Buying an LCD tv, I would appreciate input!

[bt]

Oh, and first time I plugging in my TV everything updated on it.  It was a 100mb upgrade  haha!  For a TV I find that funny but then again its essentially a computer.

Yeah, some of the "Smart" TVs might have better support than previous models with embedded content applications.

[wandmangels]

try the dell website..42" led 3D $899
.http://accessories.dell.com/sna/products/Video_Conferencing/productdetail.aspx?c=ca&l=en&s=dhs&cs=cadhs1&sku=A5135157&~ck=baynoteSearch&baynote_bnrank=13&baynote_irrank=0

[RedFish]

Wow wow wow, excellent help, thank you ALL so much.   This is for the basement family room (can be completely darkened), and I know everyone wants the larger size, (and the room can handle it).   As a result of this thread I will probably wait until I have a larger budget.

Having said that, I am still heading to Futureshop (as beertech suggested) to compare sizes and I am keeping a list in my purse and by the computer so I can check sales.    Maybe an open box special at Bestbuy or Futureshop!   And maybe 46" will be enough - I still have decisions to make.

So I will likey wait, OR, if I have enough cash and just put 200-300 on credit, I might do that.   However this has certainly narrowed my search to LED LCDs (you were right tophoo), and Samsung and LG in particular. 

I am not looking for fancy features, although wireless looks interesting (but I can always get an attachment).

Severum:   That tv looks awesome.  That 999 price tag is a Black Friday special, but I have printed the futureshop page, so I can keep an eye on it.

RickGervs - excellent advice thank you.

I truly thank y'all for the helpful advice!

This is just the beginning too, next year I'd love to replace the living room tv, and hubby wants a small flatscreen by his office computer (for those hockey/football games).
And I want a tablet...and....so many toys we "need".

[bt]

In a basement family room, plasma is definitely an option.  It doesn't rule out LED/LCD though.

Think about the seating in front of it.  Viewing distance does have an impact on size.  http://s3.carltonbale.com/resolution_chart.html  There are pages out there that will calculate the optimal viewing distance range for certain sizes as well, think the Best Buy website has one.

[RedFish]

bt:   Interesting chart - it shows that 1080p would work well for us.

I've done the distance chart, and a 50" tv works well for the space.   We could go 46-47", and 55" as well.

[RedFish]

So I am still looking, and we have substantially raised our budget, to somewhere around 1,000-1,200.   That allows us to go big, 55" if needed, or save a few bucks if we find that a 46" or 47" will work for us.

I've seen several sales that look really good, and tomorrow we are actually going in to stores to view and compare.

(I had foot surgery and have been unable to leave the house until now).

I know that we will view the models, find one or two we like and then watch for sales (as suggested).    I could not buy one sight unseen (online).

Thank you all again for your suggestions, I have re-read this thread several times!

[Greatwhite]

Now's the time to buy!!  You don't even have to look for a sale at Futureshop now, because there's a 90% chance that anything you buy will go on sale after Christmas.  I'm sticking with my LG recommendation.

[bt]

LG has a 47" LED for about $750 if you want to save some cash.  It's only been on the market a few weeks.

[brotherluv]

I wouldn't torture yourself agonizing over a price difference especially considering its most likely going to be very small. I would pick a store you like and trust in case any complications arise and buy the TV that you love that's in your budget.  I find (as a sales person) many people obsess over price and forget about what happens after the sale is done...Service is an important aspect of all my big ticket purchases!

[ajm1961]

If service is a consideration, then Costco is in the running. Case in point, my bro-in-law bought a 46 lcd tv, it completely died two years later. They gave him a full refund!

[bitterman]

If service is a consideration, then Costco is in the running. Case in point, my bro-in-law bought a 46 lcd tv, it completely died two years later. They gave him a full refund!

Costco is out for us. We got a 46" Toshiba from them. It started to go in November before things expired. They gave us the run around till January after everything expired and told us were to go.

We don't have a membership any more and refuse to shop there.

Bruce

[ajm1961]

Costco is out for us. We got a 46" Toshiba from them. It started to go in November before things expired. They gave us the run around till January after everything expired and told us were to go.

Hmm... maybe they changed their modus operandi in the past year. At the very least, it's curious how they treat two customers so differently. Thanks for the perspective.

[RedFish]

Weeelllll, we bought one!    Plasma.   I can't believe we bought plasma, I was so going to get led-lcd, but boy oh boy we loved the plasma, got a 55" within our budget.   

We'll get it installed this week (not waiting for Christmas morning) and I'll update once we use it.

This is the one we got, 55" Panasonic ST30, and we didn't pay the price shown.
https://panasonic.ca/english/audiovideo/plasma/tcp55_60_65st30.asp

[Bob P]

Oh Yeah ! I love my 50 inch plasma.
Besides, they have a much wider viewing angle.
No need to be directly (or close to it) in front.
Only thing that bugs me is when it tries to auto enhance
non HD picture. Otherwise it's been awesome for 3 years now.
Good choice IMO

[Darth]

Weeelllll, we bought one!    Plasma.   I can't believe we bought plasma, I was so going to get led-lcd, but boy oh boy we loved the plasma, got a 55" within our budget.   

We'll get it installed this week (not waiting for Christmas morning) and I'll update once we use it.

This is the one we got, 55" Panasonic ST30, and we didn't pay the price shown.
https://panasonic.ca/english/audiovideo/plasma/tcp55_60_65st30.asp

3d tv hmm not a fan some love it, wasn't for me but nice buy

[RedFish]

3d tv hmm not a fan some love it, wasn't for me but nice buy

Well the thing with 3D is, they all come with it now.   We would have had to find an older model to NOT get it.   You don't have to use it if you don't want to.

[bt]

I still see lots of TVs without 3D, but not necessarily with the other features one might want.

I still won't pay extra for it, but if it's still otherwise the best deal I won't avoid it either.

[brotherluv]

I hope you get a lot of enjoyment out of it!  Congrats!

[Greatwhite]

My buddy just bought the panasonic 3d 60".  apparently in 2d mode, the 3d processor makes it ALOT crisper than a non-3d tv.  It'd be nice to have the capability to have 3d, at least.

[RedFish]

OH. MY. GOODNESS.

What a picture!!!  It's such a large screen too!   I am blown away by the picture quality.   Makes our (what was high quality) CRT tv look pathetic.
lol
Now I need to start saving for a new tv for the living room....