I’ve had my current TV for longer than I’ve known my wife. Unlike her, the TV is showing clear signs of crapping out, and I need a new one.
Please advise.
Open thread.
UPDATE:
This is no longer an open thread, it is all about me and my need for a new TV. Please refer to the Bickering post above for space to exchange remarks barbed and blunt but lacking in substance. Really. We have a thread for that now.
Because, we live to serve.
Tags: Chris MC · Open thread
Best is a Pioneer Kuro Plasma $5K . A contender, when released, is Mitsubishi’s new LASER (not DLP or LED) rear-projection. $5K estimated.
Second best is any other NEW model Plasma with 1080p native resolution. $3K-$5K
Third best is a Samsung Series Nine LED-LCD (my favorite) or an older model Plasma with 1080p $2K-$3K
Fourth best is anything that’s a NEW TOP-LINE model LCD released this Fall from Samsung, Sony, Panasonic, Mitsubishi, LG, Sharp having at minimum 1080p (FULL HD) and 120Hz refresh rate; or any older Plasma model that has 720p(1080i) native resolution. $1K-$2.5K
Fifth best is any NEW mid-level model from the above referenced brands having at minimum 1080p (FULL HD)and 120Hz refresh rate, or any NEW model Olevia or Vizio LCD. $1.5K or less
Sixth best is whatever LCDs they’re clearing out now having at minimum 1080p and 120Hz refresh rate. $1.2K or less.
Seventh is any 1080p LCD without 120 Hz refresh.
Close behind, in some respects, and better in others, is a 1080P DLP rear projection which you can now get at a very good price. Can’t beat a DLP rear projection if you want a HUGE screen at a reasonable cost.
Don’t even consider any 720p (1080i)LCD except for use as a computer screen or small-kitchen TV.
This advice is kindly brought to you by a local friendly Republican; you know, the type of person whose political views you despise.
Thanks, Tony. Now we know you’re qualified to run for VP.
I would shop around a bit. Wander through the TV section at Aitoro’s and talk to somebody there. Then do the same thing at one of the Big box electronics stores, like Best Buy. They all have excellent products and are making some pretty good deals because things are slow. I know builders who buy dozens of TV sets and don’t even look anywhere beyond Aitoro’s. These guys are very careful shoppers and are convinced they do best there.
I opted for a 1080p Samsung LCD last year around this time. When the corners of my old NEC tv were pink and green, I knew it was time. Agree with anonymous #1 that 1080p is essential. Agree with Old Timer that you should wander through displays of TVs. You are essentially buying a computer with a large screen, so pay attention to how the picture looks to you, how you interact with the menu system and whether you can hook up all your gear to it. HDMI inputs are recent, so look at your other components to see what adapters you’ll need.
Be careful deciding only by the appearance of models on display. The color and brightness settings and the content resolution are almost always pumped-up on the models the store is trying to push. LCDs will almost always look brighter than Plasmas, but the black levels and contrast ratios on LCDs are inferior to a good Plasma.
This advice is kindly brought to you by a local friendly Republican; you know, the type of person whose political views you despise.
I only despise certain views, and generally not types of people. OK, I guess there is a type or two, but I’ve found no evidence of correlation to party registration.
Thanks for the detailed advice!
i LOVE my vizio!
Here’s a thought….watch out for some of the “deals” out there. Stores are unloading a lot of their older TVs for a song, and they may not work after January because that’s when the TV networks go all digital.
Some of the more technically-minded can elaborate on that.
Forget politics for a moment; I’d hate to see anybody pay a thousand bucks or more for what could essentially become a brick come January (19th I believe).
Chris MC, you do like to spark lively conversations. Thanks. Oh, please, please, please let the toilet roll one lie!
The big box stores, conveniently located in a town near yours, are great places for deals at the moment. I bought a BFTV within the last month for less than I was able to find on the web. Remember, in this economy, to look at who is providing any extended warrantee that you might consider. Funding a bankrupcty isn’t fun.
…you do like to spark lively conversations.
Yeah, that’s pretty much the point of a blog IMHO. The more people with more takes and information than I can get to on my own the better!
…let the toilet roll one lie!
Huh?
… a BFTV …
I’m searching through my technical manuals and cannot find this term. 
Re: Toilet rolls. It was an endless thread that went on for years on the ethical, technical, moral, philosophical, esthetic principals on its proper hanging.
Arrgghh!!! I said it! We’re doomed!
Anyway, keep reading the manuals. When I asked for a BFTV at “Big Box” the techie understood me immediately!
A BFTV…..WTF? Anyway, scope-out the November Consumer Reports. Pioneer Kuro Plasma rocks!
Some resources: can’t post the whole links cuz’ Turffie doesn’t want it that way; I get a spam warning.
soundandvisionmag.com/
hometheatermag.com/
ultimateavmag.com/
lcdtvbuyingguide.com/
plasmatvbuyingguide.com/
recommend you check consumer reports and decide what you need and what you want to pay for- then, “Son, you better shop around…”
There are amazing differences between four or five sellers-
if you feel comfortable there are online places to purchase - sometimes the shipping wipes
out the savings though.
By the way- I have seen a few nice looking, well working, sets at pawn shops- this is a growing business lately and more sellers than buyers- you can haggle at many.
I need a new government. Anyone know of someone who can start representing the will of the people?
John McCain and Sarah Palin
DAMN STRAIGHT.
A vote for Obama is a vote to sell your country down the river. The “change” you’re gonna get sure as hell won’t be the one you’re expecting.
A vote for McCain is a vote for the wealthy and corrupt. Vote Obama if you want the country back in the hands of the people.
…people like Ayers, Rezko, Wright, Rashidi, Auchi and Dohrn
Toshiba 32RV530 Regza 32″ LCD HDTV True 1080p
$699.99
My current set is a Toshiba, and I’ve been happy with it, but it is a CRT, so different technology and so on…
Here’s my opinion:
Does your current TV still work? I rest my case.
Thank you.
(PS: if you must buy new, perhaps buy $300 color TV and donate $399.99 to some worthy charity)
I am kinda going in your direction, except I want to get the rectangular screen that accommodates the format that DVD’s and increasing amounts of broadcasting use - is it 16:9?
Ideally, this one will last me until I retire or something. There is more than one way to be frugal with such purchases!
It’s OK to bicker about TV choices in this thread, btw.
Your TV flickering during debate is divine intervention.
By the way, he who dies with the most toys wins, and you can all give up trying right now, as my husband has already won! The rest of you are rookies, and all should bow before him, great king of wide screen high def lcd plasma 4th dimension organic tv…………
And, he’s not even dead yet.
What, pray tell, can he offer on the subject?
Sony, any Sony. (Sony 32″ LCD 1080p is about $900 or more though!)
The Sony Bravia seems to be the choice of the hedgefund underlings. Wait for the third shoe to drop and make an offer! 
“they may not work after January because that’s when the TV networks go all digital.”
That’s just what they want you to think.
It will still be a VHF signal, of course, all crapped up with digicipher noise, but most people don’t even have the color and contrast settings correct on their TVs, so they won’t notice a difference.
“DAMN STRAIGHT.
A vote for Obama is a vote to sell your country down the river. The “change” you’re gonna get sure as hell won’t be the one you’re expecting.”
Yikes, another bitter, Hilary supporter!
