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TV Shopping Recommendations

Workdawg

Workdawg

NARWHAL
Well, the time has finally come to replace my TV. James' old one has done great as my primary TV for the past few year and is still going strong. The lack of HDMI inputs and the fact that it's a rear projection TV though, and making me wish to replace it. It takes up quite a bit of space.

I haven't bought a TV in a really long time, so I'm not totally up on all the new shit to look for. LCD/LED/Plasma, 240hz vs 120hz, etc.

The size is a pretty easy choice though, I have roughly 11' viewing distance, so I'm thinking probably 50-55" or so, depending mostly on the deal.

So, who's got some thoughts on this. Recommendations on good deals are also very welcome!

Oh, also... it's worth noting that our living room is very bright during the day. I've been reading that a matte screen on an LCD is better than the glass on a plasma in this case, which makes sense.

Picklz posted this one in the chatbox for me: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung...218173775639&skuId=9784144&st=LN55C&cp=1&lp=3
 
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Picklz

Picklz

SUDO Make me a SAMCH
Yeah that sammy is on sale at a pretty nice discount, very well received unit. Though it doesnt have some of the newfangled stuff (LED primarily), LED will save you some on power/heat generation and might improve blacks a touch, not sure if it is worth the price premium though.
 
D

DrWebster

Guest
I would definitely opt for something LED-backlit these days. In addition to the heat and power savings like Picklz said, they'll also last longer since they don't use high-voltage inverters or CCFL tubes that can burn out over time (like non-LED-backlit LCD panels use).
 
YSOSLO

YSOSLO

is the word, beotch
Here are the offerings for backlit LEDs at Costco, since quite a few of us on here have memberships, so we could help you buy one if you chose to go with one. You didn't mention a price point, so I've included 4 different brands all around the 50"+ range. There was only 1 3D TV option and the reviews from several different people around the country indicated that it has problems "turning off at random" so I left it out. I have no experience with backlit LED, so I can't speak from experience there, but I've heard great things from others about it, and that's probably the way I would go if money weren't an issue. If I was looking for a garage TV I'd probably pickup a $350 LCD from Dell (they go on sale a lot) and if money is more of an issue for you, I'd consider a DLP since you can get a 50-55" screen for around $800.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Produc..._Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Produc..._Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Produ..._Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Produc..._Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=
 
Workdawg

Workdawg

NARWHAL
Reviews on the Sammy at BB are saying that it's SUPER reflective. Looks more like a mirror than a TV. Bright room + reflective TV = DNW.
 
M

micahlarson

Guest
All I have to say is that I love my Samsung. I got a 7 series touch of color close to the size you are looking for about 2 maybe 3 years ago? whenever they were the top of the line for Samsung and it's still going strong eating up frame rates on COD and everything else I through at it.
 
Picklz

Picklz

SUDO Make me a SAMCH
There's usually an owners thread for most TV's over on AVS, might be worth a look to see what peoples there are saying, as they tend to be a bit more technical / knowledgeable than your average consumer review.
 
YSOSLO

YSOSLO

is the word, beotch
One of us can hook you up, or you could get a membership for $50 if it would be worth the savings on the TV plus get you deals on all sorts of other stuff. That's what Jay ended up doing when he wanted the low profile/high lift height jack quite a few of us have.
 
Workdawg

Workdawg

NARWHAL
Picklz and JT made me second guess spending 1600+tax on a TV... but it looks like the Samsung in the OP is gone now anyway.

I saw the 46" version of the Costco Sony at BB though, and woah boy does that picture look nice.

Still open to recommendations though.
 
M

micahlarson

Guest
careful about what they look like in the store.. check all the picture setttings.. usually they are running items that are meant to make the picture artificially better than normal.
 
Workdawg

Workdawg

NARWHAL
Sears has the 55hx800 on display (and asking 2699 for it, lol) and it had a demo of motorstorm on loop. Again, great picture... no motion blur I could discern. I stopped both at sears and at EP BB and neither had any other great deals. :(
 
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