Calling all TV gurus - need help

tv prices are supposed to be dropping rapidly this year, i'd wait a month or 2 and see what happens.

 

I've never seen a big screen Vizio but I've seen some of the others. A friend of mine has 66in Samsung LED; I think he got it sometime in the last year. It's a very nice screen and the absence of bezel make its seem like theres just a random picture coming off the wall (its wall mounted).

On the otherhand, my sister has an LG 55in LED and its breathtaking to see the picture quality. I dunno if its a mid-level or upper level screen but watching Inception on it was incredible.

I've heard (and mostly believe) that the mid-tiers like LG and Vizio have high quality screens in the mid and upper lines that compare favorably with the Samsungs and Sonys.

That's always the case in the HDTV market. Its just a fast evolving field. Sometimes you just have to buy something and hope you don't get buyers remorse. Otherwise you end up continually waiting for the next great feature or price drop. Though you are right time-wise that buying around Superbowl time may produce the single best deals.

 

depends on the model. check with cnet, they usually have pretty good reviews.

i know people with all 3 brands.

 

Vizio is crap IMHO. Samsung/LG are the way to go. Check out AVS Forum - tons of great info. I think there is on reviewer on there that benchmarks a bunch of TVs and is greatly respected on there...

 

I have a Westinghouse 42", LG 55", and two smaller Samsung.

LG looks amazing. Westinghouse is almost 6 years old, no issues. still love it.

 

I was very happy with the LG plasma I bought 5 years ago. I'm going to get another LG this weekend.

 

Out of the three, I'd go with the Sammy based on my personal experience.

However, make sure you look at the embedded internet apps. I got a Mitsubishi last year that has horrible apps and no Netflix. Pretty much makes that portion useless and I have to use an external device.

 

I bought a TV a year ago, so here are some bullet points I can recall:

- You don't need more than 120 Hz. The human eye can only see 60 Hz, anyway. The 240 Hz is only necessary for 3D TV's (they need the higher refresh rate for the image switching), but if there's a 240 Hz non-3D TV priced similarly to 120 Hz, why not? Just don't go out of your way and make it a requirement.

- Plasmas have better picture than LED, but are heavier, give off more heat and consume more power.

- LED LCD's have better picture than regular LCD's, but their picture still isn't as good as a Plasma. They give off the impression of looking better because they're bright, but I've owned both and without a doubt, Plasmas have better picture.

- If you buy an LED LCD TV, go with LG or Samsung. Avoid Sony like the plague.

- If you buy a Plasma, go with Panasonic. Comment about Sony continues to apply.

 

Just thinking out loub, but for a screen that big would a projection screen be more practical?

 

A friend of mine has a Sammy with Apps and I have a Panasonic with apps.

I still think the xbox360 version of Netflix is superior picture wise and interface wise.

The Sammy (the one my friend had) did not let you change that motion crap while running Netflix.

 

Yeah for internet interface I have not seen a TV that is even as good as my PS3 much less an HTPC. I wouldn't put much stock into those yet to base a purchase on.

I am mad the better panels are all 3D now because I rarely watch movies that are even available in 3D

 

Hey tinman is it true the latest Panasonics have buzzing and Fluctuating Brightness issues or is that a bunch of internet forum talk? The 60" VT30 models have come down to the price I would like to get one to knock down my V1 from main display status.

 

I have the G25, supposedly the buzzing one, but I don't hear a thing. I sit 10 feet away from my TV.

However my xbox is loud, but the solution to that is crank my sound system louder :grin:

I haven't noticed any floating brightness. I have seen different brightness depending what i'm watching, but I think that's due to content and media.

on bluray, my blacks are black and my colors are vivid.

 

Have the g25 as well. No buzzing. No floating

 

I have a "55 LG LED. Did plenty of research before deciding on my specific model and I'm very happy with my choice. For the price, 3D was an added bonus. I won't say much else about my tv because then I get labeled as a "fanboy" by certain know it all's in this forum. Do your research, take your time, and compare reviews online.

 

I disagree with your first statement. I see a HUGE difference in 120 hz and higher. 60 is unacceptable, 120 is good, and 240 is very good. I agree with all of your other statements.

I have owned a Samsung 52" LCD for 3 years and have been VERY happy with it.

Vizio seems like hit-and-miss. About half fhe people you talk to will say they like it. The other half will say it's crap.

 

I have a Sony Bravia KDL-55HX800, 240hz, 3D, and an amazing picture. I didn't get it because it had 3D, but because it had the latest technology at a reasonable price, and that incredible picture. I watch TV shows in HD, like House, and the actors almost look like different people, the image is so incredibly clear. Got it at Costco for under $1300 bucks and they doubled the warranty for free. They do that with all their tech stuff, pretty much. Well worth the membership fee of $50 per year. I have an old Sony 5.1 receiver I need to replace (thinking of a Pioneer), but some really excellent Klipsch surround speakers and subwoofer. I've been a Klipsch fan since I owned Klipschorns back in the day, and I haven't been disappointed. Got those at Costco as well, for $160 under what they cost at Frys and Best Buy, and double the warranty.

 

What's wrong with Sony?

 

I doubt when you compared them the refresh rate was the only variable. It is impossible to make the definitive statements you just did definitively.