Need to buy a new tv - HELP!

[mwade]

My tv just made a really bad blowing up sound when I turned it on and well, it won't turn on. Assuming it is dead (other stuff plugged in is fine so it isn't fuse/outlet).

Need to buy replacement ASAP. Know NOTHING about tvs or what makes them good/bad. Have no real desire to see people's pores on tv, but no real objection either.

Current tv is a 25 inch hulk. Not even sure if hulks are made anymore or if flat screen is only option. Assuming I'd prefer a flat screen just so I can actually get it into the apartment on my own.

Dumb question #1 - are flat screen stable and can I just set it on the floor like my current one because I kindof stalled on the whole decorating thing or will my cats (2) knock it over?

Dumb question #2 - what do I buy???? Links to specific tvs would be most appreciated otherwise, only buy tvs that say X and not Y, type info would be helpful. The current screen size is fine; bigger would be nice, but nothing HUGE.

Final piece of info re: me and tvs. I only replace when they die. The newly-departed is over 8 years old, probably around 10 (I know it is from apartment before last). Other forms of technology related to computers or cameras I like to update, but tvs, no. So, I don't need flashiest, but I want something that will still work technology-wise in 5+ years from now. Not sure if that means I need to go HDTV or not.

Thanks!

 

[JF_Gophers]

Re: Need to buy a new tv - HELP!

I just had this same issue. My TV died after 10+ years and I needed to replace it.

My requirements were Full HD (1080p), flat screen, good warranty and low cost. I do not have a very wide living room (maybe 12' empty). So the screen also had to be reasonably sized.

I ended up getting a 32" Vizio for about $550 (+ tax, warranty, etc) from Dell. The reason I chose Dell to buy from was the 4 yr extended warranty for only $99, and the name recognition. Also it feels super light and is easy to pick up and move around. Unlike old bulky TVs.

I have had it for about a month now and I couldn't be happy with the picture quality and brightness.

It comes with a small stand (3" high maybe), so that you don't have to wall mount it. I assume a lot of flat screens have that option. I just have mine set on a square table.

 

[mwade]

Re: Need to buy a new tv - HELP!

Do you think a cat could knock it over?

(Yes, I know this sounds dumb, but I have 2 cats, they will walk around it. They will bump into it when chasing each other.)

Why the 1080? I just went on CNET (has it declined over the years or is it just that there is so much more info available "out there" that it no longer seems quite so authoritative?) and it said 1080 wasn't worth the extra $s under 50 inches or so for any but the pickiest viewer.

 

[JF_Gophers]

Re: Need to buy a new tv - HELP!

Do you think a cat could knock it over?

(Yes, I know this sounds dumb, but I have 2 cats, they will walk around it. They will bump into it when chasing each other.)

Why the 1080? I just went on CNET (has it declined over the years or is it just that there is so much more info available "out there" that it no longer seems quite so authoritative?) and it said 1080 wasn't worth the extra $s under 50 inches or so for any but the pickiest viewer.

I suppose if the cat jumped at it it could tip over. But id guess there are ways you could set it up/secure it to keep that from being an issue.

I went 1080p because I am not going to buy another TV for as long as possible (last one being over 10 yrs). So I wanted the best resolution available at the time of purchase. Making it as forward compatible as possible.

You can get a step down (720p) for about $350 from the same Vizio brand.

 

[Dude Love]

Re: Need to buy a new tv - HELP!

Dumb question #1 - are flat screen stable and can I just set it on the floor like my current one because I kindof stalled on the whole decorating thing or will my cats (2) knock it over?

Dumb question #2 - what do I buy???? Links to specific tvs would be most appreciated otherwise, only buy tvs that say X and not Y, type info would be helpful. The current screen size is fine; bigger would be nice, but nothing HUGE.

Final piece of info re: me and tvs. I only replace when they die. The newly-departed is over 8 years old, probably around 10 (I know it is from apartment before last). Other forms of technology related to computers or cameras I like to update, but tvs, no. So, I don't need flashiest, but I want something that will still work technology-wise in 5+ years from now. Not sure if that means I need to go HDTV or not.

Thanks!

1. Buy a TV stand.

2. Always go with a name brand. Toshiba, Mitsubishi, and Sony all make great TVs.

3. All TVs have their little quirks. There are good and bad things about plasma, DLP, and just regular flat screens. Just depends on your needs.

 

[hockeyplayer1015]

Re: Need to buy a new tv - HELP!

Go browse www.newegg.com and filter the results based on how much you're willing to pay, screen size, etc. I would add Samsung to DL's list.

Another route you may want to go is getting an LCD Monitor with a TV tuner. I just picked up this Samsung monitor for school and I am really pleased with it thus far.

However, the idea of 1080p really isn't worth it from what I understand if you're below 32 inches or so. Based on what you've said, I would get HDTV for the longevity factor, as it will likely take over TV broadcasting within the lifetime you intend to have the TV for.

Flat screens are typically stable, but I could see a cat knocking it over should it decide it makes a good ledge to jump/stand on. Why not get a small TV stand or (if your apartment allows) a wall mount?

Plasma technology is coming around, but is typically meant for darker rooms. LCD, on the other hand, is meant for brighter spaces. While they are still being made, the bulky CRT's are being phased out pretty quickly, and likely isn't worth your time unless you are on a serious budget.

Hope this helps

 

[mwade]

Re: Need to buy a new tv - HELP!

What is the difference between that and a tv?

I'm picky about my computer monitor since I need to be able to calibrate it for photo editing and I wouldn't want to run the tv off the computer if that's what that requires.

They never try to climb the computer monitor so I guess I'll be safe on the tv since it'd be a similar shape. Just wasn't sure if they were as stable. All a stand would do is make it fall from a height and I really don't want to deal with a mount as I'd have to get someone else to do it and then redo after a move.

I did read the lcd/plasma difference and want a LCD. The better black is tempting, but I don't want to have to worry about light sources and with most of one wall a window, that'd be a real worry on sunny days.

Another dumb question - a couple of 32s said widescreen. But the pics all look the same whether they say that or not. Is there a difference in HDTVs? (I thought a more rectangular shape was just part of HDTV). (32 is the size that seems to make the most sense - it is bigger, but is a lot cheaper than the next size up).

 

[mwade]

Re: Need to buy a new tv - HELP!

How does this one seem?

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/LG-32LH20-32-Inch-Gloss-Black/dp/B001V5J7Q6/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
NewEgg - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889005062
both links to show all the reviews - would buy from Amazon since much cheaper though no 3.95 get it next day offer :-(

I put the Amazon one in the cart to see if I could get next day shipping (I have prime) and it had all these cables and stuff that it said people bought with it. Am I going to have to buy extra **** beyond the tv? The only thing I have that works connected to current tv is the cable box/dvr.

 

[Dude Love]

Re: Need to buy a new tv - HELP!

How does this one seem?

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/LG-32LH20-32-Inch-Gloss-Black/dp/B001V5J7Q6/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
NewEgg - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889005062
both links to show all the reviews - would buy from Amazon since much cheaper though no 3.95 get it next day offer :-(

I put the Amazon one in the cart to see if I could get next day shipping (I have prime) and it had all these cables and stuff that it said people bought with it. Am I going to have to buy extra **** beyond the tv? The only thing I have that works connected to current tv is the cable box/dvr.

Those are both good TVs at good prices. When a TV is smaller than 40" or so, being 720p vs. 1080p doesn't really matter. You may need a set of those yellow/red/white cables to go from a VCR or DVD player.

 

[hockeyplayer1015]

Re: Need to buy a new tv - HELP!

Those are both good TVs at good prices. When a TV is smaller than 40" or so, being 720p vs. 1080p doesn't really matter. You may need a set of those yellow/red/white cables to go from a VCR or DVD player.

Just thought I would point out this Sony Bravia as well, although the LG is a fine TV from what I've read as well.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889252065


Chances are, you won't need any special cables other than what DL said.

 

[mwade]

Re: Need to buy a new tv - HELP!

The Sony is $60-80 more than the LG (Amazon price on the LG is a lot less than Newegg's). The negative reviews it got seem to be the sort you can disregard though there weren't any real praises of its sound (LG supposedly stops the commercial blare which I really hate).

Do you think the Sony has positives worth the extra money?

The Vizio from Dell is a little less than the LG. I think my main negative on it is in the reviews people say they got it for $60 less than Dell is showing as the sale price. Plus having to click through about 10 "customize" screens to find out the shipping cost/speed.

 

[hockeyplayer1015]

Re: Need to buy a new tv - HELP!

The Sony is $60-80 more than the LG (Amazon price on the LG is a lot less than Newegg's). The negative reviews it got seem to be the sort you can disregard though there weren't any real praises of its sound (LG supposedly stops the commercial blare which I really hate).

Do you think the Sony has positives worth the extra money?

The Vizio from Dell is a little less than the LG. I think my main negative on it is in the reviews people say they got it for $60 less than Dell is showing as the sale price. Plus having to click through about 10 "customize" screens to find out the shipping cost/speed.

I hadn't checked the price of the LG on amazon, but knew from what you said it was less, so I was just throwing out the Sony as they are known for solid TV's as well. For the extra $60-80 though, they both look similar enough to where the LG should suit you fine, IMO. I agree on the negative reviews, while one shouldn't skip over them, most tend to be garbage anyways. Not sure if you have time or not, but a trip to a Walmart or Best Buy (if you have something similar nearby) might be a smart option before hitting the purchase button, as seeing the TV or even a similar model can give you the best sense of what you're getting. Definitely look for high contrast ratios, as it tends to give you a crisper picture and more vibrant colors.

 

[St. Clown]

Re: Need to buy a new tv - HELP!

If it helps, here's some very basic info from Consumer Reports. They recommended all of them except the two lowest scorers.

Manufacturer Model-----Overall Score------Energy Cost/year to operate
Samsung--LN32B650-----------77----------$24
Panasonic Viera--TC-L32S1----73-----------$24
Sony Bravia KDL-32XBR9-------71-----------$26
Insignia NS-L322Q-10A--------69-----------$20
Vizio VO320E------------------68-----------$23
JVC LT-32J300----------------68-----------$31
Sony Bravia KDL-32S5100------67-----------$28
LG 32LH20--------------------64-----------$25
Sanyo DP32649---------------60-----------$24
RCA L32HD31R----------------54-----------$32
Auria EQ3288-----------------48-----------$25

ETA: As you can tell by the model numbers, these are all 32" sets.

 

[aparch]

Re: Need to buy a new tv - HELP!

1. Buy a TV stand.

2. Always go with a name brand. Toshiba, Mitsubishi, and Sony all make great TVs.

3. All TVs have their little quirks. There are good and bad things about plasma, DLP, and just regular flat screens. Just depends on your needs.

Was told by the Best Buy fluke (and a few different non-commission based people) that Sony and Samsung were the top of the line quality for the price. LG, Mitsubishi, Toshiba are the mid-range quality to price, and Insignia, Proscan, and Dynex are the crappy Best Buy "will only last one year" tv's.

So I have a 32" Samsung HDTV (it's 720p, but you cannot tell the difference between 720p and 1080i/p until you get up to the 50" tv's).
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9230708&type=product&id=1218063831450
Picked it up when it was on sale, was over $100 less than their price right now.


I did learn that contrast ratio is only important if you're using the TV for a serious home theatre setting in a blacked out room. And that most TV makers will find ways to inflate this number to make it sound really important.

 

[jerphisch]

Re: Need to buy a new tv - HELP!

If you have a Costco near by I would recommend trying there, getting a membership just to buy the TV will pay for itself. I have a 32" Samsung I got there for $449 ($50 less than anywhere else puts it on sale for), they give you a 2 year warranty for free on all electronics purchases and have just about the best return policy anywhere.

 

[mwade]

Re: Need to buy a new tv - HELP!

Thanks everyone - well except for Dude Love. I ended up getting the LG from Amazon. I checked Costco online and they didn't have the LG and their prices weren't the best I found for the others; BJ's would have required a membership as their best prices were online, not in store (where you could use the free membership); Sears was the same as Dell for the Vizio so it would have been the best there, but before I discovered that I was pretty set on the LG after calling Dell and getting extremely ****ed off at a) telephone system and b) customer service reps. I would have bought it if they matched the price in the reviews, but not at the higher price.

Really seems like I would have been much better off if the tv had blown a week ago as I could have gotten the LG at the Dell price last weekend. Oh well. I don't think there was a way for me to know that was about to happen although if you have an old hulk tv and it starts taking a few tries to turn it on with a remote, that might be a clue and you might want to look at the ads if you are near a big sale weekend. It did do that for a few weeks prior to last nights *pow*.

 

[Sloe Gin]

Re: Need to buy a new tv - HELP!

to any of you that think a name brand is any better than another...there are 3 flat screen factories in the world. Every brand comes out of one of those 3 factories.

 

[Slap Shot]

Re: Need to buy a new tv - HELP!

to any of you that think a name brand is any better than another...there are 3 flat screen factories in the world. Every brand comes out of one of those 3 factories.

I dare you to stand next to a Sony and an RCA and tell me there isn't a glaring difference.

 

[Sloe Gin]

Re: Need to buy a new tv - HELP!

I dare you to stand next to a Sony and an RCA and tell me there isn't a glaring difference.

first off, you're an idiot if you buy a Sony. Second off, I don't disagree with that statement, but you must realize that there is not a ****ton of difference.

 

[jerphisch]

Re: Need to buy a new tv - HELP!

to any of you that think a name brand is any better than another...there are 3 flat screen factories in the world. Every brand comes out of one of those 3 factories.

And you can put the same type of tires on a Ford Focus and Ferarri...