We are buying a new HDTV... recs?

[RobinFinderson]

I'm sure there is another thread like this some place, but the limitations of VB's search engine made it difficult to find anything (ie. it refuses to search for short words like "buy" and "TV").

So the Findersons might be one of the last holdouts who still watches TV on a CRT. We have now owned our one TV for about ten years, and it is kinda small and very ugly compared to what we would like. With Batman AC on our PS3, and MW3 and Skyrim just around the corner, it seems like a good time to upgrade our tv, and migrate the CRT to our bedroom.

I'm willing to buy an expensive TV. Looks are important. Features are also important, but looks are probably even more important. This thing will be a primary feature of our living room for the next ten years, and I don't want to look at ugly product design for a decade. When you break down the daily cost of a television over ten years, it is pretty cheap to buy a top-o-the-line television. I'm not interested is saving twenty cents/day if that means an ugly TV is going to infect my and my family's minds. Look, folks, if you want to fill your home with ugly things, be my guest, but there will be consequences of that choice.

So I'm looking at the Samsung D8000 series. They are super-thin and have the smallest bezel of any television I've seen on the market. They are expensive, but they also have a ton of features, and the picture quality, to my amateur eye, looks pretty spectacular.



Any advice from others on buying a new TV?

[FMCoug]

I can't speak to that particular model but I really like Samsung TVs. I have a DLP rear projection, a plasma, and an LCD,all between 5 and 7 years old and they are all going strong.

[RobinFinderson]

I can't speak to that particular model but I really like Samsung TVs. I have a DLP rear projection, a plasma, and an LCD,all between 5 and 7 years old and they are all going strong.

Good to hear. Build quality is very important in our choice.

[Donuthole]

I agree with CMBF's BDSP rule. I'm totally out of the game with respect to TVs at this point, as the technology turnover has been huge even from just a couple years ago. I did a ton of research a few years back when I was getting ready to purchase, and I was (and still am) very happy with my purchase.

However, I'm not afraid to say that I think Vizio makes a great product that really maximizes your dollar. My Vizio plasma is now two years old and I still get regular comments from visitors on the brightness and quality of the picture. Anecdotal, but it's something, anyway.

[WashingtonCoug]

One thing I'd look at is the judder capabilities in the TV. My brother in-law has a Sony that has the judder turned up way to high. It makes the picture look like a soap opera regardless of what they're watching. We tried tuning it down, but it still looked funny. They don't mind it though, so you might not either. I've heard the Samsungs have a wider judder range.

[SCcoug]

DDD has some good advice in this thread.

[Scott R Nelson]

So the Findersons might be one of the last holdouts who still watches TV on a CRT.

No, the Nelson family will still be watching TV on CRTs long after you've given in.

And cost does matter to me. A couple of years ago when I decided to give in and get a second television, I had a tough time finding one what wasn't flat screen and HDTV shape. I absolutely can't stand watching normal television stretched to fit an HD screen. And many sets that I've seen do that for you rather than "wasting" part of the screen space. At various hotels I've stayed at I figured out how to correct the setting, but it would revert back to stretched again just by changing channels.

When I can buy an HD set that is at least 30 inches for under $300, I'll finally give in and get one. Until then, I'll stick to my old-tech televisions. (Or if one of them burns out, I'll probably be forced to get one.)

[Shaka]

I have a Sony, Samsung, and LG all over 42" In my opinion the LG is the best followed by the Sony.

[old_gregg]

When I can buy an HD set that is at least 30 inches for under $300, I'll finally give in and get one. Until then, I'll stick to my old-tech televisions. (Or if one of them burns out, I'll probably be forced to get one.)

i paid $240 for my 36" vizio (it's a refurb) through woot deals. i then bought a three year squaretrade warranty for $30.

[BigPiney]

No, the Nelson family will still be watching TV on CRTs long after you've given in.

And cost does matter to me. A couple of years ago when I decided to give in and get a second television, I had a tough time finding one what wasn't flat screen and HDTV shape. I absolutely can't stand watching normal television stretched to fit an HD screen. And many sets that I've seen do that for you rather than "wasting" part of the screen space. At various hotels I've stayed at I figured out how to correct the setting, but it would revert back to stretched again just by changing channels.

When I can buy an HD set that is at least 30 inches for under $300, I'll finally give in and get one. Until then, I'll stick to my old-tech televisions. (Or if one of them burns out, I'll probably be forced to get one.)

Merry Christmas: http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...3/tcl-l32hdm11

or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2%20to%2045%22

[Donuthole]

When I can buy an HD set that is at least 30 inches for under $300, I'll finally give in and get one. Until then, I'll stick to my old-tech televisions. (Or if one of them burns out, I'll probably be forced to get one.)

Depending on how picky you are, you can definitely find that.

[RobinFinderson]

I have a Sony, Samsung, and LG all over 42" In my opinion the LG is the best followed by the Sony.

Interesting. I haven't really been thinking about LG, but I will need to take a closer look. They don't look terrible, and they are a lot cheaper than the Samsungs I've been considering, but the bezel is ugly.

[Uncle Ted]

I suggest that you do your part in keeping California green and not go too big. BTW, didn't California outlaw big screen TVs or going to outlaw them any day now? Besides big screen TVs are reserved for Texans.

[RobinFinderson]

I suggest that you do your part in keeping California green and not go too big. BTW, didn't California outlaw big screen TVs or going to outlaw them any day now? Besides big screen TVs are reserved for Texans.

Then it looks like I better hurry. I'm thinking 55".

[Donuthole]

Then it looks like I better hurry. I'm thinking 55".

Your living room would accommodate a 60-65" TV very nicely, IMO (presuming you are planning on wall-mounting). I realize the price difference between 55" and 65" is significant, but I just thought I'd throw that out there.