Members Bluescout Posted October 1, 2009 Members Share Posted October 1, 2009 I'm looking at a new TV. I figure LCD as it's the popular thing now. I'm looking at this one: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9202374&type=product&id=1218058259169 I like it because it has lots of inputs (like a girl I used to know) is big, has 2 year warranty, has a good contrast ratio, and mostly, because it's 120HZ. It's also a pretty nice price for all of that. The BB Insignias seem to get fairly well rated on Consumer Reports but this one is new. Anyone have any advice on this TV or TV specs and buying in general? I'll be using it with Comcast HD service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RSBro Posted October 1, 2009 Members Share Posted October 1, 2009 Anything Samsung has out right now is pretty darn good for the price. They'll get my business next time around. I just bought a new bulb for my Hitachi RP-LCD (that lasted over 3+ years!!) so I'll be good at least that much longer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lug Posted October 1, 2009 Members Share Posted October 1, 2009 Insignia is Best Buy's house brand. I've heard they are actually made by LG but am not sure. My kids have one and it's worked flawlessly for almost 2 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members misterhinkydink Posted October 1, 2009 Members Share Posted October 1, 2009 I've had a 42" 120Hz LG for about five months and it's been great. The number of TV inputs weren't much concern as I'm using the receiver to do the switching. It's just one HDMI connection from there to the TV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bluescout Posted October 1, 2009 Author Members Share Posted October 1, 2009 Thanks guys. Anyone know about the HZ, 60 vs 120 thing? Some things say you'll see a difference in fast moving video, some say other refresh rates are more important, some say there isn't much of a difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RSBro Posted October 1, 2009 Members Share Posted October 1, 2009 Most have 120 as standard, with the high end models having 240. But the media is pretty far behind as far as what you'll get from your set-top box or even Blu-Ray for it to matter yet, IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members t3ch Posted October 1, 2009 Members Share Posted October 1, 2009 60hz show more "blurring" as opposed to 120hz and 240hz models. If you plan to do a lot of high-motion action films, sports, or gaming, I'd not bother with 60hz. If you want an LCD, Samsung makes the best. If you want a Plasma, get a Panasonic. If you want information on the best TV ever made (literally) for $1600, send me a PM. Really, most of them are going to be "nice". There are degrees to niceness though, and while each have pros/cons, you generally get what you pay for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Super_Donut_Man Posted October 1, 2009 Members Share Posted October 1, 2009 60 vs 120 comes down to (as mentioned by T3ch) blurring. If you ask me, I hardly notice, but I don't watch any sizable amount of tv, so I've had a 42" 120Hz LG for about five months and it's been great. The number of TV inputs weren't much concern as I'm using the receiver to do the switching. It's just one HDMI connection from there to the TV. This, except I've had it for a week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Kelemvor Posted October 1, 2009 Members Share Posted October 1, 2009 The refresh rate and response time are going to be a concern if you hook your computer into your display like me. I wanted a 'multimedia' PC and I got an old 32inch, 720p, LCD Westinghouse handed down to me for cheap. I think it has a 13ms response time. The newer generation of LCD tvs have response times of 4ms or so. Soon, like you, I'll be upgrading to a larger, higher res TV so I won't have to squint my eyes to read text from my couch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members L-1329 Posted October 1, 2009 Members Share Posted October 1, 2009 I bought three Samsung's about a month ago, two 37" 120hz and a 22" 60 hz. All look fantastic whether it's tv, hd sources or x-box. Excellent picture quality, and the price is very reasonable for the quality. Can't say as to long term yet, but I don't regret buying them for a second. I have yet to see a picture that I can tell is superior, whatever the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members whofan27 Posted October 1, 2009 Members Share Posted October 1, 2009 Thanks guys. Anyone know about the HZ, 60 vs 120 thing? Some things say you'll see a difference in fast moving video, some say other refresh rates are more important, some say there isn't much of a difference. Both are correct. The reason you'll see a difference in fast moving video is because 120 Hz is a faster refresh rate than 60 Hz - by definition. 120 Hz is only about a year old. I bought my Samsung a year ago this week and there were only a couple of TVs that had 120 Hz back then. 240 Hz is today were 120 Hz was last year. It does make a little bit of a noticeable difference. BTW: The new technology that's beginning to come out is OLED, which stands for Organic LED. They have a better picture than LED, use less power, it's cheaper to make (though you won't see affordable units for a few years), lasts longer, and your TV will have less chance for burn-in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members SA Rios Posted October 2, 2009 Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 Anything Samsung has out right now is pretty darn good for the price. They'll get my business next time around. I just bought a new bulb for my Hitachi RP-LCD (that lasted over 3+ years!!) so I'll be good at least that much longer. I think we have the same T.V.; the 55" Hitachi RP. We went through 1 bulb in about 2 years and its been about 2 years since we replaced it, so we know another blown bulb is inevitable. At $250 per bulb, we decided that next time it blows its time for a new LCD. Flat LCDs have come down in price so much since we bought the Hitachi. For the $1400 we paid for that one we can get a pretty sweet TV and not have to worry about the bulbs anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Svi Posted October 2, 2009 Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 I think we have the same T.V.; the 55" Hitachi RP. We went through 1 bulb in about 2 years and its been about 2 years since we replaced it, so we know another blown bulb is inevitable. At $250 per bulb, we decided that next time it blows its time for a new LCD. Flat LCDs have come down in price so much since we bought the Hitachi. For the $1400 we paid for that one we can get a pretty sweet TV and not have to worry about the bulbs anymore. Yep, we do have the same TV as RSB...we've talked about it in almost every single LCD thread As for the original TV in question, I have no idea, but now you got SARios on something because he already showed me how sweet it is and I have a feeling we'll be getting one soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members t3ch Posted October 2, 2009 Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 I think we have the same T.V.; the 55" Hitachi RP. We went through 1 bulb in about 2 years and its been about 2 years since we replaced it, so we know another blown bulb is inevitable. At $250 per bulb, we decided that next time it blows its time for a new LCD. Flat LCDs have come down in price so much since we bought the Hitachi. For the $1400 we paid for that one we can get a pretty sweet TV and not have to worry about the bulbs anymore. If you're gonna spend that much on a TV, I'd be happy to help you find one. I am going to buy one as soon as I get the large check I'm expecting this month, and I've pretty much done nothing for the past 2 months except research TV's, receivers, and speakers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bassman1956 Posted October 2, 2009 Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 If things had gone better this year, I'd be watching a Sony 40". IMO, Sony and Samsung are the best in this size. But it's very very personal. What looks best to you? What's most comfortable on your eyes? What is easiest to watch? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Darkstorm Posted October 2, 2009 Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 Go back to the store, seriously look at the picture on all their lcd tv's. Both from in front and from off to the side. Pick the two that give best picture from both in front and off to the side. Buy one of those two. To me the Samsung and Sharp Aquos lcd tvs consistently have best picture. It dont matter if another tv has higher ratio or refresh or whatever if the pic qaulity isnt as good. Hitachi to me has inferior picture in all comparrissons Ive done. A good lcd tv picture life should and will be, 30 plus years. BTW I bought one of the early version sharp aquos lcd tvs a good 5 plius years ago, still fine. Last year got 32 inch samsung for bedroom with all the extras lcd tvs come with now for bedroom where does the most tv watching. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bluescout Posted October 2, 2009 Author Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 BTW I bought one of the early version sharp aquos lcd tvs a good 5 plius years ago, still fine. Last year got 32 inch samsung for bedroom with all the extras lcd tvs come with now for bedroom where does the most tv watching. Do you notice any fast motion blur? I guess that's the big question. I will get used to a darker or lighter, sharp or not as sharp picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RSBro Posted October 2, 2009 Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 Yep, we do have the same TV as RSB...we've talked about it in almost every single LCD thread As for the original TV in question, I have no idea, but now you got SARios on something because he already showed me how sweet it is and I have a feeling we'll be getting one soon Lol trut! Yep the Hitachi 55" RP-LCD. Wow $250?? Man I paid $118 for the one I just got. I can give you a link. It has the enclosure and everything. They sell just the bulbs which you can replace yourself for about $20 less. The picture is great now. Very bright and crisp. I'm thinking about getting another next month just so I can already have one as backup. I know they won't be making these things forever, as the technology is very dead and since it won't work w/out a bulb, it's not like you can just leave it in your gameroom like the old big screens and it work forever, just to play video games on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members SA Rios Posted October 2, 2009 Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 Lol trut! Yep the Hitachi 55" RP-LCD.Wow $250?? Man I paid $118 for the one I just got. I can give you a link. It has the enclosure and everything. They sell just the bulbs which you can replace yourself for about $20 less. The picture is great now. Very bright and crisp.I'm thinking about getting another next month just so I can already have one as backup. I know they won't be making these things forever, as the technology is very dead and since it won't work w/out a bulb, it's not like you can just leave it in your gameroom like the old big screens and it work forever, just to play video games on. Its possible the bulbs have come down a lot since the last one blew. I'm trying to remember when it blew, I think it might have been around the time the Bears were in the Superbowl, so early 2007:confused: Please send me a link to where you picked one up for $118. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RSBro Posted October 2, 2009 Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 Its possible the bulbs have come down a lot since the last one blew. I'm trying to remember when it blew, I think it might have been around the time the Bears were in the Superbowl, so early 2007:confused: Please send me a link to where you picked one up for $118. http://www.discount-merchant.com/UX21516-Lamp-p/hitachi_55vf820_lamp_ux21516.htm Sry the bulb is $119. With the enclosure is $20, but still. Not too bad, considering I walked out with mine new for $1089! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Svi Posted October 2, 2009 Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 http://www.discount-merchant.com/UX21516-Lamp-p/hitachi_55vf820_lamp_ux21516.htm Sry the bulb is $119. With the enclosure is $20, but still. Not too bad, considering I walked out with mine new for $1089! We replaced ours last year. And it was around $250 +overnight shipping, so it was around $285. We replaced it when the Cubs were in the playoffs, so that was last year. When I bought it, I searched high and low for them and had a hell of a time finding one-now a quick google search shows me they're everywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RSBro Posted October 2, 2009 Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 We replaced ours last year. And it was around $250 +overnight shipping, so it was around $285. We replaced it when the Cubs were in the playoffs, so that was last year. When I bought it, I searched high and low for them and had a hell of a time finding one-now a quick google search shows me they're everywhere. Sorry mang. I'm surprised mine lasted this long. 3 years and one month almost to the day. Not bad! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members SA Rios Posted October 2, 2009 Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 Sorry mang. I'm surprised mine lasted this long. 3 years and one month almost to the day. Not bad! We watch a lot of TV in the evenings and especially now that football season has started the TV's on from noon to 11pm on Sundays. Plus Kelly puts Sesame Street on during the day of the kids. I'd imagine ours will be going out closer to the 2 year mark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Flogger59 Posted October 2, 2009 Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 I have a Samsung 5265 in the basement, had it for nearly two years. It's great, and I like that I can get to the calibration parameters without going into the service menu (here be monsters). Rent a copy of Pixar's Ratatouille, they have some test patterns to help you set the brightness and contrast. You MUST do this with an LCD TV, otherwise they come out of the box so bright you'll get headaches. The wife has an Insignia 37" in the bedroom. It's adequate, but the color rendering is fake compared to the Samsung. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bluescout Posted October 2, 2009 Author Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 I took advice and went to Best Buy. The guy there couldn't have surprised me more if he was Jesus Christ. He was very well educated about all things TV and happy to chat with me for 20 minutes. He explained 60hz vs 120 hz. VERY well and it's not what you'd think. I saw differences between makes and models, then I saw PLASMA. They had a very nice plasma 42" on sale for $600. Now I know a lot more than I did but have new questions!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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