TV buying advice

[jimmyrules712]

I'm looking at buying a new tv, my ideal price range is around $1,000. From what I've seen I can get a pretty good 42 inch LCD for around that price.

Any recomendations on brands, specs, etc.? I've never bought an HD TV before.

[Alexander]

I would check out Tiger Direct (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_tlc.asp?CatId=37&name=LCD-TVs-HDTV-TV-Plasma-TVs-DLP-TV) just to see what they have going on. I've gotten thousands of dollars of tech from them over the years, they're awesome.

[dturner]

Check this (http://reviews.cnet.com/tvs/?tag=dffl1_5&filter=100021_9231542_) out before you buy.

[iCafe]

i got this tv a few months ago
it was 1300 dollars after tax
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8753743&type=product&id=1202649765592

i love it and it works great!! 1080p

[MileHighRob]

I would check out Tiger Direct (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_tlc.asp?CatId=37&name=LCD-TVs-HDTV-TV-Plasma-TVs-DLP-TV) just to see what they have going on. I've gotten thousands of dollars of tech from them over the years, they're awesome.
I am also a fan of Tiger Direct. Great company.

Something else you may want to do is research all you can until you find the make and model you'd like. Then use one of the shopping search engines such as PriceWatch.com or PriceGrabber.com (both great for electronic purchases). Just type in the model # and you'll get a listing of various stores that sell the model you're looking for and their retail and shipping costs. Great tool to use when you're trying to get the most for your money.

[Tex]

Get a Plasma. Better picture quality. Brighter colors, truer blacks, and you can see it from all angles. LCDs are nice, but the picture quality next to a plasma makes it 2nd best. But I got a deal on a 50" Plasma (retailed for 3K, got it on sale at Circuit City for 1.6K). If it wasn't for that sale, I would probably have an LCD TV.

[Tex]

Brand - I recommend Samsung. I love my Samsung. Panasonic is also good. Sony too, but you pay more b/c of the name usually. Price around. Do not go for a cheap just to get one. GO with a brand name, and do research online before buying. I took 3 or 4 trips to the store, researching 3 different HDTVs before I made my decision.

[FlwrPwer]

I agree with Tex. Plasma is better, especially after they've been calibrated, which mine has not cause I can't afford it currently.

I went through the whole LCD vs. Plasma thing and I figured, if I'm spending all the money on a T.V. I wanted the best.

I got a 42" Panasonic Plasma T.V. for about $1700. I could've gotten a better deal other places, i know, but Best Buy was offering 3 years financing. I couldn't pass that up :wink:

[Iceblinkluck]

If you want a great tv try samsung 40650A. Amazon has them on sale for around 1350. this is a 1900 dollar tv with 120 Hz refresh rate. The picture is phenomenal.

[iCafe]

I agree with Tex. Plasma is better, especially after they've been calibrated, which mine has not cause I can't afford it currently.

I went through the whole LCD vs. Plasma thing and I figured, if I'm spending all the money on a T.V. I wanted the best.

I got a 42" Panasonic Plasma T.V. for about $1700. I could've gotten a better deal other places, i know, but Best Buy was offering 3 years financing. I couldn't pass that up :wink:
what model tv do you have, i may be able to find you a calibration guide

[Tex]

I'd like to know if you can recommend anything for mine...I did a partial attempt at calibrating myself, but probably not the best....plus, with a new move looming, I will need to re-calibrate in its new environment.

Samsung FPT5084, 50", 1080p,

[FlwrPwer]

what model tv do you have, i may be able to find you a calibration guide

I'm not sure....I'll have to check on this.

I'll get back to you....and thanks! :smile:

[smknSRT8]

How do you calibrate a Tv?

[FlwrPwer]

How do you calibrate a Tv?

I don't really know how it's done. I know you can get best buy to do it for you. The difference is amazing between an uncalibrated plasma and a calibrated one. I saw them at a Best Buy around here next to each other. I couldn't believe the difference.

[iCafe]

How do you calibrate a Tv?
you have to change all the picture settings
color , hue , brightness
and other internal settings that are hard to find
you have to set them at an exact number for the best possible picture
you can find some guides to calibrating your tv by searching
www.avsforum.com