Which tv would you get?

[priester68]

oh ok that's just something i read on another site.

[pweezil]

You may want to check out this thread if you've really got your heart set on 1080p from Dish.

http://www.satelliteguys.us/dish-net...lay-1080p.html

[CowboyDren]

Sony's overpriced. Samsungs at the same price point have the same PQ (not IQ) and more features. Since you're stuck at Walmart, Panasonic and Samsung are your best bets, with plasma and LCDs both covered (respectively). Check these out (print ad images with TVs):


Walmart Confirms 360 Sale, More Cuts Coming

Wal-Mart offering 0 gift card with purchase of Xbox 360 Arcade

The Panasonic U1 is going to have better PQ than any LCD you can get for under $1500. It'll also have slightly higher power consumption (about $20 per YEAR assuming 1000hrs/yr use), and will offer the best cinema experience. Even the 720p Panasonic C1 50" that some stores just got are much superior in final PQ to most LCDs, especially when you start talking about motion resolution, and they just don't cut it.

I like the Sharp LCDs, but nobody else who knows what they're talking does; for a few bucks more, the Samsungs all have better PQ. When you look at Visio, just remember that it's a BRAND, not a MANUFACTURER...those TVs come from all over China and other parts of Asia, and their customer service is nonexistent.

I have no idea where "you must be at least..." figures come from, but that's a poor way to state "you won't know the difference." According to the THX guidelines, you should be about 4.6 FEET away from a 46 INCH set, 5.0' from a 50", 6.5' from a 65", and so on. Farther than that, and it's not THX eligible. SMPTE guidelines are looser, but not much.

If you don't already have a real A/V receiver, you're not going to be getting the most out of HD VOD or Blu-ray titles. A big TV is just a big TV, but 5.1 channel sound makes it a theater. Cap yourself at a Grand for the TV, and spend the other $500 on an HTIB to get your feet wet, but stick with the same brand as the TV you buy to reduce/eliminate remote control shuffle.

[CowboyDren]

Go to the store. Look at the tvs. pick out the one that has the picture you like best.

That is positively the worst advice ever given for TV shopping. You can't tell ANYTHING by looking at a TV in a store, ESPECIALLY at a Walmart or a typical Best Buy. Cnet.com has several lists of their favorite TVs here:


Best HDTVs overall - CNET Reviews

The column on the left of the screen breaks it down into more manageable brackets. The kicker is that most of these TVs aren't at Walmart. HDGuru.com also does reviews on specific models for a more in-depth analysis. Find a model you like, then do the research on it, then buy it. Never buy the first thing that catches your eye.

[bsk116]

I'm getting a new tv for Christmas. Which is a good tv to recommend? I'll be at the mercy of Wal Mart so I have to get one they carry. I'm wanting something bigger than the 46" I have now and need to keep it under $1500. I hear the 1080p movies on Dish are pretty sweet and can't wait to see my SAINTS in HD heading to the playoffs(hopefully). Is Vizio a good brand or should I stick with Sony, Samsung, etc?

Why are you at the mercy of Walmart?
There are many very reputable on line stores that can provide an equal or better model that wally world cannot. Also, the etailers can offer many more models and brands (which I will admit can confuse any shopper) to select from.
If you have a warranty issue (not likely with a brand name set) Wally world will tell you to contact the manufacturer so that is not an issue.
Also, If you have a local Sears, sometimes Best Buy, they will pricematch a competitor's price and Sears will give you 10% of the difference, at least they did for me a couple of years ago.
As other members have said, if at all possible, try to narrow your choices to 4 or 5 models and view the sets at a retailer keeping in mind most flat panels out of the box are set with maximum brightness to get your attention.
One final bit, again as a member mentioned, check out AVS online. There is a wealth of information on this forum which may help or hinder your choice.
Try to make an informed decision then sit back and enjoy

[priester68]

I guess I'm not really but the nearest real store with people that actually have knowledge about their product is 2 hours away. I know I can read reviews til I'm blue in the face but shouldn't I actually see the tv I want before I buy or just rely on reviews?

[CowboyDren]

Picking a TV based on PQ in the store is as good as picking a TV based on how much the remote control weighs; it has NO BEARING on the TV's performance (after mild optimization) inside your house. Hit the Cnet links I posted. Find the TVs that you can get at Best Buy or Walmart or Sears (none of which have employees who know what they're talking about), and do some shopping. Then go to HDGuru.com, AVSForum.com, and do more research there. Then go to the store, scroll through the menus (this is actually more important that in-store PQ), and pull the trigger when you're educated, not when you're infatuated. Hell, I did all that research, and STILL got bit by post-Christmas price cuts.

If you're seriously 2 hours away from the nearest Big Box, buy the extended warranty so that the blueshirt/redshirt monkeys have to give you a new TV if the old one breaks. Not having to deal directly with Samsung customer service on the phone and then not having them drive a certified repair man to the middle of nowhere is worth $150, easy.

[wetz73]

I bought a TV from WalMart for the bedroom that went out after a couple of months. Called them up, they gave me a new one. No problems since. I think the warranty from WalMart was about $20. Sears will sell you one for $150.

[bsk116]

I guess I'm not really but the nearest real store with people that actually have knowledge about their product is 2 hours away. I know I can read reviews til I'm blue in the face but shouldn't I actually see the tv I want before I buy or just rely on reviews?

Personally I would, you might not like the bezel color or looks of the stand or the screen may be reflective and you prefer a matte screen and on and on.
I'm like you, small town with a wally world and a small Sears retailer, 120 miles away is a Best buy and a larger Sears which is not much of an improvement as far as choices go.
I try not to recommend brands as everyone has their own opinion of what's best.
I still believe if you buy a "brand" name set you will be pleased.
When you make your purchase, go to AVS, sign up, then search for your model and you should find many owners sharing their calibrated settings (some are done professionally while others will list personal settings that look good to them) then apply to your set and I think you will be pleased.
I bought my brand name 40"LCD set unseen (read reviews) two years ago and I am still blown away with HD picture and 1080p movies.
Check out Amazon, One Call and 6th Avenue Electronics, I've bought electronics from all three with excellent pricing and usually free shipping. Good luck!

[getstuff4less]

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  Sharp 52" 8 get this.
  
  
  
  Buy now then return/rebuy on Sat to avoid it being OOS and crowds.