer monitor as well? And if so, what resolution will they go up too and would it be sufficient in handling PC games. I'm not a hardcore PC gamer but do enjoy the occasional gaming nights. And I really don't know the difference between plasma and LCD or LED for that matter.

 

[Onita]

Originally posted by: damage424
@YOyoYOhowsDAjello

The HDTV will be in my bedroom so I would say relatively close.

Thanks for the information Krotchy

HOw close is relatively close? 5'? 10'?

 

[damage424]

Originally posted by: Onita

Originally posted by: damage424
@YOyoYOhowsDAjello

The HDTV will be in my bedroom so I would say relatively close.

Thanks for the information Krotchy

HOw close is relatively close? 5'? 10'?

I'm not exactly sure where in my bedroom I'm going to place the HDTV, but I would say from 5 to 15 feet. No more then 15 feet I can confirm that.

 

[krotchy]

Originally posted by: damage424
Oh and yes the HDTV will mainly be used for watching TV and movies. I didn't buy a console since PS2 and I am not planning on buying a console anytime soon. One question in mind is since my computer LCD only supports 1440 resolution, can I pick out an HDTV that will act as my computer monitor as well? And if so, what resolution will they go up too and would it be sufficient in handling PC games. I'm not a hardcore PC gamer but do enjoy the occasional gaming nights. And I really don't know the difference between plasma and LCD or LED for that matter.

For PC use an LCD is definitely recommended over a plasma due to potential Image Retention issues (only if you get careless typically). Also for PC use, 1080p is definitely what you want.

1080p = 1920x1080 as a computer monitor
720p = 1280x720 technically means as a computer monitor, however it is typically 1366x768.

 

[damage424]

Awesome news Krotchy; 1080p LCD it is.

A friend of mine suggest to me: Samsung UN40B700, Samsung LN40B550, and Sony KDL-40V4100. All three of these LCDS meets the 1080p and 40" reqirements.

I know the Samsung LN40B550 I can get for $869.97 and the Sony KDL-40V4100 for $747.97

As you stated Krotchy the Sony is last years model and I would have to ask for the 5xxx models and their prices as well as the price for Samsung UN40B700.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: damage424

Originally posted by: Onita

Originally posted by: damage424
@YOyoYOhowsDAjello

The HDTV will be in my bedroom so I would say relatively close.

Thanks for the information Krotchy

HOw close is relatively close? 5'? 10'?

I'm not exactly sure where in my bedroom I'm going to place the HDTV, but I would say from 5 to 15 feet. No more then 15 feet I can confirm that.

Generally size of the display is a function of your seating distance.

With a range of 5 to 15 feet, any specific size recommendation is impossible.

I guess your budget is going to determine size though.

Just to put this into perspective, a 40" display at 5' appears to be the same size as a 120" screen at 15' away.

5' away from a 40" display would give you a good size for a cinematic movie viewing experience.
15' away from that 40" display would look tiny.

If you're 15' away and looking for something cinematic, then you'd really be down to front projectors. (1080p projectors have hit the $1k mark... Optoma HD20)

It definitely depends on what kind of experience you're looking for though. After getting used to a 40 degree horizontal viewing angle, I'd find it hard to go back. Front projection is a whole different ball game though.
http://myhometheater.homestead...istancecalculator.html

Without the need for a second (or more) viewer though, it's much more viable to just sit closer to a traditional display.

I'm not saying get a front projector, but demonstrating what kind of difference your seating distance is going to make to the experience.

 

[damage424]

Good info. I'll try to position the HDTV as close as I can now. Hopefully, that would mean 6' max.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

It's going to be a balance based on personal preference and what you're using it for.

You may want to adjust your distance for when you're using it as a regular monitor vs. when you're playing a game or watching a movie.

Just for example, if you're playing a FPS on it, you may want to be a bit farther away from it to get the whole screen easily in your field of view. You may want to sit closer to it when watching a movie to get a more enveloping feel (when you don't have to be as concerned about being able to instantly move your eyes to focus on a particular part of the screen).

You may think that I have that backwards too based on your preferences.

There is a link to the resolution you'd want from your screen for this as well. Normally you can use this to determine if you'd see the full benefit of a 1080p set vs. 720p (or similar). In the case of using it as a computer monitor though, you're generally going to want to get the highest resolution possible though, which is 1080p in most cases.

I think I'm just rambling about stuff that's not going to matter for your decision at this point, so I'll just stop

 

[damage424]

Knowledge is power my friend; I thank you for your help throughout this whole thread.

 

[gar655]

Panasonic 50" plasma. You can get a 1080P version for < $1k.

 

[Rhoxed]

even the panasonic 42S1 going for about 800-850$ 42" 1080P plasma with great picture

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: gar655
Panasonic 50" plasma. You can get a 1080P version for < $1k.

This. You've already said that you aren't a big gamer, so it should be about picture quality. The new G10 series from Panny will be untouchable if that's your primary concern.

Best buy is selling the TC-P50G10 for $1300, so your dad should be able to get it for $1000 or so, if the guy really does give your dad a deal. As the prices you posted for the LN40B550 & KDL40V4100 are nothing special, you may have look at the TC-P46G10. Here's a review, go see it for yourself, and report back.

 

[damage424]

Read the review for Panasonic TC-P46G10 and it seemed good for the most part; however, I don't like the fact that in THX is cast a greenish/yellowish tint. The ethernet port seems relatively useless. It got raving reviews, yes, but the that weird color tint is a turn-off for me.

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: damage424
Read the review for Panasonic TC-P46G10 and it seemed good for the most part; however, I don't like the fact that in THX is cast a greenish/yellowish tint. The ethernet port seems relatively useless. It got raving reviews, yes, but the that weird color tint isjavascript:insertText('FTVAR_MESSAGETEXTFRM','',''); a turn-off for me.

That's why you should go see it for yourself. If you reread the performance section, he's comparing it to their reference display, which is the Pioneer PRO-111FD. He also didn't make any adjustments to the G10 when it was in THX mode, because he didn't want to mess with the service menu, as they don't do that when they review a tv. If you can find one, a 111FD will run you at least $3000 more than what you will pay for the TC-P46G10. Kuros are considered to be the best tv you can buy, and the G10 comes pretty close to it picture quality wise.

Go and see the G10 for yourself, and see if you notice any issues when you turn the THX mode on. Then go back to the LN40B550, and adjust it until it looks good to you. You might want to visit the avsforums, and find the owners thread, and see what settings the users there are using. Then go back to the G10, then back to the B550, and keep doing it until you notice the differences between the two sets. Hopefully they will be relatively close to each other, or you will get quite a workout.:laugh:

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Comparing uncalibrated sets in a big store environment might not really tell you anything useful about performance.

That's why you should try to set them when you are in the store. It won't be perfect, but other than relying on reviews, it's really your only option.

 

[damage424]

Thank you for that information. I will check out that website as soon as I get a chance. Thanks again!

 

[damage424]

Checked out AVforums and it sure is a lot of information to digest. I did read through the FAQ section. It seems like Plasma isn't a bad choice, but neither is an LCD either. The FAQ was from 2005 so I'm not to sure how much to read into it. The more I think about it, it's going to be a pain in the butt to play PC games on a TV anyway with the keyboard/mouse setup unless I think of a new setup.... So if that is the case Plasma seems like the way to go.