Need help purchase a TV

[420]

I am looking to buy a 42 or 46" television, of course LCD. I am looking to spend up to $1800. Anyone know which brands and models are the best for that kind of price. Of course, if there are great options cheaper, I would be happy, so anything you think is best, please tell me.

I assume Sony LCDs are the best. What features should I be looking for when buying a new LCD and what brands should I avoid at all cost?


Thanks

[Topher]

There's a great deal on a Sony 40" at Futureshop right now for $1499, but it's online only. Last time I checked it was another $200 more at BestBuy. Maybe time for a PM to save another $20?

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0770HDS0010091585&catid=23524&logon=&langid=EN

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926HDS0010091585&catid=24558

[fatboy999]

Can I ask why you are focused on LCD and not plasma?

[qster]

LCD are lighter in weight and consume less engery.

Some of the newer LCDs have the black light correction, but still not the true black of a plasma. Same goes with new Plasma having the anti-burn in feature.

OP.. figure out what the main function of your TV will be first before you decide on LCD or Plasma.

Normal view, Gaming, lots of action movies, sports, etc...

[fatboy999]

Check out www.avsforum.com to find out what you want ..tons of great info on TVs here. Then come back to RFD to find the deal

Hope you have some time there is a lot to read

[420]

Check out www.avsforum.com to find out what you want ..tons of great info on TVs here. Then come back to RFD to find the deal

Hope you have some time there is a lot to read

Thanks for the link. I will do some research on it. I had read a while back that LCD was improving in technology, but that Plasma was unable in certain specifics. I just want the best quality viewing. The use of the TV will be regular tv watching and movie watching on dvd.

[420]

Thanks for the link. I will do some research on it. I had read a while back that LCD was improving in technology, but that Plasma was unable in certain specifics. I just want the best quality viewing. The use of the TV will be regular tv watching and movie watching on dvd.

ok After doing some research, It seems like Plasma is the way to go due to Picture quality. So, im looking for a nice deal on a 42" or 46" Plasma tv that is under $2000. The one thing that annoys me about looking for a tv is the fact that there is always a downside to each TV that I have read reports on. People always complain something isn't up to par and it keeps me confused as to which model or brand to go with especially since the tv will mostly involve SD viewing.

[fatboy999]

Hey 420 I guess now you need to decide if you are good with a 42" or want to go to a 50". No 46 in Plasma...

[fatboy999]

420 you should go into some higher end AV stores and take a look at different models.
In your price range I would pick up the Panny 42" px75
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0770HDS0010086842&catid=
You could also try and work a deal to get a HD-DVD player or Blu-Ray and still be well within your budget
Good luck

[SPACEMANRICK]

I just bought the panasonic plasma 50PX77 at future shop last month (identical to the 50PX75 model except for the anti glare screen and speakers on each side of the TV). Amazing TV for the price (I paid about $2,200) the 50PX75 model is advertised now at future shop for for around $2,000.

The standard definition is still pretty good but the high definition is where this TV excels. If you are watching from 8 to 10 feet away I would suggest you go up to the 50" model. According to a recent issue of Consumer Reports the greatest regret of those buying a new tv was that they wished they had bought a bigger TV. That issue rated this plasma #2 behind another Panasonic Plasma that costs about $700-$800 more.

[fatboy999]

I just bought the panasonic plasma 50PX77 at future shop last month (identical to the 50PX75 model except for the anti glare screen and speakers on each side of the TV). Amazing TV for the price (I paid about $2,200) the 50PX75 model is advertised now at future shop for for around $2,000.

The standard definition is still pretty good but the high definition is where this TV excels. If you are watching from 8 to 10 feet away I would suggest you go up to the 50" model. According to a recent issue of Consumer Reports the greatest regret of those buying a new tv was that they wished they had bought a bigger TV. That issue rated this plasma #2 behind another Panasonic Plasma that costs about $700-$800 more.

Great point. and the pricing for 50' TVs is great. From 42-50 is nowhere near as much as 50-58, The 50 seems to be the sweet spot for size/price/value

How do you compare the pic of the 77 vs the 75? These are the TVs I am looking at and not sure which one to get. I know the 77 has the anti glare...not sure if it hurts the PQ like some have mentioned on avsforum. What are your thoughts?

[SPACEMANRICK]

In the store I couldn't really see much difference between the 2. I have a lot of light coming into my room so I thought for $200 difference it was better to be safe than sorry. If bright lights are not an issue just go for the 5075.........either way I think you really can't go wrong.

Good luck and enjoy your TV...........I know we are watching way too much TV now :cheesygri

[Eyeman]

I am looking to buy a 42 or 46" television, of course LCD. I am looking to spend up to $1800. Anyone know which brands and models are the best for that kind of price. Of course, if there are great options cheaper, I would be happy, so anything you think is best, please tell me.

I assume Sony LCDs are the best. What features should I be looking for when buying a new LCD and what brands should I avoid at all cost?


Thanks

Sony's are not the best or anywhere close, but they are the most expensive. Unfortunately, many people like you buy into their hype and marketing. In the early 90's they did have vastly superior technology fort CRT TVs. That technology lead eroded over the years. But thanks to their hype and marketing, people still have an image of them as the best. They play on that by charging a ridiculous premium.

LCD's are a whole different game, anyway. A lot companies that were low end in CRT TV, like Samsung and Sharp, make some of the best LCD TVs. Likewise, the big name CRT makers like Sony, Panasonic and Toshiba don't make especially good LCD's, although Sony is the best of the 3.

[420]

Thanks for the tip guys. I was looking at the 42" panny, but I think the 50PX75 is a great choice and since there is a 10% discount on all tvs tomorrow evening, I can save money and buy it then.

I just bought the panasonic plasma 50PX77 at future shop last month (identical to the 50PX75 model except for the anti glare screen and speakers on each side of the TV). Amazing TV for the price (I paid about $2,200) the 50PX75 model is advertised now at future shop for for around $2,000.

The standard definition is still pretty good but the high definition is where this TV excels. If you are watching from 8 to 10 feet away I would suggest you go up to the 50" model. According to a recent issue of Consumer Reports the greatest regret of those buying a new tv was that they wished they had bought a bigger TV. That issue rated this plasma #2 behind another Panasonic Plasma that costs about $700-$800 more.

[SPACEMANRICK]

Great choice you are going to love it! Where are you buying to get the 10% off and what is this price off of? My friend is also looking for that TV and I was going to send them to Future Shop for the $1999 sale on the 50PX75 (I was hoping also to get a TV stand from my salesman for 40% to 50% off also and an HDMI cable thrown in for my friend) but if you have a better deal I would love to hear about it!

Don't forget also to put the TV on your credit card (hopefully your credit card automatically doubles the warranty up to an additional year) so you won't have to pay for the expensive extended warranties that are sold by the different stores.

Good luck and keep us posted ;)

[420]

Great choice you are going to love it! Where are you buying to get the 10% off and what is this price off of? My friend is also looking for that TV and I was going to send them to Future Shop for the $1999 sale on the 50PX75 (I was hoping also to get a TV stand from my salesman for 40% to 50% off also and an HDMI cable thrown in for my friend) but if you have a better deal I would love to hear about it!

Don't forget also to put the TV on your credit card (hopefully your credit card automatically doubles the warranty up to an additional year) so you won't have to pay for the expensive extended warranties that are sold by the different stores.

Good luck and keep us posted ;)


Futureshop has a family and friends sale tonight which Im going to. Can I get a 50% discount on tv stands when I buy a tv? The price is 1999.99, so with the 10% off, it will be a good discount to buy it for.

[SPACEMANRICK]

I just checked and the panasonic px5075 is $1,799 at the Future Shop family and friends sale. That is a smoking price! They seem to have some decent prices on tv stands also. I would just go for the deal you can get on the family and friends sale because that tv seems to be at a great price.

The only reason I will get 40% to 50% off the tv stand is because I bought a tv system for myself from the same salesman 2 months ago. I went in last week and got 40% off some speaker stands (these are high margin items for them anyways).