Need help picking a new TV.

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I might have used the wrong term for that 19 inch but--it was a flat screen made by Toshiba and it also had a built in DvD player (left side of set) and was priced at $250.00 and being sold at Fry's Electronics in Austin. In fact, if I also remember it correctly, the screen itself was slightly curved??/

If it wasn't curved that was a flat screen CRT, not a flat panel like what we are talking about. Before the transition to flat panel TVs like plasma and LCD/LED, some manufactures were putting out flat screen CRT. It was just like a regular TV but the screen was flat. I had a Sony 36'' flat screen before I replaced it with a new Sony flat panel LED. The flat screen was something like 4in thick. It weighed a ton.

 

[sipowicz]

I bought a 52" flat screen LG from Walmart for under 600 delivered...

 

[venomballistics]

A 19'' TV? I don't believe I've ever seen a plasma TV that small. I think the smallest I have ever seen was 32'', but they are usually 40in and above. For small screens none of the above matters much anyway. The one thing I would pay attention to is viewing angle. Cheap small LCD screens, particularly matte, can be horrible to watch off axis. I've got an Insigna 24in 1080p in the kitchen that doubles as a computer monitor. Get a few degrees off axis and the picture really sucks.

well we are kinda getting into the aspect ratio thing too
His dead set is of the old school where 19" was enough.
now that the aspect ratio changed .. 19" is a postage stamp.
I suspect he'll be needing something 32 - 40" ... somewhere in there is the basic equivalent of the old school 19"

 

[sipowicz]

You might want to look into buying a Smith&Wesson forum TV. It is a black and white 19" with rabbit ears that only gets Texaco Star theater, Gunsmoke and The Rifleman.

 

[snake803]

IMHO..
One word..

VIZIO..

+1,+1,+1...
JIM.........................

 

[gregintenn]

I have two LGs, and so far I'm happy with both. The larger one is a smart TV. With it, you can surf the internet. That isn't all that great, but it makes using Netflix very nice.

 

[Comrad]

What's your budget, that's going to determine what you get. Just remember the golden rule, cheap is not good and good is not cheap.
Buy the best you can afford. As another poster mentioned, get a 240Hz LED. You're going to get options you probably don't want so don't get too hung up on wireless internet or 3D unless you're into that stuff.
I'm a big fan of Sony, never had a problem with them. Pay attention to sound quality, it's not easy to get good quality sound out of a flat screen with tiny speakers but the good ones can do it. Another big gripe is the frame around the screen. Some are very high gloss black and will reflect every light in the room back at you while watching and it's not a pleasant viewing experience, find a small boarder in a flat finish.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

well we are kinda getting into the aspect ratio thing too
His dead set is of the old school where 19" was enough.
now that the aspect ratio changed .. 19" is a postage stamp.
I suspect he'll be needing something 32 - 40" ... somewhere in there is the basic equivalent of the old school 19"

Right. When my old 36'' TV busted I figured a 46'' widescreen would be a big jump. It really wasn't.

 

[ladder13]

I 2nd 3rd or whatever Samsung LED. They have incredible color and picture quality. You'll be happy.

 

[lanceman193]

Another + for Vizio

Two years ago I bought a 55 inch High Def Vizio LED with 240 HZ. I bought it at costco so it had a 2 year warranty already, but I was willing to get an American Express Card so AMEX extended the warranty to 3 years. My Vizio still has the best pic I have ever seen. I am disabled and watch way too much TV.

 

[johngalt]

Too bad Panasonic is giving up on plasma, they used to be the best (after Pioneer quit). I have a Pioneer Elite that is many years old, its picture is still perfect. Plasma still has the best, most life-like picture. It's most significant disadvantage is it doesn't do as we'll in a bright room.

 

[therevjay]

We have a 32" Samsung LCD and are happy with it. (small living room) But those who say a modern flat screen (plasma, LED, LCD, whatever) looks smaller then a old CRT are right.

The best idea is go to a store and look at all of them. Then pick the one you like best. Most all are pretty reliable now days.

One thing I noticed when we were shopping. If the screen size is smaller then say 42" or more, contrast ratio makes a much bigger difference then # of pixels in picture quality.