TV Shopping, been a LONG time

concealer404

So we, my recently reunited girlfriend and i, just moved into an apartment. Upon initial inspection, the living room seemed pretty good sized.

Well... upon move-in, the couch dominates it, and I have maybe 8-10 feet to the wall.

The TV will have to be wall-mounted, so we're looking at an LCD or plasma. A projector MIGHT be a possibility, but probably not with the budget we're looking at.

I'd like to spend $500 or less, but am a little flexible for the right set. Yes, i know this is kindof low, but being that i'll need a bigger one in the next two years when i buy a house anyways, i don't want to go hog wild here.

I'd like at least a 37", and 1080P.

I do not have an AVR that will handle HDMI, will this be a problem? I want the video quality of HDMI, but will just be running sound through my AVR. This new stuff confuses me.

TouchOfEvil

While i do not know what set you should get you could run a hdmi switcher to handle different components. I have one from monoprice HDX-401 and it does a real nice job.

concealer404

Ah.... right on.

What i'm worried about is how will i handle the audio if i'm going to be running the HDMI signal to the TV, but can't to the AVR? Am i able to use the HDMI as a video signal only?

TouchOfEvil

concealer404 wrote: »

Ah.... right on.

What i'm worried about is how will i handle the audio if i'm going to be running the HDMI signal to the TV, but can't to the AVR? Am i able to use the HDMI as a video signal only?

Yep, i use the switcher to handle hdmi to my set and run rca's to the avr.

concealer404

TouchOfEvil wrote: »

Yep, i use the switcher to handle hdmi to my set and run rca's to the avr.

Perfect! Alright... that makes things easy.

Thinking of picking up this, unless someone has a blatantly better suggestion for the same price range:

http://www.frys.com/product/5911074?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

I know it's nothing special, but like i said, i doubt it'll get more than 2 years of real use. I can't really use a rear projection tv, which sucks, because i know i could get a lot more for my money.

seeclear

TouchOfEvil wrote: »

Yep, i use the switcher to handle hdmi to my set and run rca's to the avr.

+1 I have the hdmi going to the screen and optical going from the satellite receiver to the HT receiver for the sound. Or rca's or digital coax. It somewhat depends as well what outputs you have on your cable box or satellite receiver or whatever.

FWIW, I would not be too hung up on 1080 resolution on a screen that size. If you could save some scratch and get a nice 720p, I really don't think you could see any difference on a screen less than 50". I've got a 40" screen in the LV and 720p looks fantastic. Take a look at this link:

http://carltonbale.com/2006/11/1080p-does-matter/

Conradicles

No need for a 1080 37" TV. Your eyes can't tell from a screen that small.
Go with a better name brand than the one in the link and try 720 (although most "720" are actually 768P).
Sharp and Samsung make nice TV's on the cheap in that size. Also, don't be afraid to buy a used one...the new TV's last a really long time for the most part.

Rodeo0530

One thing that you may want to consider when looking at LCD or plasma is the amount of light that you'll have. LCD's are a lot better for high light rooms, whereas plasma's are better in darker environments. I have a 50" plasma in a medium lit room, but no direct sunlight, and it looks great. I love my TV and think it looks as good or better than anyone I visit, but it's only 720 and theirs are all 1080. I think someone on here said the they bought an Insignia for a price around where you are looking and they love theirs as well.

edit: this is the link to the post for the Insignia plasma TV.
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87777&highlight=randy+box

concealer404

^Thanks guys!

This is a medium lit room, with the only immediate window is a sliding glass door to the patio. It has shades all across it that can be drawn as necessary. At any given point, i can make the inside of the place look like dusk, so that's no biggie. I've just been more drawn to the slight (or so i feel) advantage that plasma has in the area of color.

I'll be about 8 feet from the tv, so 720p seems to be ok as far as everyone says, then. Alright, that opens up my options significantly, and may even be able to find something for cheaper.

Won't 720p mess up blue-ray playback, though? Or will it "down"convert to 720p and i won't see the difference?

I'll look around and find a few that i like and probably pick your brains again.

Thanks!

Conradicles

concealer404 wrote: »

"down"convert to 720p and i won't see the difference?

You will not see the difference on a small TV...trust me.

obieone

I have a 4 year old, 32" Westinghouse LCD. You won't see a bad picture. Save your money for the next upgrade.

BB has a 32" 720P lcd for $400 in this weeks ad.

AsSiMiLaTeD

You could always look at something like this, bigger and still in your price range, don't know anything about Dynex...

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9144295&st=9144295+&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1218035133352

wutadumsn23

+1 on not being able to see the diff. between 1080p and 720p on a "smaller" screen. You will swear it is full hd and save a decent amount of cash.

-Jeff

concealer404

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

You could always look at something like this, bigger and still in your price range, don't know anything about Dynex...

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9144295&st=9144295+&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1218035133352

Seems to get decent reviews, though... so that's a good thing. Thanks! I'll run that by the significant other.

RandyBox

Rodeo0530 wrote: »

One thing that you may want to consider when looking at LCD or plasma is the amount of light that you'll have. LCD's are a lot better for high light rooms, whereas plasma's are better in darker environments. I have a 50" plasma in a medium lit room, but no direct sunlight, and it looks great. I love my TV and think it looks as good or better than anyone I visit, but it's only 720 and theirs are all 1080. I think someone on here said the they bought an Insignia for a price around where you are looking and they love theirs as well.

edit: this is the link to the post for the Insignia plasma TV.
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87777&highlight=randy+box

Love it more everyday!

Regards,
Randy

dvran

Go 720p for anything less than 40", you won't see a difference. I would suggest to sticking with LG, Samsung, or Sony for an LCD. Go checkout HHgregg first, they actually deal on prices. If you go with 720p, you might be able to work in a free stand with the price. Don't go to Walmart or Target because vendors make specific garbage versions (Toshiba, Zenith, RCA) of their products for those stores.

apphd

As others have said, stick to a 720P, the budget names that all seem to have one or two models that get great reviews for their price Westinghouse, Olevia, Haier, Vizio, LG, with Sharp and Samsung having some decent budget models as well. I think when you go with the low end products from the big name players your probably getting a set that rolled of the same line as the smaller/less know brands. The big names focus their resources on their upper tier products and buy their low end from the others and re badge them (my speculation). So do not discount some of these unknowns as they provide some of the best bang for the buck with entry level sets.

Although with these I would favor going brick and mortor over internet sales just in case.

tryrrthg

Keep an eye on techbargains.com and slickdeals.net

here is one from techbargains that is a bit over your budget but worth a look

Sharp AQUOS LC40E67U 40 inch LCD HDTV (1080p) $599.99 Free Shipping, Sep. 28 8 AM

Best Buy has the Sharp AQUOS LC40E67U 40" LCD HDTV for $599.99 Free Shipping. Tax in most states.

1920x1080 @ 1087p; 4 HDMI; HD tuner

LINK

millerman 3732

I plan on picking this one up soon.
42'' panny 720p plasma, $599

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9219213&type=product&id=1218061795104

Conradicles

millerman 3732 wrote: »

I plan on picking this one up soon.
42'' panny 720p plasma, $599

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9219213&type=product&id=1218061795104

Perfect TV for that price. +1:cool:

tryrrthg

millerman 3732 wrote: »

I plan on picking this one up soon.
42'' panny 720p plasma, $599

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9219213&type=product&id=1218061795104

dell had that tv or a similar one last week for under $500. saw it on slickdeals.

trunypa

tryrrthg wrote: »

dell had that tv or a similar one last week for under $500. saw it on slickdeals.

I have the same idea with you. Great! Thanks for sharing. :cool::p

wutadumsn23

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