New TV

**Cydkar** · 01-04-2009, 02:51 PM

If you hone in on a model you like check this message board for owner's opinions...lots of opinions.

LCD Flat Panel Displays - AVS Forum

**Balls** · 01-04-2009, 03:09 PM

I bought a 42" Plasma (Panasonic HT42PZ85U) shipped to my front door for $865 through TigerDirect.com on Cyber Monday. Hooked up a PS3 and also got the HD package through DishNetwork. Love the TV, wanted bigger but this was the biggest I could get that would fit in the cabinet that my wife says must stay.

I have been looking to buy another for the bedroom and since I was 100% satisfied with the 42PZ85U I have been looking for the exact same TV but couldn't find one under $999. Just last night I found it on www.6ave.com shipped to my door for $907. So I ordered another... don't have to learn another menu and remote (I'm getting old). The price is currently listed at $965 but if you enter CouponCabin it takes the price down to $907. No shipping, no tax.

Here are two sites I used to determine the best deal for the buck for what I needed. Would recommend reading reviews and then price shopping over a couple weeks to learn prices to find the best deal.

www.cnet.com

www.bountii.com

**Cydkar** · 01-04-2009, 03:20 PM

Panasonic is the way to go for plasma. Good choice! Unless you want to spend $4k+ for a Pioneer Kuro.

**Balls** · 01-04-2009, 03:32 PM

Originally Posted by Cydkar

Panasonic is the way to go for plasma. Good choice! Unless you want to spend $4k+ for a Pioneer Kuro.

That's what my research told me as well. Not sure on LCD's as I had read / heard that Plasma's are a better value over 40" and have better picture quality. I think for less than 40" then LCD's might be better choice.

The one thing I did notice is that the TV does produce a lot of heat when you put your hand over the back of the TV. Not a bad thing in the winter but I suppose could work against your AC in the summer.

**Wesley** · 01-04-2009, 03:40 PM

Avoid buying an energy hog:
Flat-screen TVs to face energy-efficiency rules in California - Los Angeles Times

**Cyberclone** · 01-04-2009, 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by Clone1450

MAny brands of tv's have different "lines" of televisions. There are higher and lower end Vizio televisions, just like there are higher and lower end Sony televisions. For example, in a 40" lcd television Sony has the following models, all with different features and prece points. Vizio has the same thing, and I assume most brands do. The television you buy from Wal-Mart for the lowest price may be a "Sony", but it may be their lowest quality television and a piece of junk comparetively.

Model MSRP
KDL-40S4100 - $999.99
KDL-40V4100 - $1299.99
KDL-40W4100 - $1599.99
KDL-40Z4100 - $1899.99
KDL-40XBR6 - $1999.99
KDL-40XBR7 - $2199.99
KLV-40ZX1M - $3999.99

All those are currently manufactured and for sale Sony 40" 1080P televisions, so there is much more to it than just the brand. The guy at the Sony Style store even said they refuse to sell the "S" line of televisions in their store because they are crap.

I just bought the XBR6 for me bedroom and love it so far! I am of the opinion that Sony manufactures the overwhelming majority of the HD cameras used, so their televisions should be well fit to view the footage. Sorry for the long post, just my $.02 on televisions.

As far as timing goes, the longer you wait the cheaper it will be, just like all electronics. Period.

I have an S series Sony, and it is anything but crap! I guess if you want to pay hundreds or a thousand more for a few more features the human eye can't distinguish good for you and better for the salesman. I couldn't be happier with my cheap but fantastic picture. Have had mine for 2 years, and it is got plenty of features for me. Hundreds more for a few more HDMI jacks just didn't make sense to me.

**Cydkar** · 01-04-2009, 05:54 PM

That's why they have so many models of the same size. Confusing, but it captures the whole market. Some guys want 4 HDMI inputs for gaming, Blue-ray, DVD, etc. Some just need the TV and any other inputs are superflous. The specs on the S series don't match the higher end but that doesn't mean you can see it.

**Melvin** · 01-04-2009, 06:22 PM

I bought a 46" Sanyo, 1080 pix for $800 at Walmart, 1 month before Christmas. I have not seen a better deal than that. I'm very happy with my new TV.

Watching Football or Basketball in HD is Awsom. REMEMBER: you must have Digital Cable, Not just regular Cable to get the HD effect. That cost me an extra $20 / month on my Cable Bill. I need to swithch to Direct TV or something else. Any suggestions on what is better?

**Cydkar** · 01-04-2009, 08:12 PM

Melvin, do youy have digital cable or HD cable? Different. Way different.
HD is digital but digital isn't necessary HD.

**cmoneyr** · 01-04-2009, 09:36 PM

To muddy the waters even more, you don't need to be a digital cable subscriber to get Mediacom's HD locals.

**Bobber** · 01-04-2009, 09:39 PM

Originally Posted by cmoneyr

To muddy the waters even more, you don't need to be a digital cable subscriber to get Mediacom's HD locals.

That's correct. I get ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, PBS HDTV and don't pay the extra $20 per month.

**Cyberclone** · 01-04-2009, 10:29 PM

Originally Posted by Bobber

That's correct. I get ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, PBS HDTV and don't pay the extra $20 per month.

You can currently if you buy a model with a QAM tuner.

Those may not always be there, but they are for now and have been for a couple of years. Not sure why Mediacom puts them on there in QAM so SHHHHHH. LOL

**Bobber** · 01-04-2009, 10:35 PM

Originally Posted by Cyberclone

You can currently if you buy a model with a QAM tuner.

Those may not always be there, but they are for now and have been for a couple of years. Not sure why Mediacom puts them on there in QAM so SHHHHHH. LOL

Oh they know about it. You can get those stations over the air if you work at it. They'd prefer to control what's going on from an advertizing standpoint, and I'm sure that's why they're letting us have it for "free".

**Wesley** · 01-04-2009, 10:44 PM

Originally Posted by Melvin

I bought a 46" Sanyo, 1080 pix for $800 at Walmart, 1 month before Christmas. I have not seen a better deal than that. I'm very happy with my new TV.

Watching Football or Basketball in HD is Awsom. REMEMBER: you must have Digital Cable, Not just regular Cable to get the HD effect. That cost me an extra $20 / month on my Cable Bill. I need to swithch to Direct TV or something else. Any suggestions on what is better?

Cox charges $5. You are being ripped.

**majorcyfan** · 01-04-2009, 11:54 PM

Originally Posted by SeattleClone

One of my friends said it best "you should never buy a NEW tv for your bedroom. You should buy a new (bigger) tv for your living room and move the old one to your bedroom." That's how I ended up with a 37" LCD sitting on top of my dresser and a 52" in my living room.

I did the same, best of both worlds for TV's, now have bigger Tv's in both rooms.