Flat screen TV recs

[papsrus]

Consumer reports basically likes them all, but they do recommend going 42 inch for a living room, and seem to prefer plasma for darker rooms and wider viewing angle. ... yada, yada. Does anyone have a flat panel that they really like (or don't like)? I'm leaning toward an LCD 37 inch Sony or Panasonic. Price seems to drop dramatically if you step down to a 37 inch.

[marcello]

Mine is a Sony Bravia 40V2500.

It's great, right out of the box.

[sidewinder]

I'm using a 42" Panasonic Viera plasma and have been very happy with it.

Edited May 8, 2008 by sidewinder

[kinuta]

I've got a Panasonic Viera LCD TH-32LX-75S. It's what I've always wanted in a tv, I can't praise it enough.

The Sony Bravia is also excellent but I thought the Panny had the edge.

Edited May 8, 2008 by kinuta

[seeline]

I just got my mom a 22" LCD Toshiba (this year's model) and tried it out at home 1st, so that I could help her with it.

Very nice, and given the screen brightness and intensity of colors (even when toned down quite a bit), I don't think I'd want to go for a much larger screen for myself - 27" max, I'm thinking.

But that's just me - and I'm not much of a TV watcher, either.

Edited May 8, 2008 by seeline

[.:.impossible]

I went with Panasonic. 42" PZ700U. It was rated very highly in Consumer Reports, and at avsforum.com . More information than you will ever need to know about televisions, etc. there, including superstitions. This is a plasma set without any of the anti-glare treatment on the glass. It does a great job of diffusing reflections. I have it set up beside a wall of windows and have zero issues. Then again, when am I watching tv in the middle of the day? Blinds work wonders I suppose. Unless you have a serious glare issue, I would go with plasma. Beautiful pictures.

As far as plasma is concerned, if money is no object, Pioneer. Still, most of these folks say the price difference between Pioneer and Panasonic is NOT WORTH IT. Panasonic owns the plasma market, with exception of the folks that want to pay twice as much for a little more black.

[BERIGAN]

One thing to keep an eye on, I read "somewhere" that some models use mad amounts of energy!

[porcy62]

http://www.organissimo.org/forum/index.php...6&hl=Plasma

[jazzbo]

Since Xmas I've a 32" Sony Bravia that Shawn helped me pick out.

I'm in love with this tv.

[porcy62]

At the end my wife bought a Panasonic Viera Plasma 37 inches. It takes a while to set up the image, and to get used to it, but I have to admit that, despite my starting opposition, I still believe CTR are better, it's a pleasure watching DVD on it.

I noted that it takes a while to warm up, and after a week it worked better then right out of the box.

[take5]

I went with a Visio when I bought my plasma a year and a half ago because of the price, and I'm happy w/ it.

[papsrus]

I've got a Panasonic Viera LCD TH-32LX-75S. It's what I've always wanted in a tv, I can't praise it enough.

The Sony Bravia is also excellent but I thought the Panny had the edge.

The Bravia 37" and the one you have pictured were set up side-by-side at Circuit City yesterday, and these were the two I liked the best as far as bang for the buck. (BTW, the Circuit City here has a far better selection and better prices than the Best Buy here. Far better in-store customer service, too.)

One thing to keep an eye on, I read "somewhere" that some models use mad amounts of energy!

I think plasma sucks up more power than LCD.

http://www.organissimo.org/forum/index.php...6&hl=Plasma

Thanks for the link!

[.:.impossible]

It does, but everything is now rated energy star. If you are like me, the tv is only on a few hours a day max. It really won't have a noticeable effect on your monthly bill, especially if you already own a tv.

[Parkertown]

I love our Samsung 50" DLP set. No one has mentioned those yet. DLP sets aren't susceptible to screen burn-in either.

We receive incredibly crisp, detailed images using it with our DishNetwork HD satellite service. We'll probably have BluRay by the end of the year too, probably via a PS3.

[seeline]

(BTW, the Circuit City here has a far better selection and better prices than the Best Buy here. Far better in-store customer service, too.)

I think that's true for these 2 chains in general. I've been window-shopping for TVs at these stores (locally) and think Circuit City more than has the edge, for price and customer service.

[Noj]

Free For All just bought himself a plasma and might have some input. Once he gets a break from the hordes of trombone groupie girls down in Florida, I'm sure he'll weigh in.

[RDK]

Buy as large a screen as you can afford. Personally I wouldn't consider anything less than a 42" unless you were putting it in a bedroom or smaller room (I have a 56" DLP and often wish it were bigger still.). Another big consideration for me is room reflections (windows, etc.) - the flat-glass plasmas/LCDs really reflect a lot and it could be a problem in a room with lights, windows, etc. One of the reasons I went with DLP was because of the more non-reflective screen. I'm a big fan of DLPs for the better bang-for-your-buck, though they obviously aren't as flat and can't be wall-hung.

[Free For All]

Free For All just bought himself a plasma and might have some input. Once he gets a break from the hordes of trombone groupie girls down in Florida, I'm sure he'll weigh in.

Actually I bought a 42" LCD made by LG. I've only had it about a week, but I like it a lot. I was originally going to get a 37", but decided on the larger size and I'm very glad I did. High def is awesome!

"Trombone groupie girls"? Now's there's an oxymoron.

[papsrus]

(BTW, the Circuit City here has a far better selection and better prices than the Best Buy here. Far better in-store customer service, too.)

I think that's true for these 2 chains in general. I've been window-shopping for TVs at these stores (locally) and think Circuit City more than has the edge, for price and customer service.

Agree. And what's the deal with the muscle at the door at Best Buy? A friendly "Thanks for coming" as he eye's your purchases while you exit. It's kind of creepy. They already have those little electronic gates that detect goods that haven't been paid for. That guy at the door could be helping me find deal on a TV! And sometimes there are 2 or 3 of those Best Buy bouncers loitering around at the doors.

[Kevin Bresnahan]

The funny thing is, I really can't help you any more!

I bought my Mitsubishi back in late '06 and really liked. I kept following the threads in the AVS forums to see if I could get any useful tweaks. After a while, all I was seeing was people complaining about this TV or that TV. There is also the annoying fact that next year's models will probably be better than this year's AND will cost hundreds less. Why torture myself with that!?!?

I will say that my sister bought a Sony W3000 series LCD a few months back and loved the picture... until it died. They are putting in a new panel under warranty but that's still scary.

I still love the picture of the Pioneer plasmas that I've glimpsed at the local Best Buy. However, if you're thinking Pioneer, be aware that this year and part of next year is it for Pio glass. Pioneer is buying their glass from Panasonic starting next year. If you want a "Pioneer" plasma, buy one now, otherwise, it'll be a Panny plasma TV with Pio electronics (which may or may not be a good thing).

Kevin

[Sundog]

I just bought one on these last month...

Panasonic 42" Plasma

I'm very happy with the picture quality. Street price: $1540

[sidewinder]

I just bought one on these last month...

Panasonic 42" Plasma

I'm very happy with the picture quality. Street price: $1540

Yep, it's a good deal. Funny how they dropped about 50% in price since I bought though.

On a real positive note, the UK has just launched 'Freesat' this week which will have all of the Freeview channels plus HD for BBC and the terrestrial channels when they launch their HD outlets. For the price of a receiver and in my case cranking the satellite dish round from the current analogue Astra (goodbye German arts shows and teutonic soft-porn) to 28.2E I should get me HD TV for "free" (well - it comes out of licence feee).

Edited May 9, 2008 by sidewinder

[vibes]

Here's another plug for DLP. I have a 67" Samsung DLP and the picture is incredible. No, you can't hang a DLP, but you will get a lot more for your money.

The only other piece of advice I would have is to buy the TV that has the best screen quality to YOU. Most TVs these days are extremely reliable and will last a long time, but only you can be the judge of the picture quality that looks best to you and meets your needs. Happy shopping!

[porcy62]

I just bought one on these last month...

Panasonic 42" Plasma

I'm very happy with the picture quality. Street price: $1540

Yep, it's a good deal. Funny how they dropped about 50% in price since I bought though.

On a real positive note, the UK has just launched 'Freesat' this week which will have all of the Freeview channels plus HD for BBC and the terrestrial channels when they launch their HD outlets. For the price of a receiver and in my case cranking the satellite dish round from the current analogue Astra (goodbye German arts shows and teutonic soft-porn) to 28.2E I should get me HD TV for "free" (well - it comes out of licence feee).

Mi wife paid 1 K euros for the 37".

I agree about teutonic soft porn: an useless oxymoron.

[papsrus]

Thanks for all the input. A lot to consider. Still leaning toward the Sony Bravia or the Panasonic Viera. Budget, brand and picture quality, they fit the bill. And thanks to those who pointed out the need for fine tuning at home.