Looking at TVs - not sure what to look for .. input requested

[BST]

As the title says, I'm looking at some (of the various new flat panel) TVs and would like some clues on what items are deserving of my attention.... in other words, what's important to look for?

Desired TV size would probably be around 37".

Thanks in advance.

:)

[stratagem]

Basically you need a plan as far as connections go. Map out the different types and where they are plugged.

A 720p set is more than enough. Newer models will probably draw less power.

Some brands to look at would be LG, Samsung, Sony, and Vizio. Not necessarily in that order (heck you might even find another brand you like). A smaller response time will cost you more money, while a larger response time will cause "blur". Also note where your connections are on the TV and whether or not you will wall mount it.

For cables I'd recommend www.monoprice.com as they have great prices.

[BST]

Basically you need a plan as far as connections go. Map out the different types and where they are plugged.

A 720p set is more than enough. Newer models will probably draw less power.

Some brands to look at would be LG, Samsung, Sony, and Vizio. Not necessarily in that order (heck you might even find another brand you like). A smaller response time will cost you more money, while a larger response time will cause "blur". Also note where your connections are on the TV and whether or not you will wall mount it.

For cables I'd recommend www.monoprice.com as they have great prices.


Ideally, we would like for it to be a wall mount. We're also tossing around the idea of a built-in DVD player and if that would be preferable to stand-alone unit. (We've currently got a 25" portable tv w/ a stand along with a digital cable box. We'd like to get rid of tv and stand and go with a nice table for the digital box and DVD player, if we go the stand-alone route).

[Darth Marley]

Resist built-in components like the DVD.

If you have Comcast, then examining what premium services you have, or would like to have matters.

Flat screen is one thing, but HD signal is another.
They have to give you the local channels in HD, but you would have to pay for the rest in HD.

That means either using their set-top box, or making sure your new TV supports a cable card that your cable provider supports.
Comcast in most locales will give or lease cheap a cable card for their signal, but you need to make sure your TV can seat it.

Getting informed about HDMI cables, and how expensive HDMI cables are a rip-off is important. It is a digital signal, it either gets there, or it doesn't and resends itself, there is no need for expensive cables.

If you are using older devices, like the old DVD or VCR, then making sure you have enough coax and composite (or component, if applicable) inputs on the new set is important.

Also, the set MUST HAVE a QAM tuner if you want to avoid using the set top box/cable card.

Start by charting what services are a must have, and what services are too damn expensive, and then it becomes easier to sort out what you need in terms of TV capabilities.

[BST]

Resist built-in components like the DVD.

If you have Comcast, then examining what premium services you have, or would like to have matters.

Flat screen is one thing, but HD signal is another.
They have to give you the local channels in HD, but you would have to pay for the rest in HD.

That means either using their set-top box, or making sure your new TV supports a cable card that your cable provider supports.
Comcast in most locales will give or lease cheap a cable card for their signal, but you need to make sure your TV can seat it.

Getting informed about HDMI cables, and how expensive HDMI cables are a rip-off is important. It is a digital signal, it either gets there, or it doesn't and resends itself, there is no need for expensive cables.

If you are using older devices, like the old DVD or VCR, then making sure you have enough coax and composite (or component, if applicable) inputs on the new set is important.

Also, the set MUST HAVE a QAM tuner if you want to avoid using the set top box/cable card.

Start by charting what services are a must have, and what services are too damn expensive, and then it becomes easier to sort out what you need in terms of TV capabilities.

We get it all from Comcast, except HD -- still have standard definition sets.

I tend to agree about the built-in devices, like the DVD, etc.. I’ve always had the opinion that the more things a device tries to do, the more areas there are for something to break down. I’d rather have 2 or 3 or 4 devices, each doing something very well than to have 1 device do them “so-so”. I wasn’t if that opinion was misplaced or not.

:D

Now, with this cable card that you mentioned, how does that work? Does it provide all the functionality of the set-top box?

[Malkyte2]

I would disagree with the idea that 720p is more then enough IF you are looking for a long term purchase. If your budget can afford it, look for the 1080p. While there may not be as much supported content for it yet, you can bet that it is not far ahead, as the majority you will see in stores is already at the 1080p.

Also, be careful when looking at sizes. A 37" widescreen flat panel is NOT the same as a 37" old school tube TV. While I don't have the numbers infront of me, my old school 27" TV has about the same height as a 40 or 42 inch flat panel. So again, make sure its what you want and check the specs.

Also, check for contrast ratio... usually the higher the better. You will see two ways they call it out: Something like "Standard Contrast Ratio" and "Dynamic Contrast Ratio". The dynamic ratio will always have a higher ratio (way higher), but I have yet to find a straight answer as to the difference between the two. Infact some have suggested that they are the same thing just named differently... I don't buy that. Perhaps someone here knows the difference.

From my understanding the Samsungs, Panasonics and Sonys are considered pretty good... ofcourse the Sonys are ridiculously priced compared to the other brands... but I have never had a bad experience with them (my current 27" is 12 years old and running great)



Malkyte

[Darth Marley]

Now, with this cable card that you mentioned, how does that work? Does it provide all the functionality of the set-top box?

I don't have any practical experience with them.

There is probably a standard "form factor" for the cards, I have a vague memory of them being like the PCMIA standard, but I am not sure.

There would be some proaganda from Comcast about what their cards will do if they offer them in your area. They would much rather talk you in to getting an HD set-top decoder though.

Drop "Comcast cable card" into Google and read the customer srevice horror stories.

http://www.comcast.com/Customers/Faq/FaqCategory.ashx?CatId=301

On Demand will not work.

If you are using the "freebie" Motorola tuner, I don't think any of them have HDMI outputs.

[stratagem]

I do know that Cable Cards on the HTPC front are not worth the cost of entry. I've not had experience with using then in TV's.

As far as what HD resolution to choose. Just look through the following article from CNET for more information.

http://www.cnet.com/hdtv-resolution/

[Malkyte2]

Hey BST-

Just wondering how this is going?



Malkyte

[BST]

Hey BST-

Just wondering how this is going?



Malkyte

Hey Mal,

Heh heh... back burner for now.. too much other stuff going on now. What I wouldn't give for a week to do nothing .... and I mean NOTHING!!

:D

[Malkyte2]

I understand all too well!

I was just curious because I am looking too, but not very actively at the moment, for obvious reasons I mentioned a few weeks back.

If you can, keep us informed when you do get around to it.


Malkyte

[BST]

I understand all too well!

I was just curious because I am looking too, but not very actively at the moment, for obvious reasons I mentioned a few weeks back.

If you can, keep us informed when you do get around to it.


Malkyte


Will do. :)

[Callipygian]

I have three LCD flat/widescreens (2 are 720p and 1 is 1080p), and I have two Panasonic Plasmas (1 is 1080i and 1 is 1080p), and I think the plasma gives a better picture hands down. As a matter of fact, I can't see a difference in picture quality between the 1080i and 1080p.

Just my two cents.

Calli

[BST]

I have three LCD flat/widescreens (2 are 720p and 1 is 1080p), and I have two Panasonic Plasmas (1 is 1080i and 1 is 1080p), and I think the plasma gives a better picture hands down. As a matter of fact, I can't see a difference in picture quality between the 1080i and 1080p.

Just my two cents.

Calli

What does the "i" and "p" mean?

[Darth Marley]

Interlaced and Progressive scans.

http://hubpages.com/hub/interlaced-vs-progressive

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interlace

http://techdigs.net/content/view/53/42/

[Malkyte2]

I have three LCD flat/widescreens (2 are 720p and 1 is 1080p), and I have two Panasonic Plasmas (1 is 1080i and 1 is 1080p), and I think the plasma gives a better picture hands down. As a matter of fact, I can't see a difference in picture quality between the 1080i and 1080p.

Just my two cents.

Calli

You have 5 flat panels? :eek:

Man, now I really feel behind! ;)

Plasmas indeed are known for overall better pictures, especially when it comes to the blacks, but their longevity is what killed them next to the LCD. They burn out a lot quicker then LCDs, and now that some companies have announced that they would stop making them, the prospect of having to fix them/recharged them is not a good one.


Malkyte

[BST]

Interlaced and Progressive scans.

http://hubpages.com/hub/interlaced-vs-progressive

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interlace

http://techdigs.net/content/view/53/42/

Thankee, kindly. :)

[Callipygian]

Plasmas indeed are known for overall better pictures, especially when it comes to the blacks, but their longevity is what killed them next to the LCD. They burn out a lot quicker then LCDs, and now that some companies have announced that they would stop making them, the prospect of having to fix them/recharged them is not a good one.
Before I purchased my first flat screen, I read everything I could dig up about the LCD vs. Plasma battle. Then, I consulted a local expert. He informed me that both technologies are really too new to determine which is more reliable in the long term.

I do have issues with the LCDs. The one I use for my computer screen has ghost images burned into it, and it happens fairly quickly if any image is left on the screen...and yes, I do have a screen saver. The same goes for my son's LCD because he uses it for gaming in addition to television viewing. No such problem with the plasmas.

Only time will tell which of the two will hold up better in the long run.

Calli