flat-screen tv recommendations

so, i'm capitulating and joining the modern world: i'm buying a flat-screen TV (to be hooked up to Fios' HDTV service) and getting my 1080p on.  this is a whole new world for me.  the tv will be in a bright room with lots of windows, so i'll be going for a LCD screen.

anything i should keep in mind while shopping?  which manufacturers are regarded as makers of the best sets?

is the step up from 120Hz refresh to 240Hz worth the price increase?

best place to hunt for deals? 

danke.

dunno about deals but I heart my Pioneer Plasma bought a couple years ago, it was the first flat screen picture I was truly impressed with…

Love my Sharp Aquos. Hate my Sony.

My Sharp Aquos LCD has served me well for many years now.

This gives you a pretty good rundown on things to consider:

http://www.cnet.com.au/plasma-vs-lcd-which-is-right-for-you-240036500.htm

I much prefer plasma over LCD.  Panasonic is the way to go for plasma, or if you can find one, Pioneer.  I have one too and love it.  Cue up the plasma vs. lcd debate….just a better pic in my opinion.  The only area pic wise where lcd wins is if you have a very very bright room with lots of windows and glare.  Plasma has caught up alot in terms of power usage, and many of the knocks against it (burn in etc) are nothing more than urban myth at this point.

The most important advice:  Go as big as your budget and room will possibly allow.  Noone has ever said "gee i wish i'd gotten a smaller tv".

I got my last TV (Mitsubishi 73" DLP) here.  Great service and they'll match or beat the prices at Best Buy, etc…

And LED smokes LCD or plasma….kinda wish I had gone that route.

chaz wrote:
Noone has ever said "gee i wish i'd gotten a smaller tv".

Who is this Noone guy (gal?) that some of you are always referencing?

James wrote:

chaz wrote:
Noone has ever said "gee i wish i'd gotten a smaller tv".

Who is this Noone guy (gal?) that some of you are always referencing?

Peter Noone, formerly of Herman's Hermits.  After the reunion tour fell apart he went to work for Best Buy.

ggw wrote:

James wrote:

chaz wrote:
Noone has ever said "gee i wish i'd gotten a smaller tv".

Who is this Noone guy (gal?) that some of you are always referencing?

Peter Noone, formerly of Herman's Hermits.  After the reunion tour fell apart he went to work for Best Buy.

Damn, beat me to it.

listen to chaz - he knows what he's talking about…..

I got a 37" Vizio a couple weeks ago.  Love it. 

I got this model:

http://www.amazon.com/VIZIO-VA370M-37-Inch-Full-1080p/dp/B002VPDL12/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1268238600&sr=8-1

The price changes on it all the time, I got mine for $468.  A steal.

I'm no self proclaimed expert on TVs, just know what I like and don't like…

My impression is that LCDs are better choice if you watch a lot of sporting events because they tend to be brighter.

My impression of a good plasma is that it handles Blacks better and more suited if you watch a lot of movies.

My boring story about HDTV, is that when I used to support the Information Age exhibit at Museum of America History in the late 90s, and they had on display a prototype tube HDTV which had a truly amazing picture.  And every HDTV LCD or Plasma I saw after that paled in comparison to it, until I saw the Pioneer I own today and the reviews of that TV at the time backed it up.  The only HDTV that came close were those 250lb tube models Sony used to sell.  Of course try convincing ones wife to let you buy a 250lb TV  :P

Also as far as what size to get, it's best to get buy off from the significant other before proceeding  ;D

And never ever buy a TV being marketed to douchebags

http://twitpic.com/z30k0

I'm still not quite sure what exactly the "dudes" in this ticket are reacting too…

i have 3 sharp aquos lcd tvs. i like them

kosmo wrote:
I'm no self proclaimed expert on TVs, just know what I like and don't like…

My impression is that LCDs are better choice if you watch a lot of sporting events because they tend to be brighter.

My impression of a good plasma is that it handles Blacks better and more suited if you watch a lot of movies.

If you watch alot of sports, wouldn't the one that handles Blacks better be the best choice?

Oh man.

ggw wrote:
Plasma vs LCD

What's an LED TV?

2010 HDTV Buyer's Guide

These are three great links from GGW.  Definitely read these.

Don't spend the premium money on an LED.  Wait to replace your plasma or LCD with an OLED when that market comes down to a reasonable price.  That should coincide with 3DTV's becoming more mainstream and you will see much greater benefit.

The real "biggest difference" from a user standpoint on Plasma and LCD is the glare on the screen more than anything else.  If there will be direct sunlight on the TV, go with LCD because the glass of the plasma will reflect the light.  If there will not be direct sunlight on the screen then a plasma will be fine.

All else is in the eye of the beholder - buy whatever produces the best picture you desire.  And feel free to test a bunch of TVs at a retailer with your own source material.  If that means Blu-ray, have them hook up a blu-ray.  If that means sports, have them put your favorite sports program on… 

I think plasmas also put out more heat. Even my little 26-inch LCD warms up my room by a few degrees. Nice in winter, sucks in summer.

beetsnotbeats wrote:
I think plasmas also put out more heat.

It does.  And most plasmas use more elctricity.