Help me with my TV selection!

[themuskr]

Hey guys, its about time for me to get a new tv and i have narrowed it down to two models (for now) Let me know what you think of them, and if you have any other suggestions thats great too!

P.S. I'm a college student so im looking to keep it under 40" and under $600:D

thanks

Model 1
Sony Bravia 32"
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+BRAVIA+/+32%22+Class+/+1080p+/+60Hz+/+LCD+HDTV/9240225.p?id=1218065984220&skuId=9240225

Model 2

Toshiba 37"
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Toshiba+-+37%22+Class+/+1080p+/+60Hz+/+LCD+HDTV/9403503.p?id=1218099974473&skuId=9403503

[wutadumsn23]

IMHO, I would go with Sony over Toshiba anyday when it comes to TV's. Also another thing to think about is sacraficing PQ for a bigger screen size. IMHO you will notice no difference in PQ between 1080p and 720p on a screen size smaller than 42" Look into Vizio, and BB's brand (Insignia) from what I have heard Vizio's are pretty darn good sets. I know you said you are looking to keep it under 40" so you may not want to go much bigger, but it will open up a world of options for you if you go with a 720p set instead. Heck, with the cash you save you can get a Surround bar 360 IHT, lol. Just my $.02. Good luck and let us know how it works out.

-Jeff

[dvran]

For $600, you can get a nice 40" LCD. Try HHgregg too, they actually can deal with you.

Samsung is the best in LCDs, then Sony, then LG...

Just don't buy one from Walmart or Target. They carry products that are exclusively built cheap for them.

[janmike]

Probably both are good but I own a Sony 37" Bravia and like it a lot. It is used for gaming.
That being said, a bigger screen is better when looking at comparable products. Good luck.

[dane_peterson]

This is the TV I have, at an incredible price: (Click Add to Cart to see current price):

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?sku=A2482933&cs=19&c=us&l=en&dgc=CJ&cid=24471&lid=566643&acd=10550055-552179-1056401-2-0-ARTICLE-0

Not to start a debate, but I've owned many LCDs and Plasmas, and this has the best picture quality of any I've owned. Price is good through 11/05.

[hockeyboy]

Of the two choices I would definitely go with the Bravia. You can pick that up online for less than that though. I would even look for that Sony Bravia KDL-40V5100 which was top ranked in the home theater shootout. One thing to consider is that Black Friday is coming which is usually a free for all in pricing and I bet you will see some incredible deals. Sears is actually starting their first BF sale this weekend because they are desperate.

This is a site you might start checking regularly if you're looking to save some dinero.

http://dealnews.com/

[hockeyboy]

Amazon has it through Butterfly Photo for $534

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Bravia-KDL-32S5100-32-Inch-1080p/dp/B001T9N0D0?tag=dogpile-20

[themuskr]

So most would think that the picture is better on the bravia?

[themuskr]

I was also looking at this LG
http://www.lge.com/us/tv-audio-video/televisions/LG-lcd-tv-32LH30.jsp

[dane_peterson]

Sony, Samsung, and Sharp have the best LCD performance from my experience. Some of the lower end Sony's are not great, but the 5100 should be okay.

I still vote the Panasonic Plasma.

[tonyb]

I vote for the plasma also. Will never go back to lcd after getting one.

[themuskr]

that would be an option but im at college and dont have the option of getting a tv shipped to me. so local area stores are pretty much the only option (best buy, sears) great selection Huh? :)

[wallace]

Sony XBR if you can find one. Check on Ebay and online. I saved 1200.00 on my 52 inch XBR and it was threw a distributor in New Jersey. It was delivered by Best Buy at of all people.Go Figure?? XBRs are the best in my opinion. LCD by far, I have both and the LCD is far better ib color and much lighter to wall mount.Had mine for 1 year and love it!! Good Luck!!

[Krazyz1]

What ever you have your choice narrowed down to , go to manufacturer's site and confirm specs. Was looking at Panasonic 50" . ALL wer'e 1080 but start reading specs and some wer'e as LOW as 600 vertical lines of resolution. So beware...just cause its 1080 doesn't have anything to do with scan rate. However the S1 I believe was 1080 X 1080 VLR. Hope this info is helpful. If you go LCD go HIGHEST Hz rating. Reduces streaking much better in fast moving media.

[themuskr]

Thanks guys! any other suggestions?

[themuskr]

so i found this toshiba online and i don't think i can pass it up..
http://www.jr.com/toshiba/pe/TOS_32RV525R/

Any thoughts?

[dvran]

Thumbs down on Toshiba LCDs.

Samsung, Sony, and LG, these are the top LCDs.

[coolsax]

I think panasonic is up there too, but yeah I would stick with Samsung, Sony, LG, Panasonic and MAYBE Vizio... I usually see rough reviews on Toshibas lately.

[concealer404]

This is the TV I have, at an incredible price: (Click Add to Cart to see current price):

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?sku=A2482933&cs=19&c=us&l=en&dgc=CJ&cid=24471&lid=566643&acd=10550055-552179-1056401-2-0-ARTICLE-0

Not to start a debate, but I've owned many LCDs and Plasmas, and this has the best picture quality of any I've owned. Price is good through 11/05.

3rded. I have last years model of this i think, and it's unreal.

[themuskr]

Well i'm not really in the market for the best tv. just one that performs decent and is reasonably priced. What are the downfalls of the toshibas?

[concealer404]

I got mine for $450. ;)

Keep an eye on craigslist.

The Toshibas didn't look too natural to me when i was checking TVs out at Fry's. Colors were off, and the blacks sucked. A great deal of that may have been due to calibration, so take that with a grain of salt. :)

[themuskr]

All good info. thanks. the search continues..

[themuskr]

how about this. seems like a great deal!http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4550017&sku=L49-3218%20BX

[concealer404]

how about this. seems like a great deal!http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4550017&sku=L49-3218%20BX

Eh. You can get more tv for the money. 1080p in that size is pretty useless.

[themuskr]

same amount of tv for a less amount of money is what i'm looking for :)
32" is pretty big for a dorm room haha

[mshan242700]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B001U3YK52/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance

(I've seen it as low as $325 ish online recently; I would guess around $350 shipped, including tax, bought online is a competitive price).

That's a 720 panel, which should be fine, unless you also want to connect your computer up to it.

The Samsung LN32B460 ( http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B001U3Y8MW/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance ) is another nice 720p hdtv, but it seems to run at least $100 more than the Panasonic if you can find a good discount.

I wouldn't get a plasma if you think you will be moving around from year to year (plus, glare in a bright room with windows might be more annoying than somewhat better anti-glare coating on some lcds).

[themuskr]

Anyone have any opinions on LG vs. Panasonic?

[Gempler]

i have heard over and over again that the bigest reason for returns of flat panel tvs is that the person purchased something that was too small. but understanding your budgetary contraints i make these observations:

-at 32" there is no benifit to getting a 1080p set. a 720p is fine.
-consider your source: blue ray and direct tv are the only things that provide 1080p resolution. cable companies afaik currently only provide 720p.
-plasma sets are still on the market and are real bargains. they are not as dim as the old days, but they are not as sharp as their lcd counterparts. yet, given the same price, you can get a much larger plasma set than lcd.

i like the way the toshiba sets look, but the picture and overall quality is unfortunatly not good. read the user reviews on newegg.com and amazon. but if price is your overriding deciding factor than look at the 720p toshiba at newegg.com for just $380 delivered:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889253200
you can get this same model at pcrichards in their stores (new york) for just $350 but you will pay sales tax that you avoid by ordering from newegg.com.
i am not a fan of sony, but have to admit that they tvs are a only second to sansung. and since samsung has gone off the deep end lately with their styling i would prefer a sony (but the samsungs do have a somewhat better picture, just often found in a bizzaro cabinet).
jr.com and pcrichards.com are often price champs.
samsung, sony, lg, sharp and panasonic are tops. panasonic is the plasma champ. but plasma don't enter the fray until you get to about 42" where panasonic has one for as little as $625 (not far from your initial $600 mark)
the early sony 5100 models did have an issue with their automatic dimming (to compensate for bright/dim room lighting) frequently changing the brightness of the picture. this was fixed with a firmware update that can be downloaded from their web site for you to put on a usb memeory stick to update the tv. or they will send it to you on usb memory stick. recent models purchased already have the new firmware and do not have the problem.
But I would have to say that I would suggest buying the lest expensive model that you can live with. These things do not get better with age, they do not last like old tvs, and in as little as two years youwill probably be ready to move on to something bigger/better/faster...
good luck.

[themuskr]

thanks thats great info

[dane_peterson]

Since you're spending so much time trying to decide... might as well wait till Black Friday. :rolleyes:

I will say, I was rather impressed with the PQ of my Samsung B460-Series LCD. Its only downfall was its off-axis color faded drastically. At least the screen could swivel. (On the 37" model, anyway) But even at 37", you're exceeding $600 last I checked.

I don't know what you're going to use for audio, but bear in mind that the Panasonic LCDs do NOT have Analog Audio Out... so you'll need an optical input somewhere for external audio.

Entry-level LGs have a tendency for poor color accuracy, and weaker black levels. I'd personally steer away from them if I had the option...

As christophermuto posted, the Panny Plasma is a good option at 42". If you're even CURIOUS about that size, there is absolutely no better option at the pricepoint. 1080p doesn't matter, and any 40"+ LCD that cheap is going to be very cheaply made. The bottom line is, larger than 37", LCDs become MORE EXPENSIVE to manufacture than Plasmas.

[dvran]

Slickdeals.net had this link up the other day. Looks like a good deal.
http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=E5LG42PQ30

42PQ30 HDTV + Panasonic Blu-ray Player + High-performance Hook-up Kit. Includes 2 HDMI Cables, Component Cables, Stereo Audio Cables, Cleaning Solution & microfiber cloth.
All for $619

[themuskr]

That is a great deal. I did decide on the LG 32 inch. Will let you all know how it is

[Krazyz1]

Just bought 47" VIZIO and LOVE IT. They make 2 47". 1 model is a problem child by reviews. Other pretty rock solid (VL470M )( LCD )

[anhchungdoan]

Hey guys, its about time for me to get a new tv and i have narrowed it down to two models (for now) Let me know what you think of them, and if you have any other suggestions thats great too!

P.S. I'm a college student so im looking to keep it under 40" and under $600:D

thanks

Model 1
Sony Bravia 32"
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+BRAVIA+/+32%22+Class+/+1080p+/+60Hz+/+LCD+HDTV/9240225.p?id=1218065984220&skuId=9240225

Model 2

Toshiba 37"
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Toshiba+-+37%22+Class+/+1080p+/+60Hz+/+LCD+HDTV/9403503.p?id=1218099974473&skuId=9403503

Please if possible stay away from the Sony S series. It's the lowest quality in the Bravia line.

Toshiba is only okay for the money. I own the Toshiba 40RV525 1080p and it's suck comparing to the Samsung LN 37b460 series. The Samsung has much higher contrast ratio and better color. The picture quality is like day and night. I own both of them, I know. If I were you, I would get the Samsung LN32B460. It's only 720p but @ 32" you will not see much difference between the 720 and the 1080 ANW. Believe me for $ 484.00, the Samsung Ln32B460 is the best $ 484.00 I've ever spent on a small flat pannel Tv.

[polktiger]

I just got a Sony 32" XBR9. I am still tinkering with it, but so far I am very happy. If you are patient, you will see it hit $599 on sale.