<p>A friend just bought an edge LED backlit LCD TV from LG that had a noticeably nicer picture than the brands next to it (which I don’t remember). It could have been because of the settings but it was quite nice. This TV also had an ethernet connection so it could stream a number of digital services, like Netflix, right to the TV. It also had a pretty cool Wii-like remote control that detected movement to help select options on the TV. The price was decent for the features as well.</p>
<p>Check for prices on the internet for a particular model and then se if a local store will match it or come very close to the price. That ensures you’re paying a reasonable price for the TV.</p>
<p>The Consumer Reports article from post # 3 is excellent and viewable form the link. Read it and then go to CNET.com for TV reviews and more information. You need to know where you want the TV- I like a large screen plasma for the family room. Just got a smaller LCD (not LED technology- reviews of it make it seem too early yet) for the bedroom- 32", gave son 40" as it was just too big and he could use it. Brands do matter. Check how standard definition quality is if you ever watch old shows/DVDs et al. Be aware that TV’s on display in stores will not look the same at home. You can check daily with TechBargains.com for deals on sets you are interested in (great for all sorts of electronics/computers). You also need to be aware of differences in product lines for brands. Look at the brand websites for tables with comparisons of features among their current offerings in various sizes. Last year’s models may be available with good features et al but lower prices (Samsung LCD TV’s for example are into the D series of model numbers, the C model may or may not have what you want).</p>
<p>So much information out there. Going through CNET’s how to buy an HDTV will give you an idea of what to consider. Googling rerviews, comparisons of specific TV types will bring up sites with more explanations.</p>
<p>plasma tv’s don’t sell well here in high altitude- word is they do not do well. have no idea why or even if this is true. we just went out window shopping this week and no plasmas in sight. we seriously need to look for led/lcd models but this may not occur until january- which i am guessing there will either be a lot on sale or non left.</p>
<p>We bought a 47" LG LED TV from Sam’s Club last year. We love it. the colors are so bright. It almost looks 3D sometimes. One issue was the sound wasn’t as clear as we would like because of the speaker placement. We went to Wal-Mart and bought a sound bar to sit in front of the TV…prob. solved.</p>
<p>Which is why, if you have one of those old heavy 35" tube tv s that weigh over 100 pounds, you’ll probably have a lot of trouble disposing of it. People don’t want them for free. :)</p>
<p>Vizio is a lower end discount line of TVs. If you’re going to spend that much money I think you’re better off with a better brand name and to get an LED-edge lit LCD tv. The viewing experience will be better. </p>
<p>Regardless, you shouldn’t buy a particular model TV without actually viewing the model operating first - preferably someplace where you can compare it to other brands and types of the same size. The same size is important since the larger the TV the more spread out the pixels are so usually a smaller TV will look somewhat sharper next to a larger TV but then…it’s smaller. The direct comparisons can be skewed by settings of the particular TVs but it still gives you a good idea, especially if the settings are at the factory preset for comparison purposes. Sometimes you’ll see a brand/type that’ll just blow the other brand/type away. We noticed this when comparing an LG LED edge lit LCD to some other brands/models (the LG was noticeably better).</p>
<p>You should see what the picture of this model Vizio is like next to a Sony, Panasonic, LG, Samsung, of the same size. You might decide that springing some extra bucks for the other TV is worth it.</p>
It’s going to be hard to find an LED-lit, name-brand set for under $500. Under $1000, maybe.
It’s important to look at the TV from the distance you will actually be from it in your house. Standing 4 feet away in the store does not give a valid idea of the screen.</p>
<p>^^ Good point about the distance. The lighting is important also but harder to control in a store. They’ve traditionally lowered the lights in the TV area to make them all look brighter.</p>
<p>I’ve seen lots of good name brand LED-lit TVs in 47" for under $1000 but a name brand will likely be higher than Vizio and some of the other off-brand names and will be higher than a fluorescent-lit LCD. </p>
<p>There’s always something better and sometimes something not as good so one needs to do a real comparison and pick based on what they get and what they’re willing to pay. Since it’s likely the TV will be used for years and years to come and since the differences are so noticeable since they’re readily apparent visually it can make sense to pay a bit extra for something sufficiently better. There are too many variables for a set answer whether it be the low priced Vizio or the higher priced, higher spec’d name brand. The bottom line is that with TVs you just have to get out and see them in operation and in comparison to other models to make sure they’re what one is looking for.</p>
<p>Another consideration. Check on the EXACT model number when comparing sets from a manufacturer, not just the (C and D for Samsung) model year designations. For example, the Samsung series 4 sets have the same general specs but the …403… model compared to the …450… model will differ in speaker watts and their declared dynamic contrast ratio (10/20 total watts and 20,000/60,000:1). Got the better set online (with free delivery and good company) for the same price as the lesser spec model sold at Target and Walmart. The devil is in the details when comparing sets.</p>
<p>I ended up with a Sony Bravia 55inch. It was just over $1200.00 but for our space we could have even gone larger. I will probably get the Vizio for my son. Costco has the Vizio.</p>
<p>Hows the sound on the Bravia…Should I order the speaker set?</p>
<p>Thanks for the feedback…I checked the specs as Wis75 suggested. The Sony was the best deal.</p>
<p>No TV set has the good sound system available with a surround sound system. As long as you have a good tv you probably should go for a good theater sound experience as well. Now you have to go through the whole process of deciding your pricepoint and quality wishes all over again. We did this a few years ago. H, and likely most men compared to women, wants the most in electronics. So we combined wishes and costs and chose a higher end middle priced speaker combo to go with the same sort of receiver to replace old stuff. You could pay as much for ONE speaker as you did for the entire tv set, for the entire set of speakers, or less. I learned all sorts of stuff about music physics in the process. If I had never met H I would likely just have the good tv alone.</p>
<p>Key points. Since you went with a high end middle range TV (there are sets out there costing a ton more, but not worth the price) don’t settle for the cheapest available speakers. Read up on the pros and cons of speaker bars and differences in how brands achieve the results. Discuss your desires with your spouse- men seem to want a lot of bass capability… Look at what you get with different models/series within a brand. Consider how you can wire the system within your space. Speaker wire quality, unlike most other cables, does matter. Consider ease of setup- getting the balance between speakers, for example (done using software and the remote that comes with for ours by setting different specs on each speaker based on where the primary, and even secondary, listening spot is).</p>
<p>You now have another research project with the same electronics sources. btw- we have the tv, receiver, speakers, dvd/cd/et al players all wired together. Just replaced our old Harmony with the Harmony 650 to use one remote for everything. Don’t ask me about the wiring- that’s H’s job and it can get complicated (better to have one person doing that and cursing interim results without being able to fault the other person’s work).</p>
<p>So which is considered the better line of Samsung the 403 or 450? Started this thread weeks ago and have not made a purchase yet. We are leaning toward a panasonic plasma 42/46 inches. Family room is somewhat long and narrow and has minimal natural light. TV can only go in one corner and the space is restricted by a fireplace. Any larger and it would probably look ridiculous. We’ve cut out cardboard to try to get the space effect. Question: with smaller plasma how important is the 720/1080 resolution(?) number? Glad others are not as immobilized as we are and can make a decision.</p>
<p>I like the 50" Panasonic Plasma as well, especially the price. The only thing I don’t like is that they only have Netflex in the “tool” box (among few other useless apps). I wish they have more, like Hulu or Ytube.</p>
<p>According to it, if you are more than 8’ away from a 42" set, or 9’ away from a 46’ set, your eye will not be able to tell the difference between 1080p and 720p.</p>
<p>You will quickly get used to a larger set. We have a long thin family room with a fireplace as well, and got a long low table that goes across the short side. We got a 50" because of price, today I would go bigger. Even though it sits in front of a window plenty of light can still come in. The setup looks great.</p>
:D</p>