Need new LCD tv, some criteria I have

[Lock-N-Load]

My Vizio is dying after 5 years. Was very happy with it, but it's days away from dying I suspect given the issues I have been having.

Anyway, I seek a new LCD tv and have some criteria:

1. 37-40" max (prefer 40")
2. 1080p
3. 120hz minimum
4. 2 HDMI minimum, more is better
5. +- $1000 range (prefer that or under)

optional:

1. LED backlighting, prefer array style over edge-lit
2. 3D ready (I have 3D ready blu-ray)

I can find most of these options, like the Toshiba 40UX600, but willing to consider others. Been looking on places like Crutchfield, Amazon, Cnet for reviews and such.

thanks

 

[Vihzel]

Why do you want 1080p in a 40"? Do you plan on using a computer with it? 1080p is really only a selling tool (kind of like how supposedly 8MP is "better" than 5MP to the unknowing consumer) until you get to TVs that are much larger like 50"+

I think you will HAVE to drop 3D readiness to keep the price in your range... perhaps drop LED backlighting also unless you can find some kind of discount on it or find it on Ebay.

I checked some stuff on Amazon and you can get like a 46" Samsung 1080p 120Hz LCD TV for $1k. Just check up on Amazon. I'm sure you will find great TVs there. Samsung is a really good brand for TVs along with Panasonic, LG, Sharp, and others.

 

[Lock-N-Load]

yeah, 3D is hard to impossible in that price, I knew that, just through it out there.

LED backlighting in the price range is pretty easy to find. mostly edge-lit which I have read not so good things about as it tends to work better at edges than near center of screen so a lot of variation whereas the array style behind the whole screen gives darker real time blacks and brighter whites. And that Toshiba is a rare find in that price range that claims to be array which allows local dimming function.

never had a Samsung TV, so I could look into them. 46" is to big, not enough room and not enough viewing distance in my space for that, which is why 37-40 is the sweet spot.

"Why do you want 1080p in a 40"?" (1) why wouldn't I (2) it is pretty much a defacto in that size/quality - yeah, you might find some 720p, but with the other features I want, 1080p comes along for the ride

 

[Vihzel]

never had a Samsung TV, so I could look into them. 46" is to big, not enough room and not enough viewing distance in my space for that, which is why 37-40 is the sweet spot.

"Why do you want 1080p in a 40"?" (1) why wouldn't I (2) it is pretty much a defacto in that size/quality - yeah, you might find some 720p.

My family has 6 total and we've never had any issues with them. Samsung has a very good reputation when it comes to TVs and are relatively not too expensive as compared with other brands. Sony can be ridiculously overpriced, especially the BRAVIA.

 

[LickTheEnvelope]

I have a 40" LG "Scarlet" (LG7000) that I use as a 2nd PC monitor as well (about a year and a half old now).

100Hz, 1080p, Bluetooth, XD Engine, 4 HDMI ports, USB, Auto-adjusting backlight. Have really liked it (though TVs of similar specs are much less expensive now, obviously).

Really liked the Samsung (series 6 at the time) also but Samsung was much more expensive at the time.

 

[Lock-N-Load]

thanks.. never read of a "100Hz" only 60, 120 and newer 240 (I think only for 3D). And, when referring to "Auto-adjusting backlight" I am more speaking of the newer LED-LCD tvs that use LED lights behind the screen to auto adjust portions of the screen to be brighter (whites) or darker (blacks) based on screen content versus "Auto-adjusting backlight" which might adjust for room lighting.

 

[Ninja Monkey]

My family has 6 total and we've never had any issues with them. Samsung has a very good reputation when it comes to TVs and are relatively not too expensive as compared with other brands. Sony can be ridiculously overpriced, especially the BRAVIA.

+1. I have two Samsung LCD's and I love them.

While I don't usually go for Sony the new 40" with Google TV looks nice and is $1,000.

 

[Vihzel]

+1. I have two Samsung LCD's and I love them.

While I don't usually go for Sony the new 40" with Google TV looks nice and is $1,000.

Sony Google TV Sets Get Tech Specs-TechnoBuffalo

 

[Lock-N-Load]

+1. I have two Samsung LCD's and I love them.

While I don't usually go for Sony the new 40" with Google TV looks nice and is $1,000.

hmm... something to consider. I AM a Sony fan, always have been. And I like the idea of the recently announced Google set top boxes BUT the price is insane at 299 for the box. so, if maybe I could bundle it into a TV, now we might be talking.

 

[Lock-N-Load]

Sony Google TV Sets Get Tech Specs-TechnoBuffalo

notice the 1080p but only 60 hrz refresh rate that alone could be a killer for real videophiles wanting good clean motion

also, to bad it uses the edge style LED back lighting

but a ton of cool others features no doubt

Sony Internet TV NSX-40GT1:

40-inch Full HD 1080p display with Edge LED backlight
Google TV built-in
Seamlessly search across your television & Internet for content
Surf the web while watching TV using Dual View
Upgradeable Google TV platform
Download apps from Android Market (*coming in early 2011)
Superior processing power with Intel Inside
Easy-to-use RF QWERTY keypad remote with integrated optical mouse
Link to select mobile phones (coming this fall)
Built-in Wi-Fi
Four HDMI inputs and four USB inputs

pretty cool

Android apps coming - can you imagine, add a weather app to the TV

Control via your phone search content with voice navigation, or easily share web content between your phone and Sony Internet TV.

however, for me, edge-lit LED backlighting and only have 60Hz refresh rates, not the 120 Hz of sets that handle motion so well might be the killers. Sony specifically said these sets are not for hard-core videophiles, just younger consumers who live on the Internet while watching TV. so in the end, for the price, it might be a stand alone TV still and a Revue box on the side. hmmm

 

[momoceio]

Have you considered a 40" plasma? Plasma is still the winner for picture.

 

[graff_king]

42" panasonic g25 series can be had for under a grand. Plasma has truest blacks, substantially better that 90% of lcd avail on market. Not to mention, pana also has 600hz refresh. I work with a/v daily and pan plasmas are my typical go-to device

 

[Lock-N-Load]

I had not considered a plasma, I guess I thought LCD had moved ahead and was more affordable and surpassed in overall quality.

 

[Ninja Monkey]

I agree that Panasonic makes the best plasma if you go that route. The Pioneer Kuro's where sooo awesome but very expensive.

 

[momoceio]

I had not considered a plasma, I guess I thought LCD had moved ahead and was more affordable and surpassed in overall quality.

My advice on plasma is that unless you are going to have a lot of natural lighting in the room (and can't get some blackout curtains) then it's still the best solution. You won't get the nice dark blacks on a LCD set unless it has local dimming and even then it needs to have a large array of LEDs so that it can better control the light output. The Image Retention issues on plasma sets are also a non-issue...I've had my 42" samsung for 3 years now and the picture is still just as amazing. You won't find a .6" thick plasma so if that is a selling point to you then I guess look at the edge lit LEDs.

 

[eyebeam]

Another vote for the Panny Plasma. Unless you're in a bright light situation (mine's in the basement family/movie room), I think the picture is better then LCD's. People unfamiliar with plasmas, who watch movies here are always blown away by how good they look and ask what kind of TV it is.

 

[Lock-N-Load]

yeah, it will be in a bright room.. 4 windows and a skylight BUT I am not a day time TV watcher.

just a quick look at Plasmas.. seems a 37-40" is hard to find really. that alone might be an issue.

I have actually found some array style - not edge lit - LEDs in the 40" range.

I suppose I am not opposed to a plasma, but it is a matter of the right size and price and size seems to be an issue as 40" is all the room I have. Crutchfiled has 23 Plasmas, only 1 is 40-49 and it is 42" so to big, the rest are 50" plus.

 

[momoceio]

Is the difference between a 40 and 42 that big of a deal or are you just that tight on space?

 

[Lock-N-Load]

Is the difference between a 40 and 42 that big of a deal or are you just that tight on space?

tight on space. if it was not a legit issue, I would not have noted it. but I have 37-40 to play.

as well, it also has a small part to do with viewing distance as well as space. my couch is not that far back, so I cannot go to big in that respect either.

point is: 37-40" is it.

 

[Eugene]

We have two Toshiba's, very happy with them, nice bright clear picture, tons of inputs. Living room is 42" and has 4 HDMI and 6 other inputs as well as the digital audio out going into our blue ray home theater.

 

[BiGMERF]

i got a panny plasma also.. loooove it