HDTV Question

Post

I am using a 15 year old CRT television.

Looking to upgrade to a HDTV. I will use it mainly for gaming, secondarily for watching movies. I do not watch much cable and I do not have HD cable source.


I have considered both plasma and lcd. Looking to spend anywhere up to around $1500 dollars.

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=BDL10003317&logon=&langid=EN

This LG home theatre is on sale at future shop (canadian prices) was wondering what you guys think. I have heard that Samsung or Sony are the best but 120hz is to pricey for me in those brands. Would I be better off with a plasma to reduce motion blur? I heard burn in is pretty much a thing of the past nowadays. Anyways just wondering your guys thoughts on this TV package. Good Deal ?? I have heard 240hz is coming out in late 09/early 2010 ahghhh!

ainuvas

I picked up this:

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0770HDS0010106324&catid= (Sony 42" Bravia, non 120hz)

and personlly I love it. I've played through Portal / Bioshock & am working on a handful of games currently (COD4, Rainbox Six Vegas) without any issues. I also watch a lot of movies (standard def and blu-ray), and haven't noticed any motion blur.

YMMV of course, but I noticed the Sony's stacked up against the LGs always seemed to look better. Considering the LG has the theatre system rolled into the price as well, it makes me wonder how good of a tv it can be.

L*2*G*X

Go somewhere wwhere you can see the tv's and spend a lot of time looking at them. Don't buy a screen you haven't seen in action.

Also, what kind of sources do you use and are you planning on using? 360, ps3, blu-ray, gamecube, wii... Some have limitations you need to check your screen can deal with.

Willeth

L*2*G*X wrote: »

Go somewhere wwhere you can see the tv's and spend a lot of time looking at them. Don't buy a screen you haven't seen in action.

In addition, bring your console and hook it up and fuck with the settings to see how good you can get it to look. Bring the Halo 3 TV calibration disc or a BluRay with it on or something. Be aware that employees of most big-box TV stores will either leave the TVs on default settings or deliberately make the picture better on the TVs they make more profit on.

Obviously ask them before lugging a console to Best Buy or whatever, but you need to know what your setup can look like, not what they want you to think it looks like.

RUNN1NGMAN

There's really no way to get an accurate idea of how good or bad a display looks by looking at it in a store, unfortunately. By default, all those screens are going to be on the "blaze" setting. Even if you tinker with the settings and hook up your console, the results are going to be of questionable value unless you happen to live in a giant aircraft hanger lit with overhead fluorescents. There's just no way to be able to tell, standing in Best Buy, how that display is going to look in your living room. One hour of research on a reputable review site like Consumer Reports is more valuable than an entire day of comparison shopping in person, and will allow you to narrow the field considerably.

TK-42-1

I suggest the samsung 6 series. its 120hz and you can get a 40 or so for about $1500. it'll last you a while and samsung is consistantly rated top in consumer reports.

Gilbert0

I have a slightly smaller/lower model than that LG (37 inch LG50). Only difference is mine does not have 120HZ.

Personally, I love it. Was a big switch from my 27" CRT. Cable could look better but that's a problem with not have HD cable not the TV itself. Blu rays and PS3 all look great and had no problems with it. LG is definatly an ok brand to get.

L*2*G*X

RUNN1NGMAN wrote: »

There's really no way to get an accurate idea of how good or bad a display looks by looking at it in a store, unfortunately. By default, all those screens are going to be on the "blaze" setting. Even if you tinker with the settings and hook up your console, the results are going to be of questionable value unless you happen to live in a giant aircraft hanger lit with overhead fluorescents. There's just no way to be able to tell, standing in Best Buy, how that display is going to look in your living room. One hour of research on a reputable review site like Consumer Reports is more valuable than an entire day of comparison shopping in person, and will allow you to narrow the field considerably.

Not entirely true. I agree on the aircraft hangar thing, but there's glaring issues with a lot of cheap brand tv's that don't compare with the moderate issues in their better series. It's worth finding out what is good enough for you.
Yeah, if you get a high-end sammy or kuro you'll have a great tv. But for a lot of issues a few hours in a store will tell you wether you're willing to spend that money to avoid them.
The 720p - 768 - 1080p thing comes to mind. If you can't tell the difference don't shell out for a 1080p.

ElJeffe

You might also check out the HDTV-buying thread stickied at the top of the technology forum. The OP is chock-a-block with good advice, and there's a butt-ton of people in there to offer advice.