$2,000 - this weekend

[navychop]

Or maybe next week. This is about what I have to spend on an HDTV, and my timeframe to spend it.

I'm looking for around 46"-50". It must be a flat screen, no RPTV, not even a DLP, as it will be mounted on a stand I already have for it. It will be in the master bedroom, replacing a 27" Sony Trinitron SDTV. Watched almost exclusively at night. I have my Onkyo receiver there and three speakers. Might make it 5.1 some day.

I'm leaning toward a Samsung A650 series, although I read ungood things about Samsung. I'm disinclined toward plasma. Must have a built in ATSC tuner (don't really need to say "ATSC" anymore, eh? ), and be 1080p (24p would be a nicety). I wonder if maybe I should go the cheap Vizio route and plan to more easily part with it within 5 years for something better and cheaper by then. But realistically, I figure it will be closer to 10 before OLED becomes cheap enough. Or MEMs.

Might buy B&M or online. Last HDTV I bought for MiL was from CC.

Same question that gets asked over and over again- which HDTV do you recommend?

 

[tigerfan33]

Navy.

I have the Sammy 52a650. It is still the best picture you can get for the money. ( IMO)
You can get it online for around 2 grand.


Most of the bugs that you have read about have been taken care of.

 

[jwgreen68]

Or maybe next week. This is about what I have to spend on an HDTV, and my timeframe to spend it.

I'm looking for around 46"-50". It must be a flat screen, no RPTV, not even a DLP, as it will be mounted on a stand I already have for it. It will be in the master bedroom, replacing a 27" Sony Trinitron SDTV. Watched almost exclusively at night. I have my Onkyo receiver there and three speakers. Might make it 5.1 some day.

I'm leaning toward a Samsung A650 series, although I read ungood things about Samsung. I'm disinclined toward plasma. Must have a built in ATSC tuner (don't really need to say "ATSC" anymore, eh? ), and be 1080p (24p would be a nicety). I wonder if maybe I should go the cheap Vizio route and plan to more easily part with it within 5 years for something better and cheaper by then. But realistically, I figure it will be closer to 10 before OLED becomes cheap enough. Or MEMs.

Might buy B&M or online. Last HDTV I bought for MiL was from CC.

Same question that gets asked over and over again- which HDTV do you recommend?

FWIW, I have a 48" Vizio and absolutely love it. It's full 1080p and I gave around 1500 for it.

 

[hbk409]

my uncle had the 42" vizio lcd he got about 2 weeks ago. all of a sudden he was getting red lines all over the screen. it took him four days of phone calls to vizio to finally get a local shop and they said it was the tv board and it would be about a week before they could get anyone there. he packed it back up returned it to costco and got the toshiba

 

[teachsac]

650 is pretty nice. However, since the 630's been released, the 650 has gone back up to 2199 B&M. I also like the Regza 550 line. If you have a Costco, they are running it at 1599. Saw it today while I was picking up my daily two gallons of milk. Need to get a cow. It also accepts and displays 24p correctly. I don't like Mit's LCD picture.

I absolutely love Hitachi's new X902 series, but that runs 3799. :

S~

 

[gadgtfreek]

If you want a plasma, the panny 85u is a great tv.

Its well priced on Amazon and it accepts a 24p input(changes it to 1080/60).

 

[navychop]

Going out the door now to shop. Took the day off for an appt that was later canceled. First stop: Costco.

 

[gadgtfreek]

Have fun, new tv is always exciting.

 

[DJ Rob]

After doing a few months of research, I bought the Samsung PN50A650 Plasma in June. Got it for about $1700 on amazon shipped. I think it has the best pic and features for anything under 2,500.

 

[gadgtfreek]

Several Panny owners would disagree. But its a great tv regardless.

 

[navychop]

It came down to the Samsung 52A650 (probably from Amazon) or the Toshiba 52RV53U from Costco.

Both have overly shiny bezels.
Samsung screen is a bit more reflective than the Toshiba.
Both have good black levels, with a slight nod to Samsung.
Toshiba refresh = 60, Samsung refresh = 120. I think this shows in masses of moving leaves.
PQ acceptable for both, but Samsung has a clear edge.
AFAIK, neither supports 24p. Tried calling Costco concierge to check, ended up giving him a primer on HDTVs.
I'd rather have the Toshiba brand name in my home than Samsung.
Samsung will cost about $200 more and be delivered- always a risk.
Samsung has an offer: Save $200.00 on Samsung BD-P1500 1080p Blu-Ray Player.
Samsung has an additional offer, which is probably worthless: Get $200.00 in Sports Collectibles from Mounted Memories with this mail-in rebate.

Looks like I'm about to buy the Samsung.

But everything is on hold until I hear from you guys:

I've never considered getting the BD-P1500. I'm waiting on the OPPO, and already have a PS3. But the net cost looks like it's only $80. Amazon offer. You think I should get it? Am I missing something? Misread?

 

[DJ Rob]

Are you looking at LCDs or Plasmas? With a Plasma, you are going to get a much better picture than LCD. And no lighter and darker spots since there's no backlight. My Samsung supports 24p. And plasmas are cheaper.

If you really want to get an LCD, do some googling on the 120hz vs. 60hz LCD. From what I read, it's still being perfected and not that big of a deal but YMV...

 

[teachsac]

Toshiba refresh = 60, Samsung refresh = 120. I think this shows in masses of moving leaves.
PQ acceptable for both, but Samsung has a clear edge.
AFAIK, neither supports 24p. Tried calling Costco concierge to check, ended up giving him a primer on HDTVs.


Looks like I'm about to buy the Samsung.

But everything is on hold until I hear from you guys:

I've never considered getting the BD-P1500. I'm waiting on the OPPO, and already have a PS3. But the net cost looks like it's only $80. Amazon offer. You think I should get it? Am I missing something? Misread?

Navy,

The a650 does support 24p. When using a PS3, or other native 24p source, turn AMP off. Your costco didn't have the regza 55? Bummer. It does, also.

Here's a good article on 120hz sets. The best I've seen is Hitachi's Reel 120.

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6449_7-6792632-1.html?tag=mncol;txt

Sorry, I would not recommend the 1500 BD player. Check out satinzko's posts and AVS. No fan and overheats.

S~

 

[navychop]

No, the only Regza there was the one I posted about. That's what I went to Costco to see. Big thanks on the 24p info for the Samsung. Now to read your link.

Yep. Read all that. Still checking fine print. If it really is only going to cost me $80, it's worth the risk.

Plasmas I looked at (1080p) weren't much different in price. All had highly reflective screens. All gave off a lot more heat than the LCDs. I don't care to deal with a break in period, even if it is only 100 hours. Burn in is no longer a great concern, but I'd rather do without it. In the bedroom, at least half my viewing will be 4x3 SD. And they're heavier. What if I later move it to my well lit rec room? PQ really didn't seem all that different, until you get up to the Kuro and top Pannys. That's way beyond my price range. This is a bedroom TV.

One last question- any input on how 4x3 SD looks on the Samsung 52A650?

 

[gadgtfreek]

I know you dont want a plasma, and I agree they are heavier, but heat is not really an issue with mine. Also, in a store reflectivity is worse, mine never gives me any grief during the day.

I guess at the end of the day, I want better blacks, and LCD's in the same price range just dont do it.

If you decide to look at amazon, this is the guy Id recommend:

Amazon.com: Panasonic Viera TH-50PZ800U 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV: Electronics

$1900

 

[navychop]

It appears the 1500 has a USB port, so if I go this route, I might plug in a USB powered laptop cooler like the one I have under my ViP722, and will add to the ViP722 I have on order. Maybe this will cool it enough to avoid some problems. I mean, for $80, how could I go wrong?

 

[gadgtfreek]

Actually, you could just get the thermaltake usb fan many of us use too.

I dont think you can go wrong for $80, I just disagree with your choice of tv

The site sponsor plasma concepts price aint bad either.

 

[teachsac]

Save more on Amazon with free shipping (1649) in the end vs. paying for the shipping.

Too bad on the Regza. 1999 on Amazon and 1599 at Costco.

Guess you can't go wrong for $80. But wait it doesn't internally decode DTS MAster and isn;t 2.0 compliant. Sorry couldn't resist

S~

 

[navychop]

 

[gadgtfreek]

OBSOLETE!