returning my 42" Vizio LCD to Costco...

[robphelan]

my vizio had problems from day 1 (Feb 2007) & costco agreed to refund/exchange - so I'm getting 1199 + tax back & need a new TV.

I lean heavily towards LCD primarily b/c of the glare issues with plasmas.. I Live in South Texas so there's lots of sun in the summer. and spring. and fall. and winter.

The width of my armoire is right at 51.25" - so I'm limited by that and by the refund amount.

So, I'm looking at:
Toshiba 46" LCD 1080p 120MHz for 1199 in store - 120 Mhz

Westinghouse 52" LCD 1080p for 1199 after 300 off - this model is 50.6" wide so I'm cutting REALLY close in the armoire - it would leave me about .25" on either side of the TV!

Vizio 50" Plasma 1080p for 1199

Costco also has a Sharp Aquos 46" LCD (not 120MHz) for 1199 - but I can't find a link anywhere to it... the model# is LCC4655U

Any suggestions?


EDIT: I mostly use this for HD (no blu-ray yet) cable + upconverted content from my modded xbox & DVD player.

 

[s44]

Sell your armoire, buy a stand, and put the difference to a bigger TV?

 

[shempf]

I'd go for a Sony myself. Sony or Samsung are the top LCD's on the market.

 

[robphelan]

Originally posted by: shempf
I'd go for a Sony myself. Sony or Samsung are the top LCD's on the market.

yes, however, I don't have a Sony or Samsung to choose from... I basically have those listed above.

 

[Chunkee]

Toshiba makes good TV...is it a regza?

 

[robphelan]

Originally posted by: Chunkee
Toshiba makes good TV...is it a regza?

in the detailed specs:
REGZA-LINK® (HDMI? CEC)**

**Use of REGZA-LINK®, which is a feature based on HDMI-CEC, requires an HDMI-CEC compatible display device. Depending on the display device specifications, some or all REGZA-LINK® functions may not work even if the display device is HDMI-CEC compatible.

I don't know what REGZA is, though.

EDIT: ooh.. it also has stablesund which "Eliminates the annoyance of normal program volume being followed immediately by extremely loud commercial messages or drastic volume fluctuations while changing channels."

 

[sivart]

Stay away from the Westinghouse...it will make your Vizio look like a dream machine (personal experience -- this is what also pushed me away from LCD's for many years to come...horrible off angle viewing and a ton of motion blur)

 

[shempf]

Originally posted by: robphelan

Originally posted by: shempf
I'd go for a Sony myself. Sony or Samsung are the top LCD's on the market.

yes, however, I don't have a Sony or Samsung to choose from... I basically have those listed above.

If that's the case, I'd consider ordering from their online store, or ask your local store to order it.

 

[Rio Rebel]

Of the options you list, I'd get the Toshiba.

 

[krotchy]

Toshiba for sure. The XF550 is a nice TV, and that thin bezel makes the 46" fit where a 42" would from other companies.

 

[thomsbrain]

You're probably down on Vizios now, but Costco has the 47" 120 Hz Vizio for $1000 with coupon (unless it expired already).

Edit: I didn't see it on their website anymore last time I looked.

 

[robphelan]

I'm not down on them.. in all other regards, it's been great.

The problems I had were that closed captioning never worked. I've tried every setting. but more serious was that every time I turn on the TV, I get audio but no video. I have to turn it back off, wait a couple of seconds, then turn it back on to get audio + video.

The snippy lady at Costco's concierge service said that was just a nuisance & they probably wouldn't pay to fix a nuisance.

I didn't notice the 47", but now I see it.

 

[TheDrake]

I would do my best to sell that credit you have with costco any way you can, get a Gift card, sell it? And then wait til Feb/March (after superbowl and DTV transition) and get a sony/samsung somewhere else as you should see some pretty good sales by then.

 

[aphex]

Toshiba sucks, I would stick with the Vizio.

 

[Oyeve]

Of your choices Toshiba then Sharp.

 

[s44]

Originally posted by: TheDrake
I would do my best to sell that credit you have with costco any way you can, get a Gift card, sell it? And then wait til Feb/March (after superbowl and DTV transition) and get a sony/samsung somewhere else as you should see some pretty good sales by then.

Probably not. Super Bowl time is the last of the big sale periods at this time of the year.

 

[Rob_63]

I bought that same Toshiba for my son a week ago and it is very nice, color reproduction is not as good as the more expensive sony models but very satisfactory for the price. (got mine for 1099) I am not familiar with the WH but I would chose the Toshiba then the Sharp over the Vizio.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[SandEagle]

i'd jump on this one
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2270718&enterthread=y

 

[lizardboy]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
You're probably down on Vizios now, but Costco has the 47" 120 Hz Vizio for $1000 with coupon (unless it expired already).

Edit: I didn't see it on their website anymore last time I looked.

I was in Costco today, they had it for $999. Looks like a damn nice TV.

 

[jacc1234]

I would look into the Samsung A630, it a the semi-matte screen which will cut down on the reflections.

 

[Nutdotnet]

Panasonic 50" 1080p Plasma @ Costco for $1199.

This one...I have it...I love it.

 

[IGBT]

Any of the sony 120 hz LCD's or samsung. go back to costco and spend some time looking at em.

 

[Drako]

Originally posted by: Nutdotnet
Panasonic 50" 1080p Plasma @ Costco for $1199.

This one...I have it...I love it.

I would go with this as well, but the Panisonic Plasmas are all sold out at Costco, at least in my areas. I guess they are preparing for the March release of the new models.

 

[Dead3ye]

Originally posted by: Drako

Originally posted by: Nutdotnet
Panasonic 50" 1080p Plasma @ Costco for $1199.

This one...I have it...I love it.

I would go with this as well, but the Panisonic Plasmas are all sold out at Costco, at least in my areas. I guess they are preparing for the March release of the new models.

How about a 50" Samsung 1080p Plasma at BB for $1149?