Random 60: HD TV – The choices are endless! | Favorite on Viddler.
In the market for a new TV? You’ll be going HD. But what to buy? LCD? Plasma? DLP? How big? 30-something? 46? 47? 50? 50+? What about the hrz? 60? 120?
I don’t know about you, but the possibilities are exhausting!
What do you think? What is the best HDTV?
11 Comments
Well, it depends on a lot of factors, right? Room size, whether the room’s light or dark, and things like that. At least that’s what I’ve been reading while wishful-thinking about which one I’d get if the money was suddenly there. I like the idea of a 42-46 inch LCD for my house, and definitely 1080 and 720. But that’s as far as I’ve gotten. I’m not sure about brands. Curious to read what others have to say.
You are right about choosing a TV based on the room. Plasma tends to reflect a lot more, while LCD isn’t so bad. But there are also choices in both “refresh rates” (which is by the hertz) and the contrast the screen can show between black and white.
These are all factors!
Best possible is going to cost you a lot of money. Best with no budget? Pioneer Kuro plasma, hands down. However when on a budget I’d go with a Samsung plasma or LCD. A friend of mine just picked up a Samsung Series 5 1080p 50″ plasma at Best Buy for $1199. Great price and an unbelievable picture with Comcast HD, Xbox 360 and Blu-Ray.
I’m going to be looking into the Samsung you mention. Too good a price not to take a look.
Plasma has the best picture hands down, I know people are worried about burn in but I have had mine for over a year and never had any issues. (I don’t watch many stations with station images such as news stations with a ticker) I picked up a vizio for there competitive prices. Most television stations right now broadcast in either 720p or 1080i (not much in 1080p). Another option I was made aware of (I am sure there are a million) is contrast ratio, the greater the ratio the more vibrant the color. I picked up my vizio at sam’s club for $1400 that is a 50 inch plasma. We have been very happy with it. And it looks great with the PS3. Also has 2 HDMI inputs plus several rca inputs and a VGA input for the computer. Well that’s my two cents anyhow. Bottom line go out and look at a tv in action and be sure you happy with the picture quality.
Thanks for the input Alan. I’m definitely paying attention to contrast. I like nature programs and movies. And both of them usually demand a high contrast in order to be vivid.
Roar! Technology moves too fast! But I love it!
Alrighty, you have two options (as usual). Buy something right now, or wait.
Right now: I think Ben’s suggestions are pretty good; when I’m at an electronics store Pioneer and Fujitsu appear to be the best quality. Although, it all depends on the quality of the source going in to the television (cables included).
Wait a bit: My dad told me a month ago about the upcoming release of the Philips Cinema 21:9 HDTV. It’s an ‘ultra-wide’ TV that displays movies filmed in a 2.35 aspect ratio without any letterboxing. That’s all fine an dandy if you’re watching movies, but other video content in 16:9 or 4:3 will be pillarboxed and I’m not sure if that’s any improvement. Plus, when released, the Cinema 21:9 will be ~USD$5,000
Ranting about the future: Hopefully, there will soon be televisions that are flexible and stretchable to any size you want.
If you do end up getting an HDTV, I can’t wait to see how it works out for ya!
Thanks for the feedback, thoughts, and links Derek. I’m definitely not in the market to drop 5,000 on a television (even if I had it, I’d probably not want to). My “budget” is 1,200-1,800.
P.s. Here’s a commercial for the Philips Cinema 21:9 TV, as well as some more info about it in the description: http://go.viddler.com/4443cee7
I went with a DLP tv for a couple of reasons:
1. Most screen for the $. I bought 73″ Diamond Series Mitsubishi on sale for $1900.
2. The difference in picture quality isn’t going to be that big when you get it home. Plasmas and LCDs have amazing quality, but it’s not a huge difference from a good quality DLP. No matter what you end up with, it’s going to look awesome when you get it set up at home.
3. User replaceable parts. The DLP projection bulb is user replaceable. They’re a little pricey, but when compared to the very real problems Plasmas have with burn in and pixels burning out, it’s a drop in the bucket. If an LCD screen has problems you have to take it in.
Ultimately it’s like E. Christopher Clark said, it depends on what you really want out of your TV. More screen size may not be as important to you.
Personally, I would stay away from Plasma. The picture on the LCDs are really just as good (or very close) and you can get more TV for your dollar with and LCD.
If you decide to go DLP, I suggest Mitsubishi, Samsung or Sony. From what I researched, they have the best to offer.
Excellent suggestions Chris. I’m leaning towards LCD at the moment. Probably something around 47-52 inches. I have no need to go larger and I really want to mount it on the wall.
Thanks so much for your feedback.