So I sold the Westy 32w6 and bought the Vizio VX32L. Quite a difference.
Before I got rid of the Westy, I found the ghosting problem persisted (but was less pronounced) even in native resolution. Having a bright object in a dark picture made the problem very visible, as did using it for a PC monitor and sitting close enough to it to really see the flaws.
In comparison, I am so happy with the VX32L that I could praise it until I'm blue in the face. I did have a little issue with it when first plugging it into my PC through VGA. The display had pitch/phase errors, which meant sections of the screen were blurry. It wasn't until after an hour of experimenting that I found the problem to be that the "auto adjust" doesn't quite set the picture size narrow enough, and having it exceed where it should be introduces the errors. Tweaking it back down led to a perfect picture. (I do understand that this display does NOT work well with a DVI->HDMI connection from a PC, probably the only real knock against it. It looks fabulous with VGA though, once tweaked right).
In a perfect world I would want the display to properly support a PC connection from a DVI-to-HDMI cable (my bigger Vizio supports it, don't know about other models), but having to "settle" for VGA is a lot nicer than having to settle for hideous ghosting.
Awesome Deal on a Samsung HD 42" Plasma
http://www.buy.com/prod/samsung-hps4...
$899 with free shipping.
Wow, nice link, Guru.
Your timing sucks, though, where were you with that a month ago? 
Wow, that didn't last long.
Sharp released the first 32 inch 1080p LCD display here in the last few days I think.
The gamer edition features at least four 1080p capable inputs (including both sets of component jacks) but costs more, coming in at around $1500. It does not have a VGA port on either version.
The regular version only does 1080p over HDMI, from what I understand, and runs at the lower price of $1200.
The rather high cost for the gamer edition kind of negates a lot of the positives of the set, given it's lack of a VGA port. At least for me and my current setup.
If Microsoft does indeed come out with a new 360 with more output options then it will likely be a much niftier dual-use display for people who want to put their computer and 360 on one monitor.
I just picked up a Philips 50PF9631D/37 50" plasma with Ambilight. We had figured out that there wasn't a good place for the projector in the living area, so we needed something else. My wife was really sold on the Ambilight ("it looks pretty"), but I had her convinced that we needed to get a Panansonic. That is, until we arrived at Best Buy.
I had swayed her away from the Philips because of the ~$600 premium that Ambilight adds to the TV. However, Best Buy had the Philips on sale for $1900 at the tame, which put it right in the price range of the Panasonic 50". Being the gentleman (and also realizing that I now have my own room for gaming and watching TV), I deferred to her and got the Philips.
I'm very pleased with the TV, the picture is excellent, and the Ambilight feature is pretty cool as well. The current downside is that Comcast is claiming they're out of high-def boxes right now, so it's hooked to an SD source. I've yet to hook the 360 up to it. I may try that this weekend.
I just picked up a Philips 50PF9631D/37 50" plasma with Ambilight.
I've seen a commercial for that. There's got to be something I'm missing. What is "Ambilight" other than a light pointing back?
Anyone have one of the larger Samsung LCD's they can comment on? I'm thinking about the 46 or 52" models. There are some new ones coming out this month, so the latest are seeing closeout prices. Thanks!
I bought the Samsung 46" LN-S4692D this past Christmas from Best Buy and have been quite pleased with it. Price was about $1800 on sale (currently $2100).
bennard wrote:I just picked up a Philips 50PF9631D/37 50" plasma with Ambilight.
I've seen a commercial for that. There's got to be something I'm missing. What is "Ambilight" other than a light pointing back?
There is a light on each side of the TV that changes color depending on what's on the TV. The lights operate independently, that is, the left side light may be a different color than the right side. It really helps out when watching TV in a dark room as it provides some backlighting.
So I bought a new house after living with my mother-in-law for the past 2 years (a long story). The new house has a fully finished walk in basement, and is begging for a new flat panel TV to sit on the cabinet and complete the man-feel of the room. Through my journeys around the city looking at every store that sells TVs I have narrowed my choices down to 2 (wth a budget of 2000):
Sharp AQUOS 46" LC46D62U from here
(roughly 2000 with shipping)
Vizio 47" GV47LF from Costco-1700
I will be playing games (mostly 360) about 30% of the time, TV about 50% of the time, and the rest will be movies on this new television. My viewing distance is approximately 8-9' away. After talking to the wife just now, the room shouldn't be too brightly lit, as there is a sunroom above the windows and door that will block any kind of direct sunlight. I forgot about that in my travels, however, the room is very brightly lit (it has built in overhead lighting throughout the room). I am looking for a 1080p set to stay slightly ahead of the tech curve. I have gone through the AVS forums, but still cannot make up my mind.
Questions: If I took the web ad to Best Buy and asked them to match the price of the Sharp, would they? I would much rather do that due to the banding issues I have read about, not to mention ease of returns. If BB will not take web ads, is the Sharp worth the extra 300 bucks over the Vizio and peace of mind? I rarely order anything online, but that Sharp TV looked amazing in the stores I saw it at, and the price is pretty good. Or, given my recent revelation about the lighting situation in the room, is a plasma set around the same price a better bargain?
Enquiring minds want to know....
Questions: If I took the web ad to Best Buy and asked them to match the price of the Sharp, would they?
Not likely.
If BB will not take web ads, is the Sharp worth the extra 300 bucks over the Vizio and peace of mind?
I would not buy what is normally a $2700-3000 TV from some seriously random online seller offering it for $2000. Especially when there are complaints on ResellerRatings about the site not having a return policy for defective items (like an LCD with bad pixels). You're left to fend for yourself with the manufacturer's warranty. Given my history with LCD TVs, there's no way in hell I would buy an LCD where I would not be able to return it if it had stuck pixels.
Or, given my recent revelation about the lighting situation in the room, is a plasma set around the same price a better bargain?
You have to decide if you want to be a plasma owner. For me, the things that kept me away from plasma displays were concerns about uneven aging (still lots of SD 4:3 content out there on TV and I despise stretching) and poor performance as PC monitors (both of my LCDs will eventually be hooked up to PCs, one already is). If PC use isn't in the equation, then it becomes a lot less clear-cut. You have to be smart and do all of the things a plasma owner needs to do (starting with nice break-in), but you can have a good experience if you do those things.
I would not buy what is normally a $2700-3000 TV from some seriously random online seller offering it for $2000. Especially when there are complaints on ResellerRatings about the site not having a return policy for defective items (like an LCD with bad pixels).
I've just about given up in my quest to find the TV I want online. I would have bought the thing from Newegg a few months ago if their dead pixel policy wasn't so awful, but at least they have one. All of the online retailers with bargain prices I've found either make you pay to ship a defective item back or don't accept dead pixels as a defect.
You can get the 60" Vizio Plamsa for US$2500 at Costco right now.
Sooooo tempted.
You can get the 60" Vizio Plamsa for US$2500 at Costco right now.
Sooooo tempted.
Charity is always appreciated. You'll feel better about yourself too. Just send it to...
I've got my eye on this one now, after staring at it slack-jawed at Fry's last night:
http://reviews.cnet.com/Samsung_LN_T...
pretty sweet, blacks were amazing, can't wait to see myself getting chainsawed by you guys on it.
Sharp released the first 32 inch 1080p LCD display here in the last few days I think.
The gamer edition features at least four 1080p capable inputs (including both sets of component jacks) but costs more, coming in at around $1500. It does not have a VGA port on either version.
The regular version only does 1080p over HDMI, from what I understand, and runs at the lower price of $1200.
The rather high cost for the gamer edition kind of negates a lot of the positives of the set, given it's lack of a VGA port. At least for me and my current setup.
If Microsoft does indeed come out with a new 360 with more output options then it will likely be a much niftier dual-use display for people who want to put their computer and 360 on one monitor.
I just bought the 32" version of this Sharp TV.. I'll post some PS3 and Xbox 360 thoughts when it arrives next week.
I've got my eye on this one now, after staring at it slack-jawed at Fry's last night:
http://reviews.cnet.com/Samsung_LN_T...
pretty sweet, blacks were amazing, can't wait to see myself getting chainsawed by you guys on it.
I just ran into that set at Best Buy yesterday and was, as you said, slack-jawed. It was the only set that really jumped out at me. Now I've got to do some homework to make sure that it will perform - up 'til now I've heard that the Sharp AQUOS sets were the top-of-the-line LCD sets, with the best response times, black levels, etc. But I really dig Samsung in general, and that is just a sweet set. It even looks good when it's off.
Anyone have any thoughts?
Did a little reading on AVSforums. They seem mostly pleased with the new Samsung 65F series, although there are a few negatives being tossed around. Of course, I don't think that crowd has ever been satisfied with any TV, ever.
My cousin bought the 46" version of that Samsung recently. I got to play a little Fight Night 3 on the PS3 with him and it was GORGEOUS!
Fedaykin98: Have you bought a new HDTV yet? I gather not from your comments, but figured I should ask just to be sure.
My cousin bought the 46" version of that Samsung recently. I got to play a little Fight Night 3 on the PS3 with him and it was GORGEOUS!
Fedaykin98: Have you bought a new HDTV yet? I gather not from your comments, but figured I should ask just to be sure.
Definitely have not yet. I just did my taxes, checked out my balances, etc., and got to a place where I'm comfortable spending money on a new TV...but now I've got to convince my wife.
...got to a place where I'm comfortable spending money on a new TV...but now I've got to convince my wife.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Whew, almost died there. Need more oxygen. Good luck on that one buddy.
Just buy-pass the entire discussion by begging for forgiveness while watching Discovery HD.
Well, see, I made it a point to make a rule where neither of us can spend more than $100 on an item without clearing it with the other one first.
Speaking of strange wife behavior (we weren't), my wife watched The Matrix Reloaded by herself yesterday after she got home from work.
And veritas - how's that Sharp Aquos? I meant to ask earlier.
Haven't bought a Sharp Aquos yet. And I may not. I think the Samsung is looking much better. I decided to wait till after I bought a place to buy a new TV.
Knowing his wife, I don't think it will take THAT much convincing. Though the easiest way to do it is "try" to move your current TV across the room and accidentally drop it...in such a way that the screen is permanently destroyed.
Speaking of strange wife behavior (we weren't), my wife watched The Matrix Reloaded by herself yesterday after she got home from work.
Had she seen it before? Because if she had, you're right. That is strange.
I saw this $999 Visio(Vizio?) Plasma at CostCo. IT's 42". It was looking pretty good.
Then I noticed a few days later in the latest PCMag (which I get for some reason) that it is now their recommended hdtv. Their previous recommended hdtv was the Sharp Aquos 32".
Not sure if these guys are paid off or good judges of hdtvs, but if you're in the market for one it might be worth checking out.
I just received my new Westinghouse 42w2 (got it off woot for $1055 shipped). No dead pixels or banding, and the 360 looks awesome in 1080p. Now to hook up the gaming PC...
Well, the tax return is in, the medical bills are paid off and I think its finally time I pick up an HDTV for myself... err, I mean my family.
I'm not interested in spending thousands of dollars on the latest 1080p flat panel, but it looks like there are a lot of good deals on 720p sets taking up precious warehouse space. I am debating between both of the models below. I loathe shopping at Circuit Shitty, but $999 for a 46" Sony set is tempting. On the flip side, I have had decent experiences at Best Buy and I have a 10% off coupon that I can apply to the purchase price.
So, please, give me your honest opinions on these sets and their technology. I realize both of them have bulbs that will need to be replaced but I'm thinking of looking into the extended warranties to see if bulb replacement is even an option. Thanks for any help!
Sony Grand WEGA™ 46" LCD Projection HDTV
Sony Grand WEGA™ 50" LCD Projection HDTV
Samsung 46" DLP HDTV Model: HLT4675S
UPDATE - Hmmmmm, the price of the 46" Sony TV just magically jumped up $100 in the past twenty minutes or so since I last looked at it. Still, $1099 isn't too shabby deal wise.
I'm afraid of bulb costs with DLPs. CR mag likes them though, but rated the Sony tvs you are looking at fairly low. There's a better Sony model out there that did well. The Toshibas did the best.
Any particular reason you're going with projection over LCD or Plasma, L&L?
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