My main message to you would be to not feel the need to pay more and buy the upgraded models, unless you specifically know why you want to. Higher refresh rates, 3DTV capability, dejudder processing, and advanced color processing are all valuable for the high-end theater shopper, but for the value consumer, if you don’t know you need it, you could save buying that beautiful lower end model and not regret it.
Whether living room, media room, bedroom, or even kitchen, the viewing distance is one of the most important factors in which HDTV to get, and how big to go. Your best bet to be happy is to measure the distance from where you will be sitting to where the TV will be, and then take a tape measure to the store. At the store, measure the same distance back, and see how it feels to your eyes.
At this point, you will likely be buying an HDTV advertised as 1080p (resolution). 1080p means it supports all current resolutions (720p, 1080i, and 1080p), even though no current broadcast, or pay HDTV network broadcasts in 1080p. 1080p in the home is currently seen most commonly in Blu Ray players, some game consoles, and online delivered content, and these things will still work well on a 720p Tv. Great deals can be had buying 720p HDTVs now, and most people, for most content, will find the picture still very good. Don’t be afraid of buying a cheaper 720p HDTV if you want to save some $.
Most common HDTVs you will see in stores today are LCD, Plasma, or LED-LCD. All three have positives and negatives, but I mostly recommend LCD for now. It’s stable tech, durable, lower cost, and yet has a great picture in most all lighting setups.
In full disclosure, my favorite TV brands are Samsung and Panasonic. I own one HDTV of each. However, I also love the quality, and great reviews, of Sony (best of breed) and Vizio (value & quality in harmony)
‘What HDTV to get’ for the Superbowl this week? Deals are plentiful.
- Target has the Philips Magnavox 42” 1080p LCD for $499.
- Best Buy has a sale on a Sony BRAVIA 40” LCD 1080p KDL-40S5100 for $668.
- Best Buy has a LG 47” 1080p LCD 47LH30 for $799
- To get some 720p savings, check out Target’s well reviewed Samsung 50” 720p Plasma PN50B430 for $799.
- For those of you wanting to go big, B&H Photo Video online store has a Sony BRAVIA 52” 1080p KDL-52S5100 for $989 with free shipping.
Hope it helps.
What a great site. I'm looking forward to hearing what you have to say about cell phones and lap tops. I'd really love to hear about Macs.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you enjoyed. Thanks for the feedback. Cell phones will be a big part of the site, with talk of smart phones, messaging phones, and simple feature phones. Laptops will also likely come up a few times. I'll make sure to hip you when it does.
ReplyDeleteJust curious - why do you recommend LCD over LED?
ReplyDeleteJon, I wanted to keep the post brief, so I edited it down. I think the LCD-LED tech sounds better, from what little I've read and seen online and in store about them. But the technology is new enough that the value minded consumer doesn't get the benefit.
ReplyDeleteA 40" LCD-LED ranges on sale from $1200-1500 for 1080p, 120Hz with multiple HDMI. A 40" LCD ranges on sale from $650 - $800 for 1080p, 120Hz with multiple HDMI.
A 55" LCD-LED ranges from $2300-2600 for 1080p, 120 Hz with multiple HDMI. A 55" LCD ranges $1500-1700 for 1080p, 120Hz with multiple HDMI.
If you're building a top of the line Home Theater, the extra $500-$900 may be worth it, but not to the everyday buyer. In 12 months, that answer could totally change.
What if I want something a wee bit smaller? We're thinking of moving our hurking TV down to our basement, which will be a family/gaming room, and putting in something less dominating in our living room.
ReplyDeleteJim's Mom,
ReplyDeleteGot a couple of options. Range of 30"-40" sounds about right, if you want smaller in viewing size, instead of just thin and small. Do you have a budget in mind, or just want the best value? And last question; are you buying this Super Bowl week, so I check this weeks sales, or just want a model recommendation? Let me know, and I'll respond in full Tuesday.
Give Jim a big hug for Kylie and I.
Great site. Can you do a post on netbooks?
ReplyDeleteRoy, you rock. :)
ReplyDeleteWe are not necessarily looking now, just a general suggestion of a good brand/model in that size range. And a good value but not something super high-end, because we won't be using it for anything fancy, just watching TV.
Michele, I will add netbooks to the list of topics for the month of Feb. Thanks for the feedback.
ReplyDeleteJim's Mom, I will do a follow up post Wed or Thursday about "non-big-screen" HDTV's. I'll be sure to send you the link when it's up.
I like this blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Betsy. I hope to really do some fun things, in a lot of different areas with it.
ReplyDeleteJim's Mom, the post on "no so big screens" is up now.