Best Bang For The Buck On A Big-Screen TV (37"-52")

[Halifax]

I know there are already a few threads on this topic, but things change weekly with electronics, so I'm throwing it out there again.

Here's the situation ...

* I'm looking for a big-screen TV for the living room, somewhere between 37" and 52" (leaning towards 42" to 46")

* would like to spend between $500 and $1,500 for it

* I personally seem to prefer LCD to Plasma, but I'm open to being convinced otherwise

* thinking I probably should go 1080p rather than 720

* my location is Southwest Florida (Cape Coral / Fort Myers), but would be willing to consider ordering online or driving a couple of hours to pick it up

-----

Any suggestions ? I'm looking for the best bang for the buck, and not necessarily the cheapest (although cheap is good).

Thanks in advance.

 

[RaoulDuke]

Google.........

 

[Halifax]

0 for 1

Keep 'em comin'

 

[FeelTheTruth]

46" Sony Bravia LCD

got mine at best buy about a month ago for $1199

love it

 

[audude]

this is all you need
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...oduct&id=1205246214857#tabbed-customerreviews

 

[audude]

my second opinion is what feel the truth suggested

 

[arizonacubs]

That Samsung is severely overpriced!

 

[Doug]

http://www.salescircular.com/fl/video/giantp.shtml

 

[FeelTheTruth]

dont get seduced by the prices of the Insignia's.... they are best buys own brand and even the guys at best buy admit they are trash.

 

[Rambo]

We just got a 47 inch 1080p lcd from target for only 1200. Was on sale. Best bet was during the holidays.

 

[Moneyneversleeps]

I just bought a plasma tv. I did extensive research to find the best tv for the price. Went with plasma as the research indicates that it has better picture quality and viewing angles. I was stuck between Samsung and Panasonic and decided to go with a Panasonic 42px80u model. It is a 42" and it is nice. I got it on Amazon with free white glove delivery for 649.99. Great price. Same model at Best Buy for 799 plus tax. Amazon currently has it for 726.99 with free white glove delivery. Still a great price. Read the reviews on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-Vie...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1231010138&sr=8-1

Don't fall for that 1080 hype. On screens 50" or less you cannot tell a difference. Go with a 720. It is definately not worth the extra dollars.

 

[JohnnyMac]

Don't fall for that 1080 hype. On screens 50" or less you cannot tell a difference. Go with a 720. It is definately not worth the extra dollars.

Can anyone else confirm this?

 

[Moneyneversleeps]

Here is what CNET says about the 720 vs. 1080:

http://www.cnet.com/hdtv-resolution/?tag=buttonWrapper;menu1

The truth about 1080p
In the last couple of years, there has been a big influx of HDTVs with 1080p native resolution, which typically cost a good deal more than their lower-resolution counterparts. But as we've been saying all along, once you get to high-def, the difference between resolutions becomes much more difficult to appreciate. We've done side-by-side tests between two 46-inch LCD HDTVs, one with 1366x768 resolution and the other with 1080p resolution, using the same 1080i source material, and it was extremely difficult for us to see any difference. It becomes even more difficult at smaller screen sizes or farther seating distances--say, more than 1.5 times the diagonal measurement of the screen. We've reviewed a 37-inch 1080p LCD, for example, where it was impossible to see the separation between horizontal lines at farther than 45 inches away.

Here are a few reviews where we compared 1080p displays directly to lower-resolution models:

• Sharp LC-46D62U (46-inch 1080p LCD)
• Vizio GV46L HDTV (46-inch 1366x768 LCD)
• Westinghouse LvM-47W1 (47-inch 1080p LCD)
• Samsung LN-S4096D (40-inch 1080p LCD)
• Sony KDL-40XBR2 (40-inch 1080p LCD)
• Sharp LC-37D90U (37-inch 1080p LCD)

We're not telling you to ignore 1080p HDTVs. They technically do deliver more detail, which can enhance the viewing experience for more eagle-eyed viewers. Also, many manufacturers build other picture-quality benefits, such as better contrast and/or color, into their 1080p HDTVs simply because those sets are the high-end models. And given the continuing march of technology, we expect more and more 1080p models to become available at lower and lower prices. Today, however, the premium for 1080p is still pretty steep, and unless you're getting a very large set, say 50 inches or more, we don't recommend basing a buying decision on whether or not the television has 1080p native resolution.

 

[RobFunk]

Try e-cost.com

pick size than sort by price

 

[Moneyneversleeps]

Pricegrabber.com is also good

 

[bdgear]

slickdeals.net

 

[OAKAS]

I did alot of research on televisions the last month and bought a Sony Bravia. It has a real crisp picture. Glad I got it.

 

[KillaRSox]

I have a 40" sony bravia 1080p, i dont want to tell you what I paid for it as i bought it 2 years ago when it was the hot new tv. I love it, excellent for movies, sports, anything I watch on it looks good. They're down to about a grand and well worth it. Sony and samsung are almost identical, as sony has samsung make they're screens and samsung uses some of sony's internal parts.

 

[RobFunk]

I have a 40" sony bravia 1080p, i dont want to tell you what I paid for it as i bought it 2 years ago when it was the hot new tv. I love it, excellent for movies, sports, anything I watch on it looks good. They're down to about a grand and well worth it. Sony and samsung are almost identical, as sony has samsung make they're screens and samsung uses some of sony's internal parts.

Nice. The Bravia line rocks. But I agree on the pricing. When I bought my Toshiba it was a lot. It was a plunge. I can get it for maybe 2/3rd what I paid for it now. Or get 10 inches more for about the same price.

But do we regret it? Of course not. Were we going to suffer without HD any longer?! I think about all the good months I had with it. I'm happy I didnt wait for a price drop.

But TV's are almost becoming disposable. If the thing craps out you just say oh well I need a new TV.

 

[Jetplane]

Brother just got a 37" for about $700... Bravia... looked nice.