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Thinking of buying a new TV

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So I'm changing around my entire TV room (and bedroom) right now, and after moving everything around, my 27 inch TV is going to be a lot further away from the couch than it used to be. So I figured I might as well get a bigger TV.

Problem is, I know next to nothing about what makes a TV good and what makes one bad. I'm looking to spend inbetween $700 (or less) and $1500 CDN, so I'm not aiming for anything really nice like a VEGA or Plasma screen or anything. I just want a bigger TV (which would PREFERABLY be HDTV compatable, but doesn't HAVE to be). I want the TV to be at least 32 inches, but hopefully bigger.

Is there anything (or anywhere to buy) that any of you techheads could recommend?
 

bjork

Member
Steer clear of Philips. Guy I know has bought two large ones, like 36 and 43? Something like that... anyway, they've both had this same problem of a vertical stripe in the picture that's like a reversed negative image of what's happening on the show. First tv had it on the left, second on the right, so I dunno.
 

Culex

Banned
Mike Works said:
Any chance of listing some that fit my ideals?

For 700 dollars or less, you won't find one that fits your standards :)

I wouldn't waste my money for an EDTV, though. Just go out and spend the money on an HDTV.

Just for an example, at circuit city, they have a few deals on these 32" HDTV's

Panasonic

Samsung
 
Culex said:
For 700 dollars or less, you won't find one that fits your standards :)
I said 700 - 1500. I just added the "or less" because I didn't want someone to not post a great deal because the TV was only $650 or something.
 

Culex

Banned
Mike Works said:
I said 700 - 1500. I just added the "or less" because I didn't want someone to not post a great deal because the TV was only $650 or something.

You looking for a brick-and-mortor place or online?

You can keep your eyes peeled for good deals at Pricewatch
 

Culex

Banned
Flat screen TV's are more expensive because it's a different type of tube tech altogether. Picture quality is vastly improved over regular tube TV's.
 
Interesting. The main reason I want a bigger TV is because I'm adding a chair to my TV room (used to be just a couch) and moving the TV to the back of the room, so it's not that great watching the TV from the far side of the couch. So I'd much rather have a lower quality 32 inch TV than a higher quality 20 inch TV.
 

Culex

Banned
Mike Works said:
Interesting. The main reason I want a bigger TV is because I'm adding a chair to my TV room (used to be just a couch) and moving the TV to the back of the room, so it's not that great watching the TV from the far side of the couch. So I'd much rather have a lower quality 32 inch TV than a higher quality 20 inch TV.

I wouldn't take anything less than a flatscreen TV then.

Do you plan on watching DVD's with it? If so, get at least an EDTV, which supports 480p. Throw in a console and some component cables, and you're all set.
 

Memles

Member
I'd love to consult, but the only TVs I've been dragged along to look at are the 34" Sony Wega HDTVs that range from $2300 to $3000 that my father is insistent on having despite their insane cost...and the fact that he owns like ONE DVD to watch on them, and it's freakin' Top Gun.

But enough about that little mid-life crisis. I can vouch for Flat Screen Televisions; I have a 20" Panasonic Flat Screen in my Dorm Room, it's an awesome TV. Stuff just looks great on it compared to a Tube television.

For (limited amounts of) TV Reviews, check out CNet.
 
Yeah, I watch TV, movies, and play games all on the same TV.

I've currently got a normal 27" TV with a Yamaha receiver (2 side, 1 front speaker). I use my XBox to play DVD's.
 

Poody

What program do you use to photoshop a picture?
Samsung for Price/Performance and rich picture quality. I got the TX-P2675WH 26" widescreen and it rocks. I woulda gotten the 30" if it could fit in my room. However the 26" is not small at all no matter what people make you believe.
 

Lil' Dice

Banned
My advice would be to wait and save up a couple of hundred dollars more. That way you can ge yourself a ste you'll enjoy for years to come.
I have a 42" Samsung RP-HDTV and i love it. I also got it for $700 of retail from Sears, but i see you're from Canada.......
 
Lil' Dice said:
My advice would be to wait and save up a couple of hundred dollars more. That way you can ge yourself a ste you'll enjoy for years to come.
I have a 42" Samsung RP-HDTV and i love it. I also got it for $700 of retail from Sears, but i see you're from Canada.......
We have SEARS up here, and a 42" HDTV ready Samsung for $700 (which is only $850CDN, thus well within my budget)?? When did you get this?
 

AlphaSnake

...and that, kids, was the first time I sucked a dick for crack
I've always stood by Sony TVs more than any others. We have 3 Sony TVs here in the house, one five years old, another 7, another 2 -- all of them are fantastic. My uncle's had the same 37'' trinitron for 6 years and hasn't had a problem with it. My brother's got a little 27'' inch in his game room and it's great, as well. I definitely recommend you look into Sony, their TVs just last too damn long.
 

spliced

Member
Flat screens also reduce glare.

The $785 and $900 Sony TVs you linked to are the same product.

I have a 5-6 year old 27 inch Sony and I love it, but if you can get a 42" Samsung anything close to $850 I'd jump on that in a heartbeat.
 

Lil' Dice

Banned
Mike Works said:
We have SEARS up here, and a 42" HDTV ready Samsung for $700 (which is only $850CDN, thus well within my budget)?? When did you get this?

There's a typo in my post, i meant $700 off retail, meaning i paid $1000.
Sears has an outlet warehouse where they sell slightly damaged appliances, i ran across this unit that had been refused by the buyer upon delivery. Since it had been taken out of the box they couldn't sell it for retail. The unit still had it's remote in it's plastic bag.
I also bought a 3-year extended warranty for $150.
see if Sears has one of these warehouses in your area, i'm sure they would.
This was over a year and a half ago....
 

WordofGod

Banned
I just bought this Samsung HDTV for $957.77 which normally sells for $1199:

Samsung TX-P3076WH 30" Wide Multi Memory Series DynaFlat™ HDTV W/ Built-In HD Tuner

hypeaudio_1825_29542204


Product Description

http://product.samsung.com/cgi-bin/nabc/product/b2c_product_detail.jsp?prod_id=TXP3076WHX%2fXAA

TV/Video
Buit-in HD/Digital Tuner (ATSC/QAM/NTSC)-Tunes & processes 720p, 1080i and 480i signals
16:9 Wide Screen Aspect Ratio
Wiselink™ Multi memory slots (5 into 4) for Play Back of JPG Photo files from Digital Cameras & MP3 Music files
Native Resolution 1080i/480p
Dual HD Supports 720p and 1080i HD Signals
DynaFlat™HD Anti-Distortion, Anti-Glare Flat Picture Tube
Finer Pixel Dot Pitch Flat CRT Improves Picture Resolution and Brightness
Samsung's DNIe
Pro Picture 3-Stage Video Correction
Total DSP (Digital Signal Processing) Analog to Digital Signal Enhanced
ProChip Plus Converts all analog signals to flicker-free progressive scan
8 Bit 20 MHz 3D Y/C Comb Filter
Velocity Scan Modulation Improves Edge Detail
3:2 Pulldown Film to Video Frame Rate Correction
Check HDTV Reception with a Built-in Digital Signal Strength meter
Convenient Front Panel Control Key Buttons for Accessing Menu Settings Without the Remote
Universal Remote Control
Easy Navigation with Translucent On-Screen Display
Screen Filling Modes & Vertical Compression for Anamorphic DVDs
Digital Program Guide (where available)

Audio Features
20-Watt Side Speaker Audio System with Sound Presets & Adjustable EQ
BBE High Definition Sound Processing

The Samsung TX-P3076WH 30" widescreen (16:9 aspect ratio) HDTV is ideal for viewing DVDs, HDTV broadcasts, and your favorite photos. The TX-P3075WH meets the 2005 FCC guidelines for an integrated digital tuner. Free over the air high definition signals can be tuned and HD can be displayed from an equipped HD cable or satellite set top box. The TX-P3076WH Wiselink™ System can display JPG image files and MP3 music files from five different kinds of multi memory cards.

This HDTV features DNIe which is one of the reasons I wanted this model and none other models didn't have. Check it out:

http://product.samsung.com/dnie/

Here is a link to the brochure:

http://product.samsung.com/pdf/SamsungHDTV.pdf

It really explains the differences between all 4 models.
 

Phoenix

Member
Sony and Panasonic have great models in your price range. The Panasonic Tau Series has a nice sharp image but has severe problems in low light scenes, being overly dark even when brightness is full. The Sony's are above average. They get the colors right, the low light reproduction is excellent, but its image clarity isn't the same as the Panasonics. The Samsungs are decent and cheap, but unfortunately the picture is a bit muddy.
 

aerofx

Member
WordofGod said:
I just bought this Samsung HDTV for $957.77 which normally sells for $1199:

Samsung TX-P3076WH 30" Wide Multi Memory Series DynaFlat™ HDTV W/ Built-In HD Tuner

hypeaudio_1825_29542204


Product Description

http://product.samsung.com/cgi-bin/nabc/product/b2c_product_detail.jsp?prod_id=TXP3076WHX%2fXAA

TV/Video
Buit-in HD/Digital Tuner (ATSC/QAM/NTSC)-Tunes & processes 720p, 1080i and 480i signals
16:9 Wide Screen Aspect Ratio
Wiselink™ Multi memory slots (5 into 4) for Play Back of JPG Photo files from Digital Cameras & MP3 Music files
Native Resolution 1080i/480p
Dual HD Supports 720p and 1080i HD Signals
DynaFlat™HD Anti-Distortion, Anti-Glare Flat Picture Tube
Finer Pixel Dot Pitch Flat CRT Improves Picture Resolution and Brightness
Samsung's DNIe
Pro Picture 3-Stage Video Correction
Total DSP (Digital Signal Processing) Analog to Digital Signal Enhanced
ProChip Plus Converts all analog signals to flicker-free progressive scan
8 Bit 20 MHz 3D Y/C Comb Filter
Velocity Scan Modulation Improves Edge Detail
3:2 Pulldown Film to Video Frame Rate Correction
Check HDTV Reception with a Built-in Digital Signal Strength meter
Convenient Front Panel Control Key Buttons for Accessing Menu Settings Without the Remote
Universal Remote Control
Easy Navigation with Translucent On-Screen Display
Screen Filling Modes & Vertical Compression for Anamorphic DVDs
Digital Program Guide (where available)

Audio Features
20-Watt Side Speaker Audio System with Sound Presets & Adjustable EQ
BBE High Definition Sound Processing

The Samsung TX-P3076WH 30" widescreen (16:9 aspect ratio) HDTV is ideal for viewing DVDs, HDTV broadcasts, and your favorite photos. The TX-P3075WH meets the 2005 FCC guidelines for an integrated digital tuner. Free over the air high definition signals can be tuned and HD can be displayed from an equipped HD cable or satellite set top box. The TX-P3076WH Wiselink™ System can display JPG image files and MP3 music files from five different kinds of multi memory cards.

This HDTV features DNIe which is one of the reasons I wanted this model and none other models didn't have. Check it out:

http://product.samsung.com/dnie/

Here is a link to the brochure:

http://product.samsung.com/pdf/SamsungHDTV.pdf

It really explains the differences between all 4 models.

How come theres no 480p? Only says 480i otherwise that TV is great, might look into it.
 

DCX

DCX
aerofx said:
How come theres no 480p? Only says 480i otherwise that TV is great, might look into it.
I'm assuming it has a pro scan mode which turns all 480i signals to progressive anyway.

DCX
 

aerofx

Member
DCX said:
I'm assuming it has a pro scan mode which turns all 480i signals to progressive anyway.

DCX

You sure? How can we confirm this? I don't want to play on some blurry interlaced shit, I want progressive.
 

Hollywood

Banned
According to the instruction manual warning, you want to play games on the smallest TV possible, so I recommend a 13 inch color TV. Also take breaks every hour playing.
 
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