View Full Version : Buying a TV
tommymac
09-15-2011, 07:36 AM
Seems the smaller tv in our living room is dying a slow death and will need to start looking for a new one. To say I am out of the loop on this sort of thing is an understatememnt. Were looking for something between 32-42 inches and will likley mount it on the wall (to help keep the baby from knocking it over)
Any good places to look to start doing soem research to see what I need/want or if anyone here has suggestions. I am still hoping to hold out till black friday and see if there are any good deals to be had.
fujimoh
09-15-2011, 07:52 AM
I still get emails from Circuit City. They have some pretty good prices on LCD TV's
Particle Man
09-15-2011, 08:13 AM
I still get emails from Circuit City. They have some pretty good prices on LCD TV's
Problem is finding a store... Unless you want to trust online (never works out for me with TV's...)
Rider
09-15-2011, 08:22 AM
I was going to say, didnt CC go out of business or was that just a regional shut down?
tommymac
09-15-2011, 08:27 AM
Problem is finding a store... Unless you want to trust online (never works out for me with TV's...)
I was never too keen with circuit city employees anyway. On more than one occasion they seemed prety incompetent and didn tknow the products. Plus I am not sure if there are any more stores open up here.
Rangerscott
09-15-2011, 09:46 AM
I was going to say, didnt CC go out of business or was that just a regional shut down?
The brick & morters are gone. The online tag teams with tigerdirect.com
askmrjesus
09-15-2011, 09:55 AM
We picked up 42" Toshiba HD 1080 from Amazon.
About 425.00 delivered.
Nice picture, no complaints.
JC
AquaPython
09-15-2011, 09:55 AM
you want top end for that size?
start with LG and Samsung.
also, thoroughly research what you want and the prices you expect to make sure you know you are getting a deal on black friday.
OneSickPsycho
09-15-2011, 09:56 AM
Check out the audio/visual and home theatre forums... Those guys forgot more than I've ever known about the stuff (or cared to) and they constantly review stuff...
I'd shop online if you can't wait - generally much cheaper even if you have to pay for shipping... I got my tv from newegg, several hundred cheaper than in the stores and I couldn't find it any lower online...
With any significant purchase - use a credit card that offers replacement and/or extended warranty.
marko138
09-15-2011, 10:01 AM
I've got a LG LCD for the bedroom that I bought at Wal Mart for 4 bones. It looks every bit as good as my 1080p Panasonic plasma.
tommymac
09-15-2011, 10:07 AM
I've got a LG LCD for the bedroom that I bought at Wal Mart for 4 bones. It looks every bit as good as my 1080p Panasonic plasma.
I am not a huge audio/videophile so I think that will save me soem money since I dont need all the bells and whistles. I may hit best buy in a few weeks and start doing a litlte research. narrow it down to a few models then see where I can get a good price
marko138
09-15-2011, 10:08 AM
I am not a huge audio/videophile so I think that will save me soem money since I dont need all the bells and whistles. I may hit best buy in a few weeks and start doing a litlte research. narrow it down to a few models then see where I can get a good price
Any LCD from the major players is going to get the job done.
fasternyou929
09-15-2011, 10:09 AM
Just went through this ordeal 2 weeks ago. Ended up getting a Samsung because we were a fan of the very thin border (and it wasn't glossy black, which would mean replacing even more stuff :lol:)
As far as picture quality and inputs, pretty much anything out there is "good". Just make sure it has the inputs you want (most will today) and shop based on features you want. Top of the line, IMO, is LG, Sony, and Samsung; best bang for the buck is Vizio. Bunch of those things at my in-laws house and they get the job done well on the cheap.
ETA: I actually went with Plasma again over LCD. Our TV is often watched from the kitchen, which is at about an 80 degree viewing angle, and the LCD's using light pipes (very thin) showed some shadows and odd colors from there. And personal opinion, but LCD's just felt "brighter" overall to me and I'm prone to nasty headaches from watching bright screens. Other than that, I think LCD's have the advantage in general, but they are very close to one another in their abilities anymore.
Picked up a panasonic 42 from best buy on sale last year for $450.
Gas Man
09-15-2011, 11:02 AM
See if your BB has a Magnolia Room. That's where I get all my stuff.
That being said, if you want to keep it more on a budget... check woot.com everyday and I'm sure you will find a GREAT deal. They have flatty's on there all the time.
The new deal of the day happens at 0100 EST unless it's a Woot Off then they happen all day long.
See if your BB has a Magnolia Room. That's where I get all my stuff.
Otherwise known as the buttfucking room. Nothing like making a fancy room and throwing a bunch of fancy words in a hipster setting to confuse you into thinking you need to spend a few hundred more. LOL
fasternyou929
09-15-2011, 11:23 AM
Otherwise known as the buttfucking room. Nothing like making a fancy room and throwing a bunch of fancy words in a hipster setting to confuse you into thinking you need to spend a few hundred more. LOL
The champagne room of technology stores?
tommymac
09-15-2011, 11:26 AM
The champagne room of technology stores?
so the only one getting fucked in the magnolia room is you :lol:
pretty much, i worked at a best buy that added one while I was there. People would honestly be willing to spend more money when we took them from the regular show floor to the fancy room. They would be looking at the cheaper of two TVs out on the floor, but when we took them into the fancy room and showed them the same exact more expensive TV that was on the floor that they didn't want, but it was in the fancy room, they fell for that shit hook line and sinker.
tommymac
09-15-2011, 11:56 AM
looks like they want to get you for installing/hooking it up too.
looks like they want to get you for installing/hooking it up too.
yeah, they like to rape you on that and cables. That's where they really make their money. Oh the service plans too.
tommymac
09-15-2011, 12:02 PM
yeah, they like to rape you on that and cables. That's where they really make their money. Oh the service plans too.
I know the service plans is where they try to get ya.
the chi
09-15-2011, 12:50 PM
We got all our current ones at BB without an issue. Sales guys didnt know as much as they should, but check the reviews for what you're looking at. I use my iphone while Im standing in front of the item to see what other consumers want, and if it's got good reviews and it meets our needs, we go for it. We have a couple different brands and we got great deals on all of them. We dont care if its the latest and greatest, as long as it meets our needs.
You CAN have them install it for you but you dont HAVE to. We had our big one (55 inch i think) mounted in our last rental house as we figured their specialists had more practice and THEYD be liable if they screwed up the wall. For our smaller one (32 or 36 in) we did the wall mount with no issues.
Really the biggest thing you want to research on TVs is reliabilty. The minor differences in picture and quality won't be an issue in your house. Figure out the size and price range you want and then get model numbers and see what type of issues people have with those TVs on the net. Pick the one that has the least or easy fix issues and go on about your day.
Your TV isn't going to be mounted next to everyone elses TV like it is at best buy, so all those fancy buzzwords and minor differences won't mean shit once you get your TV home. Oh, it will also be obsolete in 2 months, so your fancy new TV is going to be a relic as soon as you get it out of the box. Might as well pick a good one instead of playing keeping up with the Jones'.
tommymac
09-15-2011, 01:11 PM
Really the biggest thing you want to research on TVs is reliabilty. The minor differences in picture and quality won't be an issue in your house. Figure out the size and price range you want and then get model numbers and see what type of issues people have with those TVs on the net. Pick the one that has the least or easy fix issues and go on about your day.
Your TV isn't going to be mounted next to everyone elses TV like it is at best buy, so all those fancy buzzwords and minor differences won't mean shit once you get your TV home. Oh, it will also be obsolete in 2 months, so your fancy new TV is going to be a relic as soon as you get it out of the box. Might as well pick a good one instead of playing keeping up with the Jones'.
Reliability/durability is my biggest thing, I dont want to have to be replacing shit on it in a year or 2. I am sure as the baby gets older it will be used more than what we watch now also.
pauldun170
09-15-2011, 01:24 PM
I bought a Samsung 46 at PC Richard.
They did all the setup in the store, had me approve of the thing to make sure it was in perfect working order and the screen looked good and I got a little discount on it.
we're at the point now where we've bought most of household stuff at PC Richards. Very good experience with them.
askmrjesus
09-15-2011, 02:16 PM
we're at the point now where we've bought most of household stuff at PC Richards. Very good experience with them.
Yes, but are his prices insane?
JC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvqfvvQIoIM&feature=related
Sixxxxer
09-15-2011, 07:21 PM
Get your Cables from Newegg.com
If your running it HDMI...Fuck BB and there 70 dollar cables. You can get the same ones from Newegg for like 6 bucks!
Rangerscott
09-15-2011, 07:40 PM
One stop cable place.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240
I'm a Vizio guy. I have now what is considered an "old" model but it's their 42" Gallevia and it still looks good when I bought it 3 years or so ago. It was even a display model so who knows how many hours were on it before I got it.
I do have three LG glossy monitors (same model) for my PC and they are bitchin. I don't know if I'll go glossy on a big TV, but I will stay glossy with my PC monitors.
dReWpY
09-15-2011, 09:50 PM
Bought a 55 LCD from Sam's for 6 bones wifI 1080p 240 htz try there
Rangerscott
09-15-2011, 09:53 PM
Believe it or not, Sears can have some nice deals. Especially not the displays they're getting rid of. That's where I got mine. I wasn't even looking for one there, just happen to walk by.
tommymac
09-15-2011, 10:06 PM
Any major differences between LCD, plasma and DLP tv's I should be aware of.
Rangerscott
09-15-2011, 10:13 PM
I say just go lcd. Plasma can ghost. DLPS's are good from what I've heard.
Gas Man
09-15-2011, 11:06 PM
Otherwise known as the buttfucking room. Nothing like making a fancy room and throwing a bunch of fancy words in a hipster setting to confuse you into thinking you need to spend a few hundred more. LOL
Say what you want but I don't get fucked in shopping..
We got all our current ones at BB without an issue. Sales guys didnt know as much as they should, but check the reviews for what you're looking at. I use my iphone while Im standing in front of the item to see what other consumers want, and if it's got good reviews and it meets our needs, we go for it. We have a couple different brands and we got great deals on all of them. We dont care if its the latest and greatest, as long as it meets our needs.
You CAN have them install it for you but you dont HAVE to. We had our big one (55 inch i think) mounted in our last rental house as we figured their specialists had more practice and THEYD be liable if they screwed up the wall. For our smaller one (32 or 36 in) we did the wall mount with no issues.
This! I do my research. That's why my TV came from outside the Mag Room, but the reciever, speakers, and dvd player came from the room. Recently I bought a blueray player... I spoke to the people I know in the MR and they directed me out of the MR and showed me this real nice Sony. I compared it to the LG and Samsung, but went with the better unit (Sony).
The recv is a dennon and can't be bought in a standard BB. Same goes for the definitive tech speakers. I only researched the stuff for about a month and went to everything from the Sony outlet, bose outlet, BB, CC, ABC, and looked online. As I said, I don't get screwed around.
Any major differences between LCD, plasma and DLP tv's I should be aware of.
Yes, glare. Plasma's have a pane of glass on their face... high glare. LCD's have different amounts of glare depending usually on the brand. My sony has a very matte finish so it has hardly any glare. That becomes very important when you get it in your house with windows and lighting that can be seen in the tv reflection.
Say what you want but I don't get fucked in shopping..
This! I do my research. That's why my TV came from outside the Mag Room, but the reciever, speakers, and dvd player came from the room. Recently I bought a blueray player... I spoke to the people I know in the MR and they directed me out of the MR and showed me this real nice Sony. I compared it to the LG and Samsung, but went with the better unit (Sony).
The recv is a dennon and can't be bought in a standard BB. Same goes for the definitive tech speakers. I only researched the stuff for about a month and went to everything from the Sony outlet, bose outlet, BB, CC, ABC, and looked online. As I said, I don't get screwed around.
Audio is different with the MR since they don't sell certain products outside the MR. However, this is a TV thread, why bring up the MR room if it wasn't involved?
EVERYONE gets fucked in audio. That shit is ridiculously marked up EVERYWHERE. The only people that don't are the people that get employee discounts and such. Especially car audio, that damn shit makes me angry.
What kind of TV do you have? Fluro LCD, LED LCD, Plasma?
fasternyou929
09-15-2011, 11:28 PM
I say just go lcd. Plasma can ghost. DLPS's are good from what I've heard.
Maybe 7 years ago, but ghosting/burn in is not an issue on today's sets.
Rangerscott
09-15-2011, 11:30 PM
Maybe 7 years ago, but ghosting/burn in is not an issue on today's sets.
My brother has a plasma and it ghost like a mother fucker. LCD's are tried and proven.
My brother has a plasma and it ghost like a mother fucker. LCD's are tried and proven.
Great plasmas will out rank LCDs. The thing with plasma is don't go cheap, their high ends are awesome. Their high ends can be found priced competitively against medium quality LED LCDs too.
Gas Man
09-15-2011, 11:37 PM
Audio is different with the MR since they don't sell certain products outside the MR. However, this is a TV thread, why bring up the MR room if it wasn't involved?
EVERYONE gets fucked in audio. That shit is ridiculously marked up EVERYWHERE. The only people that don't are the people that get employee discounts and such. Especially car audio, that damn shit makes me angry.
What kind of TV do you have? Fluro LCD, LED LCD, Plasma?
Ok
A sony... I can't remember now... it's 3 years old now. Now I wish it was 3D
fasternyou929
09-15-2011, 11:56 PM
My brother has a plasma and it ghost like a mother fucker. LCD's are tried and proven.
Sorry if I made that sound like a question. It wasn't.
shmike
09-16-2011, 12:05 AM
Sorry if I made that sound like a question. It wasn't.
:lol
Now I wish it was 3D
You would use it a few times and forget it. 3D is annoying. It's a nice gimmick to say, ooh look at the 3D, but when you actually want to start watching TV normally you won't use it. Wait for holograms. LOL
Gas Man
09-16-2011, 02:01 AM
Holograms FTW
OneSickPsycho
09-16-2011, 02:20 AM
I second plasmas... As long as you don't have a big window or any significant light source in the room due to the glare on the glossy screen.
The big thing with plasmas are the dark colors... My bargain 720p plasma blows away my top of the line (at the time) LCD because of that... I spent a ton of time adjusting the LCD to get the best quality, plugged in the plasma and it was much better... Sucks balls in the evening when the sun is on that side of the house though..
Riceaholic
09-16-2011, 03:00 AM
One stop cable place.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240
I'm a Vizio guy. I have now what is considered an "old" model but it's their 42" Gallevia and it still looks good when I bought it 3 years or so ago. It was even a display model so who knows how many hours were on it before I got it.
I do have three LG glossy monitors (same model) for my PC and they are bitchin. I don't know if I'll go glossy on a big TV, but I will stay glossy with my PC monitors.
I'm with Scott. My Vizeo in my bedroom probably hasn't been shut off more than twice in the 2 years it's been in there and still looks as good as the day I bought it. Wal Mart has always been where I get my TV's...
marko138
09-16-2011, 09:18 AM
My plasma rules.
Cutty72
09-22-2011, 11:50 AM
Love my plasma
Best Buy usually has great deals. They are pretty much all great TV's, as long as you go with a brand you know. I love my 52 inch Toshiba Regza, picture is perfect, and so far never a problem. Though all I ever do with it is play games and watch 3-4 shows a week.
You would use it a few times and forget it. 3D is annoying. It's a nice gimmick to say, ooh look at the 3D, but when you actually want to start watching TV normally you won't use it. Wait for holograms. LOL
Not to mention that 3d severely reduces resolution of anything your watching. Plus, wearing glasses all the time. Fuck that. I have a 3d monitor, and I rarely use the function at all. Nice if I need it, but not something I would make a priority when buying a TV.
Cutty72
09-23-2011, 06:55 PM
Check out Sears too. Generally the best deals can be had there, at least in my area.
Rangerscott
09-25-2011, 01:34 AM
A big problem is stores dont properly setup the tvs. They just unbox them and turn them on.
Particle Man
09-25-2011, 07:44 AM
Holograms FTW
The industry that will probably lead the way to a breakthrough there? Porn. :lol:
askmrjesus
09-25-2011, 12:33 PM
A big problem is stores dont properly setup the tvs. They just unbox them and turn them on.
Sony has a new device that will do that for you.
http://www.theonion.com/video/sony-releases-new-stupid-piece-of-shit-that-doesnt,14309/
JC
vBulletin® v3.8.11, Copyright ©2000-2025, vBulletin Solutions Inc.