Need help picking a new TV.

[old bear]

Well it finally happened, my 20 year old Zenith TV finally died, so I have to replace it asap. I don’t care for T.V. much and until right now have not paid any attention to the new technology.

So my question is what in the hell should I buy. I don’t want a big ole honking set either, just something to watch the news and the occasional ballgame.

Are there any brands to stay away from or any sleeper brands/deals out there?


Thanks All

 

[diamonback68]

Get a Samsung flat screen. Light and easy to hook up. You can get a 36" for less than $300 now.

 

[Maddog 521]

Consumer Reports is a good place to start.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I have Sony and Samsung. Samsung is better IMO.

For 40in and above, I would recommend LED, 1080p, 120hz and that it is a "smart" TV if you have a home network. Under 40in, 720p is fine.

Note: If you don't have HighDef cable or Satelite, it really doesn't matter what TV you buy as it isn't going to look very good anyway. Unless you live close enough to get HD over the air signal.

 

[old bear]

Consumer Reports is a good place to start.

Yes, it is. But I'm lazy and this place is much more fun than C.R. ever will be.

 

[DeathGrip]

Get a big one. You'll be happy.

 

[millisec]

Samsung. Had Samsung monitors and TV's for years. Only problem is even for a given size too many models and options. You really need to know what you want. For a run of the mill TV probably led, 60hz, and 720p for up to 32" and 1080p for larger. 120hz+ is nice for TV but you probably won't notice on smaller sets. The real reason for 120/240 was to support 3D movies (60/60 or 120/120) and it does help for smoother motion. If you don't have digital cable with set top box you probably will hate all of them. A lot of what's out there has crappy slow tuners and I hate the channel format as well as the boxed pic you will get from analog channels. Smart is nice but I prefer to keep the internet off my TV. If I want to watch Netflix (or other) streaming I have a bluray player to do that for me. Its bad enough my wife records soaps w/o also having internet on it.

 

[BillK01]

I've got a 55" Samsung F8000 led, a 46" Samsung led (forget model but it was cheap and has been replaced with something newer), a older 50" Panasonic plasma and a 42" Pioneer Elite plasma (which is in my garage).

Years ago Pioneer Elites were considered the holy grail of he TVs and to this day most people still compare even the new sets to them when it comes to picture quality.

I used to be a big tv nut but will say as much as I love that old Pioneer Elite I can find very few faults with either of my Samsungs.

I'd recommend a 46" at minimum and the Samsung UN46F6300 is a nice option. It can be had for less than 800 bucks and is true 120hz which helps with motion blur. I'd avoid 60hz sets or ones that advertise "clear motion 120" technology or whatever as they are 60hz using some manipulation to supposedly equal true 120hz sets. If 800 is too much or 46 is too big that same model is available in 32 and 40" versions for less money.

But trust me when I say - buy as big as you can afford. You'll always wish you'd have bought bigger no matter what.

Feel free to pm me with any questions you may have. I'm sort of out of the "latest greatest" but still know enough to be dangerous!

 

[WPWarhawk]

I just bought two new TVs when we moved here. The first piece of advice is to get an Amazon Prime account. Free shipping, and probably no sales tax.

Both TVs I bought were also available from Best Buy. I bought a 60 inch Sharp brand TV and saved about $400 over Best Buy's price. The other one is a smaller Panasonic, saved about $200 on it. No complaints about either one.

On the other end of the scale, I picked up an el cheapie Emerson TV at a pawn shop for $100 a couple of years ago. It's a dandy set.

All of these are LED flat screens.

 

[kozmic]

Just remember that most everything is broadcast in wide screen (16x9) aspect ratio now instead of the old 3x2. That makes the picture on a 32" widescreen seem much smaller than the "old style 32 inch tv". I wouldn't suggest 40" as a minimum (bigger is definitely better) and I agree with Phil on 720p up to 40" and 1080p beyond. 120hz will provide less "ghosting" in fast sports and action movie scenes.

I have lcd, led and plasma sets. All have merit and it becomes a matter of what works for you and your budget. All formats are very durable and dependable now.

As suggested Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, LG and others are pretty darn nice. Read up on brands and models on line and make a trip to the big box stores and specialty shops to get a feel for what fits the bill for you.
Read the Sunday paper flyers for sales. When all else fails, places like tigerdirect.com will gladly ship you one.

Prices are ridiculously low now and you can get a lot more for your money than even a few years ago.

Good luck!

 

[JcMack]

You can read the stuff on this link if you feel like it. Like what you're facing, I made the quantum leap from CRT to flatscreen about 6 months ago. You generally need a bigger flatscreen than you think.


TV sizes and viewing distance

 

[ditrina]

IMHO..
One word..

VIZIO..

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Samsung is a hot brand right now. Vizio is a comer and better than most of the others. I am watching a SONY right now.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I have purchased three flat screens in the last few years. I highly recommend going to a store and judging for yourself about screen size.

Next, do you want plasma, LCD, or LED? How far do you sit from your TV?

These are a few of the questions you will be asked when you go to the store.

According to Consumer Reports Samsung, LG, Sony, and Panasonic lead the way in almost all categories.

Also consider ease of use because they are all different. Newer TV's are capable of much more but you may not need or use those features. And you will also need a solid stable surface to put the TV. Or you can mount it to the wall. They can be heavy.

 

[vytoland]

if you have a Costco near, you may go in as a guest and browse around. it will give you an opportunity to see various makes, sizes, prices.

 

[gdnagle]

I agree with Kanewpadle go to Best Buy or some other electronics store and look and talk to the sales person. They will give you an Idea what might work for you. Then go internet shopping or store shopping for price. Depends on how soon you need it Black Friday deals will be coming soon. Extended warranties is a thought also or Square Trader. I get them both depending whichever is cheaper, usually ST because I get so many through them with 30% off coupons.

Stick with major manufacture TV's, Samsung, Sony, Hitachi, LG, and the list goes on. Right now I consider my best picture is our 55" Sony LED 3D TV, one beautiful picture. You will want to talk about light conditions as some are designed for darker rooms, but I have used them all in well lite rooms but the picture really comes out when the room darkens. We have Plasma, LCD, LED and by far the Sony LED has the best picture for us. Your mileage will vary.

 

[old bear]

Get a big one. You'll be happy.

You were referring to a T.V. right??

 

[KKECK5]

If your going to get a LED, spend a couple of more bucks and get the 240hz.....The 120hz tends to cause a slow and staggered picture with Action scenes and Sporting events.

 

[Pete99004]

I have a Sony and a Vizio and both are LED - the Sony has a better picture and is Internet ready for hardwire or wireless. My Visio is not set up for Internet but the new models may be different. That is a nice feature as you are able to get a lot of programing, music and movies for free from the Internet providers along with the fee companies such as Netflix and Amazon. It is fun on a quiet night to watch some YouTube on a big screen as an example. Many comments here regarding size are correct - stay above 32" and you will be happier in the long run with a larger screen, but don't get carried away, big screens when viewed close up can be grainy looking so measure your room to determine how close you will be sitting. Have fun shopping! Baseball is unreal on HD large screen - like your at the game with great seats!!

Pete

 

[speedyquad]

i second the vizio...my brohter bought one and i said he would regret it...2 years later i bought a 55"(picture was just/almost as good as the more expensive brands, with a much cheaper price tag)...and a year after that, i upgraded the one in the kids playroom...

you will need a bigger screen than your current tv to achieve comfortable watch...hd is not a must, but having, i cannot watch my mothers tv( also vizio, but with only analog channels).

i suggest this because you are not a "tv freak" that needs the absolute best picture...so cheaper will be better...


the only other brands i would consider would be sony, samsung, and toshiba..maybe an lg if it were a really good sale...