Buying a TV in the next week or two, need input.

[RamFan]

Ok folks, this is my first journey to the electronics side of BITOG so hopefully it proves to be as good as the automotive side.

I'm in the market for a new tv, will be purchasing in the next week or two. I'm looking for 40''-46'' with a max price tag of $500 1080p and 120hz preferred. I've been doing a lot of looking and researching and have reached a crossroads. I have found two TVs which seem to be really good value.

Option 1-
Vizio 42'' 3D 1080p 120hz

Yes it is $48 over budget, however the same TV minus 3D and Internet Apps is $498 so I figure for the $50 extra I'd be getting more for the money.

Option 2-
Samsung 51'' 720p 500hz

Again, it's slightly over budget but $550 for a 51'' Plasma from a reputable company is hard to come by. I don't like that it's only 720p however I'm thinking that the 600hz rate should make up for the decreased lines.

Need a little input from yall. What do you think? If these were your two options what would you go for?

 

[UNC151]

I would go for the Vizio over the Samsung (LCD over Plasma and 1080p versus 720p). Unless the size is an issue and you want a larger TV. I think the LCD at 1080p will give much higher resolution despite the difference in Hz.

 

[volk06]

Samsung makes good tvs but their plasma tvs arent that great in the picture department, compare it side by side with a panasonic. If you have any tv or lights on the plasma will have alot of glares on it.


Vizio is a pretty good tv.

 

[Scotty1981]

I would go with the Samsung, regardless of model, when I was shopping and checking out displays I always thought the Samsungs had the best colors and blacker blacks. I would check some reviews first too. Newegg and Amazon are both ok resources for customer reviews.

EDIT: Yes I didn't know that about the plasma. I was only shopping for LCD.

 

[Nick R]

I'd look at this one myself if you were looking in that price range. If you would be open to something a little bit more, there is always these two



LG 50" Plasma 1080p HDTV - BBY

Samsung 46" LCD 1080p HDTV

 

[OldSparks]

Plasma is wonderful IF you don't have any glare from windows or strong lights, like in the basement.

I can't tell the difference between 720 and 1080 unless I sit closer than 10 feet.

 

[si1491]

Between the two you are looking at, I would choose the Vizio. 1080P beats 720 in the HD department, especially if you are going to use this as your primary TV and are going to watch HD video and blu-ray movies. Customer reviews on CNET (www.cnet.com) rate the Vizio higher than the Samsung.

 

[dave1251]

I agree the 1080P advantages are really apparent when watching blue ray movies.

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: dave1251
I agree the 1080P advantages are really apparent when watching blue ray movies.


Yes, but only if you are sitting close enough.

Most people sit too far from their TVs and the 1080P advantage is lost.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: dparm
Originally Posted By: dave1251
I agree the 1080P advantages are really apparent when watching blue ray movies.


Yes, but only if you are sitting close enough.

Most people sit too far from their TVs and the 1080P advantage is lost.

+1

 

[RamFan]

Thanks for all the opinions! I was leaning toward the Vizio as well, awesome technology for a reasonable price.

 

[jigen]

95% of the HD content you see is 720p and not 1080p. 1080 is nice but I would take the Sammy plasma. When you're going for more of a budget priced set I find plasma to be a better value for the $$$.

I have always found a $500 plasma to have much better image quality than an LCD. The lower priced plasmas don't have the nice glare reduction films on them though, so if the tv will see a lot of direct sunlight it might not be the best way to go.

 

[GrtArtiste]

I have 2 Samsung LCDs, a 2010 46 in 1080p & a 2010 32 in 720p. I like them both and would buy them again. I don't do gaming or blu-ray-I watch broadcast tv only which is either 1080i or 720p (for HD broadcasts). I generally watch a lot of sports and prefer as large a screen as practicable. You generally can't see much (if any) difference between 1080 and 720 broadcasts...they both look great to me.

 

[greenjp]

How far away from the set are you going to be sitting? 51" vs 42" is a huge size difference.

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: jigen
95% of the HD content you see is 720p and not 1080p. 1080 is nice but I would take the Sammy plasma. When you're going for more of a budget priced set I find plasma to be a better value for the $$$.

I have always found a $500 plasma to have much better image quality than an LCD. The lower priced plasmas don't have the nice glare reduction films on them though, so if the tv will see a lot of direct sunlight it might not be the best way to go.




You're a bit off.

A lot of TV content is 720p, with some being 1080i (depends on the network). Blu-ray is 1080p.

Eventually I can see TV becoming 1080p. I think DirectTV is offering some 1080p content.

 

[RamFan]

Originally Posted By: greenjp
How far away from the set are you going to be sitting? 51" vs 42" is a huge size difference.


It's going to be in the living room of my apartment for the next year, about 10 feet from the couch. After I graduate from college who knows what my living arrangement will be like.

 

[dparm]

10 feet? You need bigger than 51", I would argue (assuming you watching all HD and Blu-ray content).

 

[jigen]

Originally Posted By: dparm



You're a bit off.

A lot of TV content is 720p, with some being 1080i (depends on the network). Blu-ray is 1080p.

Eventually I can see TV becoming 1080p. I think DirectTV is offering some 1080p content.


Oops, you're right. I meant 95% of what you see on TV.

 

[97tbird]

stay away from Vizio.

Go with Samsung or Panasonic full HD LCD if your room is bright.
If not, you can consider plasmas, but then I'd go with Panasonic only.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: dparm
10 feet? You need want bigger than 51", I would argue (assuming you watching all HD and Blu-ray content).

Fixed it for you