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Electronics Consumers, HELP! LCD TV purchasing suggestions please!

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CJ Tylers

CJ Tylers

Retired Sr. Member
Jan 3, 2003
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Hey folks!

I'm looking to snag myself a nice 42"-50" LCD HDTV, true 1080p, etc etc etc

Now, I live a few blocks from both a Best Buy and a Future Shop (who does the planning for those companies anyways? They're owned by the same parent group)... but for some reason, I don't think I'd get the BEST deal on a TV from either one.

I want it to work with my PS3/blue ray disc player. I want it to look great, regardless of the source (HDTV or rabbit ears).

So where/when is the best time to snag a TV? What's the general consensus on who's putting out the best looking TV's these days? I don't mind waiting for a sale, as long as it's a reasonable one (not one of those be first in line on boxing day sort of deals). etc

Thanks!
 
C

calvinxxx

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Oct 4, 2004
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calgary
This is a great time of the year to buy New models come ou t this time and the stores clear out their inventory Since 1080 and 120 came out last year you can try to get one of those clear outs

If you want the best and gretaest be prepared to pay going prices and unless you know someone bestbuy and future shop maybe the best you will get buying power
 
8

87112

Banned
Dec 13, 2004
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I'm a Plasma person myself, I have a 720p Panasonic 50 that I enjoy daily, rich colors and deep blacks.

As for LCDs, my favorite one is the Toshiba Cinemas Series LCDs that range in size 46,52, 57. It is so vivid and rich that it makes you feel you are there with a good HD source. I like that set more than my Panasonic but not at 2,650 bucks! I took the el cheapo route at 1,500 bucks for slighty less awesome picture quality. I only suggest the Cinemas series with Toshiba though, less than that its not that good with Toshiba.

My 2nd favorite brand are Sony LCDs. With the Sony brand I really like this model. I like this model more than the top of the line XBR series. Sony LCDs have the most natural colors I have ever seen on a LCD, no excessive brightness.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8460328&type=product&id=1184369372565
 
H

HeMadeMeDoIt

Active member
Feb 12, 2004
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I bought a 52 in LG plasma last summer. I had a friend who's a fairly senior guy at Best Buy/torture shop look up the cost and the employee price wasnt different than what it was retailing for.

I'm very happy with both the picture and the look of the unit.
 
V

visiting

Active member
Oct 23, 2005
997
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right behind you!
LOL I just purchased the Pioneer 1080 FD 50" a few weeks ago and I want to bring it back......... just too many people coming to my house.... I am watching infomercial's now... My fridge has been empty for weeks, but it doesn't stop my buddies, they come over with beer, and food...... But they never want to leave!!!!!! Good luck with the new purchase!!! (don't ell your friends..... for a while....)

 
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87112

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They Pioneer Plasma are in a league by themselves. Check them out before you put down the cash for a LCD. They are the BMWs of TVs.
 
HushWeb

HushWeb

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Mar 7, 2008
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The 2 main things you need to pay attention to are:

Native Resolution
Dynamic Contrast Ratio


The best Dynamic Contrast Ratio out there is 50,000:1 or more. This measures the brightness and clarity of the picture.

Native Resolution on big screens should be at the top: 1920 x 1080 for the best sharpness.

So dont shop by price; For example, Walmart has a 60" plasma, 1080p for about $1200. Sounds good, but when you read the fine print you will see that contrast ratio is only 5000:1 and resolution is about 1680 x 1050... so basically sucks ass for that size.

just to compare, my 22" computer monitor has a contrast ratio of 30,000:1 and resolution of 1680 x 1050. Top of the line, but Same specs on anything larger would start to look like poo...
 
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Asianguy69

New member
Jan 14, 2007
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Sharpe Aquos

I would have to say the Sharpe Aquos, that is what i have and it is great.
 
R

ronabat

Member
Oct 30, 2007
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What's your budget?

There certainly are a large number of companies out there making first class TVs.

But since you've asked for an LCD, I suggest going with a Samsung or Sharp, maybe even LG. They make many of the LCD panels available on the market - even for other companies (*ahem* Sony *ahem*). As another poster said, things to watch out for are native resolution, contrast ratio, and I'll add response time too (although this one's a little trickier to gauge since different manufacturers use different standards to measure).

I personally like LCD's myself, but can certainly see the appeal of a well-made Plasma (Samsung, Pioneer, Panasonic). For SIZE and PICTURE QUALITY and PRICE, plasma's very hard to beat. A Samsung Wireless Plasma took the award for BEST TV at 2007 CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Vegas. Another finalist was a Panasonic Vizio.

BEST ADVICE I can give you:
1) Go to the store and see them yourself. Make sure they're set up with the same type of source you'll be using - SD, HD, etc. Any proper electronics store should help you out. Then you can compare apples to apples.

2) DO NOT buy the required cables (Component, HDMI, DVI, etc...) from the big box stores - the markups are HUGE!!! Instead, buy them online or at a computer shop where they're a lot cheaper.

3) A lot of places will let you haggle a bit - yes even Best Buy, if you find someone more senior. Best time to buy would be near the end of the companies' fiscal year or quarter. OR... go haggle on the last Sunday of the month near closing time - a lot of sales people need to make their quota by that day, so take advantage! Heck, this last point is valid for a lot of purchases.

Finally, if you give us your budget, it would be easier to narrow it down for you since spitting out brand names sometimes doesn't help. Almost all these manufacturers have low-, mid- and high-end offerings.
 
F

freebird

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Aug 16, 2003
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ronabat said:
DO NOT buy the required cables (Component, HDMI, DVI, etc...) from the big box stores - the markups are HUGE!!! Instead, buy them online or at a computer shop where they're a lot cheaper.

I totally agree- I initially bought several hundred dollars worth of Monster HDMI cables from future shop. A couple of weeks later. I was in the electronics section at Superstore, and saw that they sold a kit (one HDMI & One Toslink digital audio cable) for hooking up your Sony Playstation for approx. $30 - $40. I bought a couple of these kits for less than I paid for one Monster cable and they work just as well. I brought the Monster cables back to Future Shop and I told them what they could do with them. I would also advise NOT to buy the extended warranty, as this is just another item that the sales people make HUGE commissions on.
Click to expand...
 
2

2good4you

Member
May 25, 2006
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Make sure you keep looking afterwards

Hey CJ,

Your best bet is to buy the model you want from Best Buy/Future Shop. They have a 30 day price matching policy where if you find a better price, they'll refund you the difference plus another 10%. For example, I paid $1999 for my Sharp Aquos a year ago and after checking the Future Shop, Best Buy, Visions, Brick, and Costco websites for 30 days afterwards, I ended up paying $1,350 by the time it was all said and done. The way prices fluctuate on those things so much, you gotta keep an eye out. This way you'll get the best deal and the TV you want.

Enjoy!!!

2good
 
B

Bloodrite

New member
May 20, 2004
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Edmonton
You might think I am crazy, but Costco is a good place to check out. Cheap prices and thier return policy is amazing. An example. A few months after you buy a TV(lets say $1000), you see a newer one that you want but dont want to fork out another $1500 for it. You can return the old one, get the $1000 credit and end up paying only $500 for the new one.

I have done this 2 times over the last year. Just keep your recipt and the box to transport the TV back.
 
8

87112

Banned
Dec 13, 2004
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^^^^^ Not a good way to be a good person. That is unethical. You return a TV because there is something wrong with it or you cant stand the performance.
 
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