Yet another HDTV question

[skinsfan]

It's all good.

[vinny-b]

fellas,

hope to receive feedback on this. Purchased a '46 Sasmsung LCD (which mentioned previous in the thread). Overall, very much liked the set. Except, after having it a time (before the return was up) had noticed the contrast/brightness were significantly reduced. I know because, whenever i was in normal viewing mode i'd have it set on the 2nd brightest factory pre-set ("Natural"). As the brightest pre-set ("Dynamic") was unecessarily bright. To make long story short, last week noticed the TV looked dimmer. The "Natural" setting now looking darker. And with the brightest setting ("Dynamic") now being necessary for optimum viewing. In other words, i took this as the backlight getting dimmer. Either via a timing mechanism by Samsung, or simply the nature of all LCD's. This in combination of a recent $100 price drop on the model, and having passed on the extended warranty, convinced me to return the set today.

I believe everyone's DSP testimonies RE: Plasmas. However, unfortunately don't expect they match my need. Looking for a HDTV which can be locked on one channel (complete with logo in corner of screen) for up to 8-16 hrs at a time. Not all the time, yet frequent. Also, a set with mimimal glare is ideal. Finally, hoping for a unit which have a longer shelf life. From what have checked both LCD and Plasma are nearly the same in this department. However, in LCD's it appears the only central component relating to this is the backlight. This leads one to believe following thousands of hours of use, an LCD with a new backlight installed will essentially equal a 'new' TV set. Not at all stating this as fact. Rather, trying to connect dots from technical articles have read.


anyway, took a chance today and ordered a '46 Samsung LED (6300 series) via Amazon. I tried Best Buy ($1,300 on sale). However, the local stores have item backordered indefinitely. Amazon had the unit for $1,100 shipped. With the 30 day free TV return. Specs have the contrast ratio at 3,000,000 (compared to 120,000 on my previous Samsung). Know it's an arbitrary spec, but on the showroom the 6300 LED is considerably brighter then the normal Samsung LCD's. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036W ... ss_product

it is alleged over time an HDTV picture/contrast dissipates. The previous Samsung had purchased seemed to confirm this fact. Am thinking, if purchase an LED with a much higher contrast to begin with (compare to LCD's) the eventual loss of brightness/contrast will be more acceptable. As the set is starting off with a higher spec & performance. The downside? The LED backlight technology is fairly new with room for improvment. Overall customer testimonials are spotty. Will longevity be better then conventional LCD backlights? Don't know if anyone knows. Maybe it will be worse.

attempting to make sense of it all. Overall, prefer to keep with Samsung and/or Panasonic brand

[Rodster]

Hey Vinny I picked a Tosh for cheap. It's a 40" 120Hz LCD TV for $503 with free shipping over at Amazon.com and they have a 46" version of the same set. The picture is pretty sweet.

40" http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-40G300U-4 ... 204&sr=8-1

46" http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-46G300U-4 ... 139&sr=8-2

[vinny-b]

Rod: thanks. Excellent deal on the Toshiba.


having cold feet with the LED. Checked the amazon order status. It won't let me cancel

[Rodster]

Rod: thanks. Excellent deal on the Toshiba.


having cold feet with the LED. Checked the amazon order status. It won't let me cancel

LED's are nice depending on what you paid. I love $500 HDTV's.

Oh just call Amazon and see if they'll let you cancel that's if you bought it from Amazon directly and not another vendor. If so then they might stop the order or you can refuse it.

[Rodster]

Hey Vinny Amazon.com has a 42" Panasonic LCD HDTV 120Hz on sale for $499.99

Act quick, that's better than my deal.

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-TC-L42U ... ZRHGNQFCV6

[pk500]

Looking for a HDTV which can be locked on one channel (complete with logo in corner of screen) for up to 8-16 hrs at a time. Not all the time, yet frequent. Also, a set with mimimal glare is ideal. Finally, hoping for a unit which have a longer shelf life. From what have checked both LCD and Plasma are nearly the same in this department.

Not true, my friend. You will get burn-in with a plasma if you leave the set on for eight to 16 consecutive hours with a static image on the screen. Also, glare is a significant issue with plasma. It has a large glass screen. LCD's have plastic screens.

You do not want a plasma if you are leaving a static image on the screen for a long time and if you can't control the light in your room.

Good luck!

[vinny-b]

Hey Vinny Amazon.com has a 42" Panasonic LCD HDTV 120Hz on sale for $499.99

Act quick, that's better than my deal.

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-TC-L42U ... ZRHGNQFCV6

Rod: lot of TV for the money. In particular for a LCD. Appreciate you lookin out

[vinny-b]

Good luck!

PK: thanks. You basically confirmed what i was tryin to type

[10spro]

I am loving my 55' Samsung LED 3D TV. All Samsung screens are a marvel to look at, depending on the lighting in your place, I am impressed by LED.

[Sport73]

I am loving my 55' Samsung LED 3D TV. All Samsung screens are a marvel to look at, depending on the lighting in your place, I am impressed by LED.

Samsung has the best sets around with their LED-lit LCD's right now, I recommend them to all buyers.

[sportdan30]

I'm absolutely positively in love with my new 55" Vizio XVT553SV led-LCD. The picture is gorgeous. Can't wait for playoff football and MLB The Show 11!!!

[pk500]

This thread cracks me up at times: Does anyone think the picture on their recently purchased HDTV sucks like a Hoover?

I'm no exception. Just sayin' ...

[Brando70]

This thread cracks me up at times: Does anyone think the picture on their recently purchased HDTV sucks like a Hoover?

I'm no exception. Just sayin' ...

I think it's because most people here bought decent sets. My father-in-law cheaped out and bought a Magnavox LCD at Sam's Club. HD looks okay on it, but SD looks pretty bad (especially sports), and it's nowhere near what my Panasonic plasma looks like.

The Samsung LCDs are really nice. My brother-in-law has a 55-inch set and the picture is really something.

[pk500]

Good point, Brando. I guess it would be like a bunch of male porn stars with their respective wangs hanging out, saying, "My dong is big."

[Rodster]

I guess it would be like a bunch of male porn stars with their respective wangs hanging out, saying, "My dong is big."

I OTOH prefer the best bang for the buck.

[sportdan30]

I figure that some of us will purchase a surround sound system, or most likely already have one to go with your new hdtv. I have a Sony surround sound system in the basement, but need one upstairs on the main level. I was attempting to avoid all the wires that go with a 5.1 system, and just use a sound bar and sub woofer. However, I have run in to two bad experiences now with the sound bars.

Within the past week, I've bought and returned two sound bars. The first one (Vizio brand) caused crackling, and the second one (Boston Acoustics) had just awful sound coming from it. I guess it didn't help that it didn't have an optical cable option. So, does anyone have any suggestions? I'm thinking of picking up another low budget Sony surround system for under $300. Any advice?

[dbdynsty25]

I figure that some of us will purchase a surround sound system, or most likely already have one to go with your new hdtv. I have a Sony surround sound system in the basement, but need one upstairs on the main level. I was attempting to avoid all the wires that go with a 5.1 system, and just use a sound bar and sub woofer. However, I have run in to two bad experiences now with the sound bars.

Within the past week, I've bought and returned two sound bars. The first one (Vizio brand) caused crackling, and the second one (Boston Acoustics) had just awful sound coming from it. I guess it didn't help that it didn't have an optical cable option. So, does anyone have any suggestions? I'm thinking of picking up another low budget Sony surround system for under $300. Any advice?

I hate those low budget "boxed" surround sets. You're much better off spending a bit more and getting all of the components separately. There are oustanding sets of speakers made by companies like Energy (my personal favorites) that can be had for as little as 300 bucks and then you just need a receiver (another 250ish depending how nice you want to go). That's what I have in my office...but in my main room where I needed smaller speakers for aesthetic purposes, I paired a set of harmon/Kardon speakers with my HK receiver.

If you do anything, just get a speaker set separate from the receiver. You'll be able to get a lot nicer stuff if you just do it that way. Those boxed sets usually include the worst receiver possible.

[sportdan30]

Thanks Db. I really don't anything too extreme to blow the doors off the hinges. The tv sits almost directly under my daughter's bedroom. But I know what you're saying regarding the all in one surround sounds. I can definitely tell a significant difference between my Sony receiver and a friend who has a individually bought Yamaha one. I'm just trying to spend as little as possible, but I might need to go a couple hundred dollars more.

[Brando70]

I agree with DB. You're better off getting a separate receiver and speakers, and receivers in particular are really affordable. Energy, Klipsch, and Polk are just three examples of affordable speakers you can get, and if you pair them with a Yamaha receiver (which gives you a lot of bang for your buck at the budget end), you'll have a better system than any all-in-one you can find, and still probably come in under $1000. For instance, there's a Klipsch/Yamaha package on Best Buy for $730. Those speakers won't be quite as nice as DB's Energy speakers, but you'll still have a pretty good setup.

[dbdynsty25]

To add on to Brando's post...look at this:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_732RCMIC/E ... tml?tp=184

That's the lowest complete set of Energy speakers...I have a set of those in my bedroom and they sound awesome. As long as you're not trying to fill an entire great room, they would be plenty. Pair those with something like this:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_022RXV467/ ... tml?tp=179

That's the newer model of the receiver I've got in my office and the thing just cranks. It'll take bigger speakers if you want to upgrade to something more substantial down the line. There are lesser models, but they don't have full HDMI switching, which if you want to future proof yourself, you might as well get it now.

So basically you get a badass set of Energy speakers and a really nice receiver for under 650 bucks.

[skinsfan]

I've got an RX-V661,and it is a tank.Great AVR.

[Sport73]

Psssst. My Dong is Big.

[Brando70]

Psssst. My Dong is Big.

Yes, but is it in 3D?

[vinny-b]

for anyone interested, the Vizio M470NV (47 inch Razor LED) is $798 at Sam's Club till end of the month. Looks like an impressive set, for the money.

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/produ ... ction=push