Got a new LED HDTV today...

HecticArt

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Oct 19, 2008
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Casual Fan

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Go with 120hz refresh rate for the best motion (sports, etc.). You can get 240hz, but most folks say it's overkill.

I like the LED LCD. It's definitely a "deeper," more life-like picture.

So, get something with 120hz and LED backlighting. My humble opinion. ;)
 

Casual Fan

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We'll see what I do. The wife might have squashed my idea. :)

I hate it when they do that. If my MIL had not offered to buy ours for Christmas, it would still be the 27" CRT Sanyo for me.

victrola.jpg
 

memebag

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Oct 11, 2008
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I like the LED LCD. It's definitely a "deeper," more life-like picture.

There's LED, and then there's LED. Edge LEDs images aren't much different from CCFLs, they just allow a thinner display.

I've been disappointed by the discounts so far this year. Back in September they were saying there was a glut of LCD panels in the pipeline, and we'd see deep discounts after Thanksgiving, but they haven't been enough to get me to replace my 57" RP Hitachi.
 

limegrass69

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Oct 12, 2008
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I was sort of happy when my 52" rear projection DLP Mitsubishi died. It was only 6 years old, but I get a new toy!!

It's surprising. For certain size displays, there is little difference in price between plasma and LCD. Some of the LED LCD displays were actually more expensive than the plasma.

I have a 42" Fujitsu plasma in my family room. I really like that, and figured I'd stay with plasma. I saw the Samsung on special at Best Buy, and figured I'd go for it. I got the dude there to knock $100 off of the package price, so I was cool with that.
 

limegrass69

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Oct 12, 2008
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Are you tied to Sony? I suggest that you look at Samsung as well. Whatever brand you end up buying, get 120hz.

I'm with you. Don't get me wrong, Sony does make some good stuff, but some of their stuff is just "OK" and commands a premium price based on the Sony name.

Samsung, Panasonic, LG, etc. all make some nice stuff. A lot of this stuff is more or less a commodity.

Reviews are helpful and get you off in a good direction, but there is no substitute for actually going to the store and having a look at the picture.
 

goreds2

Well-Known Member
Oct 14, 2008
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OH H.....EYE OH
Hisense 32" Class 720p LCD HDTV - $299

I bought this for my son for Christmas. Price is good. Fingers are crossed the unbrand name will be alright. Picture was great in the store. Reviews look good but can you trust them on the actual site they are sold on?

Hisense 32" Class 720p LCD HDTV (31.5" diagonal size) hhgregg.com

Hisense is a Chinese owned multi-national company, in business since 1969. They also make Hitachi.

Not the same TV but here are reviews on Amazon.

Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: Hisense TL3220 - LCD TV - 32" - widescreen - 720p - HDTV Ready
 

Casual Fan

Surprisingly nice
Oct 14, 2008
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There's LED, and then there's LED. Edge LEDs images aren't much different from CCFLs, they just allow a thinner display.

I've been disappointed by the discounts so far this year. Back in September they were saying there was a glut of LCD panels in the pipeline, and we'd see deep discounts after Thanksgiving, but they haven't been enough to get me to replace my 57" RP Hitachi.

I disagree--even the edge-lit LCDs seemed deeper, with better contrast, to me. It's the color of the light. They also use even less power than CCFLs. But it all comes down to how it looks in your home, watching what you like to watch.

There have been discounts, but mostly on low-end models and less-than-premium brands. People look at screen size and ignore things like refresh rates.
 

limegrass69

Confused
Oct 12, 2008
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Well...

The 3D plasma arrived about 5 1/2 hours late. The delivery guy gave me some sob story about his partner not showing up, and they had to scramble to find a replacement. In any case, the TV came. Unfortunately, I did not have time to play around too much until Sunday night. And even then, I only had a few minutes to tinker with it. As I know you guys will understand, a few minutes of screwing around with electronics can easily turn into a few hours...or even an all nighter. And since I actually have to do a day job, I did not want to get caught in that trap.

In any case, I had some anxiety about the DVD player since my HDMI cable is about 5 years old, it's pretty long, and snaked behind walls and ceilings. I had read a lot about high speed vs. regular HDMI cables and was worried that my cable would not stand up to passing 1080p video, which is required for 3D. I was relived to see that things worked just fine. I let the HDMI cable carry the video to the display, and used a Toslink optical cable for the audio. I had to tweak some of the audio settings on the DVD to get things to work since my receiver does not do HDMI switching...but at the end of the day, the sound and picture are great, and the 3D ACTUALLY WORKS!!

Next project is to get everything wired up correctly. I needed to buy a component video switcher to handle the Wii since there is only one set of component inputs, and I need two (one for Wii, and the other for the cable box). I also need to get a universal remote. I don't want to start from scratch with the ProntoPro I have now, since I can't seem to find code databases for it, and it would take an enormous investment of time and patience to manually learn and configure the remote. I sprung for a Logitech Harmony 900...from what I read, the setup is more or less idiot-proof, and can be done in a few minutes. I hate that I have this beautiful remote that requires a tech to program.

All in all, the picture is beautiful, and I'm really glad I got this TV.
 

Casual Fan

Surprisingly nice
Oct 14, 2008
19,024
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Roanoke, VA
Well...

The 3D plasma arrived about 5 1/2 hours late. The delivery guy gave me some sob story about his partner not showing up, and they had to scramble to find a replacement. In any case, the TV came. Unfortunately, I did not have time to play around too much until Sunday night. And even then, I only had a few minutes to tinker with it. As I know you guys will understand, a few minutes of screwing around with electronics can easily turn into a few hours...or even an all nighter. And since I actually have to do a day job, I did not want to get caught in that trap.

In any case, I had some anxiety about the DVD player since my HDMI cable is about 5 years old, it's pretty long, and snaked behind walls and ceilings. I had read a lot about high speed vs. regular HDMI cables and was worried that my cable would not stand up to passing 1080p video, which is required for 3D. I was relived to see that things worked just fine. I let the HDMI cable carry the video to the display, and used a Toslink optical cable for the audio. I had to tweak some of the audio settings on the DVD to get things to work since my receiver does not do HDMI switching...but at the end of the day, the sound and picture are great, and the 3D ACTUALLY WORKS!!

Next project is to get everything wired up correctly. I needed to buy a component video switcher to handle the Wii since there is only one set of component inputs, and I need two (one for Wii, and the other for the cable box). I also need to get a universal remote. I don't want to start from scratch with the ProntoPro I have now, since I can't seem to find code databases for it, and it would take an enormous investment of time and patience to manually learn and configure the remote. I sprung for a Logitech Harmony 900...from what I read, the setup is more or less idiot-proof, and can be done in a few minutes. I hate that I have this beautiful remote that requires a tech to program.

All in all, the picture is beautiful, and I'm really glad I got this TV.

Congrats! Koopman will be by with his 3-D porn collection a little later.
 

limegrass69

Confused
Oct 12, 2008
6,079
245
63
New York
Congrats! Koopman will be by with his 3-D porn collection a little later.

It actually has a 3D emulation mode where it takes normal programming and converts it to a simulated 3D picture (you have to wear the glasses). I'm going to have to try a variety of different programs. ;)
 

limegrass69

Confused
Oct 12, 2008
6,079
245
63
New York
So...here are some photos. Like I said, it's not completely set up yet. There is a picture of the TV sitting on the shelf, and picture of my overloaded equipment rack in the back of the room. Can't wait to get the new remote programmed and start spending some quality time in the basement!!!
 

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Casual Fan

Surprisingly nice
Oct 14, 2008
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163
Roanoke, VA
Nice rack!

Indeed. He's got a nice set, too. :rofl:

Speaking of racks, keep Koopman away from it. Two beers and the guy is like...Koopman in a china shop. I recommend sitting him down with a slice of pizza in a comfortable chair and forbidding him to get up until the 3-D porn is over.