Flat Panel Television - Most Bang for my Buck

rockmonkey

Backstory:
I'm just out of college, out of a 6.5 year relationship, moved to a new city, got a new job.
Had said job for 3 weeks and they've already bumped my pay up another $2 /hr

I was left with a shitty little 13" tv when we split. Now that I'm making decent money I'm looking to buy a new tv in about 2 weeks.


I've scoured newegg.
I don't mind refurbished.
I'm shooting for an LCD.
I'm looking to spend under a grand.
Preferably at least 37".
I have some decent 5.1 surround sound speakers w/ sub woofer that I can hook up to it if need be (I've noticed a lot of cheap LCDs seem to have shitty speakers).
This is going to sit on a tv stand, so no need to shop for mount.
Will be my first flat panel and my first tv over 32"

My question is. I know to get at most 8ms response time, 1000:1 or greater contrast, and at least 500 cd/m2 for brightness.

What I'm struggling with is if the tv is say, 37" will I kick myself in 3 months for settling for up to 720p? will 1080i be cool? or will I just really really need to kick out a few back if I have to and make sure I get something that can handle up to 1080p


I don't have any latest gen consoles (although that would be a nice purchase within the next 6 months). I do have digital cable with a box (comcast, meh) and I love watching movies.

Is LCD even the right choice? I thought so, do you?

what about video connectors? what am I going to WANT it to have.

What's the best out of the bunch I've linked below? Are there better deals to be had?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889179003

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824112174

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889232002

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889116004

setrajonas

I'm not sure about any of those brands in particular, but Olevia is known for budget good-quality TVs.

khain

I recommend visiting the AVS Forum and reading the threads there as they pretty much have everything anyone could want to know about TVs.

RoundBoy

I doubt you will find 1080p in a smaller sub $1k set .. so you are pretty much defaulted to 720p/1080i

Kudos on the LCD, as you will get a 'true' hd resolution picture.. I have been looking at a number of brands (although in 42" range) .. Sony is an awesome picture... but you will pay for it..

Samsung also has great reviews .. as does panasonic . but some debate over build quality.

Beware avs forums, as they tend to want the 'best', not the best for the money... As said above.. some of the 'off brands' are just as good, but sans features of the big boys.

The bottom line is... as long as tv 'x' has the proper number of pixels for HD, it really comes down to input/ output ports.. and other fun features ... and the 'will this shit break in 6 months' factor. Until you can go in person to see each screen personally.. its all hearsay

rockmonkey

That's the thing, all the best prices seem to be online and not in a store. So I'm most likely NOT going to see the unit in person before I buy.

As far as 1080p goes, if I decide I really WANT it then I guess this one looks good.

Shadowfire

At 37", does one even really see a difference between 720p and 1080p? I only ask because I had thought you really needed a larger screen to see a difference in clarity (48" and up).

My TV does 1080i and 720p, and is a 32"... I really feel that 720p gives me a better picture (eliminating the annoying flicker). I truthfully don't see 1080p being a huge boost, but it depends on you, really. Maybe find some TVs at a local shop that support both 1080p and 720p in the same size range, and see if you notice a difference?