Best place to buy an LCD HDTV for less?

[Parks]

Posted: 6/8/08 at 3:18pm

I've been looking around at HDTVs for the last two weeks or so and I've seen some great deals, but not sure if the TVs would have great picture.

Does anyone know some good places to look for one? I'm looking for about, probably a 26" TV or so.

[blueroses]

Posted: 6/8/08 at 4:05pm

I've been looking around, too, Parks. BestBuy had some sales going on, including the ones with built-in DVD players. I may also look in Costco and BJ's...friends have had lots of luck there. I haven't made a decision yet, though.

best12bars seems to be the resident expert on this stuff!

[KrissySim]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 2:16am

Just make sure you are getting a 1920×1080p (progressive scan) screen to utilize the full capabilities of Blu-ray (when you do step up to blu-ray).

Other High definition formats are 1280×720p and 1920×1080i (interlaced) but are not as high definition as 1080p.

Many first-time buyers are confused by this. But when you hook up a blu-ray player to a 1080p screen using the correct HDMI cables, you get a better picture with higher definition than you can get on broadcast or today's cable HDTV.

You will also want at least a 5:1 sound system. You can get a 7:1 sound system, but unless you have the right acoustic environment in your home it is safer to go 5:1.

If you are not going to blu-ray, but just want to play DVDs, a 26 inch screen will do. If you do want to step up to blu-ray and appreciate its full capabilities, a 46 inch screen or larger is preferred. A 40 inch screen will do if you sit close to it.

As for places to buy, the people on this forum may be of help. Just ask 'em:
Blu-ray forum Updated On: 6/9/08 at 02:16 AM

[Mamie]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 8:51am

"A 40 inch screen will do if you sit close to it."

I have a little 19" TV that fits just fine into my apartment. A 40" screen would make me feel like I should be sitting in the next apartment. I guess I just can't get into this stuff.

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 9:16am

KrissySim gave you very good advice. I would only say that in addition to the big stores (BestBuy, Costco, etc.) you check for local non-chain store sales. They offer things like free delivery & installation, "we pay your tax," etc. Usually they happen around a holiday, but not always.

I found a great bargain out here in L.A. from a locally-owned store.

Although with a 26 inch TV, you won't exactly need to worry about free delivery.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 9:44am

I have a Magnavox 19inch. I'd love a bigger one to put on my wall, but I have small condo, so it will do for my first. It came with a dvd player attached, and it upconverts the dvds so they look better than they would with a regular dvd player. It is only 720p, which doesn't really bother me so much, because the clairty is still so much better than a regular tv. I got it on sale at Best Buy and I want to say it was less than four hundred dollars.
Updated On: 6/9/08 at 09:44 AM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 11:22am

I had read that basically you don't need 1080p for screens smaller than 30 inches to enjoy Blu-Ray as there will be virtually no noticeable difference in resolution from 720p because of the size of the screen. Personally, I don't enjoy the screens larger than 46". Anything not broadcast in HD looks especially horrible on screens larger than 46".

[KrissySim]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 1:24pm

I had read that basically you don't need 1080p for screens smaller than 30 inches to enjoy Blu-Ray...

This is true, especially if the set is on the other side of your room. However, I know people with Blu-ray laptops who say they notice a difference. It depends on the distance you are from the screen. (With screens less than 30 inches the difference between Blu-ray and standard DVD will not be great unless you are close to the screen.) Remember, standard DVD is not high definition.

I would suggest that Parks at least consider a larger screen. If you are going to make the investment in High Def, why not allow for entry into Blu-ray? In a year when prices of players have dropped it will be less expensive if he already has a proper screen. If you are going to high-def, why not go HIGH-DEF?

The blu-ray forum people can help Parks spot a good deal. Just tell them what price range you are looking at.

Updated On: 6/9/08 at 01:24 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 1:43pm

To be honest, most people can't tell the difference between 720p, 1080i or 1080p. Even I have to go right up to the screen to see it.

1080i is the easiest to spot because of the interlacing. But most HDTVs remove interlacing on the fly, so they're doing their best to make a progressive picture.

720p (which is the highest a TV signal can broadcast as of now) is more noticeable because of the large amount of compression artifacts that occur during fast moving shots than it is because of pixel resolution.

[JbaraFan1]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 1:46pm

I'm with Mamie here on the 40 inch screen. Our little 19-inch does us fine too. :)

Not that it's very helpful, but I know someone who got a great deal on a big screen high-def tv because (telling this from memory; but this is the gist of it) someone had left it on one channel too long, and as a result an image got burned onto the screen. (?) From what I understand it's a very tiny area down in one corner that you would barely notice before it's pointed out to you, but because of that one spot, the store gave my friend a big discount on the tv.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 1:50pm

I don't think it would be because it was left on one channel too long, but because it was paused too long. I think that it's the non-moving picture that would burn it into the screen. I also think - and I could be wrong - that that's less of an issue with the newer models. Besty would know better than me.

And yeah, my 19 inch 720p tv looks just fine to me. Somethings, award shows especially, look practically 3D!

[KrissySim]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 1:54pm

best12bars, This is true. My suggestion is to go with the best picture that would be compatible with Blu-ray. For one thing, non-HD cable and broadcasts will not be here much longer. (Don't buy new to fit the old.) And though blu-ray players can up-convert standard DVDs to make them look better, they are still not high-definition. DVDs were never developed for high definition. So, if buying a high definition screen, at least buy one that can utilize the full capacity of a high definition player (Blu-ray).

I rest my case.
Updated On: 6/9/08 at 01:54 PM

[Liverpool]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 2:04pm

you might get lucky with a Father's Day sale thing right around now. No clue WHERE, but sometimes places have those damn "dads and grads" things.

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 6:45pm

I'm sure there will be great Father's Day sales, Liverpool!

The burn-in is only an issue with Plasma TVs, and older models.

The newer models have an internal "shifter" (for lack of the correct technical term at the moment) that imperceptibly shifts the image around so it doesn't sit on the same exact pixels for too long.

But... even then, they'll tell you if you're a serious gamer, and you like to play the same games all the time... and the on-screen graphic interface (say a score box, or controls or other grid elements, etc.) stay in the same place all the time, you might get burn-in still. After MANY hours though.

I'm not a gamer, and I love my Plasma. I love the rich colors and details in the blacks. Very cinematic!

But if you're a hardcore gamer, I don't recommend getting a Plasma set. Stick with LCD.

And the LCD (in my opinion) on the market is Sony.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 6:49pm

Yeah, I'm saving up for a Sony 46" Bravia. I was looking at one yesterday and the picture was unbelievable with a Blu-Ray. I honestly had never seen anything like it.

[DAME]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 6:52pm

Love my Bravia.

[Mythus]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 6:55pm

The burning is only a problem with plasma TVs, yeah. And even now, it's only a problem with the first one hundred hours that it's on. As long as the first thing you do isn't put in a DVD and pause it, you should be fine.

Also, in regard to 720p/1080p/i, there are small differences, yes, but unless you're a videophile, it's not too bad. We have a 1080i plasma TV (don't ask me how big it is, but it's freaking huge) and it...my dad could explain this a lot better, but whatever it does, it looks fine.

And as for built-in DVD players...I would advise against that. If the DVD player breaks, you're stuck with a TV with a dead DVD player inside of it. If the TV breaks, you need a new DVD player and a new TV. We have a regular DVD player that upconverts our regular DVDs and the picture is great.

[Parks]

Posted: 6/10/08 at 12:20am

Hey everybody--thanks for the help. I'm probably not looking to go Blu-Ray. I don't get it...

I'm looking for something I can possibly take off to college next year. I have my old 20 inch TV, which I've had for about 4 years--but I just figured that with LCD TVs getting as cheap as they are, it might be a good time to buy one.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 6/10/08 at 12:38am

I'm probably not looking to go Blu-Ray. I don't get it...

How don't you get it?

[Parks]

Posted: 6/10/08 at 3:10am

Well, I'm pretty happy with my DVD quality movies, instead of paying 30+ dollars for a movie with better picture. I've seen the quality of Blu-Ray--and it's VERY nice, but I don't know that it's worth spending money that I don't have.

It's just way more expensive upgrading Blu-Ray.

Once the prices of Blu-Ray discs and players go down, I'll switch over.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 6/10/08 at 3:38am

"I don't think it would be because it was left on one channel too long, but because it was paused too long. I think that it's the non-moving picture that would burn it into the screen."


The 7 network here in Australia had an issue during the Australian Open where viewers who watched the tennis longer than 3 hours had the 7 logo burned into there screens.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 6/10/08 at 10:30am

Oh, okay. It makes sense that you don't want to spend the money. I just wasn't sure what you didn't "get," about it, since you were in the market for an HDTV.

[The Boy From Ohio]

Posted: 6/11/08 at 3:33pm

Less than a month ago I got an LCD HGTV at Best Buy. I don't know if I got the best deal in town, but I did get a Best Buy credit card so I could get 3 years same as cash. I don't know if the deal is still going on, but I thought it was very worth it. I went with a friend and was not planning on buying anything, until I found out about the offer. I walked out with a 37" Samsung. Being in college you may not want any more debt, but may be something to think about. I love my new TV BTW.

[DAME]

Posted: 1/18/09 at 8:15pm

Oh my gosh.. they are like half price now.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 1/19/09 at 2:09pm

I had forgotten about this thread. Six months later, I got what I wanted. YAY! I don't have Blu-Ray (yet), but regular DVDs and HD digital television look spectacular. Survivor was absolutely GORGEOUS this season in HD on my new TV. I do plan on getting a PS3 in the next 2 months so I can have the Blu-Ray and PS in one package. From everything I've read, the PS3 includes a pretty decent Blu-Ray player. I can't justify paying $999 for the nicer Sony Blu-Ray player. I don't get what makes it so special.