Need a new Television. Advice?

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 9/8/10 at 11:50am

My 15 yo tube Sony Trinitron is dying. Have no idea what to buy or what to look for. Thinking: 20-22", HD, inexpensive, free s & h. Don't watch that much tv - don't need any fancy doodads. I'm clueless on "specs". Are the "off" brands any good? Any help would be appreciated.
Updated On: 9/8/10 at 11:50 AM

[madbrian]

Posted: 9/8/10 at 12:00pm

In general, the 'off' brands, like Dynex and Insignia, are fine, especially if you're not a techno-geek. Most folks can't distinguish the distinctions of high-end TVs unless you're looking at side-by-side. Even if you don't use Best Buy, their website allows for reviews; I'd look for low-cost sets that have positive reviews. Note: look for sets that have a lot of reviews. If you're looking for low-cost, you're porbably looking at sets that have been on the market for awhile, and they should have plenty of reviews.

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 9/8/10 at 12:03pm

Thanks Brian...what's the diff between 720 or 1080? What's the price range - 350.00 is as much as I want to spend...Possible?
Updated On: 9/8/10 at 12:03 PM

[SNAFU]

Posted: 9/8/10 at 12:11pm

LG is also good quality and will fall with in your price range.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 9/8/10 at 12:12pm

Damn!

Updated On: 9/8/10 at 12:12 PM

[tazber]

Posted: 9/8/10 at 12:18pm

I have an Insignia and it's fine. In fact I originally got a Pioneer (which at the time was supposed to the be the best) and it sucked. Due to a flood I had to replace it within a year and I didn't want to spend crazy money again so I got the Insignia.


I'm very pleased.

And definitely go with 1080.

[madbrian]

Posted: 9/8/10 at 12:18pm

The current de facto standard for resolution is 1080p, and you should be able to find a 22" model for around $250.

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 9/8/10 at 12:25pm

Thanks again, guys. Due to back problem, I can not be at the PC for long...which site should I concentrate on - BestBuy, J & R, Costco, PC Richard, Target, Amazon......other...??

[tazber]

Posted: 9/8/10 at 12:31pm

Well I think that Insignia is a Best Buy brand, so I would say go there.

[madbrian]

Posted: 9/8/10 at 12:31pm

I use Best Buy because that's where I usually shop, but for you I'd recommend www.cnet.com, where you can filter by size and price range, read reviews, and find price comparisons by different vendors.

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 9/8/10 at 12:35pm

it's a long ways a way.. but if your tv can make it till Black Friday you can get tvs for cheap!

[madbrian]

Posted: 9/8/10 at 12:44pm

If you do wait for Black Friday, I'd recommend buying online. I know Best Buy offers Black Friday online specials.

[tazber]

Posted: 9/8/10 at 12:48pm

They do. And usually free delivery is one of the perks.

[Tom1071]

Posted: 9/8/10 at 1:55pm

If you are not a techno-geek and don't watch that much television you will not be able to tell the difference between 720p and 1080p. Save yourself some money.
Updated On: 9/8/10 at 01:55 PM

[madbrian]

Posted: 9/8/10 at 2:05pm

"If you are not a techno-geek and don't watch that much television you will not be able to tell the difference between 720p and 1080p. Save yourself some money."

For the size screen in question, a 1080 is well within the budget. For the difference in cost (maybe $25), I'd recommend going with the 1080.

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 9/8/10 at 7:56pm

Thanks again, BRIAN. I found an Insignia 22" 1080 at the BestBuy Website for 199.00, so I'm probably going to go with that. When I recently got VERIZON FIOS service, they gave me an HDMI cable (for free), but didn't use it 'cause I don't have an HD TV. So is this cable necessary for the new TV hook-up.

[madbrian]

Posted: 9/8/10 at 9:09pm

Not necessary, but it will give you the best picture. I'm not familiar with FIOS, but the HDMI cable is the best connection method. It's like most other component systems; it's only as strong as its weakest link. Most newer TVs have multiple HDMI connection; you could use one HDMI cable/port to connect to cable, and another for a BluRay.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 9/8/10 at 9:15pm

If you still have the HDMI cable then use it for the cable to TV hookup, you will get the best quality that way. That being said, I just bought the 24" Dynex 1080p at Best Buy that was on sale this past weekend and for the most part I am happy with it. It's the perfect size for my small NYC bedroom and I'm now saving up for the upgrade to a Blu Ray player (I'm currently still using the Insignia DVD player that I bought for $30 bucks two years ago the day before Thanksgiving, so I think I definitely got my money's worth with that one).