[poll] New TV

InMyCrosshair[Eureka

InMyCrosshair[Eureka

Rookie
Hey guys...so I just graduated from college and my parents are going to buy me a new TV for my apartment in SF! My budget is in the range of $1500 and I am trying to get some advice on a few things.

1) LCD or Plasma
2) Size (I am thinking 37 or 42 inch)
3) Brand (I am usually the type who will take much smaller but higher quality)

I've been doing some shopping around and right now my highest choice is this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889213006
It is a 42 inch Pioneer plasma for those of you who are too lazy to look :)

So - Any suggestions on any of these things or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the help.
 
LCD's ... Samsung or Sony (Samsung makes the LCD panels for Sony anyway). Try to get a 1080p set at all costs... they are the highest res screens on the market and are the most future-proof of the bunch.

Plasma's ... Pioneer is awesome but usually overpriced, Panasonic has amazing panels and does exceptional in consumer reports, and finally Samsung and LG are great picks as well. Unfortunately there arent any 1080p Plasma panels smaller than 50" and nothing of good quality under $2400-ish.

Samsung LN-T4061F 40" 1080p LCD: $1535.55 - Shipped From AbesofMaine.com (awesome place I get tv's from there alot!) Goes for around $1800 (w/out ship) from BestBuy & CircuitCity

LINK:[link=hyperlink url]http://www.abesofmaine.com/item.do?item=SSLNT4061F&id=SSLNT4061F&l=PRICEGRABB[/link]

The Panasonic TH-42PX77U 42" 720p Plasma has a very unique anti-glare screen... all other plasma tv's have a reflective plex-glass screen. Its pretty innovative in terms of plasma tv's not to mention the color reproduction on that set is pretty close to the Pioneer's. You can find it now online for sub $1400 with shipping.

Any other questions I can definitely help you out... I've sold electronics, tv's, home theatre's ect for years, so just ask away.
 
Thanks so much for the help. Did you check out the one I have linked? It is a 42 pioneer plasma for 1299.00. It does 1080i and virtual scaling to 1080p. The thing for me is that I don't the money to and don't plan on upgrading to HD DVD or BR any time soon. As of now it will be hooked up to a Harman/Kardon AVR 430 receiver (does NOT support HDMI) running tannoy speakers, with a H/K DVD player that will upscale to 720P I believe. I guess basically what I am saying is I have good equipment, but no money to upgrade to HD equipment any time soon. Also, let me know if you think getting 1080P is worth it, but I am the type that usually would have a high end 1080i or 720p set rather than an entry level 1080p....anyways, thanks again for the help so far.
 
Well that Pioneer you listed is a pretty good plasma set... but the deal is that most 42" plasmas only have 1024x768 resolution. Even though that set can accept a 1080i and 1080p/24hz** input doesnt mean that it can display every pixel... it has to scale the picture down from its 1920x1080 res to fit into the panel's physical pixels causing a loss in detail and clarity. So even your standard 1080i TV broadcasts will be much sharper and clearer with a 1080p set.

** cannot accept the more common 1080p/60hz

Even though you may not be planning on upgrading anytime soon doesnt mean you wont be down the road... hell considering that most TV broadcasts will be in HD by 2011 (FCC regulation) and that Blu-Ray/HD-DVD players will drop to $100 - $200 come mid-late '08. Its not that much of a stretch especially once you own your TV after awhile you'll crave more HD shit.

I wouldnt say that Samsung LCD I suggested is anywhere near entry level... Samsung LCD panels are the best in the biz. I absolutely think going for the 1080p is worth it... sure you may not be using the full capability of the set for a little while but you need to remeber that 1080i and 1080p video are both displayed in 1920x1080 pixels giving you a perfect 1:1 ratio (1 physical pixel for ever 1 video pixel) which creates the sharpest picture possible.

I personally own a 42" plasma myself but I've had it since 1080p sets were running $3,000+... I love the picture quality on it. Plasmas are tough to beat when it comes to black levels and color but these newer LCD's are very close if not a little better. Plus I'd love to have an anti-glare screen, sometimes the reflection is a bit noticable but not as bad as the old tube tv's.

Overall, you cant really lose... its really what fits you better.
 
Oh I typed up some quick spec comparisons... they dont mean too much, the best thing is to see the set in action but this might help.

The Pioneer PDP-4270HD | The Samsung LN-T4061F

_____1024x768p_______|____1920x1080p______
_1080i/p, 720p, 480i/p__|__1080i/p, 720p, 480i/p_
____2 HDMI (v1.2)______|___3 HDMI (v1.3)______
___3 Component Jacks___|___2 Component Jacks___
__160 Degree Viewing___ | __178 Degree Viewing___
______Glass Screen_____|___Anti-Glare Screen_____
_3000:1 Contrast Ratio__ | ___10,000:1 Contrast Ratio ___


------------------------BOTH-------------------------
______Digital Optical & Stereo RCA Audio Outs *_____
____________ 2 S-Video, 1 USB Host_____________
__2 RF Coaxial Connection (NTSC/ATSC - Digital)___
____________1 PC (VGA) Input **____________

(Contrast Ratio = Deeper Blacks - Brighter Whites)

*Great for when you use (single or multiple) HDMI or ATSC (digital RF)... its makes for easy digital 5.1 hookup to your HK reciever
**Be careful to use a plasma tv as a computer monitor, very prone to burn-in over extended (6-8 hours+) periods of static images.
 
That makes more sense. I'm going to see if my parents can stretch the budget to fit a 1080p set then I'll go from there, and I have always had great luck with Samsung products, they were second on my list if I couldn't make a Pioneer happen. I do not have to make a decision until September (when I am moving), so I will sit around and hope for some price drops. Thanks for the help and I will be sure to PM you before I make a final decision.
 
Hey man--hope you enjoy living in the city (with our ludicrous rent prices)..

What is your time frame? I ask because samsung and sony are opening their joint lcd plant soon and will be rolling out new screens ~by the end of summer/holiday season. Samsung will have their new 81 series which is supposedly head's and shoulders above anything out right now (massive increase in contrast/black levels etc.)

Point being---currently priced lcd's will have massive price cuts and would be worth waiting for..

If you can't wait---go sammy for sure.
 
specs mean nothing if the picture is crap. i have been most impressed with the sharp aquos

[link=http://www.sharpusa.com/products/AQUOS/]CLICKEE HERE![/link]
 
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