HDTV purchase likely

[smib]

Well, after forever and a day, I should be getting my economic stimulus check soon and I'm really thinking about spending on an HDTV instead of bills. Now for a long time I always said that of you're gonna get one, you should get a really good one, but now that I'm actually in the market I'm realizing that any HDTV that isn't total garbage will be an immense improvement over my 19" CRT. With that in mind I'm leaning most toward this.
Now I know Vizio is basically the bottom-end brand, but like I said, as long as it isn't broken it'll pretty much be worth it. I went with this set because it comes in under the $600 with tax, has the best contrast ratio of anything in its price range, and is available at my local wal-mart, making returning it easier. Also, if I get the check within the next couple of weeks, I'll get my girlfriend's 10% discount, allowing me to also afford an HDMI cable for both my upscaling DVD player and Xbox 360.
I found this image meant as a guide for deciding what size and resolution to buy, but there is now way in hell that even at 15' I won't notice the difference.


So what do you guys think?

[Buba]

Fuck contrast ratio and everything, just look at the thing. Does it fit where you wanna place it? Does the picture quality seem ok to you (bring stuff to the dealer you actually watch)? If so, and you don't have any more money, just buy it...

[smib]

Good point. I do know that it'll fit where I want it and from what I've seen at the store it does look good, but that was all SD stuff. I really doubt Wal-Mart will be willing to let me bring in something of my own to play on it, but I'll give it a shot. Of course that means I'll need something in HD, perhaps the Polar Special in 720p?

[ESPNSTI]

Aside from that image, here's another tool you can use:
http://myhometheater.homestead.com/v...alculator.html

EDIT: Seems that Vizio TV is listed as 1024 x 720 native resolution, which is not 720p (1280x720).
That would mean the TV would have to convert the 1280x720 signal to 1024x720, which would possibly not look as good.

[smib]

Originally Posted by Motherfucking web filter at work

Access to the site:
http://myhometheater.homestead.com/v...alculator.html

has been denied for the following reason:
Banned site: homestead.com

Thanks, I'll check it out when I get home.

[jeffy777]

This may be more than you are planning on spending, but if I were going to get one, it would be this one:

Phillips 42" 1080p for under $1000 is a really good deal:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=9252218

[smib]

That is a good deal and I'd love to get it, but that wouldn't fit where I plan on putting the tv, and it's really important the total cost is under $600 because I'm broke.

[_HighVoltage_]

There is no point investing your money in a 720p. Save up some more and get a proper 1080p.
As far as brand names go, there is only one - Sony, DUH!
(this is based on my personal experience with a 40" Sony Bravia)

[prizrak]

Brands don't really matter just make sure other people had good experiences with it. One thing I would say is that if you want to watch SD stuff at decent quality DO NOT get an LCD screen they scale like crap. Also check to see if the TV has upscaler built in and an aspect ratio converter. I have a 42" w/o aspect ratio converter so any non HD channel only takes up about as much as a 38" 4:3 would. Also look for as many HDMI inputs as possible, you might not need one now but later you will thank me

If you are planning on using it with cable only and no over the air programming look at large monitors (TV w/o a tuner) they may be a little cheaper.

[Buba]

Originally Posted by _HighVoltage_

There is no point investing your money in a 720p. Save up some more and get a proper 1080p.
As far as brand names go, there is only one - Sony, DUH!
(this is based on my personal experience with a 40" Sony Bravia)

If you know about the physiology of the eye (or you could just look at the chart posted in the first post) you statement isn't true for real world applications such as watching TV and some DVDs, only for extreme closeup PC use and Test Images.

Concerning the brand, you said it yourself, personal experience... I'd recommend a Toshiba if asked for a recommendation because mine has been flawless for more than 2 years... Thats not the point here.
He doesn't have more that 600 bucks to spend, so you point is moot.

Also, 1080p is nothing without proper processing or the complete lack of it (1:1 pixelmapping) which has to be decided on a TV to TV basis, but we're getting a bit OT here, so...

[prizrak]

Originally Posted by Buba

If you know about the physiology of the eye (or you could just look at the chart posted in the first post) you statement isn't true for real world applications such as watching TV and some DVDs, only for extreme closeup PC use and Test Images.

Concerning the brand, you said it yourself, personal experience... I'd recommend a Toshiba if asked for a recommendation because mine has been flawless for more than 2 years... Thats not the point here.
He doesn't have more that 600 bucks to spend, so you point is moot.

Also, 1080p is nothing without proper processing or the complete lack of it (1:1 pixelmapping) which has to be decided on a TV to TV basis, but we're getting a bit OT here, so...

Actually size of the screen matters more according to real world tests

Unless you have a giant ass TV (like 60') and are sitting real close you are not going to be able to tell the difference between 720 and 1080. I happen to have a 1080p TV and honestly could not tell the difference between 720p and 1080i or p so don't waste your money.

Best thing to do is read online reviews and see if you can hook it up to an HD source at the store, tho if SD picture is good HD picture will be good.

[smib]

Well, it does have the aspect ratio compensation, though it doesn't appear to have a built in upscaler, but my DVD player does so at least movies will be upconverted, and if I want tv shows in HD I can just get that through my cable provider. I'm going to start really looking into the long-term reliability of this brand as best I can, because I have a feeling that's where the savings will catch up with me.

Thanks for all the input so far.

[Lambos r4ever]

Hey Smib, Tigerdirect has a lot of good deals. How about this?
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...324&CatId=3647

[emil_t]

i know that lcd screens are made by third party vendors and plasma screens are by the label it says on the box.

there was a lcd vs. plasma comparison on the panasonic website i think, can't find it

if you want true picture quality you should go for a plasma (only downside is the smallest are quite big 82 cm i belive). i have a hdtv panasonic and it isn't so much quality as i expected, i say it's worth paying few hundred bucks more for a full hd plasma rather than pay over 600 dollars and get a normal hdtv

[smib]

Originally Posted by Lambos r4ever

Hey Smib, Tigerdirect has a lot of good deals. How about this?
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...324&CatId=3647

That's not bad, but it's refurb, and when you add in shipping, two HDMI cables, and how ugly it is, it's over the $600.

Originally Posted by emil_t

if you want true picture quality you should go for a plasma (only downside is the smallest are quite big 82 cm i belive). i have a hdtv panasonic and it isn't so much quality as i expected, i say it's worth paying few hundred bucks more for a full hd plasma rather than pay over 600 dollars and get a normal hdtv

The 32" I'm considering most, which is the one I linked to in my first post, is plasma. I'm assuming that's why its contrast ratio is so much higher than the LCDs in the same price range. And I know the 30,000:1 contrast is dynamic, which speaks little of the true black levels, but I'm sure it's at least as good as my old crt. My computer monitor at home has a 800:1 contrast ratio and while it's way worse than the CRT I had before it, I got used to it pretty quickly and have no issue at all with the color depth.

EDIT: Also, I'm a bit wary of ordering a TV online, with the shipping and then possibly all the waiting time if there is something wrong with it.

[Lambos r4ever]

Just my experience, I ordered a 47" refurb Toshiba from tigerdirect and I've had no problems. About plasmas, aren't you concerned about the image burn-in?

[smib]

I hadn't really thought of it, but I imagine that would require keeping one image or at least background displayed for a long period of time.

[prizrak]

Originally Posted by smib

I hadn't really thought of it, but I imagine that would require keeping one image or at least background displayed for a long period of time.

I've had a plasma for a over a year and have no burn in issues. I've (well my g/f really) left an image on it for extended periods of time (stupid cable box not having a screensaver) and it handled it like a champ. A built in upscaler is not all that necessary but an aspect ratio compensator would really be nice Check out Circuit City, that's where I got my TV and it was cheaper than anywhere else.