I'm probably going to keep this TV for a while, i don't mind spending more $ if it means better quality over a longer period of time. I think I can justify to the wifey anything between $800 and $1,200 no problem. Anything more than that and we're cutting into the budget for all the other expenses we are planning on incurring in the next couple of months (custom built closet organizer, that's her thing, i could care less, and then there's the dual pane windows we need to get, that is going to cost me...). I'll check out the two you recommend, thanks.
The XBR8 series is way out of your price range, at least at the size you want. The A950 is also out of your price range. For your budget, my recommendation is the [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-LN46A550-46-Inch-1080p-HDTV/dp/B0014175E8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1225234887&sr=1-1"]A550 series.[/ame] I have the 32'' version and love it. The 46'' version has a better panel than the 32'', has all the connection ports and inputs you'll need, and plenty of menu options for configuration, calibration, etc.
The Samsung seems to be the popular choice on here. It's probably a good thing I don't have the SUV today, or I'd be dropping by Sears to pick up one of those 550's. The one listed on slickdeals doesn't appear to be available in my area. I'm curious how Samsung compares to Sharp in that same price range? ($800 to $1,200). Someone I work with says she has a Sharp, after trying several different brands (testing Costco's return policy to the max), they went with a Sharp over Sony/Vizio/Panasonic in the same price range.
Sharp is a good brand, but the A550 is probably the best TV you can get in the price range you're talking about. Their only real competition, IMO, is Sony, and Sony is out of your price range.
Just when you thought I couldn't do anything more dumb... I completely go out and totally redeem myself... LOL... bought a 46 inch Panasonic plasma from Sears. I took a good look at comparing plasmas vs LCD's, and there really is no comparison for what I need, which is something my little tornadoes aren't going to break. Those plasma screens are made out of the same material as Nascar windshields. Plus, the contrast ratio is much much higher. I know, I didn't do any research online on the plasmas, and I recall perhaps issues in the past with burnout etc. But, that's why I got the three year extended warranty. Both of the guys that worked the department said they had Panasonic plasmas, and were totally envious that I was getting the 46 (one of them has a 42-1080 and the other has the 42-720) or so they said... oh the price? TV was $1399, stand was $219, EW was $400 plus, free delivery, 10% off... added up to around $2,000 including tax. More than I wanted to spend originally but I hope it's worth it in the end.
I know I will catch crap for this but here goes. I was just in Walmart bro the other day. They have a few TV's that are on the falling prices program and were already dirt cheap, so stop in and check them out. Also for HD receivers, Direct Tv will sell them to you for 99.00, and if you ask nicely they will put them on a three month payment plan for you. The NFL package will cost you more in HD. Also for 5.00 a month should your satellite go out of whack they will come in and reset it free of charge with the plan. Check on line as well for Tv's to save money brother. Best of luck on getting the new Tv.
Also on the cabling, with HD service it cannot piggy back the same line as the cable company. I just wanted to point that out as I went through two months of pain and service calls bro. I have basic cable for the Padre games.
Just read this review from Bestbuy online, which coincidentally has the price at $1,299... good thing Sears matches plus 10% of the difference, that's another $110 off:
Right choice. The best LCDs top out at 30,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, while plasmas routinely go 1,000,000:1. No comparison.
i also went with a plasma over an lcd a couple of months ago. its a 42" panasonic viera 1080p. i did some research and it didnt really get me anywhere to be honest. though i got the 1080p, i know i would have really been fine with the 720p. but i figured that with having a ps3, id just get the 1080p so i would never be left wondering if shouldnt have gotten it. standing in a store and looking at 50 TVs at once didnt help that much lol other than crossing off some of the bad ones. i read really positive things about panasonic plasmas and i just went for it. so far im very happy with it and would recommend it to anyone. i think i got pretty good value for my purchase. the only complaint i have is that the set can throw off some heat.
Yeah, value wise I probably should have gone with the 42, but I didn't want to be left wondering what might have been The 42 was on sale for only $999, a $400 difference between that and the 46. Then they had the 42 720 for only $799, which would have been much more practical... I guess I just wanted to leave room for me to grow into the 46.
Congrats! Great choice. I have a Panasonic Plasma as well and its a great TV. It was the highest rated flatscreen for it's size on CNET at the time I bought it. No complaints whatsoever.
good choice on the plasma go here for HDMI cables(didnt read the whole thread so not sure if you bought them already) For only $3.19 each when QTY 50+ purchased - HDMI 1.3a Category 2 Certified Cable 28AWG - 6ft w/Ferrite Cores (Gold Plated Connectors) - BLACK | 28AWG HDMI 1.3a Category 2 Certified Male to Male Cables
Very, very nice Paul, once you start feeding that baby high def you will puke whenever you are forced to watch something in 480i.
i hear ya lol. i had to stop somewhere lol. i still say you got good value on the 46 though. plasmas dont seem to get the attention but they are great sets if you get a good manufacturer. glad you went with one
How do you figure the bigger TV would be useless if you have less than 2.5 meters? I have less distance than that with a 50" Pansonic Plasma and trust me......it's not useless Explain please
It's basically about angular resolution. The bigger your TV set (especially in the case of plasma or LCD sets), the more distance you need for your eye to accurately process the information. If you have a 50 inch plasma and sit about one meter away, your eye can't properly distinguish objects/pixels, so you actually will get a better picture out of a 32 inch TV from that distance, even though it seems so much smaller. Plus, sitting too close in front of a TV set (especially in the case of a plasma or LCD again) significantly increases the chance to encounter nausia or headaches because your eye can't properly process the information. Basically, you wouldn't want to sit in the first row in a cinema, would you? There is a reason the most expensive seats are in the back. No offense, mate, but I trust physics just a little bit more than your personal impression
The problem being that quite a lot of those 1.000.000:1 claims were produced in a testing environment that bears little to no resemblance to an actual viewing experience. Personally, I'd be very wary of a claim like 1.000.000:1 - usually it's not a good - if any - indicator of the actual contrast ratio while watching TV.
I have a Pioneer, not a Kuro, I got mine before they came out with the Kuro and I love it. When I was checking around it had the best reviews so I got it.
Thanks, if ya read thru the whole thread you'll see that I did just as you suggested already. Well, I got the Panasonic, not the Kuro, I may be crazy but I'm not nuts...
A little update on the eventual HD upgrade with my DirecTv... Charge appears to be $199 for the new HDDVR unit, plus a $19.95 handling fee, she said the installation is essentially free other than those two costs. They then tack on $9.99 onto the monthly bill for the HD access. So, the question is, how much of this can I get knocked off if I B&M about the cost and threaten to switch to Dish Network? I'm planning on calling the installer back as the DirecTv rep didn't know a great deal about the specifics of the hardware upgrade. I believe we'll have a new dish installed and that it will replace the old dish (not be in addition to). When the installer was at my house originally, he said he'd have to put the new dish on our chimney as opposed to where the old dish is currently installed (back patio covering). I asked him why, but I forgot the reason. Anyone know why that would be?
