Author Topic: Looking for LCD HDTV Suggestions $6-700 (Read 10954 times)

SADShooter · « **on:** November 19, 2011, 01:05:08 PM »

So, I want to replace the hand me down 35" tube box with an HDTV in the 42"-47" range, 1080p and 120hz. It's going into a fairly small apartment living room, so I think that's the practical size limit. Anything will be an improvement, but I'm at information overload and I'd like feedback from the gang here.

Looking at these for general parameters. http://www.amazon.com/VIZIO-M421NV-42-Inch-1080p-Razor/dp/B004T1YACU/ref=sr_1_10?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1321724493&sr=1-10 and http://www.amazon.com/LG-42LK520-42-Inch-1080p-120Hz/dp/B004OOS35C/ref=sr_1_1?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1321725057&sr=1-1

I don't currently have any audio equipment, so speaker quality is a factor. Saw a couple of 3D and internet app units. Those would be nice, but not sure if I'd use them.

All input appreciated,

SADShooter

drewtam · « **Reply #1 on:** November 19, 2011, 01:13:50 PM »

I got a big discount by buying a factory reman unit. 5yrs later and not a single problem.

I did research/questioned the seller to make sure I was buying a factory reman/refurb NOT a 3rd party job. Mine came with factory warranty etc.

Jamisjockey · « **Reply #2 on:** November 19, 2011, 05:06:00 PM »

Vizio. Mine rocks.

RocketMan · « **Reply #3 on:** November 20, 2011, 01:48:59 AM »

We've had a 32 inch HD LCD Vizio for a couple of years now. It's been a great set with very good image quality.
However, you should expect to connect a decent set of external speakers to one. The internal speakers on the average LCD TV, in our experience, are pretty poor.

erictank · « **Reply #4 on:** November 20, 2011, 05:18:40 AM »

Quote from: RocketMan on November 20, 2011, 01:48:59 AM

We've had a 32 inch HD LCD Vizio for a couple of years now. It's been a great set with very good image quality.
However, you should expect to connect a decent set of external speakers to one. The internal speakers on the average ~~LCD~~ flat screen TV, in our experience, are pretty poor.

FTFY.

Oh, some are better than others, certainly, but overall, none of them are what you'd call "good", from what I've read. I keep meaning to pick up a soundbar or something (Lori's already put her foot down on the notion of a full-on 5.1 system for either the living-room or den TV), since neither of my Panasonic plasmas' speakers are much good.

MechAg94 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 20, 2011, 09:20:54 AM »

I've got a Vizio 32" TV about 6 months ago and it is doing great.

My only experience with LG is my first blu-ray DVD player. At about 1 year it stopped recognizing that is had a DVD inserted. It kept saying I need to put in a disk. I trashed it. The cheap Sony's that Wal-Mart sells are pretty good.

Chester32141 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 20, 2011, 09:56:30 AM »

Bought this one Friday after 5 and it's already been shipped. Only has a 90 day
warranty so I picked up the 3 yr warranty for $45 ...

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Vizio-42-E421VA/16914373

http://www.vizio.com/review/product/list/id/390/?p=2

charby · « **Reply #7 on:** November 20, 2011, 01:26:34 PM »

We bought this last year for $750 on sale.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Vizio-47-1080p-LCD-SV470M/10993798

We love it a lot, even the onboard speakers are pretty good, but I still have a home theatre system attached to it.

HD Football and baseball games are awesome on it.

I have seen it on sale down to $650.

SADShooter · « **Reply #8 on:** November 20, 2011, 01:32:44 PM »

Thanks, all. That's helpful. Still looking, but I'm leaning toward a 42"-47" Vizio.

Gowen · « **Reply #9 on:** November 20, 2011, 05:55:51 PM »

Have you thought of going with a LED tv? They may cost a bit more, but the picture goes from wow to WOW!

Here is a search on fatwallet.com:

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/search/results.php?type=forums&query=led+hdtv&sort=&match=titles&forum=18

lupinus · « **Reply #10 on:** November 20, 2011, 06:27:20 PM »

Vizio most defiantly. In terms of bang for the buck I truly think they are hard to beat.

Also get web enabled, more and more tv's are coming with this and it's great. Even if you don't have Netflix/Amazon Prime/Hulu Plus.

Doggy Daddy · « **Reply #11 on:** November 21, 2011, 11:41:21 AM »

It might be worthwhile to check Dell's online TV prices. I bought a Visio from them a year or so ago at a price that Walmart wouldn't touch.

DD

HankB · « **Reply #12 on:** November 21, 2011, 09:20:36 PM »

The deal: Best Buy is selling 42" Sharp LCD TVs for $199 on Black Friday.

The catch: Numbers are limited, and they'll only be available to those with tickets.

SADShooter · « **Reply #13 on:** November 22, 2011, 12:45:56 PM »

Definitely not fighting a mouth-frothing crowd. I'll hold out for a free shipping online purchase.

Brad Johnson · « **Reply #14 on:** November 22, 2011, 12:52:18 PM »

Check out WOOT.com, especially their close-out section. Also keep tabs on newegg, amazon, and tiger direct. They occasionally have screaming deals on closeouts.

Brad

sanglant · « **Reply #15 on:** November 23, 2011, 01:35:46 PM »

Quote from: Gowen on November 20, 2011, 05:55:51 PM

Have you thought of going with a LED tv? They may cost a bit more, but the picture goes from wow to WOW!

Here is a search on fatwallet.com:

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/search/results.php?type=forums&query=led+hdtv&sort=&match=titles&forum=18

the heat output also drops nicely.

and walk off your viewing distance, and then again in the store. even a 40 is bigger then you think.

oh, and remember you're going to want to watch what ever news you like on it too. ever seen BW on a 40 inch screen?

from 5> feet away?

if you go under 40 inch, from amazon. consider getting prime. i got it, when i ordered my samsung.(not a recommendation at the time it was just the best for me

) 80 bucks, then paid the 4 bucks for over night shipping. tv came in with the box looking better then the ones in bestbuy,

and you have it for the rest of the year, with streaming movies/tv shows. just remember to turn off the auto billing thing.

it's really nice having prime right now.

Harold Tuttle · « **Reply #16 on:** November 23, 2011, 07:49:45 PM »

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/s_10153_12605_Computers+&+Electronics_Televisions_Flat+Panel?storeId=10153&sName=Flat+Panel&viewItems=25&rioptype=SC&catalogId=12605&ruid=1005329&lid=ce%5foffer%5f20111123&sortOption=NEWEST&vName=Computers+%26+Electronics&cName=Televisions&keyword=samsung+tv&sid=IOx20111123SRSPLNBAUx0271706x1005329xSN4W2MNTH0&eml=113563277&i_cntr=1322095681616

SADShooter · « **Reply #17 on:** February 08, 2012, 08:04:06 PM »

Reviving this with a follow up. After a couple of months of dithering, I ordered a refurb Vizio 47" LED from Amazon, along with a compatible soundbar/subwoofer.

BryanP · « **Reply #18 on:** February 08, 2012, 09:15:15 PM »

The Vizio would serve you quite well. If the sound turns out to be a problem, you can hang a soundbar off of it and you should be good to go.

erictank · « **Reply #19 on:** February 09, 2012, 05:08:36 PM »

I need to get a soundbar. The sound from my Panasonic upstairs is getting a little buzzy.

SADShooter · « **Reply #20 on:** February 15, 2012, 10:58:00 AM »

Reviving this one for 2 reasons. First, the TV picture.

It's almost surreal, like watching animation compared to the tube picture I'm used to. This is with coax input, since I realized my cable box doesn't have an HDMI out. The color values seem a little off, perhaps because I'm not sure what I'm looking at. And the audio from the soundbar and subwoofer is pretty awesome as well, even with analog input. The gunfire during Justiifed took on a whole new dimension of awesome.

Second, the problem. I have a cabled modem through Time Warner. Using ethernet cables and a splitter, the TV doesn't recognize the connection, though it does see surrounding wireless networks. What am I missing or doing wrong? I haven't tried connecting the TV straight to the modem. Will I have to alternate connections or upgrade to a wireless router to use Vizio apps? Thanks.

Brad Johnson · « **Reply #21 on:** February 15, 2012, 12:25:01 PM »

You can't use a simple splitter for your ethernet connection. You will have to either run a line directly to the modem or install some kind of router. Non-wifi 4 port routers are cheap, cheap, cheap.

Also, a lot of flat panel TVs have a motion smoothing feature. It makes me crazy because it makes everything look kind of artificial-plasticky-video(y). If your picture has that quality you can turn the feature off.

Finally, ditch the coax feed to your TV and use either the component or SVHS connection (SVHS is sometimes labeled S-Video). The coax feed is limited to 525 lines of resolution. The coax and SVHS feeds will do 720. It will clean up the colors, too.

Oh, the colors... if the colors seem a little too hot take a look at the demo setting. Most FS units have a store demo setting that jacks the brightness, color, and contrast wayyyyyyy up so the pic looks good under bright showroom lights. It's too much for home viewing. That feature can also be switched off.

Brad

SADShooter · « **Reply #22 on:** February 15, 2012, 12:51:09 PM »

Thanks. Figured. Any benefit to spending a litte more on a wireless router, aside fron not having 30' of Cat5 strung along the floor?

Brad Johnson · « **Reply #23 on:** February 15, 2012, 12:58:00 PM »

Gives you the option of running other things off it in the future including the Blu-Ray player you will inevitably buy.

Brad

SADShooter · « **Reply #24 on:** February 15, 2012, 01:05:21 PM »

Is this a good option for the price? http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-Linksys-WRT54GL-Wireless-G-Broadband-Router/dp/B000BTL0OA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1329329017&sr=8-3

Huh. Price went up as I was posting the link.

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Author Topic: Looking for LCD HDTV Suggestions $6-700 (Read 10954 times)