Buying my first HDTV

[Kahroo]

So in about a couple weeks I shall be buying my first HDTV. So I would like some help/opinions on which one to get.

I'm looking for a 30-40in that can output at 1080p. I not looking for anything expensive so nothing $1000+. I will be using it with just my PS3 as I don't have cable in my room. So mainly for gaming, Movies, and the occasional Netflix.

Thanks for the help. :3

 

[Mayhem]

I have a 40" Sony Bravia that I'm pretty happy with. Not sure if they make the 40" anymore from looking at their website.

A word of caution on HDMI cables: Don't fall for the expensive ones. I bought a couple of sub-$5 cables from Amazon that have worked flawlessly for me for the last couple of years. Pricey cables are a scam.

*cough*monster cables*cough*

 

[Speed Daemon]

Get a LED model. It's worth it.

When I shopped for my full-HD (1080p60) TV, the smallest screen size that supported full-HD was 40". I don't know if that's still true, but 40" is as small as I'd want to go for a main TV set. Aside from full-HD, you'll want to look for a higher refresh rate. 120Hz is ideal. Some 240Hz sets actually perform worse. All new HD sets can do 3-D, and theoretically you could flash a non-3D set with a 3D ROM and get the feature for free. I'd just pay for it; you'll need the goggles anyway. Also look for enough HDMI inputs.

You might want a TV with Internet and local streaming built-in. My set has it, and occasionally I use the DLNA feature to play music or show pictures from a local PC.

 

[Kahroo]

Get a LED model. It's worth it.

When I shopped for my full-HD (1080p60) TV, the smallest screen size that supported full-HD was 40". I don't know if that's still true, but 40" is as small as I'd want to go for a main TV set. Aside from full-HD, you'll want to look for a higher refresh rate. 120Hz is ideal. Some 240Hz sets actually perform worse. All new HD sets can do 3-D, and theoretically you could flash a non-3D set with a 3D ROM and get the feature for free. I'd just pay for it; you'll need the goggles anyway. Also look for enough HDMI inputs.

You might want a TV with Internet and local streaming built-in. My set has it, and occasionally I use the DLNA feature to play music or show pictures from a local PC.

I can care less about 3D TVs and I don't need one with internet since I have my PS3 for that. (Netflix/YouTube)

 

[saptech]

I've had my 37" HDTV Westinghouse for a few years now and really enjoying it. I have my Mini Mac connected as a HTPC setup also.

Go for it and enjoy it!

 

[Gmash]

With that small of a tv you'll be hard pressed to notice a difference between 720 and 1080. What kind of room will you be using it in? If you don't have a lot of windows that will cause glare, don't dismiss plasma. The picture is more natural imo, and you get way more tv for the money. I like the picture on the 43" 720p plasma in the basement better than the 52" 1080p LCD we have in the living room. Don't let people scare you about burn in. I play ps3 on mine all the time and I've never had any problem.

 

[Kahroo]

With that small of a tv you'll be hard pressed to notice a difference between 720 and 1080. What kind of room will you be using it in? If you don't have a lot of windows that will cause glare, don't dismiss plasma. The picture is more natural imo, and you get way more tv for the money. I like the picture on the 43" 720p plasma in the basement better than the 52" 1080p LCD we have in the living room. Don't let people scare you about burn in. I play ps3 on mine all the time and I've never had any problem.

It will be in my small room with two windows.

 

[Mayhem]

Also should mention that LCDs put off a lot of heat. I can't comment if Plasma or LED do as well.

 

[NYCHitman1]

Also should mention that LCDs put off a lot of heat. I can't comment if Plasma or LED do as well.

Plasma gives off serious heat, but like Gmash said - the picture quality is unmatched for various aspects. I highly recommend checking out the Panasonic Viera line of plasma HDTV's.

 

[Speed Daemon]

Also should mention that LCDs put off a lot of heat. I can't comment if Plasma or LED do as well.

I suppose that's a subjective matter; what you call "a lot of heat" is what I call virtually no heat at all.

IME the devices that make light are the much larger heat producers. Older LCD sets that use fluorescent tubes as their light source can get quite warm because fluorescent tubes rely on heating elements, and (as the name suggests) those heating elements do produce a lot of heat. LEDs don't need heaters, and so they tend to run cooler. Even still, the LEDs in a LED-lit TV will produce far more heat than the LCD itself.

Plasma TVs are a completely different design that's closer to the old CRT TV (in fact they are a variant of the basic CRT design), so they should be considered as such.

 

[Speed Daemon]

I can care less about 3D TVs and I don't need one with internet since I have my PS3 for that. (Netflix/YouTube)

In that case you really just need to concentrate on display quality.

If you enjoy watching TV in a darkened room, you may prefer a plasma display. I haven't been a big fan of plasma because they used to weigh a ton, gulp electricity, wear out quickly, and worst of all not give full-HD resolution. I hear that the latest Panasonic (about the last brand to stick with this technology) has overcome most of these drawbacks, at least on their larger models, so if you're the kind who considers the TV to be a perfectly appropriate primary light source, you'll want to audition one of these.

I'm one of those people who lives in darkened rooms, and I've been perfectly satisfied with my LCD TV sets. It's not like they're too dim to watch in the daytime, or anything like that. But if you have a large family or lots of guests, some LCD displays don't look as good when viewed from the sides. When you check out LCD sets, be sure to view them from extreme angles to see how they act.

 

[Kahroo]

In that case you really just need to concentrate on display quality.

If you enjoy watching TV in a darkened room, you may prefer a plasma display. I haven't been a big fan of plasma because they used to weigh a ton, gulp electricity, wear out quickly, and worst of all not give full-HD resolution. I hear that the latest Panasonic (about the last brand to stick with this technology) has overcome most of these drawbacks, at least on their larger models, so if you're the kind who considers the TV to be a perfectly appropriate primary light source, you'll want to audition one of these.

I'm one of those people who lives in darkened rooms, and I've been perfectly satisfied with my LCD TV sets. It's not like they're too dim to watch in the daytime, or anything like that. But if you have a large family or lots of guests, some LCD displays don't look as good when viewed from the sides. When you check out LCD sets, be sure to view them from extreme angles to see how they act.

Kay thanks for that. Would just be me and my brother using it. I'll look at some Panasonic TVs

 

[Speed Daemon]

Kay thanks for that. Would just be me and my brother using it. I'll look at some Panasonic TVs

If it's just the two of you most of the time, a good LCD TV may be your best choice. Do give the plasma sets a look, but be aware that stores will play especially vivid content that is designed to look spectacular. Don't let yourself get too distracted by showroom tricks no matter what the set.

 

[Kahroo]

If it's just the two of you most of the time, a good LCD TV may be your best choice. Do give the plasma sets a look, but be aware that stores will play especially vivid content that is designed to look spectacular. Don't let yourself get too distracted by showroom tricks no matter what the set.

Yeah I know. I'll bring my brother along. Thanks. Also I hear Samsung makes good TVs is this true?

 

[Gmash]

My plasma is Samsung, and it has great picture quality. New plasma sets don't use as much energy or generate much heat anymore. Not heavy anymore, either. You get deeper blacks, near unlimited viewing angles, and they are super smooth for games because you don't have to worry about refresh rates. Only drawback really is the glare/reflection you get from the glass screen. Creative placement of lamps and/or curtains on the windows, depending on the placement of the tv helps. If you don't need a lot of hdmi inputs and bells and whistles, you can get a great deal on a no frills model that still has a great screen.

 

[Kahroo]

My plasma is Samsung, and it has great picture quality. New plasma sets don't use as much energy or generate much heat anymore. Not heavy anymore, either. You get deeper blacks, near unlimited viewing angles, and they are super smooth for games because you don't have to worry about refresh rates. Only drawback really is the glare/reflection you get from the glass screen. Creative placement of lamps and/or curtains on the windows, depending on the placement of the tv helps. If you don't need a lot of hdmi inputs and bells and whistles, you can get a great deal on a no frills model that still has a great screen.

What model? And 2 HDMI ports are fine with me

 

[Gmash]

What model? And 2 HDMI ports are fine with me

Samsung PN43E450 - CNET Mobile

They sell these everywhere. I've seen them on sale for as low as $350, usually $400. Only two hdmi ports, but my a/v receiver has six hdmi out, and I have everything running through that anyway. I don't think you can beat it for the price. Of course you can get better if you want to spend more.

Samsung page:

SAMSUNG

 

[Speed Daemon]

Yeah I know. I'll bring my brother along. Thanks. Also I hear Samsung makes good TVs is this true?

Yes. I own both Sony and Samsung, and like the Samsung better. Samsung is the largest OEM of LCD panels, so it only follows that their brand TVs will get the cream of the crop out of those panels. Also, I've noticed telltale Samsung logos on displays used in very high quality video productions. If that's what they're using on the high-end supply side, it certainly is good enough to view on!

Do let your own personal tastes be your ultimate guide.