Suggestions for a new TV

[sdilley14]

I am starting to look into buying a new TV.

What I want out of my new TV...

50"-60"
LED/LCD
3+ HDMI Outputs
Optical Audio Output
120 Hz + refresh rate
1080p
Price range: $1200 or less

What I'm really not interested in...

3D capability
Smart TV / built in apps
Internet connectivity
USB connectivity (though it wouldn't hurt)

So as you can see, I'm basically just looking for a nice quality, no frills, "dumb" TV, fairly large size, good amount of outputs, and it has to be LCD. 55" is pretty ideal considering my living room set up, but I would be OK going a few inches smaller or bigger if the price is right.

Here is the TV I have been looking at...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

This pretty much hits the sweet spot of price/quality/size. Though I would be interested in a similar TV without the smart TV function and a little bit smaller in size if it is a good enough deal. I would prefer to buy off of Amazon to avoid sales tax. I found a comparable 55" Vizio at my local Wal-Mart for $868...but after 5.5% sales tax, it seems like a better idea to just spend the extra $100 and get this decked out 60".

I'm not at all married to the idea of getting a Vizio. I would be open to any brand. I've just been looking at this one because it seems to fit all my criteria, it's at a great price point, and the Amazon reviews have been largely positive.

[musicpenguy]

Sorry not a big TV guy - love projectors and recommend those for most people - but usually amazon reviews will point you in a good direction.

[725032]

Samsung are great. Highly recommended

[pavelbure]

Lg, vizio, or Samsung are your best bets.

Just curious, why does it have to be a LCD ?

[sdilley14]

Originally Posted by pavelbure

Lg, vizio, or Samsung are your best bets.

Just curious, why does it have to be a LCD ?

I mostly want an LCD because the room it will be in is exposed to a lot of sunlight. I can't imagine that a glossy plasma would perform well in those conditions.

[pavelbure]

Originally Posted by sdilley14

I mostly want an LCD because the room it will be in is exposed to a lot of sunlight. I can't imagine that a glossy plasma would perform well in those conditions.

Nope, probably not.

[torana355]

Originally Posted by sdilley14

I mostly want an LCD because the room it will be in is exposed to a lot of sunlight. I can't imagine that a glossy plasma would perform well in those conditions.

Well that is the one and only reason i would recommend LED/LCD over Plasma, if in a dark room i always recommend Plasma as it is gives a better picture overall. I guess any of the Samsung LED tvs that are in your price range should do the trick.

[ant69]

Vizio do some great tv's with a nice quality picture for very reasonable prices (particularly at Costco) also Panasonic or Samsung, these are the top tv makers in my opinion.

its kinda hard to buy a big screen tv without it coming with the frills such as internet connectivity/3d etc etc - but it doesn't mean you have to use it?

Ant

[sdilley14]

Originally Posted by ant69

Vizio do some great tv's with a nice quality picture for very reasonable prices (particularly at Costco) also Panasonic or Samsung, these are the top tv makers in my opinion.

its kinda hard to buy a big screen tv without it coming with the frills such as internet connectivity/3d etc etc - but it doesn't mean you have to use it?

Ant

I hear you. I was just hoping to get a set a little cheaper without having all the smart TV functions. I have an XBox 360, PS3, and an Apple TV, so I'll be using those for apps and streaming and whatnot.

[StinDaWg]

If you care at all about picture quality get a Panasonic plasma. This basic 60" model often goes on sale for $799, regular price is $899. A Vizio or other cheap lcd won't come anywhere close to this set. Get some blinds or curtains for the daytime.

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-TC-P.../dp/B008KCSMHS

[Pyromonkey83]

If you want actual top quality picture there are only 4 manufacturers to buy from. Sharp, Samsung, Sony, and Panasonic (Maybe LG if you pay out the nose for it).

If this is a highly lit area, then don't buy the Panasonic because of the glare.

People who say Vizio or Insignia or any other brand is just as high quality is plain wrong, and there is lots and lots of research out there to back up my statement. Of course if you personally cannot tell the difference then buy the Vizio, there is no point in buying the Lamborghini if you live on a dirt road.

Read reviews on AVforums and look through what they have to say. Many of the forum users there have been in the A/V industry for many years and definitely know their stuff.

It's all about what looks good to you. Go to your local Best Buy or Frys and look at the TV's side by side. Most of the time with Vizio you will find that low light scenes don't have as high of quality or that colors wont quite look as vibrant. If your eyes cant see the difference, buy whatever the cheapest one you can find in your size range until you see a degrade in picture quality.

[spacepower7]

I'd like to add a question to the discussion since I am in the market for a new HDTV.

What do you think about warranties? Or extended warranties?

It seems that most standard warranties cover parts for a year and labor for 90 days.

This is the minimum require by law in the US, other countries have it much better.

I think I'll pay for a warranty considering LEDs and LCDs don't seem to last as long as the old tubes I grew up with.

I've taken all the business school stats classes on how companies figure out warranties etc...

But it is a sad state for consumer electronics if I have to pay labor fees (Which usually cost more than the parts) for a product that fails 91 days after purchase.

Granted, having a full 1 year warranty AND labor might increase the price $100 but I'd feel better about the purchase.

So it seems some warranty may be good. Any recommendations? 3rd party or whatever?

[musicpenguy]

That's why I love projectors - you can transform the entire wall into a TV - quite awesome

[Michael CM1]

Your desires all sound good, except I would recommend getting WiFi built in. That way you can update the firmware easily. Apps are mostly crap aside from your standard Netflix, Hulu, etc. that are on every smart device on the planet. Save $200 on the TV and buy a $99 Apple TV.

I have a Samsung that I like, but I have decided to go with LG in the future unless I learn something bad about them. Samsung has really turned me off with some of the anti-Apple commercials, and I'm the type of person to stick my foot up a company's butt monetarily if I can.

[WhiteIphone5]

Originally Posted by sdilley14

I am starting to look into buying a new TV.

What I want out of my new TV...

50"-60"
LED/LCD
3+ HDMI Outputs
Optical Audio Output
120 Hz + refresh rate
1080p
Price range: $1200 or less

What I'm really not interested in...

3D capability
Smart TV / built in apps
Internet connectivity
USB connectivity (though it wouldn't hurt)

So as you can see, I'm basically just looking for a nice quality, no frills, "dumb" TV, fairly large size, good amount of outputs, and it has to be LCD. 55" is pretty ideal considering my living room set up, but I would be OK going a few inches smaller or bigger if the price is right.

Here is the TV I have been looking at...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

This pretty much hits the sweet spot of price/quality/size. Though I would be interested in a similar TV without the smart TV function and a little bit smaller in size if it is a good enough deal. I would prefer to buy off of Amazon to avoid sales tax. I found a comparable 55" Vizio at my local Wal-Mart for $868...but after 5.5% sales tax, it seems like a better idea to just spend the extra $100 and get this decked out 60".

I'm not at all married to the idea of getting a Vizio. I would be open to any brand. I've just been looking at this one because it seems to fit all my criteria, it's at a great price point, and the Amazon reviews have been largely positive.

http://www.hhgregg.com/sharp-60-full...r-1-LC60LE600U

Might upgrade to that one, upgrading from a 47e3d420vx

[sdilley14]

Originally Posted by WhiteIphone5

http://www.hhgregg.com/sharp-60-full...r-1-LC60LE600U

Might upgrade to that one, upgrading from a 47e3d420vx

Whoa...nice find, thanks!

[JGRE]

Originally Posted by sdilley14

I am starting to look into buying a new TV.

What I want out of my new TV...

50"-60"
LED/LCD
3+ HDMI Outputs
Optical Audio Output
120 Hz + refresh rate
1080p
Price range: $1200 or less

What I'm really not interested in...

3D capability
Smart TV / built in apps
Internet connectivity
USB connectivity (though it wouldn't hurt)

So as you can see, I'm basically just looking for a nice quality, no frills, "dumb" TV, fairly large size, good amount of outputs, and it has to be LCD. 55" is pretty ideal considering my living room set up, but I would be OK going a few inches smaller or bigger if the price is right.

Here is the TV I have been looking at...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

This pretty much hits the sweet spot of price/quality/size. Though I would be interested in a similar TV without the smart TV function and a little bit smaller in size if it is a good enough deal. I would prefer to buy off of Amazon to avoid sales tax. I found a comparable 55" Vizio at my local Wal-Mart for $868...but after 5.5% sales tax, it seems like a better idea to just spend the extra $100 and get this decked out 60".

I'm not at all married to the idea of getting a Vizio. I would be open to any brand. I've just been looking at this one because it seems to fit all my criteria, it's at a great price point, and the Amazon reviews have been largely positive.

The only advice I can give you is: If you look at lot sports or do a lot af gaming, the TV you are looking at has a pretty low refresh rate (120Hz). You might wanna compare it to a Samsung or LG (400-800Hz) to see whether you expirence this as a differences

[Pyromonkey83]

Originally Posted by JGRE

The only advice I can give you is: If you look at lot sports or do a lot af gaming, the TV you are looking at has a pretty low refresh rate (120Hz). You might wanna compare it to a Samsung or LG (400-800Hz) to see whether you expirence this as a differences

Read my post above. You have fallen into their marketing schemes! 120hz is perfectly fine if you are not using 3D.

Also, their 400hz+ claims are total BS. They are all 240hz TVs.

[JGRE]

Originally Posted by Pyromonkey83

Read my post above. You have fallen into their marketing schemes! 120hz is perfectly fine if you are not using 3D.

Also, their 400hz+ claims are total BS. They are all 240hz TVs.

Yes, you are right, therefore I suggested "whether you experience this as a differences".
You should believe your own eyes, not the technical jibberjabber they are trying to sell us.
I chose my TV (Samsung 7 series) purely on the looks (screen and TV itself)