Buying a TV

**ISUAgronomist** · 08-19-2010, 08:57 AM

Originally Posted by CYKID

You'll spend another $50-$100 on hdmi cords so plan that into the budget.

If you bought them at Best Buy you will.

monoprice.com FTW!

**CYKID** · 08-19-2010, 09:02 AM

I checked out that site. Unbelievable. I'm glad I have only bought one cord so far for $30. I will order the rest from that site. Are the cords of the same quality?

**azn4cy** · 08-19-2010, 09:04 AM

Here you go: Buy.com - LG 42LD550 42" LCD 1080p HDTV - 150,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio - 2.4ms Response Time - 120Hz

664 Shipped, no Tax.

Internet Capable.. (Very Good) Reviews here: Amazon.com: LG 42LD550 42-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LCD HDTV: Electronics

**azn4cy** · 08-19-2010, 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by MNCyGuy

Is running a non-HD channel into a flat-screen really that big of a difference? I'm pretty sure my parents aren't running HD and I've thought everything has looked fine on their new screen.

How big is the difference for sporting events on Plasma vs. LCD? Obviously someone sitting on CF day in and day out watches a lot of sports, but the living room in our apartment does get a lot of sunlight in through the window during the day. What's my better bet?

If you get a quality LCD you won't see much of a difference in blacks. Plasmas SHOULD have blacker blacks but that gap has narrowed considerably.

If you have lots of sunlight.. LCD.

**MNCyGuy** · 08-19-2010, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by azn4cy

Here you go: Buy.com - LG 42LD550 42" LCD 1080p HDTV - 150,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio - 2.4ms Response Time - 120Hz

664 Shipped, no Tax.

Internet Capable.. (Very Good) Reviews here: Amazon.com: LG 42LD550 42-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LCD HDTV: Electronics

Why should I believe you know anything about electronics?

**azn4cy** · 08-19-2010, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by MNCyGuy

Why should I believe you know anything about electronics?

Because I had a Lego Mindstorms set as a kid?

**GeronimusClone** · 08-19-2010, 09:14 AM

Originally Posted by GeronimusClone

I bought a 42 inch LG plasma from American in Des Moines a month ago for $550 and love it.

Originally Posted by MNCyGuy

Why should I believe you know anything about electronics?

He's Asian.
I'm fat and watch too much TV.

**azn4cy** · 08-19-2010, 09:15 AM

Originally Posted by GeronimusClone

He's Asian.

Subtle GC... subtle.

**MNCyGuy** · 08-19-2010, 09:17 AM

Originally Posted by GeronimusClone

He's Asian.
I'm fat and watch too much TV.

Both compelling arguments.

**peteypie** · 08-19-2010, 09:17 AM

My old 46" Sony projection tv took a crap this week. So I too have been researching a lot. I've settled on a 47" LG LCD tv from Walmart. $775 or somewhere around there. All the reviews Ive read have been excellent for this tv.

**MNCyGuy** · 08-19-2010, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by peteypie

My old 46" Sony projection tv took a crap this week. So I too have been researching a lot. I've settled on a 47" LG LCD tv from Walmart. $775 or somewhere around there. All the reviews Ive read have been excellent for this tv.

I've always heard that you need to be wary of electronics at Wal-mart, even with recognized brand names, has that changed?

**azn4cy** · 08-19-2010, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by MNCyGuy

Both compelling arguments.

Beat that price for a 1080P (I don't care that it supposedly doesn't make a difference at 42"... I can tell) Internet ready tv that you can directly stream Netflix to.

Trust the Asian guy. You can't fail.

In related news, who wants to go Tokyo drifting?

**ruxCYtable** · 08-19-2010, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by MNCyGuy

Doesn't need to be anything top-of-the-line, neither of us is that big of an electronics junkie. Just needs to be brand/model of decent quality that has a good picture and will last us a few years.

With these criteria I would consider Sanyo. Performance is middle of the road but they are an extremely reliable brand. They are #1 in reliability for plasma and near the top for LCD.

**MNCyGuy** · 08-19-2010, 09:26 AM

Originally Posted by azn4cy

Beat that price for a 1080P (I don't care that it supposedly doesn't make a difference at 42"... I can tell) Internet ready tv that you can directly stream Netflix to.

Trust the Asian guy. You can't fail.

In related news, who wants to go Tokyo drifting?

Well, we already have netflix streaming for our Wii, so that's not a huge deal for us, but the internet ready thing has me intrigued. How does that work, does it need to get hooked up to a separate computer or would I potentially be able to watch stuff on ESPN3 or CloneZone right on the TV?

**Senolcyc** · 08-19-2010, 09:26 AM

Originally Posted by MNCyGuy

Yes, I know I could probably search for previous threads about this. The now Mrs. and I are looking at spending some of our wedding gift money on a new tv. Doesn't need to be anything top-of-the-line, neither of us is that big of an electronics junkie. Just needs to be brand/model of decent quality that has a good picture and will last us a few years. Our place isn't huge so I'm thinking a 42" screen. Our tentative budget for the tv is around $800, but that is probably somewhat negotiable if we're only going to get a crap tv in that price range. Thanks for the help fanatics.

If you are just a regular guy who doesn't need expensive electronics to compensate for a small *****, you can hardly go wrong. Figure out what you can afford and buy in that range. LCD for rooms with natural light, plasma for rooms without. Bang, zoom, you're done.