Post #337,618
12/24/10 12:59:32 PM
|
Quick opinions on TVs?
We're getting a new family room floor which means also getting rid of the ginormous old-style cabinet projection TV that my parents gave us when they moved to a smaller house.
Any opinions on Sony vs. LG vs. Sharp vs. etc?
I haven't decided on LCD vs. LED-LCD yet.
Regards,
-scott
Welcome to Rivendell, Mr. Anderson.
|
Post #337,619
12/24/10 1:22:32 PM
|
Try to see them in a store.
There can be differences in the software between sets (amount of edge definition, etc.) that I have found distracting. Just looking at specs for brightness and so-forth won't give you any information on that.
That said, I've been happy with our 32" Samsung 1080p set in the bedroom. I haven't done a detailed comparison of TV brands recently. We've been happy with our new LG washer and dryer.
For our replacement for our 32" Toshiba tube in the family room, we'll probably eventually go with something like a G25 Panasonic 46-54" plasma. Deeper blacks, less color-shifting at different viewing angles, less motion-blur compared to LCDs. Some plasma brands have problems with buzzing, but Panasonic doesn't seem to have that issue. (Some people worry about increasing black levels over time with the Panasonic sets, but I think that's mainly looking for nits.)
I wouldn't pay a huge premium for an LED backlight. They probably will last longer than a tube backlight, but in 3-5 years sets will be much better and cheaper anyway... AFAIK, tube backlights can be replaced, but LED backlights can't, but that's just a guess. LED backlights are definitely the future, though (no mercury).
As with most electronics these days, failure rates are very low, but there's always the chance of getting a lemon. Don't let the noisy outliers affect what you think is a good set for the money.
Good luck!
Cheers,
Scott.
|
Post #337,627
12/24/10 5:28:53 PM
|
What he said...
and I have an LG and a Samsung...if to do over the LG would be a Samsung.
Sony is good, but they charge about 10-15% for the name...and I think they come preset with an odd color balance...(was playing around with the settings on one yesterday at HHGregg).
Sure, understanding today's complex world of the future is a little like having bees live in your head. But...there they are.
|
Post #337,622
12/24/10 3:42:05 PM
|
spend time in the store
me I dont like leds because I watch hockey, its very noticeable but everyones viewing needs are different
Any opinions expressed by me are mine alone, posted from my home computer, on my own time as a free American and do not reflect the opinions of any person or company that I have had professional relations with in the past 55 years. meep
|
Post #337,624
12/24/10 4:55:59 PM
|
I like the sonys
"Pictures are better then words because some words are big and hard to understand"
Peter Griffin (Family Guy)
|
Post #337,629
12/24/10 5:47:59 PM
|
I'll let you know tomorrow
I've got one stashed under the stairs in the basement. I'll be putting it under the tree when the kids go to bed. I didn't see it in a store, got it from Woot -- Toshiba 26CV100U 720p LCD HDTV/DVD Combo.
--
Drew
|
Post #337,659
12/25/10 1:28:11 PM
|
Double-edged sword
On the one hand, it's so much better than the 14-year-old CRT it's replacing that it ain't even funny. HD channels are amazing ... and right next to non-HD channels, which now look like ass.
And here's a little treat: There's still plenty of programming that's formatted 4:3. If you stretch it to 16:9 everyone looks fat. But everyone else in the house likes when we use the whole screen.
Special bonus: The local news crew must do their own makeup, because I can now see how badly they blend the foundation along the jawline. (Suddenly I feel a little bit gay.)
--
Drew
|
Post #337,662
12/25/10 1:36:48 PM
|
Yeah.
Seeing Alec Baldwin's makeup on "30 Rock" in HD for the first time was distracting. One doesn't want to sit too close.
HD porn must be horrid....
Cheers,
Scott.
|
Post #337,665
12/25/10 2:47:11 PM
|
You're looking at their make-up?
YER DOIN' IT RONG!
-Mike
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
- Benjamin Franklin, 1759 Historical Review of Pennsylvania
|
Post #337,666
12/25/10 2:53:30 PM
|
:-)
|
Post #337,671
12/25/10 5:45:32 PM
|
I wasn't going to weigh in...
But I use a Benq W1000 projector. Onto a wall. I really like the "borderless" effect. :-)
I'm surprised the fill-the-screen effect is still around. Years and years ago when DVDs were first coming out and there were almost no 16:9 TVs, salesmen used to show anamorphic titles set to normal mode. This, of course, resulted in tall, thin people. I actually tried to get one salesman to understand the problem and it went completely over his head. And he wasn't fazed by it. He just liked the picture filling the screen. :-/
My projector is full HD and cheap, too. I suspect someone at Benq realized that if they don't push the miniaturization so hard, they can get the retail cost down much further. :-)
Wade.
Q:Is it proper to eat cheeseburgers with your fingers?
A:No, the fingers should be eaten separately.
|
Post #337,631
12/24/10 5:51:10 PM
|
Went with a Samsung
1080p, 120hz for the video gamez.
Regards,
-scott
Welcome to Rivendell, Mr. Anderson.
|
Post #337,634
12/24/10 6:01:54 PM
|
didja get a biggun?
translate to..."what size, dude?"
Sure, understanding today's complex world of the future is a little like having bees live in your head. But...there they are.
|
Post #337,655
12/25/10 1:16:14 PM
|
46"
It's a long room and the TV is at the opposite end from the couch.
The amazing thing was the weight. I pulled it out of the box without help, set it up, etc.
The old projector is difficult to pick up with 2 people.
Regards,
-scott
Welcome to Rivendell, Mr. Anderson.
|
Post #337,637
12/24/10 8:03:59 PM
|
That's what I got...
...back in January. Samsung 1080p LCD (not LED). 42", as I recall.
This year's kit was* an XBox 360 + Kinect + Rock Band 3 for the kids, and a new Tivo Premiere for me.
*Was == we had Christmas present opening this morning, since the boys are gone for the weekend starting about an hour ago.
-Mike
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
- Benjamin Franklin, 1759 Historical Review of Pennsylvania
|
