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I`m thinking of buying a flat screen tv.

EmuFan

Emulation Fanatic
OMG, i don`t have a flat screen tv! Yes, believe it or not, i do not. Only flat screen i got is my computer screen. Then there is the 32 inch family tv...Butiwantmyown!! So, i am saving up some money, i`ve got my eyes on several 42 inch tv`s, they look big enough. There was a 50 inch to, but that is just overkill....The tv i saw looked awesome. So, i am wondering...Any suggestions for a particular tv brand? Resolution, and all that cal? They are in all sorts of price ranges..Normally, i would go for the cheapest thing possible, but it`s a tv we are talking about here, something that is supposed to last for many years.
 

Allnatural

New member
Moderator
Depends on the technology you're after. For LCD, Samsung is generally the most highly-rated, with Sony a close second. For plasma, Pioneer is of course tops, but for something we mortals can afford you'll want a Panasonic.

Toshiba and LG are also well-rated, at least for LCDs (haven't read much about LG's plasmas). Then you have your third-tier brands, such as Vizio and Westinghouse. They don't produce the best picture, but they're cheap, and for some people that's good enough.
 
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EmuFan

Emulation Fanatic
I earn good enough, almost 1000 bucks every second week, that`s at least 1900-2100 bucks a month, so money is no biggie, i`ll be able to afford one in no time. The cheapest 42 inch i saw was around 950-970 bucks, while the most expensive 42 inch`s were about 2000.

However, the high price doesn`t mean it`s good, i learned that long ago. The cheapest one could be as good, or maybe even better then the expensive ones. The sweet thing about this store is that they have all the tv`s on display, with the same channel on all of them, so i am able to compare easily. That makes it much easier for me. I would like a tv that has higher resolution then 1024*768, which was on one of the 42 inches. I mean...That is just too low for such a big tv...

The family tv downstairs is a Grundig brand, it`s pretty good. Don`t know if i`ll go with that brand, though...I currently have an old LG tv, it still works, but i want to have that HD goodness, you know? And a bigger tv. And a extra computer screen.
 

A.I.

Banned
I earn good enough, almost 1000 bucks every second week, that`s at least 1900-2100 bucks a month, so money is no biggie, i`ll be able to afford one in no time. The cheapest 42 inch i saw was around 950-970 bucks, while the most expensive 42 inch`s were about 2000.

However, the high price doesn`t mean it`s good, i learned that long ago. The cheapest one could be as good, or maybe even better then the expensive ones. The sweet thing about this store is that they have all the tv`s on display, with the same channel on all of them, so i am able to compare easily. That makes it much easier for me. I would like a tv that has higher resolution then 1024*768, which was on one of the 42 inches. I mean...That is just too low for such a big tv...

The family tv downstairs is a Grundig brand, it`s pretty good. Don`t know if i`ll go with that brand, though...I currently have an old LG tv, it still works, but i want to have that HD goodness, you know? And a bigger tv. And a extra computer screen.

I'm also looking for a 100cm flat panel TV but im weighing up the pros and cons of plasma or LCD. Is plasma still prone to images burning on screen such as network logos? Does plasma have a superior picture to LCD or are they about the same? I don't know what to get, Plasma is now the same price as LCD, only difference in price is screen size, how things have changed! But the hardest part will be finding a new cabinet to fit and rewiring everything, im feeling too lazy atm...
 

Allnatural

New member
Moderator
I'm also looking for a 100cm flat panel TV but im weighing up the pros and cons of plasma or LCD. Is plasma still prone to images burning on screen such as network logos? Does plasma have a superior picture to LCD or are they about the same? I don't know what to get, Plasma is now the same price as LCD, only difference in price is screen size, how things have changed! But the hardest part will be finding a new cabinet to fit and rewiring everything, im feeling too lazy atm...
Image retention = temporary after-image, will eventually "wash out"
Burn-in = permanent phosphor damage

Most people will tell you that burn-in is virtually non-existent with modern panels. You'd really have to go out of your way to make it happen. IR is more common, though it varies with make, model, and who you ask. Some will tell you that it happens frequently (game HUDs, letterbox bars, etc.) and others will tell you that it has never happened to them.

I personally prefer the PQ of plasma. Blacks are much better, response times are nearly instantaneous, and they're generally cheaper by the inch than LCD. Common or not, IR really worried me though, particularly because I still watch a lot of 4:3 content, so I bought an LCD. Doesn't quite match a plasma, but it still produces a beautiful picture. :)
 

A.I.

Banned
I just looked at lcds/plasmas again today, they were playing blue ray and i nearly wet my pants! OMG! Detail so sharp you can see every flaw in ppls faces - that chick in Spiderman 3 is really ugly! Watchn porn is never gonna be the same! :evil:
 
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EmuFan

Emulation Fanatic
Some of the tv channels in my countries has solved the 4:3 on wide screen TV problem with this: A background image that goes well with the TV program. A very simple, grayish background with some transparent black images. It works better then one might think.

Buying a TV is not as easy as it used to, the image quality differs greatly, then there is the burn in problem. I want...a BIG ASS TV. 42" is more then big enough, because the distance between my couch and my TV is less then 10 feet. So it´s big enough, i tell you.
 

A.I.

Banned
Some of the tv channels in my countries has solved the 4:3 on wide screen TV problem with this: A background image that goes well with the TV program. A very simple, grayish background with some transparent black images. It works better then one might think.

Buying a TV is not as easy as it used to, the image quality differs greatly, then there is the burn in problem. I want...a BIG ASS TV. 42" is more then big enough, because the distance between my couch and my TV is less then 10 feet. So it´s big enough, i tell you.

Next time i go to to the shops im gonna walk up to the salesman and say 'i wanna big ass tv that dont burn, biatch!' and watch his reaction. :)
 

Allnatural

New member
Moderator
Some of the tv channels in my countries has solved the 4:3 on wide screen TV problem with this: A background image that goes well with the TV program. A very simple, grayish background with some transparent black images. It works better then one might think.
Most of my local channels do that too. Some even animate the sidebars (it's a subtle animation). Then there's the one channel that stretches everything. :rolleyes:
 
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EmuFan

Emulation Fanatic
Ouch, i hate it when they stretch it, it looks terrible. AI, if you ever do what you just said AND tape it, i will be your bitch for life!

Ah brothas, i can´t freaking wait until i can afford it...I will have to wait a bit over 3 weeks to afford it. Going to take forever...
 

X-Fi6

New member
Most HDTVs' native resolutions are 720p-1080p.

If you don't might the fact that 720p's height is 42 pixels smaller than 768px, then the next best thing would be 1080p, which you can find around the $1,000 range.
 

Toasty

Sony battery
It's been a while since I did mental math so forgive me if I'm a bit rusty, but doesn't 768 - 720 = 48?

My preference would be for LCD over plasma as well.
 
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EmuFan

Emulation Fanatic
I think LCD would be the best choice. The TV downstairs kicks major ass, it has a lot of connections, 2 scart (Or 3, not sure), 1 component input for video and audio, 1 high definition component input, 1 HDMI port, 1 VGA port, 1 input and output audio port (A input port would really be helpful since i´m gonna connect my PC to the TV...When i get it.

This is it, guys..I have had more then enough money for it before, but i have let pc upgrades and driving school payments get in the way. I have to save for a few weeks.. Doesn´t sound so hard, but something ALWAYS come up...When i had enough money to buy a Wii, i saw that my brother bought a flat screen for his computer which was BEAUTIFUL, so i bought one myself. I was tired of the old monitor anyways..

It is 19", not big, but enough when it´s RIGHT in front of you.

I did get a Wii sooner or later, so no problem there..

I have been looking at TV´s in all sorts of price ranges, lots of different brands...The Grundig TV downstairs is pretty good, so maybe i´ll go for that brand, i don´t know...The quality on the TV´s differs either greatly, or not that much. It is surprisingly hard, i mean c´mon, it´s expensive stuff guys.

I know 1 thing for sure: 42" is what i´m gonna go for, nothing bigger and nothing smaller. I will create a great home cinema experience for my brothers and my mom. It´s surprisingly important to me, normally i´m kinda selfish..

If i were 20 (will be in a few months) i could pay off a certain price a month, but in the long run, that gets more expensive.

It is not that the 32" i have now is bad, but flat screen is better for your eyes, which is kinda important to me.
 
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EmuFan

Emulation Fanatic
I was thinking for a minute to buy the TV online, but i quickly dismissed the thought because...What if there is something wrong with it? Sending it back with all the transportation expenses would not be worth it...There is the shop i was talking about, it is not far away from here. 35-40 minute walk tops, 5 by car, lol. I have a car..Or to be more precise, my mother does, but who needs details:p

So f*ck online TV shopping, f*ck it in the mouth. I am gonna take another look there today and see if the prices are still ok...

EDIT: Went to the shop again, and also went to another shop for price comparisons. And HOOOOLY SHIT. A 37" TV costs the same as a 42" costs in the first shop i went to. So the second one, out of the option. I was also looking for a rack to have the TV on the wall. I have plaster walls, they can´t handle everything, so some precautions has to made. Luckely, my dear sweet mother has these plugs that you hammer into the wall, then some screws you add into it. The screws press the thingies out, so it holds on better. I don´t want my TV to crash into the ceiling, i don´t need that shit. I was also checking how the TV´s handled off-axis viewing. Some did great, some got a really high contrast to it.

I´m sorry to make such a big deal out of it, but TV´s are expensive, it´s important for me that they work just right.


 
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Allnatural

New member
Moderator
I´m sorry to make such a big deal out of it, but TV´s are expensive, it´s important for me that they work just right.
You should make a big deal out of it. You probably won't be a buying a tv again for a while. Given that neither of the current technologies (plasma vs LCD) are perfect, you need to make sure that you'll be happy with your purchase for the long haul.
 
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EmuFan

Emulation Fanatic
My thoughts exactly. I have been lucky with previous purchases, the one i have now is about 3 years old. I bought it incredibly cheap used. It´s a good TV, my little brother will be the new owner after i have the new one. Only thing wrong with it is that it gets these weird colors in the corner sometime. But, nothing that ruins your experience, just turn it on and off a few times, and it´s gone.

I´m looking up what the best option would be. LCD or Plasma? Plasma has a lower risk of burn-in. Blacks look better.

However, LCD´s have better performance at higher altitudes, and are easier to install.

I looked up some suggestions on what the best brands are:

- Hitachi

- Panasonic

- Philips

- Pioneer

- Samsung

I noticed that Sony isn´t on the list. Doesn´t freaking surprise me, dead pixels seems to be something you basically always get with their screen products. PSP is an example. I freaking love PSP. But, 3 TIMES i have had problems with dead pixels, on 3 different PSP´s. So, Sony is a big NO in my opinion, when it comes to TV´s.
 
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Agozer

16-bit Corpse | Moderator
Our family has a 32" Sony Bravia. It's quite excellent, both gaming-wise and as a regular digital television.
 
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EmuFan

Emulation Fanatic
Don´t get me wrong, it´s not like Sony are bad, they just..suck SOMETIMES. I have been disappointed several times by their products, especially when it comes to screens. I am NOT taking that risk again.
 

dukenukem

lord freiza
Do take some pics of yout tv when you get it,i have 2 lcd hdtv's,one is a 32inch norcent,and the second is a sharp aquos 37d62u.Which tv's are you leaning towards that you have seen so far?
 

Allnatural

New member
Moderator
I´m looking up what the best option would be. LCD or Plasma? Plasma has a lower risk of burn-in. Blacks look better.
Typo? Plasma's are susceptible to burn-in (not so much burn-in, but image retention to varying degrees). LCD's are virtually immune.

However, LCD´s have better performance at higher altitudes, and are easier to install.
While true that LCD's are better at high altitude, I doubt it'll be a concern unless you live in the mountains.

And what do you mean that they're easier to install? Connection and setup is essentially the same regardless of which type you choose.

While a bit old, this site lays out some of the differences between the two technologies.
 

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