One less thing to move...

[hollyking]

Our TV is dying, so I need to start looking for a replacement. The problem is I’m so out of touch with current technology I don’t know what we should get for a replacement. I do know that I would like a flat screen 16:9 TV but beyond what else should I look for?

• Plasma or LCD?
• 720p, 1080i, 1080p?
• Sony, Samsung, Pioneer, Toshiba, others?

At first it will need to handle s-video and component inputs as I won’t be able to replace the Tivo, although it’s been acting up too, or cable box.

Comments

[crossfire.livejournal.com]

Hi, here via friendsfriends (seems we have beaq and randomdreams in common). I've been in the market for an HDTV recently as well, and my research (primarily via Consumer Reports) has turned up the following:

720p is probably ok as long as you're looking at 40" or smaller. Unless you're a cinemaphile, are doing HD gaming, or are sitting 4' away from the screen, you most probably won't notice the higher resolution.

Plasma TVs have better picture quality overall, but LCD TVs are considerably cheaper. The cutoff of LCD/Plasma appears to be 50" or so: above 50", go for plasma as you'll get better resolution for your investment. Below 50", LCD is probably the way to go--again, unless you're a cinemaphile.

The one I'm looking at is an Olevia (http://www.olevia.com/en-us/Products/4Series/437VLCDHDTV.aspx). It rates consistently high in the CR ratings (only getting marks off for having a confusing user interface for the on-screen controls) and being typically around $600.

According to the specs, though, it doesn't have an s-video input.

[hollyking.livejournal.com]

Welcome! Thanks for the information. I don't know the dimensions of the room since we are moving soon. I doubt I would go over 40" so a 720p LCD sounds like a winner.

I am a cinemaphile but my dream system is going to have to wait a bit longer and by then I know everything will be different.

[jedifreeman.livejournal.com]

1080p is the really good one if you are wanting to get into gaming / hd movies. Lori and I picked up a 42" LCD 1080p Toshiba Regza for about 1300 at Video Only a few months back, it has worked really great.

[hollyking.livejournal.com]

Hmmm... Maybe I need to come ply you with drinks to check out this TV. ;)

[torainfor.livejournal.com]

Here's the extent of my cool knowledge:

Plasma TVs are elevation-specific. If you get one that works at sea-level and then move to a higher elevation, it may have an incredibly annoying buzz.

That is all.

[hollyqueen.livejournal.com]

Found this out the hard way, huh?

[torainfor.livejournal.com]

No, thankfully. When we were in the market, a store had a plasma on sale for a very good price. We asked why. The guy said it buzzed, but if someone bought it and took it back down to sea level it might fix itself.

[ragnorokt.livejournal.com]

I burned my tax refund on a Pioneer 1080p 42" Plasma and a Pioneer home theater system at Costco. The TV was around $1400 (before my $200 coupon) and the home theater was like $500. I LOVE it. Watching baseball you can see the grass as grass, not a green blur. I can't wait for football!!!

I would think you really want to go the 1080p route, that way your limiting factor is other equipment that will be due for a replacement before the TV.

[loba.livejournal.com]

Go visit Jesse & Jen, and get introduced to Serenity (their TV). Or go visit Dustin, and see the one he WOWs on. :-)

Hands-on is a good way to try them out, IMHO. YMMV. :-)

[irgth.livejournal.com]

I haven't really kept up (not planning on upgrading from my 56" CRT Rear Projection HDTV (http://www.epinions.com/pr-Toshiba_56H80_56_in_Rear_Projection_Television/display_~full_specs) until next year) but:

If flat panel isn't an absolute requirement, DLP rear projection seems to get the best picture quality for the $$$, at the expense of taking up more room.

56" is pretty much the minimum I'd consider for watching movies on. 65" is probably the best size, unless budget isn't an issue.

http://www.cnet.com/4520-7874_1-5108443-2.html?tag=arw

http://avsforum.com/ is a good place to look for information.

Get as many types of inputs (HDMI, composite, s-video, DVI) as possible, and as many of each as you think you are likely to use.

Include sound in the budget. You want at least 5.1.

You probably want to include a BluRay player in your budget.