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geoffreak

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Feb 8, 2008
2,193
2
My roommate is buying an LCD TV with a screen size at or above 40 inches. Any recommendations for a good TV? Here's the best deal he said he found so far:
roommate said:
42 inch lcd refurbished westinghouse 1080p, 4 hdmi ports and all the works, for around 520 with shipping, also, please use considerable talents to finding a good deal, im looking for something above 40 inches.... 1080p of course...
 

niemo810

macrumors member
Apr 26, 2007
81
0
Consumer Reports puts Samsung and Vizio in the top three, and Westinghouse was very far down on the list... I wouldn't recommend the Westinghouse.
 

skye12

macrumors 65816
Nov 11, 2006
1,211
2
Austin, Tx
Done quite a bit of research on the subject lately while helping a friend buy
his new LCD HD Tv. I highly recommend the new B750 series from Samsung.
Also, for a limited time you can find the 40" Sony XBR7 for around $1200 from places like Crutchfield and maybe Amazon (it's a heck of a deal).
 

killerrobot

macrumors 68020
Jun 7, 2007
2,239
3
127.0.0.1
I personally like Vizio.
I know they aren't the top of the line, but neither are their prices.

Speaking of prices that go from 600 - 2k, was there a particular price range you were looking for? That might help narrow it down.
 

Wotan31

macrumors 6502
Jun 5, 2008
491
0
Are you looking for a *good* tv, or a good *deal* on a tv. These are two very different things.

I personally wouldn't buy anything less than a Sony XBR6, which incidentally is rather cheap these days. Around $1400 for the 40" size. Spectacular black levels and nice 120hz refresh. Also uses a 10 bit lcd panel while 99% of others use a cheaper 8 bit panel.

The black levels and motion blur on all the cheap low-end tv models (Vizio, Westinghouse, etc.) are just horrible. Put one of them side-by-side with a Sony XBR or higher end Samsung and the difference will be very obvious. You get what you pay for.
 

Shake 'n' Bake

macrumors 68020
Mar 2, 2009
2,186
2
Albany
Sony is great. But Sony is like the Apple of consumer electronics. They have a high price, but you get what you pay for.

I got the KDL-52W4100. The picture is amazing and quite vibrant. There are smaller variants as well.

Like Wotan31 said, this is very similar to the XBR series. It has a 120 Hz refresh rate, the 10-bit panel (I think) and a bunch of other stuff. And a Sony anything TV will always be better in a side-by-side comparo.
 

Chase R

macrumors 65816
May 8, 2008
1,279
81
PDX
I'd go with the Sony XBR6... buddy of mine has one and it looks amazing. I'm pretty sure it's a 120hz TV too. The picture on it has no judder whatsoever... even when using regular DVDs.
 

northy124

macrumors 68020
Nov 18, 2007
2,293
8
I recently got a Samsung LE40B551A, very good I think personally ;) IDK how much it is in US but here it was £600 :D
 

cmnkisrule

macrumors newbie
Jul 3, 2009
1
0
My Samsung experience

I currently own a 46" Samsung LNT4661 LCD. I paid $2667 for it two years ago based on a lot of research and good reviews. Recently, it stopped working so I had it looked at. The tech tells me the inverter went out and he would need to replace the whole LCD panel for $800, $600 for the part and $200 for labor. To say that I'm disappointed is a major understatement as this was a significant investment for me. I now have the most expensive paperweight I have ever owned. At that price point it should not stop working at less than two years.

I think the moral of the story here is maybe this time the extended warranty WAS the way to go.
 

djbahdow01

macrumors 6502a
Jan 19, 2004
569
0
Northeast, CT
I bought a 46" Samsung LN-46A630 and couldn't be happier. Bought it about a year ago for just over $2000, let alone, got a good discount as Circuit City had their 90 day price match and dropped their price a good bit afterwards.

Anyways all in all it is a great tv. Really wanted the A650 but it wasn't in stock. Once again very happy with the A630.

Great colors and very good for movies.
 
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