HD TV opinions

[shodan2020]

Hey everyone. I'm seriously considering getting an HD TV. However, I know next to nothing about them and I don't have a whole lot of cash to kick around, so I figured I'd ask my fellow Coggies their opinions about HD TVs. I'm looking for a cheap relatively small screen (20"-30") that's good quality. Should I go plasma or LCD?

Hap! Hap! (http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2006/4/14/)

Thanks. :)

[DangerousDaze]

I decided to go for LCD, especially now that specifications have improved - for example you can get contrast ratios of 50,000:1 in a reasonably priced model.

I bought the Samsung Series 6 (here's a comparison review (http://www.smarthouse.com.au/Reviews/TVs_And_Large_Display/B3R4F3B8?page=4) against an LG Scarlet). I'm extremely happy with it because the picture is awesome whether playing games, Blu-Ray movies or HD broadcasts from Sky here in the UK.

/edit - also check out his LCD vs Plasma comparison (http://www.which.co.uk/advice/lcd-vs-plasma-tvs/index.jsp) from Which magazine.

[boratika]

Yeah at that size I think going LCD is the way. I can also vouch for Samsungs. I don't know how they compare to other brands. But I do know you will be very happy with one sitting in front of you.

[Stmfuller]

LCD
plasmas don't have the shelf life although they usually produce the better picture (darker blacks etc).
as for 20-30" and cheap...Check out Vizio and Insignia (best buy brand). Both are decent quality (I vouch for the insignia as that's what my 42" is), and won't cost you a king's ransom.

[JayVe]

My friend Cookyshark just got a Samsung Series 6 LCD that totally blew me away. Totally and completely. We play Left 4 Dead on it, and I don't ever want to leave to come home to my Westinghouse. Granted, I've had my westinghouse for more than a year, and paid a HELL of a lot less for it.

[jpublic]

Hey guys, I'm also looking at getting a TV. I only want a 40" or so, and due to the $400 in gift cards I got for X_mas, I'm looking at Future Shop.

I'm leaning towards this one:

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0770HDS0010111557&catid=

But there's also these:

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0770HDS0010112400&catid=

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0770HDS0010105968&catid=

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0770HDS0010099946&catid=


I plan on hooking the following up to it:

PS2
Xbox 360
Wii
DVD Player (Supports Component)
Cable Box (SD for now, getting HD later, but it goes up to component or even std cable if I wanted).

Any recommendations?

[resikel]

I'm looking for a cheap relatively small screen (20"-30") that's good quality. Should I go plasma or LCD?

They don't make plasma that small.

[Wackman3000]

Well since you are looking for a smaller panel, you are going to be stuck with LCD.

That said, I am the proud new owner of a 42'' Panasonic Plasma and although the first one was DOA, it's easily the nicest picture I could get in the price range, as well as full 1080p.

[shodan2020]

Thanks guys for all your advice. It has been very useful! :)

[JRR1285]

I bought a series 6 Samsung 52" and as you see from some comments here the line is absolutely awesome. I did pay a bit for it though... but I got it 24 months same as cash so it was a pure win.

[Stmfuller]

Thanks guys for all your advice. It has been very useful! :)

well, better than just thanking us would be telling us what you got :D

[DangerousDaze]

Do you know they've already got up to series 8 now? They look seriously nice, but cost an arm and a leg!

[JayVe]

Do you know they've already got up to series 8 now? They look seriously nice, but cost an arm and a leg!

I've learned that it is ALWAYS possible to pay MORE for something. :D

[roboninja]

Well since you are looking for a smaller panel, you are going to be stuck with LCD.

That said, I am the proud new owner of a 42'' Panasonic Plasma and although the first one was DOA, it's easily the nicest picture I could get in the price range, as well as full 1080p.

If I can ask, wack, what model did you get, and how much did it cost you? I am thinking of updating my 32" 720p to something nicer, and have been leaning plasma since seeing my friend's Pioneer.

[Wackman3000]

If I can ask, wack, what model did you get, and how much did it cost you? I am thinking of updating my 32" 720p to something nicer, and have been leaning plasma since seeing my friend's Pioneer.

I got this (http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0926HDS0010115724&catid=23249&PCName=tv_panasonic&logon=&langid=EN) but the 42'' version from a local A/V store that a friend works at. I do a ton of business there and he cut me an early boxing week deal. Grabbed it for $1000 + taxes. Although the first one I received was DOA, we swapped it up no questions asked and the new one has been everything I expected. Very dark, rich blacks and vibrant colors.

It's no Pioneer Kuro, but it's also nowhere near that price range. I believe all these plasmas are now also being backed by a full 3 year warranty from Panasonic.

[roboninja]

I got this (http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0926HDS0010115724&catid=23249&PCName=tv_panasonic&logon=&langid=EN) but the 42'' version from a local A/V store that a friend works at. I do a ton of business there and he cut me an early boxing week deal. Grabbed it for $1000 + taxes. Although the first one I received was DOA, we swapped it up no questions asked and the new one has been everything I expected. Very dark, rich blacks and vibrant colors.

It's no Pioneer Kuro, but it's also nowhere near that price range. I believe all these plasmas are now also being backed by a full 3 year warranty from Panasonic.

Nice, might look into that. Yeah, my buddy has the KURO, but those things are damned pricey. The 50" is on sale for $2499 ;)

[Mortis]

I have a 50" 1080p panny plasma (50pz85u) and I absolutely love it. Blacks aren't Kuro or Elite level but they are the closest you will get and at a much better price. They also have long life panels (100,000 hours to half brightness) and no input lag. The older Kuros did have some input lag, not sure about the newer models.

[MachEnergy]

120hz is the best new tech that I've seen. If you get an LCD at a decent size that runs at 120hz, you won't believe how good movies look. This is because movies are filmed at 24fps, and 120 is a clean multiple. Very very sexy. Games don't really look that much better, but Blurays and 120hz <3 each other very much.

[Nuggsy]

Here's a Gizmodo linky (http://gizmodo.com/5067130/giz-explains-how-to-buy-an-hdtv-like-a-pro) on the topic if you're still looking.

[shodan2020]

well, better than just thanking us would be telling us what you got :D

Oh, I will tell, when I get. I haven't gotten yet.