Buying a Big Screen TV

[Geekyfanboy]

Well it's that time.. my Big Screen rear projected TV went out and the part needed to fix it is no longer available.. so it looks like I'm going to be buying a new TV.. I want one that is bigger then 50" but I need some help with the details.. I know 1080p is the best.. can anyone suggest other details I should be looking for when searching for a TV.. or maybe you have an awesome TV and can let me know what type it is... any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[Rico]

So many choices really Kenny.  I of course love my Sony, 60" LCD rear projection that I got about a year ago.  Tons of good ones out there.  Here are a few things I'd watch for and think about:

- First, know how much you want to spend
- How big do you want and can fit into your place?
- 1080p is pretty much a must in my opinion
- Watch for number of HDMI inputs (I wouldn't get one with less than 2.  Three is even better.)

Then it just comes down to brand, type etc.  Plasma is great but a bit more expensive than LCD.  Personally I prefer name brands like:  Sony, Pioneer, Toshiba, Mitsubishi.

Shop around and if you buy from a store dicker on the price.  When I got mine last year at Best Buy I brought in a printout from an online store price and they matched it.  Saved me several hundred dollars.  Do your legwork online and try and know a couple models you like before you go to the store.

Enjoy the shopping!

[Bryancd]

And be happy you are a late adopter! Prices have fallen so much over the past two years. I still need to get one myself but I am glad I didn't drop $5000 for a 42" plasma 3 years ago when they are now $1500-$2000.

[X]

Actually, I'm going to go against the pack and suggest you find something in CRT or projection. While they are larger than LCD and plasma, they are actually more energy efficient than LCD (about twice as efficent) or plasma (about 3 times effcient) for the same size.

I don't know how green you want to be, but if it's a factor:

http://www.evliving.com/2008/07/14/854/energy-consumption/

Green saves green when it comes to TVs these days.

[Rico]

Actually if you read my post you will see I said I have an LCD Rear projection set.  Energy efficient and a lot of TV (60" & 1080p) for the buck!

[X]

I saw you said that, but I don't know the difference between LCD projection and the other type. Is there a difference power or display wise?

[Geekyfanboy]

hmmm so many choices.. what do you guys think of this one.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=9252216#Item+Description

[metron07]

Kenny,

Have two links I hope will help you.

First a link to the HTguys.com site which is the best site / podcast about home theater. Read the show notes and maybe you would like to listen to that show.
http://www.htguys.com/archive/2008/January22.html

Second is a link I got from another one of their other shows talking about the buying process.
http://www.electronichouse.com/article/10_tips_for_haggling_retailers/
The link above is not working right now but it was an hour ago. Check it every now an again as it is great advice.

I'm hoping these will better prepare you,

Metron

[Rico]

Well, there are several differences.  But I don't want to divert Kenny's thread too far.  Also, standard old CRT is getting harder to find.  I really wouldn't go that route these days.  And typically projection requires a certain amount of space and very little light.

But again lots of choices Kenny.

[Rico]

hmmm so many choices.. what do you guys think of this one.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=9252216#Item+Description

Looks pretty good Kenny - the specs seem fine but I don't know that brand as well as others.  I'd try and find some online reviews of it.

[metron07]

Excerpt of the Article from the HT guys site.
The Death of Rear Projection TVs
So it's down to two: Samsung and Mitsubishi. Both have always been very solid selections in the micro-display market, so it's not like we're left with two bad choices. But what is a consumer to do? Right now, if you're looking to buy a new HDTV, do you pick up a big rear projection unit, even though you know the technology will be extinct by the end of the decade, or do you go a little smaller and buy a plasma or flat LCD to make sure you have something that will be around for a while longer. Or perhaps, you do the unthinkable and you decide to just wait it out to let the dust settle. Maybe if it's your second HDTV that's OK, but if you aren't enjoying HDTV, you absolutely must buy something. We recommend:

1. Consider your budget. Know how much you can spend. Use it all.
2. Consider the room. Do you have the extra depth you need for a rear projection, or is wall amounting a big deal? How big should the screen itself be?

Those two questions should make the decision on which TV is right for you. For example, if your budget is around $1500 you're probably looking at a 61" rear projection or a 50" plasma (42" if you want to step up to a Kuro), and 42" LCD. If your budget is $2500 you can scale up to a 73" Mitsubishi DLP, get a 60" plasma or a 52" LCD.

In our minds, the rear projection sets are still great TVs. Between the two of us, we own three, and will be getting really good use out of them for years - even after they stop being sold at our store. While there may be a bunch of consumers who bought early CRT and RP LCDHDTVs who wish they would have waited a little while longer, the technology is far enough along now that you should be able to confidently purchase a micro display TV without any remorse.

Of course, a week or two after we say this one of the remaining companies will probably announce their intention to exit the market, but that's just how it goes some times...

[Geekyfanboy]

Oh man.. this is going to be really tough.. here is another one that is a bit cheaper then the last one  looked at and has a PC interface.

http://www.htguys.com/shop.php?id=B000UN914I

[metron07]

Now your talking! The Aquos is a very nice unit. I've seen it in a local store and it looks great! Good middle price range.

The site about haggling price seems to be down at the moment. But listen to their podcast that discusses it http://www.htguys.com/archive/2008/July11.html

Good luck Kenny, like everyone is saying, lots of choices, most you should be happy with after having a older RSP unit, just make sure it give you what you need in features and will serve you in the future. Ara, and Braden's podcast is great coaching in those areas as they have done a lot of research for you already.

Hope this helps!
Metron

[Geekyfanboy]

Found the Aquos 52" even cheaper then the one before... only $1399.99

Has anyone seen one of these TV's.. my biggest concern is viewing it from the side.. alot of these TV's go dark when you view from the side. I guess I'll need to go to best buy and check one out first. Actually I may do that first.. go to Best Buy and see what they have and then go online and see if I can find a better price.

Thanks everyone for your help.

[X]

Oh man.. this is going to be really tough.. here is another one that is a bit cheaper then the last one  looked at and has a PC interface.

http://www.htguys.com/shop.php?id=B000UN914I

Hey Kenny, my father actually has that Sharp. He likes it but it's only one of three that he bought at the time. He also got the 62. It's a good unit.

Here is one that is pretty nice on the cost and the features.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8753734&type=product&id=1202649765525

I have the best buy store brand and it works great. Here is one that you might like:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8796387&type=product&id=1205538043295

The thing with the store brand is that 90% are made by the big manufacturers, but you get a cost break because it has the store brand name.